What I've Been Reading
Knife by Salman Rushdie
This is an outstanding read. It is about the murder attempt on Salman's life. It is a short memoir style book and absolutely fascinating. Whilst I have not read a lot of his work, everything I have read I have loved. They are usually high literature but written with such a lovely and light touch with a spatter of humour. This is much the same. Obviously, there are some dark moments and some very intense descriptions of the incident and the damage to his body. It also goes into how he met his current wife who was such a support to him during this time. And how he feels about the fatwah, which he thought was well behind him. The murder attempt had nothing to do with The Satanic Verses, but of course it dredged all of that up again. I really enjoyed (if that is the right word) this book, it is one of the best I have read this year.
Sons of Beaches: a memoir by Bill McDonough
I was a huge Australian Crawl fan back in the day and never got to see them live sadly. Bill was the drummer and brother of Guy, the main writer of their songs and co-singer (with Reyne) of the hits. Guy died very young at the age of 28 and this is very much his biography, along with Bill's and the band.
It tells of their upbringing, the surf and outdoor life they lived. The music and how Australian Crawl was formed. Guy got very hooked on drinking and drugs, and it was when he was meant to detoxing that things got out of control and he died. Such a tragic end.
The band was very fractured by this time, and still is, Bill tells their side of things. Most of this I knew, but there was still quite a lot of fleshing out of things I didn't know. There are stories of touring, the band members, some funny, some not so much. A great story of meeting Neil Young in Hawaii made me smile.
Ultimately this band had 3 back to back exceptional albums that all those hits came from. (Plus the Sementics ep and the fairly ordinary Between a Rock and a Hard Place album) This is quite remarkable. They don't seem to get the dues that other Aussie bands get now. The music is golden and timeless. This book took me back to a time that when my biggest wish was to see Australian Crawl at Bombay Rock in Qld, I was 13 but I dreamed big :)
Dusk by Robbie Arnott
I loved the follow up to Arnott's award winning Limberlost. Again, it has the Australian landscapes and animals at its heart, but this time with a gothic touch. Set in what seems to be Tasmania at a time that is never mentioned, twins Iris and Floyd are moving from town to town trying to earn a living and hear about a bounty on a wild cat. The cat, supposedly a puma that has lived from decades before when they were released into the wild to keep feral deer under control. There is a lot of gothic style mystery within the novel, what has happening to the twins to keep them moving from town to town as they do, is the cat for real, why do men keep disappearing when they head out to catch the cat. Are they taken by the cat or is something else happening.
Robbie Arnott is an excellent writer, this is a page turner and not the type of book I would usually read, but it got me sucked in immediately. I wanted to know what is going on and why. He slowly reveals the answers and they are never what you would expect. This is a great novel, it will make my top 10 this year.
The Thursday Murder Club and The Man Who Died Twice By Richard Osman
After a false start, I gave this series another go, but via spoken word. The narrator is the amazing Leslie Manville. The first one still took a while to get into, there is a lot of set up going on, but once things started to happened and you got used to the many characters it really grew on me. And I was eager to commence the second book which got moving much faster and had more going on than the first. The characters are pealed back bit by bit and they are all loveable. I think Bogdan is my favourite and I am keen to see who is going to play him in the movies being made from the stories. I am not big on procedural, but I do love this one.
Don't Look Back, You'll Trip Over: my guide to life by Michael Caine
This is a lovely memoir from Caine taken from a long form Q and A style interview and transcribed. It takes you chronologically through his life focusing on stories and things learnt he wants to share. It is entertaining and amusing.
Emboldened by Belinda Alexandra
I haven't read a lot of Alexandras fiction, but I really love her Non-Fiction. This is a mix of history and memoir and it is intriguing and had me hooked. Started when she realised fans of her fiction often ask her where the strong female characters come from in her books. While telling her family history, she writes about her mother and grandmother who were feisty and amazing, and other women from history she admires. This is a great read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Weekend by Charlotte Wood
Three women meet at the home of their deceased friend at Christmas with the intent of packing up her home. They are all older and at crossroads in their lives and irritations rise. The story takes place over a weekend, and showcases Wood's terrific writing style and her ability to really get into people's nuances and ticks, what makes them the people they are. It is actually an irritating book and the characters are not that likeable, but you want to know what will happen to them and things culminate with a large storm. Wood is becoming one of Australia's finest writers, this is no exception.
My Animals and Other Animals: a memoir of sorts by Bill Bailey
This is a book of short essays about animals Bill Bailey has owned and other animals he has met on his travels. Bailey is a nature lover and has done many documentaries, so has had all manner of experience with animals and birds and insects and so on. He has also had many varied pets. The essays are told with warmth, intelligence and heart, and his unique sense of humour shines through.
The Promise by Damon Galgut
About a white South African family living on a farm, the children are brought together when their mother/father/parents die. The farm has been promised to Salome, their housekeeper who is black. This doesn't happen and the story follow everyone's points of views over decades. They all live difficult lives and their inner and hidden dreams are shown. The Promise won the Booker in 2021 and you can see why. It is a sweeping novel of class, times, and race. It is very visceral, so I can see it as a film. It is a dark but uplifting book. Galgut is a great writer.
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Written by Al Kennedy and directed by Sally Avens, this was a BBC Radio recording with Bill Nighy and Anna Calder-Marshall in the main roles. I listened to this gem on talking book. Because Anna looks very much like Judi Dench I thought it was Judi but her voice was not quite right. She had me fooled, lol. Either way, this is an exceptional radio play. Bill and Anna play John and Maggie, who are in their later years (late 60s I think), they had dated on and off when they were younger and the play starts with them running into each other during a heavy rain storm. Both are single, should they revisit their relationship? This was really well presented and a great up and down story.
Unsung - Kate Ceberano
More of a journal/essays than a memoir. It celebrates the creativity of Ceberano through paintings (she is good), poetry and song lyrics, and stories of the music industry throughout her life. There are some great tales about kd Lang, Kirsty Alley, and James Freud, among many others. This is an easy and fun read.
What I've Been Watching
Somebody, Somewhere S3
This is easily one of my all-time favourite shows. It is of the nothing happens but actually everything happens genre. The characters are a delight, with 3 seasons to unravel each of them layer by layer. The writing is so clever and funny and true. Bridget Everett takes her character Sam to fabulous places this season. But everyone gets their moment in the sun, especially the phenomenal Mary Catherine Garrison, who plays her sister Tricia. Aside: the sister relationship in this show is easily the most real sister relationship I have ever seen. My only disappointment is I wanted more Fred Rococo. He is there, but not nearly enough as he is my favourite character. There is the usual singing and smutty jokes, but the beauty and stillness and peace of this show is really what makes it brilliant. I am very sad to see it end, and it did end quite perfectly, maybe another carrier will pick it up.
The Pursuit of Love
Based on Nancy Mitford's book, Love in a Cold Climate, this is absolutely divine. About cousins and their escapades in love and trying to be modern women in the 20s. A superb cast, Emily Beecham and Lily James as the cousins, Fanny and Linda, Dominic West as Linda's very strict but utterly eccentric father, and Andrew Scott completely stealing every scene he is in as the next door neighbour, Lord Merlin. This is an exceptional period drama, cannot recommend it enough.
Walking Dead: those who lived
This was meant to be THE break out franchise, but they pushed it back way too long, and I no longer cared about the characters of Rick and Michonne. And as a long time Walking Dead fan, I cannot believe I am writing this. There were some great moments, but overall, it was pretty dull.
Headliners
Elly May Barnes is trying to get more diversity in music, specially people with disabilities. SO she sets about pulling together some bands to front at the Mundi Mundi festival. Tim Rogers and Ella Hooper look after a band each, and the results are a delight. Will the bands stay together, can they get their act together literally to play the festival. This is such a feel good show, go and watch it now!
Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out
A great doco (that we watched via Youtube) about Ab Fab, featuring all the players, interviews, behind the scenes info, clips, and loads of laughs. Utterly brilliant and Absolutely Fabulous!
Countdown 50 years
When I was young, this was my favourite show, it was my church, it was my religion. I worshipped at the alter of Molly. It informed my love of music (along side my father's great love of music) This was a great, but way too short show celebrating this amazing show on its 50th anniversary. An amazing cast of singers from then, and some new singers doing the older songs for those that could not attend. Loads of clips and loads of laughs.
Midnight Oil: the hardest line
I enjoyed this Oils doco but wanted more. Much more. It mostly spoke to their politics which is super important, but I would have like more on the song writing (there was some, but not much), about the live performances, touring etc. Something I didn't know, and given their distaste of media, there had to be much we don't know. There was a lot of info about their phenomenal performance at the Sydney Olympics, that was excellent. Don't get me wrong, I really loved this, but just wanted more.
Super/Man: the Christopher Reeve story
This is easily one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Delving into Reeve, before and after Superman and before and after his accident. Loads of unseen footage, some great interviews with family and friends now. The incredible talent and charisma and the devastation of the loss. There are some tough moments in this film, but there are also so many uplifting, joyous moments. His children are heavily involved which make it so much more personal and yet it is still warts and all. This is one not to be missed.
Ego: the Michael Gudinski story
I finally caught up with this, I didn't know that much about Gudinski's back story but was fascinated by it. I always knew those that worked with him worshipped him and this is evident in the doco. Loads of Australia music featured, and it really showcases that 12 or so years from the late 70s to the 80s and how brilliant Australian music was then. A truly special time, and Gudinski was behind most of it!
Elton John : never too late
This is a great doco also, covering his 70s years and where he is at now. HIs 70s music is my favourite music of his, so seeing loads of clips of his favourite songs, the writing, the relationship with Bernie, and so forth was like liquid gold for me. It keeps coming back to Elton now, and he talks about that time and how he is now. You see his family and the radio show he does which focuses on his favourite music, old and new. In this he champions up and coming singers, and he is all over most genres, ringing them up and showcasing them much to their delight and astonishment. Elton has always been a remarkable man, but this now Elton is even better. Loved this so much.
Music by John Williams
We all know the big scores from Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones etc, but I didn't know he got his start in old Hollywood film and TV. HIs father was a studio musician and he followed in his father's footsteps. He played on and wrote for so much, it was mind blowing. This man is a genius that cannot stop writing. It delves into his personal life, which wasn't great at times, as he was such a workaholic. He has packed so much into this life, it was a pleasure to watch.
Beatles '64
So many music docos, the Beatles '64 one, was mostly about touring the US and the impact is had on the world. Produced by Scorsese, this was pure magic and a lovely companion piece to Let It Be. Most of it we know, but there was a lot of talking heads from people who were there or knew people. This added a lovely human connection to the film. And then there is the music...enough said!
Yacht Rock: a documentary
We had so much fun with this documentary. Now back in the day it was not called Yacht Rock, this title came much much later and a lot of the musicians do not like the title, which is amusing. It mostly covered Steely Dan, Toto, Christopher Cross, The Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, and Kenny Loggins. The musicianship was high end, based on jazz and RnB grooves. Some took it very seriously, other not so much. So it become quite comedic at times. Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins (who looked almost like twins back in the day) had their mark on seemingly every song. SO much so there is a classic skit of Rock Moranis as McDonald driving from studio to studio to lay down backing vocals, set to the tune of Ride Like the Wind. SO funny. McDonald says he saw it on TV and though it WAS him, but he couldn't remember actually doing it...then he was told he didn't, We laughed so much. This is fun, but also this music is actually really well written and produced.
Let the Canary Sing
A wonderful doco about Cyndi Lauper, her late rise to fame, her incredible voice and genius musicianship, but also her inclusivity and feminism. She was perfectly formed at a young age, opinionated and tough. She did things her way, and this is how she has stayed in the industry with so many projects on the boil. Her early conception to be famous so she could spread the word of inclusivity and feminism was unique, hilarious, and so bloody clever. Everyone loves her and her friendship with Patti LaBelle, kinda says it all. Their duets are so remarkable, goosebumps indeed. There is so much in this doco, but I still wanted more. I used to watch her TV series back in the day, and loved it. This was shades of that, and featured some really interesting people talking about her talent. LOve this woman.
Saturday Night
I really loved this film. I am a huge SNL fan, and this first cast/year was something special. It covers the week leading up to the first show and the madness behind the show. You always read or hear about the crazy that is SNL prior to showtime and I think this captures it well. The actors were great, enabling their comedian to life. But it was Nicholas Braun that stole the show. He played Jim Henson AND Andy Kaufman. He totally nailed Jim, rather spookily. If they ever do a biopic on him, he HAS to play it. His Kaufman was lovely but he didn't really nail it, that was is hard given Jim Carrey did it so very well in Man on the Moon. But the film was great and everyone was very good. I wanted more Belushi on screen, but some my readings, the depiction was spot on. There are also some great cameos and supporting roles, especially Cooper Hoffman as Dick Ebersol, the great producer. He is certainly walking in his father's footsteps. People are complaining you don't get to see the show, SNL, but that is the whole point of the movie. It is the lead up to the show.
Band Aid: Do They Know It's Christmas
This was lovely and fun, but a little disappointing. It is mostly footage from the day, which is a gift in and of itself. It showed how messy the whole production was. It really showcased the brilliance of Boy George, who saunters in a little hungover and then boom, nails his solo and he bloody knows it too. The explanation of newish singers is interesting. The pulling together of the song fantastic. I would have liked to see something more similar to the We are the World Doco. Nonetheless, this was great.
Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos
A two-piece series based on a long form interview with creator David Chase. I thoroughly enjoyed this. There was a lot of old, unseen footage plus talking heads pieces with players now. Reflections on certain scenes. There was some great moments with Drea de Matteo about the casting of Adriana and her subsequent on-screen death. I loved The Sopranos so much, it is worth a re-watch. This is a great companion piece, for fans especially but also for those that never watched and want to know what the big deal was.
What I've been Listening too
Songs of a Lost World by The Cure
This will easily be my album of the year. It feels like Disintegration and that era, but also sounds fresher and more upbeat. Having said that, the first track's intro had me in tears from the get go. It is melancholy but uplifting. This is the best album they have made in a long, long time. I played it 5 times in a row that first day, it is an album that bears being on repeat. A masterpiece!
Wild God by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
I love this too, but it doesn't feel like a Bad Seeds album, more an extension of Carnage, the album Cave made with Ellis. Ellis is involved here too so that makes sense. It is lighter and uplifting and comforting in one. Andrew said he could do without so much choir on it, but I love the choral work But yes, as a Bad Seed album, I don't know so much, as a Nick Cave album, a huge outstanding yes!
Immaterial: 5,000 years of art, one material at a time
I have had this podcast saved for a while, and finally got around to listening to it. It is produced by the Metropolitan Musem of Art and each episode concentrates on a material. EG, paper, concrete, clay, shells, linen, metal, stone, space, wood, and trash amongst many more. They pick some pieces from the collection that match the material and tell their story and a general history of the material. Absolutely fascinating!!!
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