I'm Dick Langford from Brighton. A musician that never crossed the big divide to making money but still carried on https://linktr.ee/dicklangford
I'm doing as well as I think any of the wokerati are at the moment.
In terms of the non-compulsory guidelines you laid out
Last gig : Mdou Moctor a couple of years ago - brilliant guitarist but blisteringly loud. Even with my specialist earplugs I was struggling. The venue was an L shape and moved around the corner to lessen the effect. Unfortunately my tinnitus was so bad the next day I decided I couldn't attend live rock gigs anymore.
Musician I never knew about: I hadn't heard of Leyland Kirby either. Wonderful stuff but with a mum and a mother-in-law who died from dementia I found it difficult just reading the explanation.
What else I'm listening to: mostly kora based African music Ballake Sissoko for instance
What else I'm reading : Listen by Michel Faber. This has the best description of tinnitus I've ever read.
Last film: The Sapphires - a brilliant Australian film, ostensibly about a vocal group auditioning for gigs in Vietnam during the war. A powerful riff on racism and the vocalists were excellent.
What I do for fun: keep friendships going. Ride a motorcycle and, of course, write and play music.
What you don't know about me: I'm a season ticket holder for our local non-league team Whitehawk FC and wrote the song the team runs out to and musical about the fans. I'm a volunteer testing electrical donations for a local hospice. And one other thing... I was born in Billericay (yes really)
Thank you so much for sharing, Dick. I honestly thought more people would pop in and at least say something, even if just "I'm Billericay Dickie, I have tinnitus and I just read Listen by Michael Faber." Really appreciated. I bookmarked The Sapphires last night (we caught up on American Fiction instead as we had vowed to do so after watching The Holdovers), and have ordered Listen... Cheers!
One of my readers, Lauren Hammer, had problems accessing the platform, and asked me to share this via e-mail:
"I was sitting at my computer, and you have inspired me to respond in kind (albeit with a bit more brevity).
Most recent concert: On Sunday, I saw Duff McKagan at the Bluebird Theater in Denver. I went because one of his guitarists, Jeff Fielder, is a longtime member of the Amy Ray Band, and in the past coupla years, has been a part of Indigo Girls touring band. Opener was Lee Ving’s Range more. See my writeup on FB.
Something I did recently that I’ve never done before: I may keep ruminating on this one, but nothing comes immediately to mind..
Musician I never knew about: The aforementioned Lee Ving. I’d never heard of him, but it turns out that several of my punk friends were excited by his presence on the bill - revealing a gap in my musical knowledge. Can’t say I’m going to be seeking him out, but I’m glad to have learned about him and seen him.
What I’m reading: Books have been difficult, in the wake of MVA closed head injuries, but last week, I decided to read Rachel Maddow’s most recent effort, Prequel. It’s about the rise of fascism in the US in the 30s and 40s. I decided it would be both educational and inspirational, as we know that “we” won that round. And I need that message, now. I’ve committed to reading a chapter/day. It’ll take me weeks, but that’s ok.
What else I’m listening to: In my living room CD changer (yes, I’ve still yet to join the 21st century. Glitter + Doom soundtrack. A fascinating movie soundtrack mashup of re-worked Indigo Girls material. 2 CDs from the Who’s Next Box Set. 2 CDs from Pete’s Live Box Set (starting in chronological order with Deep End Live - Brixton 1985).
Last film I watched: I saw Conclave (in the theater) last night. A movie about a bunch of old, powerful, deeply flawed, religious men, playing power games and grappling with ambition, as they choose a new pope - with an unexpected plot twist near the end. Not a great movie, but a good one. And I’m half way through the Quincy Jones biopic on Netflix. Not life changing, but quite interesting, as I didn’t actually know all that much about him. And last week, I had some friends over to watch Dr. Zhivago. I’d never seen it. It was fine, but I did not understand the fuss.
Last good meal out: A local seafood place, Jax, was celebrating their 30th anniversary with 1994 prices on their happy hour oysters. Met a couple of friends. Delicious, sociable, and within my budget."
Appreciate this a great deal, Tony. Lots of parallels, to be sure. Especially the continual quest to find out where we came from, maybe even where we're headed....
Hi Tony, I know I'm a bit late for this but...
I'm Dick Langford from Brighton. A musician that never crossed the big divide to making money but still carried on https://linktr.ee/dicklangford
I'm doing as well as I think any of the wokerati are at the moment.
In terms of the non-compulsory guidelines you laid out
Last gig : Mdou Moctor a couple of years ago - brilliant guitarist but blisteringly loud. Even with my specialist earplugs I was struggling. The venue was an L shape and moved around the corner to lessen the effect. Unfortunately my tinnitus was so bad the next day I decided I couldn't attend live rock gigs anymore.
Musician I never knew about: I hadn't heard of Leyland Kirby either. Wonderful stuff but with a mum and a mother-in-law who died from dementia I found it difficult just reading the explanation.
What I'm reading: Get It On - How the 70's Rocked Football, excellent stuff https://www.waterstones.com/book/get-it-on/jon-spurling/9781785906510
What else I'm listening to: mostly kora based African music Ballake Sissoko for instance
What else I'm reading : Listen by Michel Faber. This has the best description of tinnitus I've ever read.
Last film: The Sapphires - a brilliant Australian film, ostensibly about a vocal group auditioning for gigs in Vietnam during the war. A powerful riff on racism and the vocalists were excellent.
What I do for fun: keep friendships going. Ride a motorcycle and, of course, write and play music.
What you don't know about me: I'm a season ticket holder for our local non-league team Whitehawk FC and wrote the song the team runs out to and musical about the fans. I'm a volunteer testing electrical donations for a local hospice. And one other thing... I was born in Billericay (yes really)
Thanks Tony.
Cheers Dick
Thank you so much for sharing, Dick. I honestly thought more people would pop in and at least say something, even if just "I'm Billericay Dickie, I have tinnitus and I just read Listen by Michael Faber." Really appreciated. I bookmarked The Sapphires last night (we caught up on American Fiction instead as we had vowed to do so after watching The Holdovers), and have ordered Listen... Cheers!
One of my readers, Lauren Hammer, had problems accessing the platform, and asked me to share this via e-mail:
"I was sitting at my computer, and you have inspired me to respond in kind (albeit with a bit more brevity).
Most recent concert: On Sunday, I saw Duff McKagan at the Bluebird Theater in Denver. I went because one of his guitarists, Jeff Fielder, is a longtime member of the Amy Ray Band, and in the past coupla years, has been a part of Indigo Girls touring band. Opener was Lee Ving’s Range more. See my writeup on FB.
Something I did recently that I’ve never done before: I may keep ruminating on this one, but nothing comes immediately to mind..
Musician I never knew about: The aforementioned Lee Ving. I’d never heard of him, but it turns out that several of my punk friends were excited by his presence on the bill - revealing a gap in my musical knowledge. Can’t say I’m going to be seeking him out, but I’m glad to have learned about him and seen him.
What I’m reading: Books have been difficult, in the wake of MVA closed head injuries, but last week, I decided to read Rachel Maddow’s most recent effort, Prequel. It’s about the rise of fascism in the US in the 30s and 40s. I decided it would be both educational and inspirational, as we know that “we” won that round. And I need that message, now. I’ve committed to reading a chapter/day. It’ll take me weeks, but that’s ok.
What else I’m listening to: In my living room CD changer (yes, I’ve still yet to join the 21st century. Glitter + Doom soundtrack. A fascinating movie soundtrack mashup of re-worked Indigo Girls material. 2 CDs from the Who’s Next Box Set. 2 CDs from Pete’s Live Box Set (starting in chronological order with Deep End Live - Brixton 1985).
Last film I watched: I saw Conclave (in the theater) last night. A movie about a bunch of old, powerful, deeply flawed, religious men, playing power games and grappling with ambition, as they choose a new pope - with an unexpected plot twist near the end. Not a great movie, but a good one. And I’m half way through the Quincy Jones biopic on Netflix. Not life changing, but quite interesting, as I didn’t actually know all that much about him. And last week, I had some friends over to watch Dr. Zhivago. I’d never seen it. It was fine, but I did not understand the fuss.
Last good meal out: A local seafood place, Jax, was celebrating their 30th anniversary with 1994 prices on their happy hour oysters. Met a couple of friends. Delicious, sociable, and within my budget."
Thanks Lauren
Appreciate this a great deal, Tony. Lots of parallels, to be sure. Especially the continual quest to find out where we came from, maybe even where we're headed....