This may be prove to be a slim list, but do you have any favourite songs written or commissioned for a film, but never used as such?

I present, from the intended soundtrack for "Mike's Murder", something by Joe Jackson: as you'll see, the youtube images accompanying it have nothing whatsoever to do with the film.

Fresh from the success of "Night and Day" in the US, Joe Jackson was commissioned to write soundtrack music for the film. In the event, the total usage of what he produced amounted to just a few seconds of songs (or maybe just even one song) at distinctly background volume. Understandably, he was a bit miffed....

Seeing the topic "Books never to be finished" my first thought was books announced for future publication but which have never seen the light of day - for whatever reason.

At least 15 years ago, Joni Mitchell's Memoirs/autobiography was announced as a forthcoming title. It's still unpublished (unwritten?),despite occasional announcements on progress. I understand how she could present a problem on the litigation front, though...

Any more examples that the massive can think of - not necessarily music-related?

by some virtual or non-virtual bit of commercial promotion? I guess there are probably not enough juicy keywords for pain-in-the-butt intervention. My sympathies are with Fraser who's presented with the virtual equivalent of cleaning excrement off the the doorstep on arriving at work and at regular intervals thereafter.

I'm reminded of a humane and patient ex-boss plagued by one particular salesman from a recruitment agency who couldn't appreciate the meaning of words like "no" , "no requirement", "we're not recruiting" etc. - even when repeated ad infinitum. Eventually the man could take no more and gave him a vigorous Anglo-Saxon instruction.

"I'm glad to hear you have a positive and robust attitude" came the reply, or something equally inane. The phone went down faster than a very very fast thing.

Go ahead, punk. Make my day - ignore me (or just post "Yup - I agree").

that for the next cover The Word has spurned someone currently sporting luxuriant facial hair - trailed on the top banner - in favour of someone who's never had much more than a goatee?

From a purely commercial point of view, I totally understand - and I guess you are a music magazine first and foremost.

A couple of people commented recently that they've enjoyed Bill Bruford's recent book. This got me interested, even though I have zilch interest in most music he's been involved with.

Which books by musicians/producers about music are worthwhile? These work for me:

Joe Jackson's "A Cure for Gravity":
Love of music (plus its attendant curses), and growing up. Stops before "fame" (a good move).

Joe Boyd's "White Bicyles":
Music-lover's 60s/70s odyssey, producer has relationship with artists as sympathetic facilitator(in most cases).

Tony Visconti's "Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy":
Ditto, producer has relationship with artists as technician.