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Johnny Cash is dead.
The news was not unexpected, but still unwelcome. The Man in Black has been making music longer than I've been alive, indeed some of my earliest musical memories are of him on the radio. You could always instantly recognise his gruff, slightly wayward voice.
A few years back, I was lucky enough to see him perform at The Royal Albert Hall and just this year his "The Man Comes Around" album was often on my CD player. It's sad that he will no longer be around. He leaves a hole that no one else will be able to fill. I'm sure he sorely missed his wife June, who died earlier this year. My thoughts are with his family tonight. I hope the respect and affection that so many people have for Johnny will give them some comfort.

Ernie Goggins on the Web.

Well, I could mention the last Tom Russell gig (Tom in combative mood, wearing sunglasses indoors and looking like Bruce Willis's elder brother) but really I'm just blogging this to give Mr Hodge something to read.

Mr Hodge pointed me in the direction of VH1's list of 100 greatest songs of last 25 years:

The top 10:
1. Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit;
2. Michael Jackson, Billie Jean;
3. Guns N' Roses, Sweet Child O' Mine;
4. Eminem, Lose Yourself;
5. U2, One;
6. Run-DMC, Walk This Way;
7. Prince, When Doves Cry;
8. Whitney Houston, I Will Always Love You;
9. The Police, Every Breath You Take;
10. Madonna, Like a Virgin.

I guess I have very little in common with VH1 viewers. So, what have I been listening to recently. Well, as usual great entertainment from the Eurovision song contest. Turkey win by finally unleashing their (not so) secret weapon - bellydancing; UK get null points and try to blame the War on Iraq. Lucinda Williams plays a storming set (if a tad too professional) at Shepherd's Bush Empire - and former Eurovision competitor Dulce Pontes plays a (very) short set of modern Fado at the Barbican. Just bought Ryan (don't call me Bryan) Adams last album in the sales, great bargain.

Couple of catch-up items:
Fado with a twist, Madredeus at RFH, late March. Exquisite singing, a bit of Latin drama and a very cinematic sound.
Maundy Thursday, where better to be than at The
Czech Club?

Went to see Steve Earle at SBE. Here's a review of his Manchester show. I'd just add that Steve dedicated his London shows to memory of Joe Strummer, and that his girth is actually slimming down since last time he was here. Rather better review from The Observer of SBE gigs.