They tell me the present is only history repeating itself over and over again.
Celtic travel to Edinburgh (or Leith if you like) on Sunday having raided the capital for personnel on several occasions over the last twelve months. Whilst the Tynecastle soap opera more or less set Pressley and Hartley up as shopfront dummies (well, they've played like two since moving to G40) Hibs fans will feel they have been transported back to the late 19th Century when Celtic (in)famously asset stripped their club. In their manager, John Collins, they will be reminded of similar plunder. Inevitably the Hibees use such acts of pillage as evidence and a basis for their perennial and bitter recriminations. We could be in for a hot reception in what I believe will be a low-key match from a Celtic perspective. Is there any other ?
I wish Chelsea well at New Wembley tomorrow.
Friday 18 May 2007
Thursday 17 May 2007
Choice Cuts For Robyn
For the first time in its long history of licensing and releasing reissues (cf Clear Light's eponymous and only album) Collectors' Choice has launched a new label which they've assigned the attractive name of Noble Rot. The first releases under the new banner include two of Robyn's albums set for initial (re)release on June 26, 2007. Here's the blurb on both :
" Jewels For Sophia "
From his days with the Soft Boys through his wildly inventive solo work, Robyn Hitchcock has captivated audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with a bewildering blend of psyche-pop and warped lyrical whimsy. Jewels For Sophia found Hitchcock delivering a dozen slices of his surreal songcraft, with help from a sprawling support cast that featured his old Soft Boys bandmate Kimberley Rew, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, and members of the High Llamas, Grant Lee Buffalo, the Fastbacks and the Young Fresh Fellows.
" Storefront Hitchcock "
Hitchcock's public profile received a boost in 1998 when noted fimmaker and longtime fan Jonathan Demme paid tribute to the artist with the feature-length performance film Storefront Hitchcock. The project also included a companion album which features a spare live performance of 11 Hitchcock originals along with a twisted cover of Jimi Hendrix's " The Wind Cries Mary ". Allmusic.com called Storefront Hitchcock a "dictionary definition, jaw-dropping live singer/songwriter album".
" Jewels For Sophia "
From his days with the Soft Boys through his wildly inventive solo work, Robyn Hitchcock has captivated audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with a bewildering blend of psyche-pop and warped lyrical whimsy. Jewels For Sophia found Hitchcock delivering a dozen slices of his surreal songcraft, with help from a sprawling support cast that featured his old Soft Boys bandmate Kimberley Rew, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, and members of the High Llamas, Grant Lee Buffalo, the Fastbacks and the Young Fresh Fellows.
" Storefront Hitchcock "
Hitchcock's public profile received a boost in 1998 when noted fimmaker and longtime fan Jonathan Demme paid tribute to the artist with the feature-length performance film Storefront Hitchcock. The project also included a companion album which features a spare live performance of 11 Hitchcock originals along with a twisted cover of Jimi Hendrix's " The Wind Cries Mary ". Allmusic.com called Storefront Hitchcock a "dictionary definition, jaw-dropping live singer/songwriter album".
Wednesday 16 May 2007
Spain Or Spain, It's All The same
The latest in a long line of Scoto-Spanish football events takes place at Hampden Park tonight. Here's hoping the sun emerges this afternoon.
It took Celtic forty years or so to eliminate a Spanish team from Europe and even that was a close call in Vigo, although a match and a trip I will always recall fondly. Tonight there will be memories of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich's successes and those who played valiantly but came second. There will obviously be a Spanish winner tonight. Who do I want to win ? I could not care less. For once I have no personal axe for the grinding and there should be limited knock-on effect for Celtic or Arsenal as a result of a result (tautology or what ?).
This afternoon I travel with my son to G40 to pick up my Scottish Cup Final ticket then on into the city to meet our Iberian guests. We'll be wearing The Colours of Day, green and white, and spreading the Faith of our Fathers, in his case, mine (another tautology).
" Go into the city, into the street
And let's give the message
To the people we meet. "
Here's to a great occasion.
It took Celtic forty years or so to eliminate a Spanish team from Europe and even that was a close call in Vigo, although a match and a trip I will always recall fondly. Tonight there will be memories of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich's successes and those who played valiantly but came second. There will obviously be a Spanish winner tonight. Who do I want to win ? I could not care less. For once I have no personal axe for the grinding and there should be limited knock-on effect for Celtic or Arsenal as a result of a result (tautology or what ?).
This afternoon I travel with my son to G40 to pick up my Scottish Cup Final ticket then on into the city to meet our Iberian guests. We'll be wearing The Colours of Day, green and white, and spreading the Faith of our Fathers, in his case, mine (another tautology).
" Go into the city, into the street
And let's give the message
To the people we meet. "
Here's to a great occasion.
Tuesday 15 May 2007
Brown Turning Green ?
I woke to the surprise news (courtesy Smooth Radio 0630hrs) that Scott Brown is to sign for Celtic on a five-year contract for £4 million. I listen to Smooth for the soft sounds and occasional psychedelic track but I don't think it's on the Five Live scale for football news. With Celtic due at Easter Road on Sunday we may be in for another interesting week. On the other hand it may be another false lead.
Lots of reminiscing just now about 1967, worth noting that Love released both Da Capo and Forever Changes at the start and end of the annus mirabilis. The albums neatly bracket the Summer of Love as Arthur and the boys were not that type of band.
Que Vida.
Lots of reminiscing just now about 1967, worth noting that Love released both Da Capo and Forever Changes at the start and end of the annus mirabilis. The albums neatly bracket the Summer of Love as Arthur and the boys were not that type of band.
Que Vida.
Monday 14 May 2007
Champs With Plenty To Spare
Should Celtic match or better the darnel's result this coming weekend then we will finish the league campaign at least a dozen points ahead of our nearest rivals. The play may not have been particularly pleasing on the eye at times but the proof of the pudding is in the eating and the Le Guen Revolutionaries' humble pie must taste particularly sour this morning.
It has been more than half a century since Kilmarnock won a league match at Celtic Park, it has been less than 24 hours since they won at Megiddo. From what I heard on the radio the darnel were trying their hardest to win the match but could not find a way through Kilmarnock's defence. Watty, though, quoted Gordon Strachan's 'Testimonial Football' theory to explain away the defeat. Perhaps. If Celtic's season culminated in the retention of the SPL with victory over the self-same Kilmarnock then the darnel's high point was last weekend's win over the Champions. It was their Cup Final without medals and ribbons, their Wembley 67.
Celtic's season, on the other hand, still has some distance to run. Come on the Hoops.
It has been more than half a century since Kilmarnock won a league match at Celtic Park, it has been less than 24 hours since they won at Megiddo. From what I heard on the radio the darnel were trying their hardest to win the match but could not find a way through Kilmarnock's defence. Watty, though, quoted Gordon Strachan's 'Testimonial Football' theory to explain away the defeat. Perhaps. If Celtic's season culminated in the retention of the SPL with victory over the self-same Kilmarnock then the darnel's high point was last weekend's win over the Champions. It was their Cup Final without medals and ribbons, their Wembley 67.
Celtic's season, on the other hand, still has some distance to run. Come on the Hoops.
Sunday 13 May 2007
Lenny's Masterclass Farewell To Paradise
I saw no sense in yesterday's rumour that Neil Lennon would play no part in the game against Aberdeen. It seems our dear friend Mr Keevins went with the story and I truly hope he has been wrongfooted on this one. I did not see his newspaper but imagine his editor will be having a quiet word.
For long periods of yesterday's game I did my own Playercam, focussing on our captain and watching his apparent gift of trilocation. I have always said he is one of the most economical footballers I have ever seen, short bursts of pace, tight, accurate passes and a wonderful ability to read an opponent's intentions. I thought he bossed things yesterday and I just do not know how we will replace him. There is no heir apparent in G40 at the moment.
Much will be made of his post-match comments and his short statement to the Aberdeen supporters. I was saddened by the incident. I wasn't annoyed by what Lenny called them (he has been called much much worse in his time here, day and daily) but I was dismayed that the Dons fans should abuse Neil as he made his farewell speech. They should have resisted their final dig at him and continued the recent decent rapport between our fans and theirs. I hope our cordial relationship with the Red Army does not deteriorate as a result of yesterday afternoon. It's getting to the stage where we will not share good relations with the fans of any single SPL club.
For long periods of yesterday's game I did my own Playercam, focussing on our captain and watching his apparent gift of trilocation. I have always said he is one of the most economical footballers I have ever seen, short bursts of pace, tight, accurate passes and a wonderful ability to read an opponent's intentions. I thought he bossed things yesterday and I just do not know how we will replace him. There is no heir apparent in G40 at the moment.
Much will be made of his post-match comments and his short statement to the Aberdeen supporters. I was saddened by the incident. I wasn't annoyed by what Lenny called them (he has been called much much worse in his time here, day and daily) but I was dismayed that the Dons fans should abuse Neil as he made his farewell speech. They should have resisted their final dig at him and continued the recent decent rapport between our fans and theirs. I hope our cordial relationship with the Red Army does not deteriorate as a result of yesterday afternoon. It's getting to the stage where we will not share good relations with the fans of any single SPL club.
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