Hard to compute that it's 7 years today since Joey died. We could sure use him right about now...

I sometimes wonder what he thinks about his group becoming bigger than The Beatles.

The world has certainly gone down the pan since he exited dontcha think? "It's gonna be alright, it's gonna be OK". Aye right big fella.

Today this message came in from an old NYC pal...

Friends,

I'm excited to announce the release of “Trains and Boats and Planes,” my first new recordings in three years.

"Trains and Boats and Planes" is a collection of covers, based around the title track by Burt Bacharach & Hal David. It is not being sold in stores, but is available now for download from iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, and most other digital retailers. I've posted two of the new recordings at My Space, and the entire EP is streaming at AOL Spinner and MP3.com this week.

After the birth of my daughter, I found myself at home more than I had been in years, having previously traveled a lot playing music. Walking the floors with an infant, I couldn’t shake the idea that a music life was moving faster somewhere out of my reach. My solace was time spent with my musician friends as we wrung every bit of emotion out of songs like "Trains and Boats and Planes." To satisfy the urge to move, we decided to record a set of songs using "TBP" as a theme, and to see where we could transport ourselves from the confines of a Brooklyn studio, crossing depths of water and hopping a few trains. By the time we returned to mix, my now not-so-tiny baby was tearing up the recording studio, and all felt right in the world.

The songs I've chosen to cover are "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" (Gordon Lightfoot), "Silver Wings" (Merle Haggard), "Howard Hughes Blues" (John Hartford), "Train of Life" (Roger Miller), and "Love Vigilantes," by New Order (I'm also honored to have my version of "Love Vigilantes" included on the soundtrack of the documentary film "Body of War"). If you chose to download the entire "album," you also receive three transportation-themed songs from my previous releases.

These mostly-acoustic sessions were recorded by Mark Spencer at his Tape Kitchen studio in Brooklyn, and feature Mark on guitars, Jimmy Ryan on mandolin, Jeremy Chatzky on bass, and Steve Goulding on drums. Ted Reichman contributed accordion to a couple of songs, and Jenny Scheinman lent her violin and voice to two tracks as well.

I'm not planning to play much beyond the New York area for now, but we hope to see you down the road somewhere soon!

Happy travels,

Laura Cantrell

Just a quick lick and a promise tonight, I need to look for someting that's proving to be elusive...

Anyways, The Primevals now have their own site in addition to myspace, take a good look.

Also, if you fancy a new screen saver, there are bings to choose from at this portal. Brought to my attenshun courtesy of the very Rev. David Arnoff.

Normal service? Whassat then??

So that was Grindhouse... whoever decided it was a good idea to extend both movies into single features ought to be turned over to (this is not workplace-friendly) Eli Roth. There are two ways of looking and one of those involves those who wouldn't be interested. In that case, they should stay as far away from it as is humanly possible and let the rest of us enjoy the ride. It's stupid, it's gory, it's a homage to the genre(s) that made these guys what they are goddammit. The word on the bush telegraph when released in America was that "Planet Terror" was boring.

I imagine that those doing the bleating on that front were at the cinema and couldn't get a ticket for "Atonement" or some muckle pish.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - somebody should develop a TV series for Rose McGowan outta her character. "Death Proof" in it's shorter form works better, it's noticeably different in terms of build. All the excess padding is gone and funny that the "missing reel" containing the lap dance, turned up in time for the extended version. So anyway, most of our readers, I'd expect, would lap this up. Fans of Dave Dee, Dozy, Mitch and Tich as Jungle Julie calls 'em just prior to her dispatch never heard them like this on their old bedroom dansette I can tell you.

The intermission music was all Link Wray so the vibe was happening and Freddy Rodriguez character was called El Wray of Wray's Wreckery. It was a full house at The Cameo on a Sunday afternoon at 1.30pm so somebody is doing something right.

Cheech Marin in the "Machete" trailer is absolutely unstoppable and did you know that Katie Melua was in one of the fake trailers too? Neither did I. The soundtracks are fantastic and I get goosebumps when April March's "Chick Habit" blasts in on the close. This is going to be doing the rounds so see it, even if you've seen the individual films on dv-fucking-d. I don't care how big your TV is, this has to be seen in a cinema.

Nearly hung on to catch the Scorcese Stones film as a conduit to the Laki Mera show opening for Paul Haig but didn't quite have the stamina. The timing was a bit off as I forgot that the Grindhouse "feature presentations" would be shorter than the individual versions. What a daftie...

Never even knew this was on the go until I read Joachim Hiller's review in OX. Maybe Cherry Red will help get the other three-quarters over here to play?

Tigerfest in Dunfermline throughout May '08... Tigerfest Scotlandwide...

Fri 2nd - Molly Wagger/ Hippo /+ Dj set from the Joint Chiefs of Staff -
Monty's - 9pm £5

Fri 9th - The Manicdotes / System Arcade / Established - Tower House 7pm - £2

Thu 15th - The Twilight Sad / Frightened Rabbit / Dirty Summer -
Carnegie Hall 7.30pm - £8

Fri 16th - Norman Blake / David Scott - Carnegie Hall 7.30pm - £10

Sat 17th - Idlewild / Foxface / The Scottish Enlightenment -
Carnegie Hall 7.30pm - £18

Sun 18th - Paul Haig / Fangs / Laki Mera - Carnegie Hall 7.30pm - £10

Fri 30th - Yoshi / Ives / Chameleon Jersey - Monty’s 9pm - £5

Hardly drawn breath for one reason and another since The Sonics. Are the decks looking any clearer? Well not exactly but y'ken... Never even acknowledged that all this has been going for 31+ years, five or so of those onthishereline gizmo. I thought about it briefly and then promptly forgot and that's pretty muckle the way it is at the minute. Did I ditch Facebook? No, but I cleared out most of the applications so that's progress, right? My actual address book turned up in the middle of a pile of magazines so that should aid the compilation of the computer one. Maybes aye...

Nothing much else to report. If I get shot of my chores then I'll return with some live reviews. That is put a record or cd on and just spill my gibberish into the computer. Was up very early today to finalise-ish my liner note for the upcoming S&LQ belter entitled "Stick With It" and am feeling a wee bit tired so I think some fresh air might be in odour. Plus "Monk" isn't on again on BBC 2 Scotland because of the bastarding rugby.

One bummer so far today is that I tried the haggis from the new place in town and it's a thumbs down I'm afraid. I can see all of you fearties out there thinking "is it really?" with a sarcastic, bordering on horrified frown.

RIP - Stanley Kamel

Well I'll be... (cheers Ben)

The countdown is underway to the first-ever Record Store Day on Saturday, April 19.

It's going to be an unprecedented event when the independent stores across the world join forces to celebrate the essential cultural and economic roles they play, both in their local communities and nationally. During these tumultous times, it's been so encouraging to hear of the widespread support this initiative has garnered from fans, artists and the industry.

Each and every day, independent record stores of all shapes and sizes (and the people who own, manage and work in them) bring not only their heart and soul, but also their creativity and their financial investment in the success of the music business. Artist development...customer service... innovative marketing and promotion... the list goes on and on. They have more than earned this chance to step into the spotlight and take their well-deserved applause from an enthusiastic and appreciative audience.

Everyone should embrace the spirit of RSD in order to change the focus from what's not working with the music industry to instead focus on what... vibrant and resilient businesses that thrive in today's climate by remembering that it really is all about the music and the people who love it.

Here's to a wild... and wildly successful... Record Store Day 2008 and many, many more to come!

No big chainstores, Tesco or any other supermarkets, OK? Independent mail order is fine but lay off Amazon for that day too.

"In celebration of eight year old Esther Mae Griffin triumphantly riding her garishly pink bicycle for the first time on her own this weekend proud father, author and parttime bicycle instructor Sid Griffin announces he will speak/enthrall/singsong about Bob Dylan's Basement Tapes era at Borders Books this very Friday, 11 Apr 2008, 6:30pm...

a bookstore which is of course conveniently located for all weary shoppers at the ever fashionable address of:

203-207 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2LE Cost :FREE

Borders is located a easy walk just one block from the Oxford Circus Tube stop, via the Central, Bakerloo, and Victoria lines. Phone: 020.7292.1600

Yes, yes, this is Dad Griffin again plugging his recent 94,000 word Million Dollar Bash book which is of course about the Basement Tapes which are of course important which is of course interesting so you of course should be there with all 'yer pals. Of course.

You need not bring a bicycle. Alas at this performance Esther Mae Griffin will NOT be singing her own unique take on "Quinn The Eskimo" as she is off to Millie's in Walthamstow for a sleepover but Dad will be yakking at authoritative length and singing a few Basement Tapes tunes as well.

All the Griffins hope to see you there. "

So, first thing I see this morning is the news that Tine is leaving The Boonaraaas. Quite a bummer but these things happen so I'll be posting the vacancy in the hope that it'll help them find a replacement toot suite. In keeping with getting oneself into the proverbial fankle, I head downtown to stop at the docrors surgery and then to the post office to mail my Gaff donation. The place was bloody queued out the door. This is indicative of trying to access any such service and sure evidence that the early bird can sing for a bloody worm.

Fast forward an hour or so and I go to read the electricity and gas meters and find that the gas one's l-e-d's are gubbed. Hoping this won't be the start of another round of hassles with the supplier, the fault was duly reported but who even approaching their right mind would trust these people?

And the icing on the cake, I figured it was time to donate a pint of blood. Putting aside my utter hatred of the venue, I venture over to find that it's not all running smoothly. Not at all. But anyway, wishing to have the blood taken and to get out of there - a modicum of patience was summoned and I make it to the bed. Only to have the person who puts in the tube make an utter lady's front bottom of it. So now I'm gonna have a technicolour forearm into the bargain. Joy of joys. So, note to self - make an appointment at the proper donor centres in either Glasgow or Edinburgh in the future. The evil spirits that inhabit the "Sports Complex" won't get their chance to screw me over twice.

So here's an admission - I may have been better off going to work today. Nurse - the screens and the padlocks!

I look forward to the remainder of this day passing without further incident but you never know...

Not long back from the Lumet double bill of "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead" and "Dog Day Afternoon". Read some lukewarm reviews about the former but it's good solid stuff told in typical Sid style. It's about things falling apart, I half expected to heat "Fallar Isar" in the soundtrack. The cast includes the fantastic Amy Ryan. Must have been at least 20 years since I saw DDA and it holds up very well. Both as a film and a snapshot of the times.

There was a light dusting of snow here today but it was all gone by the return train trip as the light ebbed. Too bad. I like the bright, clean white of the landscape while it's cold enough for the blanket not to be turned into slush. Anyway, that's about your lot for today... take a look at this piece about Chris Gaffney that Lloyd sent a link to.

RIP - Don (Screamin Hellvis Johnson) Buchanan (of The Mad Daddys and Casino Evil, info from Staysick)

RIP - Charlton Heston

I relented and watched the rest of the Strummer documentary. As it turns out, life after the thing known as The Clash was considerably more interesting. And the additional interview extras actually shed some light as to who the interviewees are. Just as well because the credits on my relatively tiny TV screen are too wee to read. So anyway, not a lot of progress has been made today so we'll see what tomorrow brings in addition to a Sidney Lumet double bill at The Cameo.

Here are the Margaret Dollrod dates... Patrick is working round the clock to complete his interview with the lady herself for your reading pleasure. It'll be along in due course...

6/04 Lucera @ Arcisonica (I)
8/04 Catania @ La Chiave (I)
11/04 La Spezia @ La Skaletta (I)
12/04 Vigevano @ Coffee Pub (I)
13/04 Cuneo @ Circolo dei Briganti (I)
17/04 Firenze @ Ulysee (I)
18/04 Piacenza @ Circolo Arci for Sale (I)
19/04 Bolzano @ Bunker (I)
20/04 Rovigo @ Ungawa Tiki Bar (I)
27/04 Freiburg @ Swamp (de)
28/04 Cologne @ Tsunami (de)
29/04 Liege @ le pot au lait (be)
30/04 Courtrai @ The Pit's (be)
01/05 Paris @ le rocher-Malakoff (fr)
02/05 Bourges @ Cosmic trip fest (fr)
04/05 Clermont ferrand @ Ratpack (fr)
05/05 Tours @ donald's pub (fr)
06/05 TBC
07/05 Toulouse @ Fairfield pub (fr)
08/05 Perpignan @ Divine Comédie (fr)
13/05 Rostock @ mau club (de)
14/05 Berlin @ white trash fast food (de)
15/05 Darmstadt @ Bessunger Knabenschule (de)
16/05 Dijon @ deep inside (fr)
18/05 Montpellier @ secret place (fr)

Obviously you should check with the actual places for any further details.

Not a bad start to the weekend, got home to find a DVD of the Säkert! TV thing so I can watch it properly and not on this gas-powered pc with tinny sound. Thanks Lennart.

On top of that there are some new Girl Trouble songs on their myspace. Hear 'em and wish you were going to The Dive tomorrow night. Heck, maybe you are?

If you're in LA, Lysa Flores and El Vez are at East Side Luv tonight. When you're in Rome on April 4th what do you do? You go see Margaret DollRod, that's what.

Her Eurojaunt kicks off tonight and all going well we'll be catching up with her via Brother Patrick. Doesn't include the UK unfort but one of these days...

OK, if this mood persists then I might get some work done this (long) weekend. We'll see.

THE GO-GO's 8th Birthday Party with live music from THE FIVE ACES.(Rockin soul and r'nb). Band on stage at midnight.

DJs Tall Paul & Angus; 60's garage, pop, mod, beat, soul, ska, psychedelia, girl groups, French pop, and punk.

Upstairs at Studio 24, Calton Road, Edinburgh.
11pm til 3am, Admission £5/4.

£3 before midnight (with a flyer).

First Saturday of the month, next 'un Saturday 3rd May..

myspace.com/thegogoedinburgh

RIP - Klaus Dinger