Oh my oh my… I’m a pragmatist. Mock me. Shock me. Tell me I’m impulsive, short sighted and not strategic.

Oh my oh my … You are a theorist. You can’t get anything done. You have your head in the clouds. Your talk is noodling twaddle.

For the record I find the above simplied example of shortsighted pragmatism such a bore. I am indeed a pragmatist but having worked planning communications strategy for many years can use this experience to work strategically when required without the crutch of the aforementioned plan.

 The main problem with us pragmatists is that we are far too busy delivering work (often based on the considered needs of others) to explain the theory or reasoning behind our actions.

Result: things get done, are effective but leave some people feeling unheard and the pragmatist open to criticism.

The alternative is what. Well we could spend time debating the way forward, examing different theories basied on personal opinon, best practice and being inclusive and choose a way forward.

Result: The same – that’s what we pragmatists do anyway - we just don’t have time to discuss this into the realms of infinity.  

…. Not sure what I’m trying to illustrate here as obviouly I have not planned it out …. so with my compulsive, impulsive torrent of unsubstansiated mindless drivel over … I better get on with some work.

I was really delighted to be challenged on the fact that I cannot just write poetry whenever I want. I always thought that I could only deliver when the mood would take me or when the full moon washed down upon a white goat traversing a rope bridge at midnight … but suffice to say it appears with the correct level of quiet and contemplation prose is availabe in my repetoire!

Artist in resident, Nick Ripley, a performance poet and amazing photographer introduced this to me and two fellow workers in what became and inspiring and s

One most must agree with here. Well known and well played this album rocks. What appeals to be personally isn’t just the diversity of urban, classical asian, hip hop and desi beats but more the accomplishment of the tracks collectively as an album.

Listening from start to finish the album takes you on a morale thought provoking journey whilst keeping your head nodding, brain engaged and illustrating intelligent insight into modern asian britain.

It’s also worth praising the wonderful instrumental elements (especially those beautiful piano riffs)

Loveley stuff

I first came across this band when I was perusing a record collection inherited from my father. The cover looked of heavy metal origin and this didn’t fit his Blues and Folk man ethos.

So I opened up the gatesleeve. Wow! What an amazing bunch of white weird wonders.

I make no bones about this – this album rocks.

Electric Blues and Boogie Guitar from the 70’s that has real balls. Slow to medium in pace, up and down on the power guage I defy you to not Blues Rock out to this over a game of poker. 1970 Original Issue

Genius

Why is it with when it rains it pours (Ike’s). Over the last 3 months I have had my car broken into twice, my window subsequentky repaired twice, my son has had four high fevers through teething his entire set in the course of 2 months, key snapped in lock, partner ill with mystery bug, dimmer switch broke in bedroom, petrol ran out due needle stuck on signal, rose got blackspot – I could go on …. but I won’t because I am in a transitional period of self awareness.

I have decided to choose my attitude, to have a playful demeanor (I’m loving Dupo at 5.15am these days), to be present for my son, family, work and responsabilities (this one’s been an ever present) and to make someones day everyday.

Question Have I been watching cheesey development videos?

Answer Yes

Question Is there truth in this philosophy?

Answer - Most definately.

However you might want to phrase it ‘it pours when it rains’ because you let it. You become more atuned to all that is grim around you and in turn it becomes attracted and more interested in you (like Araf in Dark Materials I suppose)

When you choose the enlightened route in times of hardship you are blessed with humour, when you make someones day you share their joy and when you are present you vanquish your worries. Most importantly when you play you get better value out of buying your son Duplo.

Here endeth my sermon…

Mention Aswad and most people will imagine a couple of guys showing out to some smaltz like don’t turn around – or at least most ignorants would anyway.

This album personally changed my perception of them but aside from that it stands alone as a wicked example of its genre – dub.

Echo’d out, wild sounds a sweet production combine to produce a really listenable LP.

I love the cover art too! Righteous!

Awesone Dub LP with wicked cover

Okay… so what do thimbles, a wash board, teenage oaps, cotteridge and pints of Guiness have in common?

Well they all featured highly on an amazing night out at The Crossroads Blues Club last night.

Celebrating one year of opening the tiny venue was packed with a niche audience of real blues lovers to see this special gig involving the one and only, down right masterful Perry Foster and the quirky irky Robert Johnson in a cardigan gal Abie Budgen complete with washboard, nasal trumpet, beatboxing and general tomphoooooolery to go with her eliquent country blues.

Tickets were a bargain at £5 and the night was filled full of head nodding, foot tapping, laughing, crying, screaming, pleading Blues of the highest order.

I’d strongly reccommend getting down there and sampling the unique atmosphere but don’t tell too many people – this is something that should be savoured by the adoring few on a regular basis.

Had to have a cheecky smile as I read the Guardian yesterday. The national gallery must be commended for their campaign to frame all of their Dutch Masters exhibition in a mock red light district within the venue.

Complete with controversial ‘hooker’ museum attendants (I really want to see the job description) this is, if nothing else, a great PR coup that has commanded a full page in the Guardian as a great starter for ten.

Some may mock this brash link, cheap shot, the politically sensitivity of female sexploitation but I admit I love the cheeky angle with tenious link to content … and obvious appeal to male ’some engaged’ arts attendees …

Love that cover

I absolutely adore this 1970’s Grant Green LP Sleeve. 

I think its safe to say that over the last 14 years of owenership I have enjoyed the cover much more than the music on the LP. The LP flashes through some professional and competant covers of James Brown, The Beatles and Burt Baccaurach but hey the sleeve really does the business – one to be framed soon I think….

I needed an outlet for my ramblings and here it is.

Hopefully my friends (my friends… my friends …….. my friends ………….) far and near will be able to keep abreast of my current goings on but more importantly there are so many good things to share!

Who knows what content will be covered? I would imagine music, LP covers I love, arts, marketing, conspiracy theory, science fiction rubbish, the West Midlands and a few personal bug bears will pass this way but why nail a flag to the floor when you don’t have a floor?