Smokie Dawson listens to plenty of music, much of it Australian. After some deliberation, he presents to you his 10 best Australian albums of the year just past.
Happy 40th Birthday. A love letter to “London Calling”
December 14, 2019 by 17 Comments
Today is the 40th anniversary of the release of The Clash’s seminal album “London Calling”. Smokie wishes it many happy returns.
Almanac Music – Aussie album review: The Teskey Brothers “Run Home Slow”
October 28, 2019 by 3 Comments
The latest of Smokie’s reviews of classic Australian albums is “Run Home Slow” by the Teskey Brothers, a brand-new release which is sure to become a classic.
VAFA 2019 Premier C – Grand Final Seniors & Reserves: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
September 20, 2019 by 7 Comments
From the Grand Canal in Venice, Smokie waxes philosophically about the journey the Williamstown WCYMS club has taken as they vie for a premiership for their senior & reserve teams.
The Ashes 2013: Manchester Memories
September 2, 2019 by 8 Comments
From the vault: Smokie Dawson and six mates were grateful their wives gave them such an extraordinarily long leash so they could attend the Manchester Test in 2013. They just had to be careful they didn’t hang themselves with it.
The Ashes 2019 – Third Test: Live At Leeds
August 27, 2019 by 20 Comments
Smokie Dawson was privileged to be live at Leeds to witness the greatness of Ben Stokes – an innings that primarily added to the drama of the Third Ashes test, but also deserves its place in larger folklore to come.
VAFA Premier C Section – Williamstown CYMS FC preview: “Card Night”
August 9, 2019 by 1 Comment
Smokie looks back on the “Card Night”, which once formed part of his pre-match ritual.
My Grandfather Played Hurling
August 1, 2019 by 15 Comments
Smokie favours us with this story of his beloved grandfather, Neddy Dawson, and ponders the appropriate curation of Neddy’s century-old Hurley.
Almanac Music – Aussie album review: Tex, Don and Charlie – ‘Sad But True’
July 15, 2019 by 7 Comments
In the tenth of his occasional series looking back at classic Australian albums, Smokie revisits “Sad But True” – the debut collaboration of Tex, Don and Charlie.
VAFA – Williamstown CYMS: A Great Reaches 200
June 14, 2019 by 4 Comments
In his long association with Williamstown CYMS FC, Smokie has seen many good footballers represent the club. Ben Gray, who plays his 200th match tomorrow, is one of the greatest.
Round 9 – North Melbourne v Sydney: Bigger Losers than Labor
May 23, 2019 by 9 Comments
Smokie argues that North’s loss last Saturday night in Hobart was even worse than that of the ALP in the federal election
Almanac Music – Aussie album review: Sunnyboys’ “Sunnyboys”
April 23, 2019 by 11 Comments
In the ninth of his occasional series revisiting classic Aussie albums, Smokie brings us a classic power-pop record that is a constant reminder of teenage summers.
Balcony Banter Round 3 – Hawthorn v North Melbourne: Roos remain winless, MCG remains timeless
April 10, 2019 by 2 Comments
Almanacker Darren ‘Smokie” Dawson had no trouble finding his sweet spot to view this game. He just wishes he could say the same for his Roos. But a day at the MCG always has its compensations.
Almanac Music – Aussie album review: Midnight Oil “Earth and Sun and Moon”
February 23, 2019 by 5 Comments
In the eighth of his occasional series looking back at iconic Australian albums, Smokie muses on his favourite Oils record.
VAFA Media Awards “Best Online Feature Story” 2018 – Williamstown CYMS AFC: Into The Ammos!
December 13, 2018 by 8 Comments
Great news. Smokie Dawson has won the 2018 VAFA media award for “Best online feature story.” We first published it here in May. The story of Williamstown CYMS AFC; a history of the club’s inception into the VAFA. Here it is.
Australia v India – Adelaide, Day 5: In The End
December 10, 2018 by 16 Comments
The series is not over. But Smokie Dawson reckons Australia’s brittle batting line-up will need to improve markedly.
Sheffield Shield – Victoria v New South Wales: Back to the future
October 31, 2018 by 15 Comments
It’s been a while between innings for Smokie when it comes to watching the Sheffield Shield at the MCG, so when a gap appeared in the covers of life, he slipped in to watch the Vics take on NSW and reminisce.
Almanac Music – Aussie album review: INXS “Shabooh Shoobah”
October 16, 2018 by 8 Comments
Smokie returns to share the seventh in his occasional series of Australian album reviews- this time “Shabooh Shoobah” by INXS.
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