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Continue reading →: Music Review: Ambient Zone 2 – Just Music Cafe vol. 5I feel very pleasantly like I’ve been in a coma and have just come out. This new compilation album of relaxing chillout ambient music is as astonishingly beautiful as it is serene. I can’t think of better music to get me through the winter nights which have now drawn around…
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Continue reading →: Music Review: The Kinks – Sunny Afternoon (The very Best Of)
This review was originally published on The Doughnut. Though it is a pleasure to review the albums and EPs of new, up-and-coming and lesser-known artists, sometimes it’s nice to look a group who used to be massive and have left a lasting legacy. Just for a change, you know?…
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Continue reading →: Theatre Review: Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh
Review originally published in the E2D August 2015 Come on in and join the party! It should be fun – for this is the party from hell. There are many reasons for the ghastly nature of this party, well-directed by Ian Forrest: Mike Leigh’s classic play is set in the…
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Continue reading →: Music Review: Yeti love – debut album
This review was originally published on The Doughnut. This British folk duo are as quirky as they are talented. There are ten songs on their self-titled debut album and every track is perfect. Folk rock is not everyone’s cup of tea but it’s difficult to imagine how anyone could…
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Continue reading →: In the spirit of things
From my opinion column written for the Egremont 2Day newspaper. As I write this the sun is shining, Wimbledon is on and all seems right with the world. Except it isn’t, of course. Greece is on the verge of complete economic collapse and exit from the EU (or ‘Grexit’ as…
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Continue reading →: Book Review: The Elements of Eloquence – How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase by Mark Forsyth
The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase by Mark Forsyth My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is a must-read for any lover of the English language or writer who wishes to hone their craft. It is not, however, a how-to book. For a start…
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Continue reading →: First World Writer Problems 1: Don’t want to start, don’t want to finish
I’m just nearing the end of writing an article about a superb new British movie which tackles islamophobia. The film is called Freesia (you can watch the trailer here if you’re interested) and I’ve been privileged to see the whole thing. Despite the understated, non-melodramatic and sensitive handling from the…
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Continue reading →: Music Review: Groove Ltd – First Class
This review was originally published on The Doughnut. Can there be any doubt that the saxophone is the sexiest instrument in the world? I am biased, I’ll admit, having played the instrument for many years. When blow my horn I feel ten times hotter even if the results aren’t…
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Continue reading →: Theatre Review: Mr Paradise & Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams
This review was written for the Egremont 2Day newspaper in June 2015. These two short plays playing at Theatre by the Lake’s Studio theatre are not for the faint-hearted but the cast and crew did a marvellous job of making these two plays as mesmerising as possible. The first play,…
