Category Archives: From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir

Iconic prescient eulogy song

Posted on June 2, 2011 by

I never mentioned much on the passing of Gil Scott-Heron earlier in the week. He was a key artist for me in the eighties, representing a number of essential musics and ideals, he was the Godfather of hip-hop, a jazz … Continue reading →

Posted in From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir | Tagged | 3 Comments

The joy of Utensils

Posted on May 31, 2011 by

When I was at the Elms Catering College, Stoke-on-Trent, 1978-80, I was in a cohort of about twenty students who each had to buy a set of chef’s whites and a wrap of knives and implements prior to enrollment. We … Continue reading →

Posted in From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Amazing quite simply amazing

Posted on May 28, 2011 by

I was at the Essex University campus in Colchester for the last couple of days and was directed to the library specifically to see this device called a Paternoster (in the Catholic Church the Lord’s Prayer, especially in Latin) but … Continue reading →

Posted in From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Human resources

Posted on May 25, 2011 by

Hands sometimes tell you plenty. I was watching my Mum’s at the weekend as she flicked away at the knitting needles in a comforting rhythm I remembered from being a kid. She was very dexterous; it was a cardigan for … Continue reading →

Posted in From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir, The Final | Tagged , | 6 Comments

My favourite new voice

Posted on May 18, 2011 by

Download new track Earthquake for free here

Posted in From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Pictorial # 5

Posted on May 16, 2011 by

These girls were hanging over the bridge post-match waving their Barcelona scarves: ‘We are all anti-Man United supporters today,’ they were saying ahead of some other match and the Manchester City fans more than appreciated the gesture.

Posted in Are You With Me?, From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir, The Final | Tagged , ,

I’ve been meaning to say for quite some while

Posted on May 6, 2011 by

If you’re ever round this way you can get a bowl of mushy peas for your lunch at Norwich market. With or without mint sauce, plus a hunk of bread for mopping up.

Posted in From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

No comment

Posted on April 30, 2011 by

To my knowledge nothing was said on BBC Joyous Day Radio 4 Unites the Nation in Celebration regarding this teletubbies hat.

Posted in From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

The Semiotics of the Wedding

Posted on April 29, 2011 by

I was driving about this morning and heard this analysis on BBC Radio 4: The train of Katherine’s dress, being only 8 ft long, rather than the 25 ft of Diana, Princess of Wales’ wedding outfit, was more in keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir | Tagged | 5 Comments

The Last Royal Wedding

Posted on April 26, 2011 by

When Charles married Di I was a room service waiter at Claridge’s hotel which was where the oveseas parties of dignitaries stayed. We mainly had King Hussein of Jordan and his extensive entourage on our floor. On the day itself … Continue reading →

Posted in From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace (A Memoir | Tagged , , | 2 Comments