On the channel this week, we’ve had a plethora of great music and conversation. If you missed it you can catch up here. Hopefully between Agalloch, Caravan, Candlemass and Bob Dylan, you found something worth watching and listening to! Looking forward to next week already! Cheers, Jim
Agalloch – The Mantle, parts 1, 2 and 3
Super Sub MaraxisArcanist requested a play through of The Mantle for his membership perk. Agalloch is a band renowned for blending various elements of metal music, particularly folk, black, and doom metal, to create a unique atmospheric sound. “The Mantle” is one of their seminal albums, released in 2002. The album showcases Agalloch’s signature style, characterized by haunting melodies, intricate guitar work, and introspective lyrics often inspired by nature, existential themes, and folklore.
The Mantle transports listeners to a world shrouded in misty forests, ancient legends, and profound introspection. Its soundscapes range from tranquil acoustic passages to intense, immersive metal compositions. The band incorporates diverse instruments such as acoustic guitars, flutes, and keyboards alongside traditional metal instrumentation, adding layers of texture and depth to their music.
Jim’s Record Haul: January-March, 2024
Quite a lot of vinyl has arrived at Newstead Towers since the start of the year. Here, I document what has come in.
Jim and Rudi’s Cultural Exchange
In an experimental video, Jim and Rudi nominate and play some unknown music to each other via Zoom. The audio quality of the mics is a bit iffy here and there, but it’s definitely a fun feature and looks set to return soon. Where else would you get to hear Candlemas and The Wildhearts in the same video?
Theme Songs – Blowin’ In The Wind
Tony Grinney compiled a great Theme Songs this week, with seven songs with “wind” in the titles. This was a laid back mellow mix!
Caravan – For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night
The final videos of the week are from Caravan, and their 1973 album For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night. I bought this at a record fair last weekend in (fittingly) Canterbury and was keen to play it! What a great sounding record, both from a production point of view and from the physical vinyl point of view.
Jim Newstead as House Of Suns: Odyssey One
This was one of the first tracks I wrote when our lives changed direction entirely as we became guardians to a little boy with additional needs. Experts, family, friends, professionals were talking to us/at us all the time, all with their own views and opinions. It all became background noise as we navigated parenthood in our 50s, and found our own way.
It was scary, challenging, unimaginably endless and unfathomable. But also funny, beautiful and ultimately the most rewarding thing we’ve ever done. A step into the unknown! This version has not been uploaded before. Let me know what you think! Cheers Jim
Jim’s Adventures In Music 