johnriley1uk.org

Because of the increasing amounts of spam postings, new users will now have to be authenticated before they can post. Apologies for the slight delay this will cause, but I will check and activate all new accounts within a few hours, maybe a few minutes sometimes. Originators of spam need not expect ...

I like quite a lot of classical music, but a long time favourite is the tone poem from Sir Arnold Bax "November Woods." Written in 1917, this delightful piece of symphonic music is well worth getting to know. It has two sister pieces as well, "Tintagel" and "The Garden of Fa...

The book consisted of two essays, one on Robert Hindes Groom and one on Edward FitzGerald. They were originally magazine essays in Blackwood's Magazine. Maybe you'll think this is surprising, but the book was very entertaining. I enjoyed it and it helped to bring to life some more aspects of the cas...

Well almost everywhere, although the main problems seem to have been around the Avon and the Severn. Just like in 1964 and prior to that in 1947. West Wales always seems to be badly hit as well, for example around Machynlleth where the main bridge into town gets flooded if someone pours a pint of wa...

And this week it's down to #45 so that may be it for this release.

Ah well, it might help to speed up the release of Frankie's new album...

As my research project on Edward FitzGerald nears completion I have decided to try out some of the books he mentioned in his letters. I've ordered two to start off with "Don Qixote" by Cervantes, in its 18th century translation, and "Pendennis" by William Thakeray. This latter wa...

Gary Gygax's legendary adventure for character levels 18+ and this is what my players have just started.

They are high level now, so this should be just the ticket to give them a real challenge!

It's hard to comment on that as we don't know what you heard on YouTube!

When you call next I'll play you a nice loud full Hi-Fi version that will shake the street's foundations and cause cracks in the walls of the nearest nuclear reactor.

Then we'll see if you dance or not....

Now then, The Master's wife, the one who shot him...The Doctor says, "I didn't notice her..." and we can surmise why. Another Time Lord masquerading as a human and with an antipathy field to avoid detection? Yes, it's going to be The Rani isn't it, and my sense of misery at the prospect wi...

Not only 32 on the UK Singles chart but actually No 1 on the UK Dance Chart.

How exciting.

Beggin' is now 32 in the official UK Singles Chart and apparently selling very well.

Apparently this makes The Four Seasons the only US group to have hit records in the UK some 44 years apart.

More useless statistics will no doubt follow.....

I was thinking more of them disappearing up their own backsides, and judging from what they post they might be trying to.

A Gentleman never tells....

I think you are saying that, even though you don't want to admit it...

Jersey Boys, the story of the early days of The Four Seasons, arrives at the Prince Edward Theatre, London in March 2008. We will be there on the first Preview Night that falls on a Saturday. Prior to this, Frankie Valli's new album is due out October 2007 and currently "Beggin'" is workin...