Categories
James Poole reflection

Latitude 2013: posh teenagers and amazing drummers

I worry about the youth of today. Gig etiquette is simply not something that they understand. A case in point: as James Blake took to the stage for his Sunday afternoon slot at Latitude, it was almost as though anyone under the age of 20 had been ‘activated’, and their gormless trudge to the stage […]

Categories
James Poole reflection

Latitude 2011

Let’s get the headliners out of the way. The National: singularly uninspiring. Like seeing a Joy Division covers band try to nail an Interpol set. Paolo Nutini: I couldn’t tell you, as I wouldn’t have been seen dead near to any stage with him on it. Suede: totally bobbins. I never liked them, and it […]

Categories
James Poole recommendations

Come on NYC – get with Steve Mason

You know how certain music just makes you feel a few feet taller? Last week, I heard ‘Dry the Rain’ by The Beta Band. I had to smile. There’s literally nothing wrong with the track. Nothing. The Beta Band performed that unique trick – they knocked out a short, but almost perfect body of work. […]

Categories
James Poole recommendations

2010: Top Ten Albums

So that’s 2010, then. A year of staggering comebacks, of fine funk, and of exciting new music. Sitting here on a flight back to NYC after a Christmas break in the UK, it’s probably as good a time as any to fully reflect on the year, and to take the time to acknowledge the albums […]