With the passing of the legendary Shane MacGowan, Smokie details just how much the music of The Pogues means to him
Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 5)
December 1, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Down at heel gumshoe Swifty Taylor decides to take a break from his search and goes for a drink
Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 4)
November 28, 2023 by 5 Comments
In the fourth instalment of his search for the shield, Swifty Taylor crosses paths with an old acquaintance.
Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 3)
November 24, 2023 by 2 Comments
As the search for the missing Tony Williamson Shield continues, flatfoot Swifty Taylor meets up with the ‘running man’ in Episode 3 of ‘The Search of the Shield’.
Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 2)
November 20, 2023 by 4 Comments
Our intrepid gumshoe Swifty Taylor traverses Williamstown as he continues his search for the missing shield…
Almanac Fiction: The Search for the Shield (Episode 1)
November 17, 2023 by 3 Comments
Down-at-heel gumshoe Swifty Taylor has been asked to assist his old footy club in locating the missing best club person shield. The mean streets of Williamstown beckon.
Almanac Music: The Beatles Best 50 Songs
October 24, 2023 by 22 Comments
Smokie takes us on an epic personal journey through his 50 favourite Beatles songs. [With Paul McCartney touring Australia at the moment it is an opportune time to reprise Smokie’s Beatles story. – ED]
Almanac Cricket: Reunited With The Baggy Green
October 23, 2023 by 13 Comments
The Philpott family have taken possession of their late father Peter’s treasured baggy green cap. And Smokie played a very minor part in the story.
Almanac Music: Aussie Album Review – Jet ‘Get Born’
September 22, 2023 by 3 Comments
In the wake of Jet’s elevation to the ARIA Hall of Fame, Smokie returns to their debut album “Get Born”. It is the 17th of his Aussie album reviews
Almanac Cricket: Pees and Queues
July 26, 2023 by 2 Comments
At Old Trafford for the Fourth Test match, Smokie was confounded by the length of the queues
Almanac Cricket: A BazBall Glossary
July 25, 2023 by 14 Comments
Smokie Dawson has been in Manchester at Old Trafford watching the 4th Ashes test. In between drinks, and the rain, Smokie spent his time devising a glossary for the spectacle that is Bazball.
Almanac Book Review: ‘The Footy Jumper Book’ by Tim Rath and Andrew Gigacz
May 11, 2023 by 4 Comments
Smokie has poured over a recently released book by Gigs and Tim Rath that documents the history and colour of that most universal of footy accessories, the jumper.
Almanac (Local) Footy: ‘Known Knowns’
April 14, 2023 by 4 Comments
As Williamstown CYMS prepares for Round 1 of the VAFA premier B season against St Bernard’s, Smokie provides a preview.
Almanac Life: Amy Adams on the London Tube
February 27, 2023 by 23 Comments
Smokie gives us a new definition of ‘Trainspotting’ (Tubespotting?) as he recalls the evening that he stood next to Amy Adams in a carriage on the London Underground.
Almanac Music: The Best Australian Albums of 2022
January 2, 2023 by 6 Comments
Having listened to over 60 new albums by Australian artists in 2022, Smokie Dawson gives us his thoughts on the best of the crop.
Almanac Music: Aussie Album Review – Skyhooks ‘Living in the 70’s’
November 3, 2022 by 21 Comments
In what is the 16th of his classic Australian album reviews, Smokie re-visits Skyhooks debut album ‘Living in the 70’s’.
Almanac Music: Midnight Oil – From the Astor to the Palais
September 16, 2022 by 7 Comments
Smokie saw Midnight Oil for probably the final time on Wednesday evening. He offers a brief reflection on a four-decade journey with the band.
Almanac Local Footy: The Sandlot
September 3, 2022 by 5 Comments
As the Williamstown CYMS Under 19s prepare for their second-semi final against Old Xavierians, Smokie looks back at music and films which were used for pre-match ‘psyching’ in his day – and suggests a film which would be a sure-fire winner.
Almanac Life: Death, Taxes, and the Passing of Time
August 5, 2022 by 11 Comments
Smokie ponders the inevitability of the unstoppable passing of time
Almanac Life: The Last Payphone
July 13, 2022 by 7 Comments
An icon of the 20th Century, the public payphone booths have now been eradicated from the streets of Manhattan. One of the few technologies that were of popular use to the common person is now slowly fading away and memory-holed as time progresses. Smokie shares his fond memories over the years of how the payphone played an essential role in his day-to-day life and routine.
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