Affinity

Strange telephone call a couple of hours ago, from someone called Bobbie who was looking for some coverage of her band. It turned out, amazingly, to be Bobbie Watson from Comus, of all people, who have reformed for a gig in March.

Happy New Year, everyone, and many thanks for all your responses to the Bruce Springsteen and Favourite Albums Of The Year blogs I posted just before Christmas.

The Scottish band are back by popular public demand

I got a message the other day from Erin Palmer, encouraging me to go and see Jandek at South By Southwest. Unfortunately, I've had to cancel my trip to Texas, so if anyone sees the Jandek show, please let us know. Erin, it transpires, is the daughter of Bruce Palmer, the giant bassist who drove down to LA with Neil Young in his hearse and went on to join Buffalo Springfield.

First headliners for the Green Man Festival are announced

British director and star inject dark thrills into the superhero franchise.

Clapton career highlight, inspired by Duane Allman, now on SACD

The best of Bill Nelson's undervalued art rockers, coinciding with reissues of five original Be-Bop albums

Folk-rock that nods to both the present and the past

Swoony Californian dreamscapes in the vein of Mazzy Star