It must be about time to hand out some awards, don’t you think? But not music awards, blogging awards. I feel that the time has come to give a modicum of recognition to those blogs that have held me enthralled over the past year. The trouble is, there are quite a few of them but I am going to limit myself to five. So without further ado and in no particular order, they are:YourZenMine – This blog, written by an Aussie husband and wife team, set out to review 365 randomly chosen albums from their collection – thus two individual views per album - everyday for the year of 2010. Despite the enormity of the task, they succeeded in style. Frankly, I can only goggle at their tenacity in completing this challenge as I know what it takes out of you writing informative, yet appealing reviews, especially if the day’s choice was a bit disappointing. And to crank out a review a day for the entire year deserves some acclaim. The sometimes conflicting views, the opinions, the husband/wife banter, the insight into past lives have all been fascinating as well as vastly entertaining and I am rather sad that it has now come to an end. Whilst the blog takes a bit of a rest, I understand that it will continue in 2011 but in a new format. Let’s hope so! This blog gets my ‘Against All Odds’ award!
Luminous Muse – When I cast around for new blogs to follow, I am often appalled at how shallow and badly written some sites are. However, this does not apply in any way to Luminous Muse which is quite the reverse. This blog is a relatively new discovery for me and is written by an American composer and all round music nut. The subjects cover all areas of music from classical to modern and whilst the writing is undisputedly superb, it is the insight from a musician’s perspective that keeps me returning for more. This is not a blog for the faint hearted as the posts are often quite long and the analysis deep, yet like all good teachers, he always manages to make the text understandable to the layman without dumbing down. This blog gets my ‘We Can Work It Out’ award!
A Novice Novelist – This is one of the first blogs I stumbled across when I started out in the blogosphere over three years ago and it is the one that I still return to now. What better recommendation? It records the trials and tribulations of a would-be novelist and her attempts to become a published author and is written by the endearingly dotty, London based, Jayne. Jayne has the talent that all good writers possess, that of observation. Her posts are chock full with wry observations and self deprecating humour in the best English style. She never fails to make me smile and has done so for many years. This blog gets my ‘Still Crazy After All These Years’ award!
One for the Dads – I can’t ignore this one despite the fact that there is very little text in it but comprises a collection of video clips of all those Dancing Queens from the 1970s; Pan’s People, Legs & Co, Ruby Flipper, Zoo, Hills Angels and others. In the days before music videos, these ladies populated TV music programmes to the delight of the Dads. Congratulations to its host, Young Mr Grace, who has done very well indeed in amassing all these clips and collecting followers who now include daughters of some of the dancers featured. This blog gets my ‘Music To Watch Girls By’ award.
Music and More – Finally a mention for this freshly minted blog by a young British woman who has clearly caught the music bug. Early days yet, but this blog looks very promising. It is upfront and opinionated. Love it! This blog gets my ‘New Kid In Town’ award!
My thanks to these and all the other blogs that I follow. Happy New Year!
9 comments:
Thanks very much for including my blog Music Obsessive! It means a lot. And I just thought to let you know, your blog is probably in my top three. Even though I don't always have the time to reply, I've read all your posts since I've joined blogger and I have to say there haven't been any posts that I haven't enjoyed reading! You have a lovely writing style.
And wow, I've just looked at YourZenMine. It must have taken a lot of dedication to go through three hundred and sixty five days of album reviews! Even I couldn't find the time to do that! They've earned my respect, I'm definitely following their blog.
And Luminous Muse is an incredibly well written blog. I mean...by the time I'd read the first paragraph on the page(What does a Music Publisher Do), I knew that the writer was one talented guy.
When we started the mammoth task of reviews at the beginning of 2010, we had no idea how it would end. But to have you and others not only offer us constant support but give us such wonderful accolades is far beyond anything we imagined. Thank you so much and rest assured, we will be back.
YourZ & Mine
I give my hats off the YourZenMine's blog! It's been a wonderful read all year.
Zee - You're welcome. I always like to support new boggers - I remember how hard it was when I first started. And you're right, the others I have mentioned are just awesome.
YourZenMine - Very well deserved, if I may say so. A monster effort. And so glad that you will be back - just take it a bit easier this year, my head's spinning!
Drew - Spot on! And on a personal note, I hope that 2011 will be a better year for you. Best wishes!
Well Martin, now I have this to thank you for in addition to turning me on to Nerina and all your finest written posts! I owe you another beer.
Now, if you can just tell me how we can get to see Spooks Season 9 here in the US before next year, I'll buy you the brewery....
John - Music, easy, getting the BBC to release suff in the US, almost impossible. I note that not only Spooks, but Waking the Dead and a host of other programmes are years behind on your side of the pond. Looks like you need a multi-region player!
I don't think there could be a better accolade for me than 'endearingly dotty'. Thank you so much! That has made my day. :)
Jayne - It's a proven fact that all the best people have a penchant for madness.
Wha ha ha ha ha ha...(ahem)
YMG - Not at all, Sir. You have done a fine job indeed. Any hint yet of that Holy Grail of Pan-dom, the infamous 'Down Down' routine?
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