Almanac Music: Springsteen – in his own words

December 30, 2016 by 6 Comments

Neil Drysdale, when feeling down on the year that has been 2016, is given a lift by a Springsteen doco. [Sounds excellent – Ed]

Stereo Story: Status Quo and Black Saturday

December 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Rick Parfitt, singer and rhythm guitarist with Status Quo, died on December 24, aged 68.

Our partner site, Stereo Stories, pays tribute via a story about listening to Status Quo in the aftermath of surviving the Black Saturday bushfires.

Almanac Music: Desert Island Discs

December 27, 2016 by 2 Comments

Here’s Swish with a BBC Special for those of you with time on your hands.

Stereo Story: goodbye George Michael

December 27, 2016 by 1 Comment

The death of a musician always drives us to their back-catalogue. On hearing the news about George Michael, like millions of others, Lucia Nardo spent the day listening to his albums again, and the song They Won’t Go When I Go in particular.

Stereo Story: making sense of Making Gravy

December 21, 2016 by Leave a Comment

As a young teenager Cassandra Atkinson enjoyed but misunderstood the Paul Kelly song How To Make Gravy. Then things changed.

Almanac Music: Rick Kane and Culture Club

December 18, 2016 by 5 Comments

Rick Kane first heard Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? many years ago. The moment still resonates. This Soundcloud recording of Rick recalling that moment, accompanied by the Stereo Stories Band, is from a show at the Willi Lit Fest in 2015.

Almanac Music: My Faux Husband

December 18, 2016 by 7 Comments

In her confronting first piece for the Almanac, Darlene Zimbardi tells the story of struggle, through the intersection of life experience and the lyrics of Jackson Browne.

Almanac Music: ‘Smokie’ Dawson and The Stereo Stories Band

December 17, 2016 by 1 Comment

‘Smokie’ Dawson’s Stereo Story about young love and Before Too Long is always a hit at Stereo Stories concerts. Here is Smokie and the band at the 2016 Williamstown Literary Festival.

Haiku Bob is in town from Sweden to launch his two books of haiku (Dec 16)

December 16, 2016 by 5 Comments

Come and celebrate the launch of Rob Scott’s (aka Haiku Bob) first major collections of haiku. TONIGHT.

Summer Reading: Six Summer Soccer Reads

December 15, 2016 by 5 Comments

Denis Gedling presents a thoughtful collection of Soccer books for your summer reading.

Merry Bloody Swishmas

December 13, 2016 by 21 Comments

Tidings of comfort and joy from Swish.

Book Review – Kings of the Game

December 12, 2016 by 2 Comments

Modelist reviews ‘Kings of the Game’, by Lachlan Waterman, in search of what makes a great Aussie Rules Football Coach.

Almanac People: Billy’s Life Journey

December 12, 2016 by 7 Comments

Andrew Starkie writes of Billy and his journey through life, the choices made, and confronting challenges one day at a time.

Almanac Music: Radiohead and me

December 12, 2016 by 19 Comments

Having first been introduced to Radiohead through their seminal salute to modern alienation, OK Computer, Mickey Randall embraces the musical pilgrimage and feels there remains plenty for them to ponder.

St Kilda Boys Taking Challenges in New Zealand

December 11, 2016 by 2 Comments

Yoshi give us a blow by blow description of St Kilda’s pre-season camp in New Zealand.

Meetings with Remarkable Men

December 7, 2016 by 2 Comments

Peter Baulderstone imagines a meeting between Vic and the Don.

Global Revolutions

December 2, 2016 by 11 Comments

Mickey Randall reminisces about the many wonders of his standing world globe, and the simple joys that come hand-in-hand with it.

Almanac Art: Bustling Billy at Punt Road (by Kate Birrell)

December 1, 2016 by 13 Comments

Billy Barrot passed away earlier this week. This is Kate Birrell’s painting of him at Punt Road. [Add your memory of Billy Barrot – Ed]

Almanac History: Are there any Leahys out there?

December 1, 2016 by 19 Comments

Are there any Leahys out there? Following a discussion about the Leahy family, JJ Leahy sent us this fascinating collection of short tales about his family heritage. I’m sure he would appreciate any further info. [Family history is so interesting – JTH]

Some new Leahy information has come to hand thanks to David Leahy. Read his comment.

Almanac Cricket Poetry: The Ballad of Bluey Jenner

November 29, 2016 by 12 Comments

e.regnans, in his typically beautiful way, tells the story of Bluey Jenner, a bush cricketer with the world at his feet.