Déjà vu – 2021, same old shit again

Today is the 1st January 2022 so it feels like an appropriate time to review 2021. The whole year has been dominated, haunted even, by COVIS. I don’t mind wearing masks in shops, don’t object to wearing them to enter pubs and restaurants and I’m more than happy to wear them in work. The thing is though, for the second year in succession I have had holidays to the USA cancelled, had a good number of gigs postponed and been assaulted by a daily dose of bad news in the media. I’m ready for the freedoms I have taken for granted for all of my (longish) life.

I have also been appalled by the corrupt government led by Boris Johnson. This buffoon was voted in on a tide of jingoistic fervour caused by Brexit. Since day one he has exposed himself as a shameless liar. Where is the £350 million/week benefit to the NAS from Brexit??? It was a lie. Where is the benefit to the economy??? It was a lie. Where are all the trade deals? There is only one that we have signed that we didn’t already have when we were part of the EU. When we were all isolating last year, unable to visit vulnerable relatives, unable to attend family funerals, Boris and his mates were pissing it up calling these parties business meetings. Ask yourself, how many Brexit voters are celebrating the triumph??? In my opinion, Brexit was driven by little Englanders fear of Johnny foreigner. Ironically, hotels and restaurants are struggling without EU labour. Farmers are destroying crops and livestock due to a shortage of EU labour. All of this was predicted. Brexit voters, are you proud???

I could go on forever about cronyism, profiteering and many other sins that we commoners would never get away with. Please just focus on the lies. I don’t suppose I’m any different to you, my parents brought me up not to lie, that telling the truth was the right thing to do. I was told at school that honesty was a virtue.  We live in dangerous times brothers and sisters. Please use your vote sensibly. The media did a hatchet job on Jeremy Corbyn. Go back to early 2016, This government has adopted many of the policies he proposed which they claimed were disastrous socialist nonsense. I’m no Corbyn apologist but looking back it is scary to consider how he was brought down by the right wing media.

No apologies for the above rant, Boris Johnson boils my piss!!!

2021 wasn’t all bad. We had a great holiday in the Peak district, the first time we have visited this part of England. A big thank you to the friendly folk from this part of England (great alliteration even if I say so myself). We spent a good few nights in our favourite city, Liverpool. I love the people, the pubs, the history, and the architecture, everything about the place. I am a proud Walneyite but I could happily move to Merseyside. More than anything, I love Everton football club. The best fans and also the support that the club gives to the local community is second to none UTFT!!!

Ten of us had a great night on the 30^th December and I already can’t wait to get back.

 love of music dominates my life as anyone that knows me will vouch for. My albums of 2021 are ;

They’re calling me home – Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turisi

Rhiannon Giddens sublime vocals are accentuated by the sparseness of the instrumental accompaniment. Life partner Francesco Turrisi produces a rich sound from frame drum and other percussion with other accompaniment provided by fiddle, guitar, banjo, Irish flute and cello.

Raise the Roof – Robert Plant and Alisson Krauss

After a break of 14 years since 2007’s Raising Sand, Robert Plant and Allison Krauss are back with an album that gives credence to the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder. There have been a few criticisms regarding the poor choice/sameness of the material which I don’t subscribe to. Plant and Krauss’ vocals perfectly complement each other and the musicianship and production are first rate. Pour yourself a glass of wine and relax whilst listening to this great album.

Hardware – Billy Gibbons

ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons headed into the Mojave Desert to record in Pioneertown, California to record his third solo albums. When I read this I had to buy the album as for the second year running our holiday to the States which included a stay in Pioneertown was cancelled due to Covis (fuck you ‘Rona). This is a great album, less than forty minutes long and a blast from the get go. Sadly Gibbon’s partner in ZZ Top Dusty Hill passed away last year. RIP brother.

Pohorylle – Margo Cilker

I must confess I had never heard of Margo Cilker. It was a review in The Guardian that roused my curiosity. I’m glad I went on my instinct and bought this gem of a debut album. Hailing from Eastern Oregon for several years, Margo Cilker has spent much of her time on the road. This album draws from life experiences she has gained fand is a great Songwriter album. Backing musicians include Jenny Conlee from The Decemberists, one of my favourite bands, plus Jason Kardong from Son Volt. A bright career beckons.

Margo Cilker – Broken Arm In Oregon – YouTube

For the first time – Black Country New Road

Hats off to Hannah! A colleague from HR encouraged me to check out this band and I’m glad I listened. A young band, three girls and four guys, they create a heady mix of musical styles that challenge and reward the listener. A new album is due in early 2022 and I look forward to checking out how they have developed.

Chemtrails over the country club – Lana Del Ray

An artist who certainly divides opinion amongst those I have discussed this album with. The follow up to the excellent and excellently titled ‘Norman fucking Rockwell’ album, this release features brilliant lyrics and complimentary musicianship. Some have criticised Del Ray’s singing on this album as too ‘breathy’ which is a fair description but didn’t spoil my listening experience

Barn – Neil Young and Crazy Horse

I was delighted to read that Neil had got ‘The Horse’ back together for another album. Nils Lofgren replaces the now retired Frank ‘Pancho’ Sampedro on guitar but rhythm section of Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina are present and correct. For long time Crazy Horse devotees it’s business as usual. Perhaps a little mellower and more concise than usual but it still conveys the feeling that this is a bunch of guys getting together for a jam to please no one else but themselves. I didn’t stop smiling from start to finish.

Daddy’s home – St Vincent

This album was universally raved about by critics and music fans alike. I have been aware of Annie Clark for years but only own Love this Giant, the album she made with David Byrne (excellent). I can’t argue with the reviews, a great album.

Doran – Doran

I heard about this album through a review in the Guardian which always has great music coverage. The article suggested that the album would be right up my street and I wasn’t disappointed. ‘Doran is a four-person freak folk collective hailing from rural Virginia, New York, and the Pacific Northwest’. The album features Pagan style chanting and songs that connect with the natural world. The perfect album for dark winter nights. If you like Bright Phoebus or the soundtrack from The Wicker Man then you’ll love this.

I also have to shower praise on two other albums. The first is a reissue, the second an album I have have wanted to hear for years and man, it didn’t disappoint!

Stand In the fire – Warren Zevon

This was a Record store day 2021 release of an extended edition of a classic 1980 live album recorded at the Roxy in LA. If you have never heard Warren Zevon, do yourself a favour, he is one of the best ever Singer/Songwriters. A larger than life, flawed genius who was lauded by his peers but too often overlooked by punters.

Dancer with bruised knees – Kate and Anna McGarrigle

I remember reading reviews of this album in Sounds. Released in 1977, I never got around to buying it because I was into Punk back then so it would have been a distinctly uncool purchase. I came across it a couple of months ago In Fat Bob’s in Barrow market and eagerly handed over the dosh. I now know what I have missed out on for thirty eight years!!!.  A fantastic album that makes me smile. For music trivia buffs, Kate McGarrigle was the former wife of Loudon Wainwright 111 and mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright (He sang Hallelujah on the Shrek soundtrack)

Since lockdown in March 2020 I have kept a record of every full album I have listened to (sad I know). In 2021 these are 10 albums I listened to most frequently:

Folk Hotel – Tom Russell

True love casts out all evil – Roky Erikson and Okervill River

Rain Dogs – Tom Waits

Blood on the Tracks – Bob Dylan

Acoustic classics – Richard Thompson

Bright Phoebus – Lal & Mike Waterson

Duckwalking – Chuck Berry

I’m your man – Leonard Cohen

Live in London – Leonard Cohen

The Harrow and the harvest – Gillian Welch

Literature

I’m an avid reader of books both fiction and non fiction.  The best I have read this year are:

I wanna be yours – John Cooper Clarke

The autobiography of the punk poet. He pulls no punches when describing his years of heroin addiction but, unlike others, there is no glorification of this lifestyle. Cooper Clarke shared a house with Velvet Underground legend Nico and he also provides a fascinating insight into the personality of reviled comedian Bernard Manning which may surprise you.

Alan Johnson – The last train to Gypsy hill

I loved the four volumes of former Labour politician Alan Johnson’s autobiography. This book is his first novel and is a great read.

The Thursday murder club – Richard Osman

Pointless presenter channelling his inner Agatha Christie. I thought it was over-hyped. It’s a very good book with a frustrating ending but I’m not sure it deserved the lavish praise from critics.

I alone can fix it  – Carol D. Leonnig and Philip Rucker

This book is the follow up to A very stable genius, a book about the political rise and election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the USA. This new book covers the chaotic final year of his presidency and the run up to the 2020 election. The last chapter describing events on 6^th January 2021 when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol is the most chilling thing I have ever read. Can you remember when we were told to hate Communism and embrace Democracy??? Be afraid friends, be very afraid.

Bob Willis: A cricketer and a gentleman – Bob Willis and Mike Dickson

I found this book tremendously moving and I’m not ashamed to admit I shed a few tears.  I wish I had met Bob Willis, I think we would have liked each other.

Nomadland –  Jessica Bruder

A disturbing picture of life in the world’s biggest economy. I warmed to the real people in this book, I want all of them to survive and prosper. All you Tory bastards that think the NHS should be privatised and that the welfare state is something to be exterminated should read this book and hang your heads in shame.

A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

My daughter and I were watching Disney’s a Christmas Carol and I confessed I had never read the book. She challenged me to read it before Christmas day which I did.

A timely reminder of the cruelty of a world in which wealth is unfairly distributed and charity is a dirty word. Sadly things have got worse, not better since Dickens wrote this in 1843

Sport – Another year to forget

Once again Everton sucked. The optimism that filled all Blues on Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment faded away in 2021. A bright start petered away and the Toffees finished a disappointing 10^th in the league. If this wasn’t bad enough, Ancelotti pissed off to Real Madrid before the new season started. With the boss gone, James Rodriguez agitated for a move and ended up somewhere in the Emirates. A greedy bastard who’d rather chase money than use his god given talent to play football at the highest level. It went from bad to worse when we appointed former Scum manager Rafael Benitez. To say this divided fan opinion is a major understatement. I was not happy. Graham Potter would have been my choice. A bright start with 3 wins from the first four games started to win fans over. Since then it has been downhill. One win in the last 12 games is not good enough and I believe we will be relegated if he is not sacked very, very soon.

The Miami Dolphins started badly as usual then won seven on the bounce but ultimately petered out. The Texas Rangers sucked as usual.

We have lost the Ashes and the England Test match team look in dire need of a change in leadership at all levels.

That was a canter through the highs and lows of my 2021. I begin 2022 hoping for better times for all. For the third year running we have booked a holiday in the States. California is now off the menu so we are trying out New Mexico, a state we have never visited. We have stays in Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque booked. I want to visit the Earthships I read about in Nomadland, drive on Route 66, take a hot air balloon ride, sample the spicy cuisine and visit lots of Art galleries. We are also going to Texas with stays in Austin and San Antonio booked.

We already have 5 gigs booked;

The Delines

The Animals

Lindisfarne

Chuck Prophet

Dexy’s Midnight Runners

I hope to add a good few more over the year, hopefully seeing shows at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge and Brudenell Social club in Leeds.

I also hope that the charlatan Boris Johnson is kicked out by the Tory party. He is making this country a laughing stock. If you think that this is just my opinion then spend some time reading press reports from other countries. Watch out this year for the loveable Tories using the struggles of the NHS exacerbated by Covis as a justification for privatisation of the service. Rudimentary Google searches will show you that a trade deal with the USA will only happen if their businesses are given access to British Healthcare contracts. THIS IS FACT!!! You should not receive healthcare based on ability to pay. We should be proud of our NHS and the thousands of dedicated staff at all levels. Please don’t use your vote to condemn your children to a life of financial struggle where they face the grim choice of having a pension or health insurance. Those of us who keep pets know that insurance goes up the older our animals are. It’s no different for humans comrades.

COYB UTFT