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Andy Helliwell

@andyhelliwell

Music, books, nature, gardening, running, that sort of thing. Personal views.

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Latest posts by Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell

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Music Bluesky friends - very unfortunately I can no longer make it to this frankly superb triple bill tomorrow night? Can I interest anyone in taking it off my hands?

11.03.2026 19:19 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I've been a fan of Souad Massi for many years.

11.03.2026 19:14 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Same. Always buy last year's model Brooks or Saucony. Have never had uppers fall apart on me from either brand (or Asics to be fair). Like tyres, I will keep them going until the lugs have worn down. Do over 2,000km a year and buy 2 or 3 new pairs a year, max.

10.03.2026 18:50 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Ana Inssan
Ana Inssan YouTube video by Souad Massi - Topic

I think Souad Massi's new album might be my favourite of the year so far. I'm particularly loving this song, Ana Inssan (I Am A Human). youtu.be/OvFa5KntVn0?...

09.03.2026 12:25 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Once sent my daughter as a Fitzcarraldo edition (fiction catalogue). Did I get any credit for this? Absolutely not...

05.03.2026 10:32 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Haven't shared a beautiful Westminster morning for a while - glorious spring day here, have a good one friends.

05.03.2026 08:11 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Apologies my original post was a bit unclear - Today is their debut, not On Fire, which is their second album.

02.03.2026 05:27 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Ranking the five greatest covers by Galaxie 500 Including compositions by George Harrison, Joy Division and The Velvet Underground, we rank the five greatest covers by the dream-pop group Galaxie 500.

One of the great covers bands. In fact, I just found an article about it. faroutmagazine.co.uk/five-greates...

01.03.2026 21:42 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

On Fire is something else, I agree. Today is a special album in itself - not quite as magical but I don't think you would be disappointed. I say you should give it a go :)

01.03.2026 21:30 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Same - they were from the same part of the world as me as well so I saw them a few times. Brilliant band, still love them.

01.03.2026 21:04 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Mega City Four are a certainty for my list πŸ–€πŸ–€

01.03.2026 20:53 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Galaxie 500 - Today

Galaxie 500 - Today

People don't talk about Galaxie 500 enough these days - On Fire is one of my all-time favourite albums; this is a superb debut #5DebutAlbums8589

01.03.2026 19:29 πŸ‘ 60 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 0
Tracy Chapman's debut album

Tracy Chapman's debut album

An incredible number of great candidates for #5DebutAlbums8589, but this will definitely be in my picks, just a wonderful album.

01.03.2026 19:23 πŸ‘ 67 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Boulevard de l'IndΓ©pendance is an absolutely wonderful album. One of my all time favourites.

28.02.2026 15:19 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

A very evocative photo - love it!

27.02.2026 23:19 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

PiL, PJ Harvey, *that* L7 set, it had everything!

27.02.2026 23:05 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Absolutely. I only did 1990, 1991 and 1992 but they really were the best of times.

27.02.2026 22:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

- Shostakovich's 13th symphony premiere - Moscow (1962)
- Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison (1968)
- Bruce Springsteen - East Berlin (1988)
- Reading Festival (1991) - would see Nirvana again, avoid my younger self and see Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark this time
- A good night at Birdland in the 50s

27.02.2026 21:56 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Very tricky this one! Very confident Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver aren't in need of votes for this one so:

1. Band Of Horses
2. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
3. Guillemots
4. The Twilight Sad
5. The Rural Alberta Advantage

Sorry to Sennen, The Fauns and Hard-Fi!

#5DebutAlbums0509

27.02.2026 18:53 πŸ‘ 57 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0

Quite enjoyed the skimo, but it does confirm my view that making a tight tube-train connection at Finsbury Park should be an Olympic sport...

19.02.2026 17:48 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Intriguing to see the late Harold Macmillan joining the U2 line-up, could be just what the new material needs...

18.02.2026 18:12 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

As good a reason as any! God I am old πŸ˜…!

15.02.2026 12:53 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Ultra-rare outing for it last night I see... Only the third since 2014 according to setlist.fm... @kev-moose.bsky.social - lucky you!!

bsky.app/profile/kev-...

15.02.2026 12:26 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Personally I don't put the bins out barefoot but I am sure he knows what he's doing...!

15.02.2026 10:14 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Is this another one in the eye for Big Trainer by our @thegreenrunners.bsky.social hero Damo? Only time will tell but I think he might have gone too far this time πŸ˜‚ bsky.app/profile/keit...

15.02.2026 10:10 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

#IYKYK #BM100

14.02.2026 17:42 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Rebel English Academy by Mohammed Hanif

Rebel English Academy by Mohammed Hanif

Halfway through this...

14.02.2026 13:45 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I feel like Hard-Fi has been unfairly maligned over the years - might not quite squeeze into my five, but still a really good enjoyable album in my opinion.

14.02.2026 11:14 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Luck and a helicopter The 1976 John Player League went down to the wire... and left the BBC relying on guesswork to avoid backing a losing horse

I've found the story - you are right about Kent! www.espncricinfo.com/story/luck-a...

14.02.2026 10:27 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Of course you are right, and John Player 40 overs on a Sunday!

14.02.2026 08:32 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0