Sorry for the lack of updates lately...

...I really am!  I'm still as mad for Blur as ever and working like crazy on Black Book v2.0. But between my family and my new job (which is going really well but is REALLY busy!) my time has been at more of a premium than ever before! 

But have no fear, I have lots of ideas for articles and music to share with you fellow Blur fans!  The issue is just finding the time to post them!

More Blur News...More Early Christmas Gifts for Fans!

After months and months of NO news, all of a sudden a flurry of Blur activity.  Damon mentioned some time ago they'd like to tour the USA again, Alex says in an interview a few days ago that they'll most likely record after Christmas, the Blur website is getting a design overhaul today, there's now an official Twitter account to go along with their official Facebook page, and now, Blur will be awarded a "lifetime achievement"-type award at the Brit Awards next year.

There's already speculation as to which songs (and how many) they'll play at the ceremony.

But what it's all adding up to is that something is afoot for 2012...how big and what it is is still a mystery, but this can only be good news for Blur fans, so stay tuned!

New Alex James interview...

On NME.com today...the headline is what'll grab you:

'Blur are meeting up over Christmas – and we'll probably record again' 

 It's actually a pretty poor interview in and of itself, but some interesting tidbits. I think the momentum is building and it's only a matter of time before 2012 will see SOMETHING come out of the Blur camp, whether it's a new album, EP, single, tour, festival appearance(s), something.  It makes too much sense *NOT* to happen in 2012.  Gorillaz is done, Graham's got his newest album ready for release (whenever that'll be), Alex is still a cheesemaking farmer, and Dave is still involved with politics and running for MP as it pops up in London.

 Something new from Blur in 2012 would just feel *right*, in my opinion...

(Did anyone else cringe when Alex made the "getting the Blues Brothers back together" analogy?)

What Might 2012 Bring?

As we get closer to 2012, all is still quiet (non-existent?) on the Blur front.  No news of anything potentially happening, other than Damon casually mentioning in an interview last month that they'd like to do another tour of America (Yes, PLEASE!).

So I ask you, my fellow Blur fanatics...what do you hope for and expect in 2012 from Blur?

I hope for a new album and world tour. Realistically, however, I'm expecting, at most, a one-off single or EP and a gig or two, probably at large festivals or for some benefit, in London (the Olympics?).  And even that might be hoping for too much.

What say you?

Hyde Park 2009 Tour Programme

I received in the mail the other day the special tour programme that was only available at Blur's two massive Hyde Park shows in July 2009. I've uploaded pictures of the front and back covers to the Facebook page...the interior is identical to the Summer 2009 tour programme I've already uploaded pictures for.

So head to the Facebook page to check all the pictures out!

Hyde Park 2009

I just got in the mail the official concert program for the two Hyde Park shows, which is slightly different from the regular 2009 program I already had. Pictures of this new one will be coming soon here and on the Facebook page so check back here to see them soon!

Black Book v2.0

I recently posed a question on the official Facebook page asking for advice on a quandary I'm in right now: I've been waiting on more shows from friends to add to the book for a while now, and I want to make sure the book isn't necessarily held up because of it. The question I asked is, should I wait or finish it up (mainly formatting and edits) and release it sooner rather than later. The general consensus seems to be to wait until at least the new year and assess at that point. I think that's good advice, advice I will follow.

What does everyone think? Please leave comments and suggestions!

Also, if you have any recordings of live shows or ticket stub scans, please contact me, I'll get it into the book between now and 2012.

Nearing the finish line!!!

I've only got 5 more shows to add to the manuscript before wrapping it up. I do have several more that I'm waiting on from kind people who are sending them in, so my question to you fellow fans of Blur and Black Book is, would you rather I wait and delay the manuscript further, or go ahead with what I have now? As it is, the new book will be over a hundred pages longer and have much more information and material than the first one! I appreciate your feedback and comments in advance!

Top Blur Moments on Record: The Next Generation

The fourth and final installment in the series focuses on Blur's understated but always excellent drummer, Dave Rowntree.  Dave is criminally underrated as a drummer, in my opinion, which is understandable a bit as he always plays for the song. While he has serious drumming chops, his playing is always very tasteful and fits the songs perfectly, for the most part. Live, where he can really let loose, it's an entirely story, but this is a post about his top moments (to my ears) on the studio recordings...

In no particular order:

1. Trouble in the Message Centre
2. Magpie
3. Explain
4. Popscene
5. Globe Alone
6. Coffee and TV
7. No Monsters in Me
8. Out of Time
9. Oily Water
10. Come Together

There are many more I could come up with, but these are the ones that spring to mind at this moment as ones I really enjoy. How about you?

Son of the Top Blur Moments on Record

This third installment will focus on Alex James, bass player, former party animal, and current husband/dad-of-5/farmer/author of Blur. Alex is a great bass player, functioning in much the same way as Andy Rourke did in The Smiths, playing more of a countermelody to Graham's guitar parts than just holding down the root notes for each chord. Some of his basslines *make* the song...as an analogy, think more John Entwistle and less whatever the name of the guy in Oasis was.

My top 10 Alex moments on record:

1. Trouble in the Message Centre
2. Entertain Me
3. Girls and Boys
4. Popscene
5. Colin Zeal
6. Beetlebum
7. Bugman
8. Morricone
9. Bang
10. He Thought of Cars

(honorable mention: This is a Low, There's No Other Way, Pressure on Julian, Stereotypes, Essex Dogs, All We Want, and many more)

What are yours?

Coming soon...

...the next (and final) two in the series of Top Blur Moments on Record for Alex and Dave. It's been a crazy week or two but it should settle down soon. Thanks for being patient!

The Return of Top Blur Moments on Record

Part II in our series in Top Blur Moments on Record, this time focusing on guitarist extraordinaire Graham Coxon, who also became more visible as a singer and songwriter as Blur's career progressed. His solo career is a testament to that, and is definitely worth checking out for the (few, I'm guessing) of you who come to this blog who haven't already done so! What makes Graham's guitar playing so unique and excellent, and this is coming from a long-time guitarist myself, is not only his amazing technical ability, but the sounds and textures he's able to create through the use of different combinations guitars, amps, and effects. That being said, it's again so hard to pick just 10 great moments, but if I *have* to (and I do), as of this moment, mine would be: 1. Beetlebum 2. This is a Low 3. For Tomorrow 4. Essex Dogs 5. Popscene 6. Chemical World 7. All We Want 8. There's No Other Way 9. He Thought of Cars 10. Inertia I can think of a bunch more that I really struggled with leaving off of that list (Bugman, Battle, Starshaped, London Loves just to name a few) but these are the ones that epitomize, to me, the breadth and excitement of his playing, from acoustic guitars and fingerstyle to chiming lead lines woven throughout chords to full-out balls-to-the-wall distortion and sound effects wizardry. What are your favorite 10?