Category Archives: Blog

Northern Soul Orchestrated- Civic hall Wolverhampton 14/3/26

Posted on March 15, 2026 by garylongden

Almost exactly two years ago I attended the same venue to see this event which had been premiered at the Royal Albert hall in London do a Provincial tour. That tour, with the BBC Symphony orchestra is back. This sis … Continue reading →

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My ten favourite one hit wonders. – what are yours?

Posted on March 10, 2026 by garylongden

A cracking combination of the opening T Rex “get it on” groove, and a glorious chorus. irresistible The only song to glorify female genital stimulation 3, Ram jam band – Black Betty A poor man’s “Radar love” The apogee of … Continue reading →

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Zuihitsu- Poetry Form

Posted on February 26, 2026 by garylongden

I suspect that this Japanese form is as new to many as it is to me. I enclose a copy of an excellent explanation from the equally excellent Verve Poetry team in Birmingham This article features the winning and shortlisted … Continue reading →

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Birmingham Verve poetry festival cancelled

Posted on February 26, 2026 by garylongden

I am sorry to report that the BirmingamVerve Poetry festival has been cancelled due to loss of Arts Council Funding. https://vervepoetry.substack.com/p/moving-at-the-speed-of-community Dear poets It is with a heavy heart that I write to let you know that for the first … Continue reading →

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The Sun is a Heart Far off- Rosemary Drescher

Posted on February 14, 2026 by garylongden

There is a lazy belief abroad that there is no good modern poetry. This collection, published by Big White Shed, written by Rosemary Drescher, confounds that. – Her start point is that the sun predates mankind and our planet and … Continue reading →

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H is for Hawk – film Review

Posted on February 6, 2026 by garylongden

A slow paced lachrymose, laconic melodrama   based upon a true story about a grief consumed young woman, played by Claire Foy whose father, played by Brendan gleeson has died and a Goshawk ( in reality two!) . A tale of … Continue reading →

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Forever Clapton – Nottingham Royal Theatre

Posted on January 20, 2026 by garylongden

As the tribute genre matures so some acts are emerging into pre eminence. The likes of the Australian Pink Floyd now  fill large venues in their own right. One glance at the tour schedule for Forever Clapton shows an act … Continue reading →

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Song Sung Blue – Film review

Posted on January 14, 2026 by garylongden

Song Sung Blue I am not the target market for this film. I hate the song “Sweet Caroline” ( which is reprised half a dozen times) , am not a fan of Hugh Jackman, and do not own a single … Continue reading →

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The Housemaid- film review

Posted on January 9, 2026 by garylongden

A pulp fiction blockbuster powerhouse as a novel by   Freida McFadden  having sold six million copies. It would be an impossibility to convert that into a two hour film, so I approached it as  a stand alone entity – It … Continue reading →

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David Bowie – the final Act -film review

Posted on January 4, 2026 by garylongden

I approached this with some trepiastion. What was “the Final Act”? – Was it Blackstar? an album much lauded in my view simply because of the extraordinary circumstances in which it was made by an extraordinary musical artist. Beyond the … Continue reading →

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