Sep
7
McCain’s attack Kitten (and a bad poker analogy)
September 7, 2008 | 1 Comment
Ana Marie Cox over at Congressional Quarterly has the best take on Sarah Palin I’ve yet read:
After that lacklustre speech by McCain, would we now be talking about ‘neck-and-neck’ polls if said speech had been preceded by say, a Romney or Pawlenty vice presidential speech? Somehow I doubt it. As the BBC’s very wise Rob Watson has informed me, this election is Obama’s to lose. But McCain is clinging on . . .
In poker terms McCain started out bad . . . let’s say with an 8,2 off suit against Obama’s pocket deuces (AA).
Biden getting the Dem Veep ticket as expected has flopped McCain a 2, K, A, leaving him the worst pair imaginable and Obama holding impregnable triple Aces (Hillary on the ticket would NOT have been as good a hand). Palin was the river McCain needed and has given him another 2 but at the same time the fact that she brings ‘known unknowns’ (like possible foreign policy gaffes) is a plus for Obama. . . so the Hawaiian sits like a rock with a strong hand.
. . . . so between now and the election McCain needs a miracle 2 on the turn to crack Obama’s Aces full of 2s . . . . incredibly unlikely and very exciting for all us watchers . . . not forgetting that there’s still an Ace somewhere in the pack that just can’t help but turn blue if it shows . . . roll on November.
Aug
4
Going east?
August 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment
If you’re planning a trip to one of Europe’s little secrets — Estonia — then let me point you in the direction of Est Adventures. Run by Melbourne expat Andrew, this gutsy tour company does something no other Estonian operator seems to be doing: piercing the tourist bubble and taking the unwary visitor to some seriously out of the way places all within an hour’s drive of Tallinn. Read more
Jul
19
Mugison, Corsica Studios, 9th July
July 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
At a guess there are probably a few converted railway arches posing as venues throughout London, Corsica at the Elephant & Castle proudly skips on the ‘converted’ — despite the incongruous picture of Dickie Davies that greets you upon entry and the balsa wood bar, nothing much can hide that you are in fact under a railway. Read more
Jul
10
Les Contrepéteries
July 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The French have given us many great things : donkey salami, sultry women who dress well, the world’s best cuisine, militant farmers and, thankfully, a deep-rooted fear of the encroaching English language . . .
. . .If you have a childish , almost puerile sense of humour (and a small grasp of French) then relax, you’ve come to the right place . . . you’re with friends . . . Read more
Jul
2
The Radio Academy held a radio conference in Glasgow this week. I was lucky enough to attend . . read on if you’re interested. Read more
Jun
25
Jorge Drexler, Union Chapel, Thurs 19th
June 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Jorge Drexler was one of South America’s best-kept secrets until he went an won an oscar in 2004 for the soundtrack to Che Guevara flick “The Motorcycle Diaries”. Although the softly-spoken Uruguayan now lives in Spain his appearance at London’s Union Chapel was his first ever UK performance. Read more
Jun
15
Camper Van Beethoven, Popular Songs of Great Enduring Strength and Beauty
June 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Someone told me the other day that he could never review music because they didn’t have enough references to pick their way through today’s plethora of new songs. Step forward Camper Van Beethoven — godsend for all wordshy journos, musical magpies and something of a soothing panacea for the tired ear of today. Read more
Jun
15
Gnarls Barkley, Bush Hall, Fri 13th
June 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The following review appears in the latest edition of London’s premier music ‘zine, London Tour Dates 
When I was at school odd couples peppered the playground like a rash, everyone remembers their own version of the über-cool dude with the happy-go-lucky sidekick. While happy boy was dressed like a scruff only too pleased to please, cool wore black and stood against the side of the PE block, fag in hand, rings on finger (skull of course) resolutely refusing to speak to anyone. Within a minutes of coming onstage it’s not hard to guess who plays who in Gnarls Barkley. Read more