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Tuesday 7th February 2012

As it appears to be no secret that this is to be released shortly, I can tell you that I'm currently preparing the liner notes for a long overdue reissue of the one and only Bricklin album with some great input from Scott Bricklin, who these days plays in a band called US Rails. Also interesting to learn today that former Joe Perry Project and Farrenheit man Charlie Farren has joined forces with Jon Butcher in a new project called F.B.I (that stands for Farren Butcher Inc.). They have a CD available to buy at www.farrenbutcher.com . Must get myself a copy!

Monday 6th February 2012

With Notts' home game against Stevenage postponed on Saturday due to a frozen pitch, it was time to stick on a few more albums that hadn't seen some action for some time; so yours truly promptly enjoyed the sounds of Freddie Salem & The Wildcats' 'Cat Dance', Orphan's 'Lonely At Night', The Boyzz' 'Too Wild To Tame' and the classic, Paul Suter compiled 'Striktly For Konnoisseurs' double album (which is quite probably the greatest compilation album of all-time).

With the snow arriving en masse over Saturday night, it was amusing to see what our nine month old Cocker Spaniel puppy Alfie had to make of his first sight (not to mention taste) of the fluffy stuff. Needless to say, like his utterly wonderful predecessor - the hugely adored and greatly missed Lady - he absolutely loved it and it was often hard to get him to stay indoors.

Thursday 2nd February 2012

Wrapping up the latest Rock Candy essay, I thought I'd drag out some CDs I hadn't played in a fair while, so the house is being subjected to the delights of Souixsie & The Banshees, Urgent and Bricklin. The latter in the interests of research but, may I add, not for what I'm currently writing......

 

Wednesday 1st February 2012

A timely 1-0 win for Notts County over Walsall last night pushed the Pies back up the table and within touching distance of the play-off places again. A Lee Hughes strike in the third minute made the difference in a game that gave rise to a bit of a future quiz question by the fact that Walsall replaced goalkeeper Jimmy Walker at half-time with David Grof. Both keepers had previously had spells at Notts, with the veteran Walker having started his career at Meadow Lane and Grof having been on the Notts books last season (though he was unfortunate not to make a first team appearance).

Tuesday 31st January 2012

It's trying its hardest to snow outside as I type, but nothing settling on the ground. I've finally got the new reviews page up and running and hope to continue to add each week. If bands or labels have any submissions for the reviews section then please get in touch.

Monday 30th January 2012

I'm currently working on my latest Rock Candy essay after a fascinating conversation yesterday evening with one of the guitarists featured on the particular album in question. All will be revealed in due course, though there were a couple of pearls from the great man that I couldn't possibly repeat in the finished piece, but were hilariously funny nonetheless.

The Notts County message boards have almost gone into meltdown since the F.A. Cup defeat against Stevenage on Saturday. It's annoying having been knocked out, especially as Stevenage's reward is a fifth round home tie with Spurs (that would've been a fantastic boost to Notts' coffers had County gone through instead), but although Notts were pretty poor in the first half, the second 45 minutes found the team completely on top and only denied a deserved equalizer by some outstanding saves from the Stevenage keeper. Some of the abuse directed at Notts' players, the manager and the chairman (a man who could've put the club into administration two years ago, but chose not to) on the internet since the loss  though has been absolutely disgraceful and utterly pathetic.

Friday 27th January 2012

After struggling to hit the back of the net on Tuesday in a frustrating 0-0 encounter at home to Preston North End, Notts County have hopefully now gained more potency up front with the loan signing of Jonathan Forte from Southampton. Having enjoyed two previous spells at Meadow Lane during the 2008/2009 campaign, when he came on loan from Scunthorpe (scoring eight goals in 18 appearances for the Magpies), Forte's signing is naturally being looked upon very positively by my fellow Notts fans and I.

Having finally got round yesterday to begin tidying things up on the site after about seven years (!) away from it, today's work has involved adding some more recent news items, putting plans in place for a more recent reviews section and looking through my photo library with the intention of adding a few more pix from the old days. This task has been undertaken to a soundtrack consisting of Red, White & Blues' 'Shine' album and the Retrospect reissue of Day One's 'One Look'. I must admit that, some of the keyboard solos aside, the comparisons to Angel are a bit curious, but it was nice to get re-acquainted with the band again after all these years.

Thursday 26th January 2012

Yes, I've finally gone and done it! Finally managed to update the site! Although it could still do with a complete design overhaul, the fact I've managed to find the time (not to mention the motivation) to begin adding new bits to the site I've been paying to upkeep for all these years - with little to show for it in terms of additions - is nothing more than miraculous. I shall attempt to do more with it over the next few weeks, months, years....

At the moment I'm working on some tasty new stuff to be added to the Rock Candy catalogue of reissues. My lips, as always, are sealed as to what they are, but, trust me, there's stuff here that really is going to impress as only a Rock Candy release can! I'm very much looking forward to the already announced releases from the label due on February 13th that include titles from Praying Mantis, Grand Prix, Candy and Sheriff. The latter will feature the rare live promo album 'Live At El Mocambo' as bonus tracks and will rectify that annoying edit that was made on the original CD release that cut Freddy Curci's spectacular ending to 'Gimme Rock 'n' Roll'.

Another new album well worth getting hold of if you have a penchant for French Heavy Metal is the fantastic new CD/DVD release that finally brings the Trust 'Rockpalast' performance to your eyes and ears. Recorded in 1982, whilst Nicko McBrain was still in the group, it really is superb.

Lastly, to celebrate a recent 'milestone' (cough) birthday recently, I was astonished to receive this amazing, custom made birthday cake commissioned by my better half Andrea and stunningly created by her daughter Heather. Truly 'Angel-ic'!

Dave