Wednesday 15 March 2023

Affirmative


Some things in life pass you by; for whatever reason you don't latch onto them. It's OK. These things happen. It should never be held against you. Well, not in a court of law, anyway. I can think of three straight off the bat: Withnail  and I; Dr. Pepper; Yes.
I know, I can almost hear you shouting at your computer screen now - ''But Withnail is a classic! Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann's performances were off the chart.'' If you say so. Likewise the fizzy drink from Hell. And that bunch of proggers & their Roger bloody Dean album covers. Whoop-de-doo.

And yet, and yet. I do rather like Roundabout. It featured on a playlist I was sent a little while ago and I was quite taken with it. Here it is in full, all 8+ minutes of it. I love everything about it, and I'm especially partial to the acoustic guitar intro, before it goes all mental. You may not agree, of course. That's your prerogative. In which case, as I said at the top of the piece, nobody will hold it against you. Except Jon Anderson, of course. You may, however, like this: it's the pared down radio edit weighing in at a mere 3:28. A mini Roundabout, if you will. I'll get my greatcoat.

13 comments:

  1. Not a fan of Dr Pepper either (tastes like a trip to the dentist), I've somehow never watched Withnail and I all the way through and Yes are only familiar to me because we used to tape older brother's albums when they were out (not mine, friends), and Wondrous Stories was one of them.

    I like Roundabout too but mainly because it starts off like something from Camberwick Green (not your one, the telly show), morphs into the Miracles Love Machine and ends up sounding like Steely Dan. Of course I may be well off on my analysis, but my tuppence worth.

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    1. That's a fab description, Alyson

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    2. Love Machine! Of course! Why didn't I spot that? Now that would be a great mash-up...

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  2. Three things that passed me by? I'm with you regarding Dr Pepper, but we'll have to agree to disagree about your remaining nominations. Off the top of my head (and sticking with your one film & one band theme) my other two would be Fargo (though having thoroughly enjoyed the TV series I'm open to giving it another go someday) and The Stone Roses.

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    1. Love Fargo but can take or leave the Roses.

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  3. I like Roundabout too - especially love that bass! But Yes are not normally my bag either. With you re. Dr Pepper as well, but not Withnail. Three other things that passed me by: Springsteen (sorry TS!), Rain Man, and barbecues...

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    1. With you all the way on Springsteen; far too earnest for my liking. And don't get me started on 'Dynamic Pricing'. Clot.
      Can't comment on Rain Man, never seen it. Barbecues? Depends on the who, what, why and when.

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  4. Acid House,Alchopops and Star Wars

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    1. I know what you're saying. Tho' I did latch onto Star Wars thru James as he was growing up..

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  5. Forgot to put forward my three things:
    Harry Potter (never got the hysteria), Whisky (despite being a Scot) and Nutbush City Limits (back in the day all the non-dancers loved it when this song came on - it was my cue to leave the dancefloor).

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    1. Potter? Poorly written rubbish. Whisky? Your comments are probably tantamount to treason where you live. Nutbush City Limits? You can go off people!

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  6. I'm in the minority in that I prefer 80s soft-rock Yes. Owner Of A Lonely Heart caught me at just the right time in my adolescent misery-fest. Never got Dr. Pepper though.

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    1. Owner of a Lonely Heart was basically Trevor Horn as I remember.

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