Monthly Archives: March 2020

Rolling Stones, Don Valley, 6th June 1999

Posted on March 31, 2020 by garylongden

  Unquestionably there are optimum times to see musicians live. My gig going started in the mid 1970’s, I was too young to catch the Rolling Stones in their prime. For me, their last decent album was “It’s Only Rock … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Gigs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Clash, Live at the Lyceum, London,19th Oct, 1981

Posted on March 30, 2020 by garylongden

The Clash have now assumed legendary status from the Punk era. They were a remarkable band. Some of the myths surrounding them are at odds with reality. Many of their achievements are often under- appreciated. I saw them live twice, … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Gigs | Tagged | 5 Comments

My Town

Posted on March 24, 2020 by garylongden

My town, is like your town A few bewildered denizens of the past Hover outside the concrete carcasses of the old ways New Gods are worshipped, Kelloggs, Andrex and Dettol Gucci, Prada and Burberry, Now corpses in fading thoroughfares Toppled … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Leave a comment

Poems 2020

Posted on March 20, 2020 by garylongden

In the Beach Hut Me on the inside Everything on the outside Time lies neatly folded Like an old cloak In the corner White pebbles the size of Loaves of bread Rest beyond freshly rinsed Twice daily Peeled paint flutters … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | 1 Comment

Ben Kane – Eagles in the Storm, Novel Review

Posted on March 12, 2020 by garylongden

My first foray into Kane’s writing had been with “Clash of the Titans” it had been disappointing, with Simon Scarrow and Bernard Cornwell easily better writers and storytellers on that evidence. But I decided to give him another chance. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Clash of Empires- Ben Kane. Novel review

Posted on March 11, 2020 by garylongden

  This was my first introduction to Kane’s work I was disappointed. It was swamped by too much unnecessary detail, diluted by multiple sub plots which either went nowhere or added little, and was careless with character. In one strand … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Traitors of Rome – Simon Scarrow, Novel Review

Posted on March 11, 2020 by garylongden

  The eighteenth instalment of the “Eagles of the Empire” series takes our leading protagonists to the Eastern edge of the Roman Empire, Parthia, for their latest adventure. Aficionados, of which I am one, will find it fits like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Book of Mormon – Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on March 9, 2020 by garylongden

I waited for curtain up with no preconceptions. I did not know the plot. I knew none of the songs. I did know that the show has been phenomenally successful on Broadway and the West End grossing over $500m since … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment