Reading - June 2023

Moreover ... by Miles Kington

Funny, in a somewhat dated way (it is over forty years old), but since I can remember those times well, I can relate to the cultural context. In some ways, it's all rather charmingly nostalgic - at least, I think so, since it reminds me of reading my Dad's Punch magazines when I was a kid.

Abbey Road by David Hepworth (2022)

David Hepworth has developed a very distinctive style of writing, honed over years of writing music reviews and articles. It's very recognisable, but doesn't lend itself so well to fact-based subjects, and as a result this doesn't come across as a definitive history of the famous studios. Maybe that wasn't the intention. What we do get is essentially a series of snapshots, arranged chronologically across the decades, each written to about the length of a magazine article (clearly the length he is most comfortable with - see most of his previous books), all containing lovely little snippets of details and a certain amount of opinion. As we get closer to the present day, there's more opinion, with a definite undercurrent of longing for the good old days, which perhaps is understandable, and anyway never veers too close to grumpy old man territory. Overall, as easily readable and entertaining as always, but perhaps feeling a little more disposable than expected.

Falling Hard by Stacy Finz (2017)

Another very sweet instalment in the Nugget series, with almost too-good-to-be-true hero, some entertaining secondary characters and an odd, out of place coda that isn't very believable.

Before & Laughter by Jimmy Carr (2021)

I read this after watching Carr on The Diary of a CEO. Billed as "The hilarious guide to changing your life", this gives a little more of a glimpse of Jimmy Carr the person, as opposed to the comedian - a constructed persona, as Carr himself acknowledges. It's not an autobiography but he gives snippets of his life as he talks about his advice. As ever, it's one person's view that what worked for them could work for you - which, in fairness, it might. He doesn't pretend there's an easy route to any kind of success, and is refreshingly honest about the sheer amount of hard work it took him to achieve what he did. His definition of "success" seems a bit fluid though; he sometimes advises you concentrate on finding happiness and then later claims that one is only "judged" based on results, not intent. True, but who's judging and why does that matter to success? Anyway, enjoyable, insightful and, yes, funny. Terrible title though.

Watching - June 2023

That Pedal Show: The Noel Gallagher Guitars & Gear Interview (2023)

That Pedal Show is a YouTube channel about guitars, amps and (obviously) pedals. They release an episode every week and I watch most of them. This was a bit different: a nearly two hour chat with Noel Gallagher, filmed at his London studio and featuring some of his famous - iconic? - guitars (most of which he seems to have been given by Johnny Marr) and sounds. Very entertaining and watchable, and an object lesson in not needing the best equipment or technique to make history.

Knives Out (2019)

Saturday evening viewing with the family. Entertaining enough the second time round, a few slightly implausible plot twists but generally well received.

The Diary of a CEO: Jimmy Carr (2023)

I found this while browsing BBC's iPlayer (what a 2000's name!) for interesting things. Apparently this is a long-running podcast, but this is the first episode filmed and broadcast by the BBC. Essentially, it's a long form interview and like most of these things, Carr is promoting his book (it sounds like this was recorded about a year ago), but it's interesting anyway: away from jokes and game shows Carr is interesting and thoughtful and Steven Bartlett is an effective interviewer (although it probably helps that he has an interviewee who is very keen to talk). I might try a few more of these, both on iPlayer and the podcast itself on Spotify, although I'm a little sceptical about Bartlett's actual credentials as a CEO or entrepeneur; he seems like a very good salesman though!