Category Archives: Blog

De Gaulle – Resistance Film review

Posted on August 28, 2026 by garylongden

Terrific non Hollywood biopic, compelling, humorous and informative. there are some artistic inaccuracies ( Admiral Darlan’s assassination) but they are more than compensated for by the overall narrative arc, part one of a two part epic. Part one covers  the … Continue reading →

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David Bowie and fame

Posted on April 26, 2026 by garylongden

Bowie and fame The short answer is “we don’t know.” – His most explicit pean to fame, the eponymous song, is pretty unattractive lyrically, but driven by an hypnotic Alomar backbeat.  Created at a time when he was drenched in … Continue reading →

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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

Edison lighthouse-  Love grows where my rosemary goes A cracking combination of the opening T Rex “get it on” groove, and a glorious chorus. irresistible Anita ward-Ring my Bell The only song to glorify female genital stimulation 3, Ram jam … 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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