I've been reading up on this chap (principally his Wikipedia entry, which seems to be the default starting point to establish base camp on exploring anyone's work these days) and I like the cut of his jib. All the reference points are there - Wodehouse, Joyce, Keillor, Allen, Heller, and I'm reasoning that the Massive Literati will have a pretty good idea of what is a good level of entry point, given that Waterstone's Voucher season is nearly upon us. Where to first?

And if California slides into the ocean
Like the mystics and statistics say it will
I predict this motel will be standing until I pay my bill

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2011/nov/22/california-road-slips-...

Looks like Warren had a point.

This soundtrack album is a staple of second hand shops and consists of covers of Beatles songs by various artists, including one song I have heard, performed by Sir Elton of John featuring one Winston O'Boogie on guitar and BVs. I understand that the film itself is not terribly highly regarded, but I was wondering if any of the massive were prepared to offer a precis of the musical content?

Sky News reports that Rex, a three year old Alsation, has been rewarded for his part in foiling a suspected underworld contract attempt on the life of the host of popular ITV flagship show 'Take Me Out' by Bond villain Francisco Scaramanga's evil henchman. Police described the plot as an attempted Nick Nack Paddy whack, and gave the dog a bone.

Any more news I might have missed?

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/news/breaking_man_finally_arrested_after_dr...

A stand-off ensued with various items, including a fridge, glass, bottles, CDs, crockery, a jester’s hat, an iron, a television and a 1,500-piece jigsaw puzzle, being thrown out of a second floor flat in the building.

I thought - "Well that all sounds a bit dangero…hang on…'a jester’s hat'???"

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/news/update_raydon_raging_inferno_could_hav...

It's the inherent pathos in the body of the story that gets me. "I don't even have a ladder..."

Interesting article in The Guardian today, my favourite bit of which is this from flautist Jeremy Stieg - "The music business is so funny," he says. "They say: 'Make the record, then you can get paid on the gig.' Then they'll say: 'Do the gig, and that'll help you sell the record.' Most musicians make their living teaching. They can't make money on the gig and they can't make money makin' records, so they all become college professors and they teach all these stupid rich kids how to play bad jazz."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/23/samples-copyright-interview

Bill Nelson used to be in a band and he's wondering where his nest egg has got to...
http://www.jagshouse.com/music/billnelson.html

Because we were out, I rather stupidly bought some anaemic looking sunflower oil from the corner shop to do breakfast with. It's cheap, spits and tastes foul. I won't be making that mistake again, but what should I ensure is in the cupboard and fully stocked in future?

Megadeth are shortly to release a 5 CD + 3 LP 25th anniversary edition 'Peace Sells....But Who's Buying?'. The album, when originally released was around thirty five minutes long. Is this the most excessive bit of back catalogue peddling since EMF put out a double CD Greatest Hits, I find myself asking? To qualify, since finishing Dave Mustaine's autobiography recently I'd even been thinking of dipping a toe in the Megadeth waters myself, but (and don't get me wrong - it's the music business , so presumably there is a market for this collection) surely this release is a tad on the excessive side in terms of what the world needs now?

During the course of a splendid article in The Guardian about record shops and featuring Bob Stanley, I read "We could play the cat-sitting game," ventures Bob, as we advance towards the Severn Bridge. "You go through different bands and work out in what order you'd trust them to look after your cat while you were away. Let's start with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young." Easy. Graham Nash, obviously, at No 1. Bob points out that, if the cat belongs to an attractive woman, it has to be Stephen Stills at No 2, with Neil Young a well-intentioned third. David Crosby comes an under-no-circumstances fourth. When we do the Byrds, he'll come bottom of that one, too. Seems like a Massive-friendly diversion for a Sunday, doesn't it?
I'll start - my order would definitely be Jackson, Jackson, Jackson, Jackson and, finally, Jackson.
Anyone else want to play?

http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/holloway_teen_jailed_after_police...

It's worth pursuing the full title of the story online. No further questions, your honour.

You remember the first time you heard it, you remember the last time. Surely that's all one can ask of a series of notes and a rockin' bass line?

I have decided that the time is right for me to begin investigating the work of Steve Goodman. But where to start? Or should I just carry on until I've got all of the John Prine albums first?

If I could crave the indulgence of the Massive briefly, I have to create a weekly 'true or false' quiz (by Thursday) based on material which is generally around the periphery of what people could reasonably be expected to either know or succesfully surmise. Recent items have involved deciding between made up and actual Morris sides, and deciding whether names like (for instance) Aradur are chemicals used in paint manufacture or characters from Lord of the Rings. This week I need help in proposing that if there were a fifth Baldwin brother in addition to Alec, Stephen, William and the other one, what would their name be, and what might they have appeared in?
The more feasible the better.