The Listening Club - 27th February 2022

Hey folks,

Hope you're all doing okay. It's been a clear, cool weekend here in Amsterdam, a bit of a calm after the storms of last week, and there's definite signs of springtime activity, even if it is just ourselves and other neighbours doing a bit of pruning and general outdoor tidying up whilst enjoying the sun. Oh, and hype cat netted himself his first mouse of the year (or first one we've seen, anyway), so there's that too.

It has been mentioned elsewhere, but it is worth saying here too, that this esteemed club will be celebrating it's 10th birthday in a few weeks time (gosh), and this will be being celebrated here in Amsterdam in person on Kings Day (27th April), along with my overdue birthday party from a couple of years back, in the form of loud music and dancing in the streets. I realise travel is a big ask for some folks, for a variety of reasons, but if you can make it over here, it would be truly awesome to welcome and celebrate with you - there's loads of gigs on around that time also (Sparks, Warmduscher, Grandaddy, Mildlife, Dead Can Dance just to name a few), and well, it's Kings Day, and most of you know what that entails... get in touch if you have questions, I'll do my best to assist.

Also as mentioned, I'm away next Sunday, so if anyone can help out and host here, please let me know on the tweets, kthx.

Last Sunday we had @zbendr in the chair, sending tropical vibes in the shape of Seu Jorge's "The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions", which enchanted the assembled quite succefully so it seems. Thanks to Ben for the pick, and for sailing the frisb over to @brainspiritus who has an extra week to ponder because...

...yeah, vortex time again, innit? and another #coversvortex, cos we can't get enough of 'em it seems, although this time it's a "covers or original versions of tunes with more famous covers" vortex, which makes a lousy acronym, so #coversororiginalsvortex will have to do.

Anyway, here it is - gdrive, direct, and stream below.

See you 8pm GMT tonight.

The Listening Club - 20th February 2022

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing okay. It's a dark & strormy night here in Amsterdam, actually about the fourth or fifth one in succession, as a series of friendly-named storms keep battering the city and removing some of the less secure trees (which, considering Amsterdam is mainly built on a sand bank, is most of them). So, even though the covid restrictions are mostly gone, staying in is still the order of the day... at least for a little longer. Plans are being made though, one of which will require someone to help out here on Sunday 6th March, as I'll be away - if you can assist, let me know...

Last week chez #LC, we had @eastvanhalen in the chair, jazzing up the place with her pick of the eponymous album of "The Misled Children Meet Odean Pope", which keep everyone gently swinging for the duration quite successfully. Thanks extended for the selection, and for sailing the frisb down under where @zbendr is busy fixing his morning coffee with this to say...

“Hello, listeners!

This is something “mainstream”, but dear to me. I find it uplifting, relaxing, engaging; sad, soulful and harmonious.

It pitches and rolls a bit, but it also sails nicely along quite often. It evokes a lot of thoughts and memories as each track arrives, opens its doors and takes you on as a passenger, and then those doors slide closed. As you roll along you might miss your station.

It’s been rolling around my head for the last couple of weeks, after having lost a friend × former business partner to COVID-19, the scourge of the ‘20s.

I hope you can enjoy this record somewhere cozy: whether that be a warm nook or snug, or a cool spot with a breeze. It all depends in which of the hemispheres you live.

Recommended beverage: green or chamomile tea. A decent whisk(e)y. A small carafe of Sangiovese perhaps?

Recommended snack: a slice of tea cake (if you are having tea). Or something in the antipasti / tapas / bread-and-cheese domain.

This #LC submission has a coda, a one-track film clip tribute to my departed friend who was a member of this band. It’s unrelated to the main pick, but I wanted to share with you all. "

Right then. Download's here, stream's below:

See you 8pm GMT tonight!

The Listening Club - 13th February 2022

Happy All-Hateful Eve to you all! Um, that's how it works, isn't it?

Amsterdam is quiet and dozing today, which is understandable after most of the clubs in town opened last night in protest at the continuing night-time events curfew... (it's been nearly two years now, give or take the odd week, since clubs have been allowed to open) meanwhile the govt continue to drag out the re-opening, an hour or two at a time, which really is infuriating. Hopefully, if we're really really lucky we can get one or two full nights out before the next variant shuts everything down again, eh?... *gripes behind mask*

Anyhoo, last Sunday in the balmy garden of #LC, @emmaprice was in the chair, setting everyone off on a raft of reminiscence and opinion with her pick of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours". Thanks to Emma for the selection, and for sailing the frisb over to Vancouver, where @eastvanhalen has risen from the sofa to proclaim...

"Hey there lovelies,

It’s jazz. Don’t @ me. It’s also funky, and off-kilter enough that any chill doesn’t drift into mellow. I listened to this album on repeat while I was hanging out at a cabin on the coast recently, just me and the woodstove and the sound of the ocean, and this oddly beautiful instrumental work floating through it. 

#drinkingclub is probably weed. Or good scotch, but that’s just because you can’t go wrong with good scotch."

Okaydoke. Download's here, stream's below:

See you 8pm GMT tonight.

The Listening Club - 6th February 2022

Greetings folks,

Hope you're all doing OK. Still mostly wet and grey here in Amsterdam, but the odd sunny hour and green shoot popping up bring welcome signs of spring, let's hope it's an early one this year. Also the re-appearance of late night screams, laughs and yodels indicate that the govt's relaxing of covid rules is very much being appreciated. The city is healing a little bit, so it seems...

Last Sunday chez #LC we were deep in the #moshpitvortex, which really shook the cobwebs out of the assembled. Thanks to everyone who chipped in a tune or two, and mega thanks to @saucer for gathering the collection and stitching it together most excellently. Looking back to go forward, we see @emmaprice clutching the frisbaton with this to say by way of introduction to tonight's pick...

"Greetings all. I have angsted long and hard about this week's pick. My head has been full of non music thoughts of late so I've been struggling to think of something glorious that I've not already picked in the past. So, I've gone for an album which I'm sure you all know, but in these strange and confusing times I'm finding comfort in the familiar and the things I know bring me joy. This album definitely does this and is one of the albums I listened to most last year.

Not entirely sure what to suggest for #drinkingclub for this one. I welcome your suggestions."

Okaydoke, download's here, stream's below:

See you 8pm GMT tonight!