I purchased Paul McCartney's new CD ("Memory Almost Full") a few weeks ago - well, the day it was released. I've read some good reviews, as well as some that are less enthusiastic (though the consensus seems to be pretty positive about this one). I agree with the most positive of the reviews - this is certainly some of the best work he has done, and is probably his best solo work. You can hear his Beatles (and Wings) past in the songs, yet it is still unmistakably solo McCartney.

This is one of only 2 of McCartney's albums that does not contain a song I don't like (along with his immediately previous CD, "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard"). Having said that, I do have a few favourites: Ever Present Past, Only Mama Knows, Mr. Bellamy, Vintage Clothes, House of Wax.

This CD sounds like it could be a swan song. But given how good this is, let's hope not.

I spent an evening at a another great concert recently - Tom Lewis, the last artist in the Cuckoo's Nest Folk Club season. Lewis plays an interesting mix of songs, many of which come from his years as a sailor in the Royal Navy. He is also just a terrific guy who chats with his audience before and after the show, and shares a lot during it. If you've never heard his music, Lewis has samples on his website.

If you like folk and live near London, take a look at the Cuckoo's Nest season for 2007-8 (though not all dates are booked). The concerts are held at Chaucer's Pub in downtown London, generally on Sunday evenings. The venue is terrific (and nostalgic for me - it was the first pub I frequented as a young man), and you can grab a beer while you listen.

I've wanted to hear Garnet Rogers live for some time, but circumstances have consistently conspired to prevent me from doing so until last night. Rogers plays an annual concert for the London Food Bank as part of the Acoustic Muse Concert Series promoted by Ian Davies. All I can say is... wow, Garnet is even better live than he is on CD - and that is saying a lot!

If you know his music, Rogers did include some favourites - notably "Small Victory" and "Night Drive" - and you have to hear the latter live to really appreciate it. He also played a few new songs, including one called "Junior" about George W. Bush. He described this one as "mean" and "petty", and he is right about that. But it is also entirely accurate.

Rogers mentioned that he is recording a live CD of mostly new material in the summer, though also said he would include a new version of "Night Drive". I don't know when it will be released, but get it for "Night Drive" alone. And Garnet, please, make sure "Junior" is on there!

I'm too lazy to write a longer, proper review. But there is one which appears to review more or less the same set here.

In this story, Keith Richards admits that he snorted his father's cremated remains. Now, I know that Richards has had an, ah, interesting life - but snorting his father's ashes? Why on Earth would anyone admit that?

Today is Paul McCartney's 64th birthday.  While he has had some difficulty in his solo career distinquishing between gems and gravel, it is tough to deny that he is likely the greatest pop writer in history.  And much of his stuff is astoundingly good - including much from his last few albums.  So, happy birthday Paul - the answer to the question posed in "When I'm 64" seems to be yes.

Oh, and if you don't know the question asked in "When I'm 64", shame on you!

Just listened to Neil Young's new CD, Living With War. This is a great album - the best he's done since the 1970's. Best political album since Steve Earle's The Revolution Starts... Now.

But...  If you like, or even fail to detest Dubya, you probably won't like this album. Of course, in that event, you aren't likely buying a Neil Young album anyway.

Today is the 25th anniversary of the death of John Lennon. I’ve been listening to his music all day (undoubtedly driving my co-workers crazy), and thinking about why it is it still matters to me after so many years. I’m not sure I know the answer, but I do know I feel compelled to mark the date here.

I bought Paul McCartney’s new CD, “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard”, this week. On first listening to it, I was very disappointed. I thought it was interesting, but not very appealing. However, I decided to give it a second listen – partly because it was the only CD in the car, and partly because I thought it deserved a second chance. I’m glad I did.

The second time through, I found it very compelling. And it sounded right. That is, it sounded like a CD from someone in his sixties with a lot to say and nothing to prove. It really does feel a lot like a look through the “chaos and creation” of the “backyard” of McCartney’s life.

This CD deserves to be heard, and it deserves to win whatever award it is that musicians win. It isn’t going to break records or hit “#1”, but surely that isn’t the point!