Harry Sword Monolithic Undertow In Search of Sonic Oblivion (2021)A study of the drone in music that begins with prehistoric acoustics and rapidly advances to Ravi Shankar, Master Musicians of Joujouka, Lamonte Young, Tony Conrad, Pauline Oliveros, Ash Ra Tempel Popol Vuh, drone metal descendants of Black Sabbath such as Electric Wizard, Cathedral, Sleep, Sunn 0)))), and of course Brian Eno. I found the earlier part of the book more interesting as I was already familiar with much of the later material, although it did make me search out music by Cathedral, Electric Wizard and Sleep. Well written, but the word 'heinous' is heinously overused. Nice cover.
Richard Morris Time's Anvil: England, Archaeology and the Imagination (2012) There's something in every chapter to make you rethink some of your assumptions about English history and archaeology.
Christopher Hadley Hollow Places (2019) one of the best folklore books I've read. Hadley goes into massive detail to track down just one local Hertfordshire folktale about a local man slaying a dragon - or is there more to it? Reviews here and here. General reviews here.
I've been getting back into buying vinyl and am currently listening to Pyramid by Jaga Jazzist, Cheater by Pom Poko and Sweater by Black Midi - looking forward to their new lp out soon. First post-lockdown gig will be Squid at the De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill on 9 June.
