Almanac Reprise: Not Quite Bob – They Also Serve: Joe Ely, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt

February 3, 2026 by 6 Comments

Another worthy set of musicians from Trevor Blainey’s ‘Not Quite Bob’ series: Joe Ely, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, and John Hiatt. Fantastic music! [RIP Joe Ely who passed away late last year. -ED]

Almanac Music – Not Quite Bob: Paul Kelly…of course

December 24, 2024 by 6 Comments

With ‘How to Make Gravy’ recently adapted to film, we reprise Trevor Blainey’s classic’Not Quite Bob’ piece with one of Australia’s finest musicians – Paul Kelly. Time to make gravy!

Almanac Music: Not quite Bob – James McMurtry

October 22, 2024 by 8 Comments

Having discovered Bob Dylan in 2003, Trevor Blainey recognised much of the music he liked bore the indelible stamp of Bob. One such performer is James McMurtry, and his music is introduced here by Trevor. [This is the first chapter of Trevor’s ‘Not Quite Bob’ series. – ED.]

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – Americana Part 1: Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco, The Jayhawks, Golden Smog

September 1, 2023 by 6 Comments

Can the NQB series by Trevor Blainey get better than this? This week, Trevor takes us back to the beginnings of the Americana genre profiling some of the crème de la crème acts of this musical genre, and it’s a cracker! [With the 2024 AmericanaFest about to take place in Nashville later this month, it is an appropriate time to reprise this episode from the series. – Ed.]

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – The Covers: In Bob We Trust

August 20, 2023 by 22 Comments

Bob Dylan is undoubtedly one of the greatest song writers ever, and has written many timeless classics during his long career. This week in his ‘Not Quite Bob’ series, Trevor Blainey selects his favourite cover versions of some of Bob’s multitude of songs.

Almanac Music: ‘Not Quite Bob’ – Very Bob – The Band

August 11, 2023 by 7 Comments

Moved by the death of The Band’s Robbie Robertson, Trevor Blainey returns with his ‘Not Quite Bob’ series to at look at one of the most influential and respected bands of all time, The Band.

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – The Songlines: The Songs of Willy Vlautin – Richmond Fontaine and The Delines

June 6, 2023 by 6 Comments

Trevor Blainey continues introducing some of the incredible music currently around in his ‘Not Quite Bob’ series. This week, the music of Willy Vautin through his bands, Richard Fontaine, and The Delines. [With The Delines touring here in June we reprise Trevor’s story. – Ed]

Everyday Obits: Eulogy for June Georgina Blainey

March 17, 2023 by 5 Comments

Trevor Blainey remembers his wonderful mother, June Georgina Blainey, with great love, in the eulogy he gave at her funeral a few months ago.

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – Weirdness: Audience, Malcolm McLaren, Barry Adamson, Gavin Bryars

October 25, 2022 by 2 Comments

In this episode of ‘Not Quite Bob’, Trevor Blainey takes us on a trip of the weird and wonderful with his school of strange.

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – Blues, Differently – Little Axe, Otis Taylor,  Ben Harper, the Black Keys

October 18, 2022 by 5 Comments

More fantastic profiles from Trevor Blainey in his ‘Not Quite Bob’ series, this week featuring Little Axe, Otis Taylor,  Ben Harper, and the Black Keys.

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – Some You Know … and One You Probably Don’t – Kurt Vile, John Prine, Iris DeMent, Malcolm Holcombe

September 9, 2022 by 3 Comments

Trevor Blainey continues his trawl through a swathe of musos who have that something extra but are ‘not quite Bob’.

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – Too Good To Leave Out: The Allman Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band

August 19, 2022 by 7 Comments

Trevor Blainey has made a slight deviation from Bob this week but the direction he takes us is classic – The Allman Brothers, and the Tedeski Trucks Band are highlighted to whet our musical appetites.

Almanac Music: ‘Not Quite Bob’ – Alone Together

July 29, 2022 by 2 Comments

In this edition of ‘Not quite Bob’, Trevor Blainey looks at some of the great musical male and female duos that have attracted him in recent years.

Almanac Music: ‘Not Quite Bob’ – Contested Space OR Are Steely Dan Any Good

July 5, 2022 by 8 Comments

Trevor Blainey takes a slight left turn this week in his ‘Not Quite Bob’ series to highlight the wonderful music of Steely Dan.

Almanac Music: ‘Not Quite Bob’ – Different Folkies: Bill Callahan (Smog), Will Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billie, Palace Music), Sam Beam (Iron & Wine)

June 28, 2022 by 2 Comments

More ‘Not Quite Bob’ from Trevor Bailey, this week featuring some artists who are more in the ‘folkie’ genre, Bill Callahan (Smog), Will Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billie, Palace Music), and Sam Beam (Iron & Wine).

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – Bloodlines

June 15, 2022 by 9 Comments

Another cracking musical treat from Trevor Blainey that examines the parent and the progeny of some ‘Not Quite Bob’ greats.

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – In our own backyard: Blokes

June 5, 2022 by 6 Comments

Trevor Blainey looks at some homegrown blokes in the ‘Not Quite Bob’ mould in his continuing series.

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – The Icons: Part 1 – Joni Mitchell

May 28, 2022 by 6 Comments

Trevor Blainey extends his ‘Not Quite Bob’ series to examine the icons; in Part 1, he profiles the great Joni Mitchell

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – The Non-Pensioners Edition

May 20, 2022 by 1 Comment

This week, in his continuing ‘Not Quite Bob’ series, Trevor Blainey examines the music of some of Melbourne’s younger bands that come close to fitting the Bob mould. It’s another ripper of fantastic music!

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – Rockabilly Brothers: The Blasters, Phil Alvin, Dave Alvin, Jimmie Dale Gilmore

May 6, 2022 by 3 Comments

More fantastic music from Trevor Blainey’s ‘Not Quite Bob’ series; this week featuring The Blasters, Phil and Dave Alvin, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.