A friend of mine recently remarked that he had four copies of the same album by The Fall. Obviously, I joked that any four Fall albums were essentially four copies of the same album (a poor joke, but I couldn't resist) but it was due to his need to find the best quality available: a poor vinyl pressing, a better tape, an early cd, eventually a remaster.

I later realised that I have one album which I myself esentially own four versions of: Neil Young's Greendale. I have the version with the Inside Greendale DVD, the proper film DVD, a bought cd bootleg of Greendale Live On Vicar Street and then the album again as a double with Vicar Street on DVD.

I also currently have duplicates of a few Smiths and R.E.M. albums, due to recent remasters.

So... which album do you have the most copies/versions of? How many? Let's call it a competition, the prize is of course the knowledge that you really don't need that many copies of one record. Now where did I put Greendale...

Did anyone spot this on Tim Minchen's Blog? Tim wrote and performed a satirical Christmas song on Jonathan Ross' pre-recorded Christmas Show, which was all checked and and approved, but has found that it has been removed before broadcast for fear of offense. However, he has a copy of the show and has uploaded the song here:

I'm amazed that they would book Jonathan Ross but won't broadcast this. I have to say though, I was only going to watch it for Tim's bit so I don't need to bother now.

Tim's Blog on the subject: http://www.timminchin.com/2011/12/22/im-not-on-the-jonathan-ross-show/

A friend of mine just passed on this link: a literary analysis of each book in the Mr Men series. Excellent reading, I thought the Massive might also enjoy.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1SM813W6H36YA/ref=cm_aya_...

News of potential interest for the massive: Leonard Cohen has a new studio album due out in January. It's a classic Cohen-sounding album title, 'Old Ideas'. I'll be getting a copy of this.

Here's the tracklist: Going Home / Amen / Show Me the Place / The Darkness / Anyhow / Crazy To Love You / Come Healing / Banjo / Lullaby / Different Sides.
Has he done any of these on recent tours?

I thought that this was worthy of a Blog post as a few people have mentioned John Smith on here before. Excellent guitar player, singer and writer, who incidentally I first discovered via a Word Mag cd a few years ago.

New record on the way. Cover versions. Includes this one. Excellent video clearly filmed in one continuous shot. Enjoy. Have a good weekend folks.

(John Smith Genie In A Bottle)

That was quick.

A cynic might note that it's just in time for Christmas.

http://www.amywinehouse.com/

Title - Waging Heavy Peace

We've got a while to wait (it's apparently due in Autumn 2012) but I'm quite excited at the prospect. Jimmy McDonough's Shakey was a great read but, from NY's ultimate resistance to that book coming out, I was not expecting he would eventually write one himself.

Thinking about it, there have been a few of these recently but the only rock biog I recall reading is Cash by Johnny Cash. How do they generally compare the biographies written by others? I'd imagine them more as a companion piece than a replacement.

I'll probably get Morrissey's if that ever comes out too.

Is anyone else keeping up with Slow Club?

They've been mentioned on here a couple times (including by me). I discovered them about 4 years ago when Because We're Dead featured on a Word cd. (It's probably my favourite Word find.) Their new album came out this week and I'm rather enjoying it. Here's the first single from it:

Billy Bragg gets the first News Of The World song in. It's a good'un.

BILLY BRAGG - NEVER BUY THE SUN from Billy Bragg on Vimeo.

Noel Gallagher's back then. I'm quite looking forward to hearing what he comes out with, particularly the album with Amorphous Androgynous. The press conference is quite interesting and I always enjoy his interviews:

A few of the songs have been around a while in demo form, you can hear Stop The Clock on youtube, which I like.

Anyone else looking forward to this?

Apologies if this post arrives a little late to be of interest, I got back on Monday evening and wanted a couple of days to digest the week before putting “hand to keyboard”…

After some difficulty getting through traffic jams and finding good camping space in previous years, this was the second year running that we decided to travel to Glastonbury through the night…. (continued in comments)

Thought this would be of interest, just announced!

Info here:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Las-Official/208775242497716

Booking link here:
http://www.seetickets.com/Event/THE-LA-S-STRIPPED-BACK/Plugged-Inn/57038...

Last night I had the pleasure of attending "Bug Manchester", hosted by Adam Buxton (best known as one half of Adam & Joe). Bug is a night he's been doing in London for a while now, but this was the first date in Manchester and so my first chance to see it. It consists of screening interesting and unusual videos, with Adam discussing them and highlighting amusing youtube feedback. It was great, so I'm hoping he comes back to do it here again.

I particularly wanted to share this one, my video highlight of the evening. This is 'A Complete History of the Soviet Union, Through the Eyes of a Humble Worker' (arranged to the melody of Tetris) by Pig With The Face Of A Boy and it is absolutely brilliant.

The FPO and I are currently considering a few days away later in the year, and Barcelona seems like a good option. However, unsurprisingly the internet is full of scare-stories of crime, pick-pockets and general hassle (as it seems to be about most places). As a well travelled bunch, have any of the massive had any experiences (good or bad), tips or recommenmdations about Spain's second largest city?

After much delay due to MGM's financial problems, the as yet untitled "Bond 23" is now back in production with Daniel Craig returning as 007.

Is anyone else excited? I thought Casino Royale was fantastic, and Quatum Of Solace was pretty good too. I like that there's some continuation again with a collective organisation, QUANTUM as a new SPECTRE.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12168421