Almanac Music: Six Heartland Songs

In this Friday’s piece, KD puts forward six of what he calls ‘heartland’ songs, in other words, six songs that ‘get him where he lives’. He encourages Almanac readers to respond with some of their own.

Almanac Poetry: Journey into the Underworld

Jean-Paul Sartre famously wrote that “Hell is other people.” In this wry poem, Kevin Densley observes that it can be as simple as one mate’s dunny!

Almanac Poetry: Jack’s Poem: ‘My Dreams’ (Messi)

Jack Halabi wrote this poem about his idol, Argentine soccer great Lionel Messi, and his dreams as a young boy sixteen years ago. His dad is proud to share the poem.

Almanac Poetry: Vale – Robert Adamson

Three poems to remember Australian poet Robert Adamson who passed away a few days ago.

Almanac Poetry: Unsolved Murder at the Fun-o-Rama

This week’s poem from Kevin Densley is loosely based on an infamous unsolved murder that took place about fifty years ago in a locale where he grew up.

Almanac Music: Songs for Adults Only – The ‘Adult Contemporary’ Genre

In this Friday’s piece, KD looks at the ‘Adult Contemporary’ song genre, which he believes has become extinct.

Almanac Poetry: ‘No Fear’

Sandra bares her soul and body in her poem ‘No Fear’ as she recounts her first time at a nudist beach.

Almanac Poetry: Sorrento, Victoria, 1983

According to Kevin Densley: ‘It’s inescapable that some poems are about tough, painful subjects.’ That includes this one…

Almanac Music: The Mother Lode – Ten Rock Songs on the Heavier Side

KD looks at ten key rock songs – on the heavier side – that were important in his young years, and invites Almanackers to share some of theirs.

Almanac Cricket (Wordplay): Marnus Ran Sum

Peter Crossing and his sidekick Al Gorithm contend that ‘anagrams can help explain that curious phenomenon
Marnus Labuschagne’.

Almanac Poetry – Nineteenth Century Street Scene: Evening

Kevin Densley based this poem upon a piece of Geelong motel art he grew to know well – a print on the wall of a room about half way from his home in Gherang and work at Ballarat’s university.

Almanac Music: Six Songs for St Cecilia’s Day

In many Christian churches, today, November 22, is celebrated as St Cecilia’s Day. St Cecilia is the patron saint of music and musicians, and her day has traditionally been associated with concerts and festivals, as well as music and literary work dedicated to her. In recognition of this bright, happy day, KD puts forward a set of six uplifting songs of the modern era, from artists diverse as The Beatles, Belinda Carlisle, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

Almanac Poetry: Jaded Shakespearian Actor

Todays poem from Kevin Densley is about a Shakespearean actor who has become very bored with his work.

Almanac Music: At Long Last Benatar!

Earlier this month, Pat Benatar was among the musicians inducted into the USA’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some (including KD) would certainly say that this was long overdue. In this context, KD takes a brief, celebratory look at Benatar’s most important years, through some of her key songs.

Final Year Assembly

Damian Balassone says goodbye to the school year with his poem of a final assembly.

The Overland

Delve into a marvel of nature, storied with beauty and character as Dips recounts a journey.

Almanac Poetry: Such is Life

Kevin Densley’s latest Ned Kelly poem was written just this month…perhaps he’d had the bushranger’s November execution 142 years ago at the back of his mind. What can be said for the levers of history and a vivid dreamer; would you have pulled the trigger?

Almanac Poetry: Sylvia Plath in a Bikini

Kevin Densley shares the first poem he had published in a national magazine, in 1994. It focuses upon one of his all-time favourite poets, Sylvia Plath.

Almanac Music: Australian Songs of Spring – Name a Personal Favourite

Before spring has totally escaped us Kevin Densley has reprised his Australian ‘Songs of Spring’ post from last year. With the input of readers of The Footy Almanac website, Kevin has put together a set of posts on seasonal Australian songs. Now it’s time to rethink our favourite songs of spring. As usual, he puts forward a nomination of his own to get the ball rolling.

Blind Boy Dreaming

With the release of his new book, Chime, Damian Balassone gives us an insight to his work by introducing us to Blind Boy Dreaming, which originally appeared in Arena!