FC Porto, Music, Books, Cinema ... and things
Portuense
Apr 22 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
One of the best bands to ever come out of Scotland. Or out of anywhere in the world, for that matter.
Stuart Adamson - gone too soon.
An outstanding live version of "Ships" at The Barrowlands, Glasgow, 1993.
Mar 31 • 18 tweets • 5 min read
Great bands last long, they don't go for the quick hits. If along an illustrious long career, they manage to innovate, break new ground and maintain a higher quality standard, then are in a superior category.
Roxy Music, 1972, "Virginia plain"
Both Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry shaped the first 2 years of the band. After Eno's departure in 1973, it was Ferry's show with the help of the core McKay / Manzanera. Still with Eno clearly influencing the sound, "Ladytron", 1972.
Mar 30 • 9 tweets • 3 min read
The Pretty Things were active from 1963 through 2020. They started as a raw R&B band, got into psychedelic music in the late 60's and then settled into a more refined R&B style. Their earlier style had similarities to what The Stones, The Who and the Yardbirds did back then.
"Midnight to six man", 1966. More than 10 years later, Joe Strummer & The Clash used the line in "White man in Hammersmith Palais".
Mar 27 • 14 tweets • 4 min read
The Tom Robinson Band came out at a bad time to gain popularity - amidst the punk movement but without being a punk band. Their music, however is as relevant today as it was back in 1977.
Mar 26 • 20 tweets • 5 min read
A great, great, underrated band.
The Jayhawks, "Tailspin", KEXP radio station studios, Seattle, 2015
Gary Louris (vocals/guitar)
Marc Perlman (bass)
Karen Grotberg (keyboards/voc)
Tim O'Reagan (drums/vocals)
Kraig Johnson (guitar)
From the same session, "Save it for a rainy day".
Mar 13 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
The Damned, one of the first punk bands. Reunion show in 1988, 12 years after the tsunami. Still in fine shape at the time. It was good while it lasted.
"New rose*, from the same show, captured live in the CD and DVD "Final damnation". Which ended up not being final 😁
Feb 28 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
The other Heartbreakers
Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers
"Chinese rocks"
"Born to lose"
Feb 23 • 11 tweets • 3 min read
Jeff Beck "Goodbye pork pie hat" / "Brush with the blues"
Beck plays the Beatles, a masterful rendition of "A day in the life"
Feb 11 • 21 tweets • 5 min read
Few musicians have had such a strong influence on others as Chuck Berry. The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck ... and those were all on the other side of the Atlantic.
In the US, Dylan called him "the Shakespeare of rock-'n'-roll" - no small words coming from The Bard. Such different acts as Springsteen, Billy Joel, Lou Reed, Linda Ronstadt, Steely Dan, The Eagles, Green Day all were influenced by him. Punks revered his stripped-down approach.
Jan 19 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
I've lost touch with Elton John's studio work for more than two decades. It would be very unfair, though, to not give him credit for his fabulous work before the decline.
"Madman across the water" is imho his best album and one of the best ever recorded by any musician.
"Levon"
Jan 13 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
So long, Bobby. Enjoy the ride.
"I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, babe
But at least I'm enjoyin' the ride"
Oakland Coliseum, New Year's 1986/87
An appropriate track.
"Not fade away". NYC, 1980.
Jan 8 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
After covering the flagship Irish-American bands from NY, Boston and LA, now it's time for the Windy City. The Tossers, a band firmly rooted in Chicago but with no less firm Irish DNA.
On a fine Spring morning ... "Katie at the races"
"Siobhan"
Dec 20, 2025 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
No shortage of great versions out there, but this is the original. The Great Jesse Fuller.
Peter, Paul & Mary pay tribute to Mr. Fuller.
Dec 10, 2025 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
One of the Greats. Remembering Tom Petty.
So long, Mary Jane
Nov 25, 2025 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
For 40 years or so, Simple Minds managed to NOT have a single bad album. Many were great, some very good, a few were superb. "Street fighting years" is the best of the lot, imho. Some pointed out that it is too "politically charged". Maybe so, but it is an artistic masterpiece.
"Mandela Day"
Nov 21, 2025 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
A true genius and a prolific composer. Many of his songs were popularized by others, especially Eric Clapton.
The Great J.J. Cale
Nov 18, 2025 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
Poignant poetry. Beautiful melody. And a heavenly voice to round it all up. One of these songs I always come back to.
An impressive duet with Joan Baez. So many important things in one song.
Nov 7, 2025 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
Elegance on guitar
Elegance on guitar part 2
Christian McBride on bass
Antonio Sánchez on drums
Michael Becker, sax
Pat Metheny on a masterclass on guitar
Oct 31, 2025 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
One of the Dead's finest songs, and one of the few sung by Phil Lesh.
At the Garden, 1988
Oct 20, 2025 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
What a send-off
Spider Stacy fittingly sings "The parting glass"
Oct 6, 2025 • 11 tweets • 3 min read
Reasons why I only listen to albums and not singles or "hits"
