New year, bring me more goodies!

After the year end of 2014 that was the marathon to get the wantlist below 900 items, I failed. But in some ways, 2015 has begun with new hope.

The biographical book I have been writing for the last two years had to go on hold while I devoted my time to this blog and getting my target reached for the year end. I actually did some work on it again last week for the first time in three months.

Then to my surprise, after nearly ten years of dormancy, my best friend Andy and I actually started writing some music together again in the studio, and the first flourish sounded extremely promising. I cannot believe that it's been ten years or more since we last worked in the studio together. This is one of the last songs we did

On the 4AD collection front, even now I haven't got below the 900 mark on my releases wantlist. The count is down to 905 items. As usual quite a few items have come in and a few new ones have been found to add to the list. Some were never even on the radar to begin with, such as a Spanish tape cassette of the Pixies album Doolittle, which coincidentally has recently been re-released as a triple vinyl compilation by 4AD with loads of extras, demo's etc. Take a look HERE

Every time something like this comes out, I am so tempted to buy it, but I have to keep myself focused on the challenge I already have. There have been re-releases galore lately that are so tempting. It's a different story with the none 4AD re-releases. Believe me, 4AD is not the only source of music (oh dear, I spoke the unmentionable). Having my weekly album listening evenings, where I devote an evening to just listening to two albums with no distractions, has made me aware of how poor a quality some of my vinyl has become and a welcome anniversary re-release on good quality vinyl has been a strong temptation.

So far in January my recent 4AD additions have been :
Modern English - After the Snow LP - on Intercord from Germany
Pixies - Bossanova CD - on Virgin from France
Cocteau Twins - Iceblink Luck 12" - on Rough Trade from Germany
Various - Spools Paradise cassette - from the Record Mirror a music magazine compilation which includes a Colourbox track
Breeders - Pod CD - on 4AD from France

Today I got a cassette of the US version of the soundtrack album Pump Up The Volume. So things are steadily streaming in. I have a feeling in my bones that the year is going to be a good one......you never know, I may even find a decent record shop this year...