Almanac Music: Cold Chisel, the big top and sentimental bullshit

October 29, 2024 by 19 Comments

Cold Chisel are on tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary. David Wilson was thrilled to attend his first Cold Chisel concert, and he had a magnificent time.

Almanac Poetry: A Pilgrimage to San Isidro

October 28, 2024 by Leave a Comment

This week’s poem from Kevin Densley, previously unpublished, takes as its point of departure a disturbing late painting by Spanish master Francisco Goya.

Almanac Cinema: Not a film for a first date

October 28, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Ian Wilson presents his review of ‘From Hilde With Love’, a film set during WW2 featuring the harrowing tale of two operatives of German Resistance Group, the Red Orchestra.

Almanac Life – Meet Me at the Mall’s Balls: Life and Phones

October 24, 2024 by 20 Comments

Mickey and Claire value their connection both with and without their phones. It is possible in the digital age!

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.]

Revisiting the Almanac Grand Final Eve Lunch 2024: The poetry of Damian Balassone

October 21, 2024 by 2 Comments

Thanks to Damian Balassone for being a guest at The Footy Almanac Grand Final Eve Lunch. Here’s a couple of poems and details of how to buy the collection.

Almanac Poetry: A Neurotic Worry

October 21, 2024 by 2 Comments

KD describes this week’s previously unpublished poem as follows: ‘It’s encapsulated in the title.’

Almanac Arts: Ballarat’s Three Grand Ol’ Dames

October 21, 2024 by 2 Comments

Ian Wilson highlights some of the wonderful cultural and artistic architecture found in Ballarat.

Almanac Music: 33 1/3 Reasons Why – Way of the World (Max Q)

October 20, 2024 by 6 Comments

Greg Andrew pays tribute to Ollie Olsen, post-punk and electronic music innovator, who passed away last week.

Almanac Footy History: Whatever happened to Damian Bourke?

October 19, 2024 by 15 Comments

Roger Lowrey reminisces about the 1989 Grand Final and what could have been for Geelong. Roger tracks down Geelong skipper Damian Bourke to discuss life after footy including Damian’s attempts to reach the summit of Mt Everest.

Almanac Music: ‘Working for the man’ – Songs Involving Work

October 18, 2024 by 127 Comments

This week’s instalment of KD’s epic series on popular song themes concerns songs that involve work. As is always the case, readers’ song choices and comments are warmly welcomed.

Wally Miller: the doyen of administrators

October 17, 2024 by 52 Comments

We reprise Rulebook’s tribute to Norwood legend Wally Miller who died yesterday. Vale Wally Miller.

Almanac Life: The Tattoo (1990)

October 15, 2024 by 7 Comments

Damian Balassone recalls a curious encounter with a drunken dishevelled man in 1990.

Almanac Music: Dylan Covers – Aussie Style: The Bands Take On Dylan

October 15, 2024 by 28 Comments

Karl Dubravs continues his excellent Dylan series of Bob songs covered by other artists – this time Aussie bands who have not featured in previous episodes.

Almanac Poetry: Concerning the ‘Talking Boony’

October 14, 2024 by 2 Comments

Cricket season is now here, so KD has delved into his archives and come up with a previously unpublished poem about the talking David Boon doll that was a big promotional success for VB about two decades ago.

Almanac Cinema: Deny Everything – The Apprentice Review

October 12, 2024 by 5 Comments

A biopic of Donald Trump, ‘The Apprentice’ is now in cinemas. Ian Wilson presents his review of the film.

Almanac Racing: Vale John ‘Patto’ Patterson OAM – Flemington’s longest serving Clerk of the Course

October 11, 2024 by 4 Comments

John ‘Patto’ Patterson OAM, Flemington’s longest serving Clerk of the Course has passed away. Roger Lowrey pays tribute to Patto.

Almanac Life: Australian Summer Scene

October 11, 2024 by Leave a Comment

The concept of an Australian identity Callum Quirk has thought about a lot. Classic Aussie cars, coastal towns and roads, and summer are all part of that identity Callum believes.

Almanac Music: Spectrum’s ‘I’ll Be Gone’

October 10, 2024 by 23 Comments

Matt Zurbo fondly remembers that great Australian classic song, Spectrum’s ‘I’ll Be Gone’, its effect on him, its relationship to Apollo Bay, and in a moving tribute, on the death of his father. [That’s quite a funeral Old Dog – JTH]

Mystery Pub: Corner Booth Reflections at The Elephant

October 10, 2024 by 14 Comments

Claire and Mickey dropped into the Elephant off Rundle Mall to get their weekend off to a good start.