While many people claim to know Dr. Fegg personally, I write with complete probity when I state Dr. Fegg is, indeed, a close personal friend of mine. We first became acquainted ten years ago when Dr. Fegg sacked his then-literary agent Ms. Esther Scallop. Amazed by my vast knowledge of the publishing industry, as well as my knowledge as to the whereabouts of Ronald Biggs, Dr. Fegg hired me to promote his work. In this particular tome (don't you just love the word 'tome?'), my favourite bits are "Crossing the Andes By Frog," and the frightfully clever pantomine entitled, "Aladdin and his Terrible Problem." It is astounding that Dr. Fegg has thus far escaped nomination for the Booker Prize. He has more talent in the tip of his pinkie than V.S. Naipul has within his entire being. Please buy this book. Royalty money comes in handy. If you can't buy it, hunt down someone who owns it and steal it from them. Chances are they will not give it up without a fight so it is recommended that you bring a pair of brass knuckles or a can of mace. Good luck!

This movie made me homesick. Alright, the review is supposed to be about the movie but if you want friggin film criticism, read Stephen Hunter in the Washington Post. All I can say is that if you lived in Manchester in 1976, you will GET this film. If not, you might understand it but you won't ever GET it. If someone was to tell me that a fine, fine movie would be made about Madchester when I was 19 and living in Stockport, I would have chucked you out on your arse. However, a fine, fine movie was made and it did put a lump in me throat.
P.S.
Pete Shelley: I love ya, mate.

I love music but some books about music are better left unread. Some pop music aficinados are best advised to go back and just listen to the music as a few attempts to give a literary voice to the spirit of the sound can strike a dull and pedantic note. Not so with this book. I found myself often unable to put it away as the author packed each chapter with so many historical notes that I was not aware of; clearly he did his homework. Much of his information came straight from the source, the writers, musicians, producers, and other insiders who were the leading lights and inspiration of that musical genre known as folk-rock. Of course, if one is not a fan of this type of music (and I am)you may not be engaged by Joe Unterberger's writing. However, as someone who was entranced by the Lovin' Spoonful and the Byrds, I consumed Mr. Unterberger's book with great zeal. I think musicians will find his work especially appealing as Unterberger gives careful attention to the creative side of the artists featured in his book. But if you are like me, someone who merely loves to sing along with the marvelous tunes of the gifted artists who gave voice to folk-rock, you may enjoy reading about the historical aspects of the music that, to paraphrase John Sebastian, is magical and can set you free.