It's an honour...

Not quite New Year yet, but the U.K. honours list is out.

I have mixed feelings about all of this: on the one-hand it is fair and reasonable that acts of selflessness, service, humility and bravery are rewarded and recognised by society. On the other hand, those that already earn millions from their daily endeavours hardly fall into the 'service' category and, one could say, are handsomely rewarded for their efforts?

The latest list has been announced with a loud and colourful Olympic fanfare and yes, the games and the efforts of U.K. athletes and sportsmen and women at London 2012 certainly had most of us shedding a tear or shouting encouragement at the telly. But... they won their medals at the games.

I have no problem with Bradley Wiggins getting a gong when he finally hangs-up his bicycle clips, but to give him a knighthood now cheapens the award as much as when Mick Jagger received one.

You all know I love my rock n roll (or rock n rail) but I am still mystified as to why Elton, Mick and Macca are now called 'Sir...'. Cliff too.

They have all received the recognition and financial rewards their efforts and craft deserves. Both McCartney and Jagger have had brushes with the law regarding their drug use yet they are now at the top of the establishment pile. I am sure they give 'millions' to charity and the exchequer... but they can.

Cherie Blair has received an MBE for her services to charity and the BBC news report lists all the charities she is connected with: on the board, or a patron of. But again, it is easy for someone in her position and her circumstances to be a patron of a charity that writes and asks her to be one. I am not be-littleing her efforts or her work but is it really worthy of an honour?

There are SO many people, week in, week out that give time, energy, emotional support and at their own cost to the service of others: youth work, sports coaches, teachers, those in health-care, carers... the list goes on. Some DO get recognised, but so many don't yet, without their real selflessness and giving the lives of others would be the poorer or, in some cases, would cease.

A Christmas Present...

As a little extra, special Christmas treat we present Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show Christmas Special. I can't see it listed on Radio 4 Extra for broadcast over the holiday, so... here it is (in two parts): something to craftily listen to when you get a spare 30mins.





Utterly brilliant, wonderfully humorous. There are some festive gems in here. I am a big fan of this act anyway so maybe a bit biased, but its well worth a listen along with all the usual 'Christmas Specials' that'll get rolled out once again.

For more info, look at:
Count Arthur Strong's Infernet Site...
Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show Wikidpedia page...

Record of the Week!

Silent Night
Bill Nelson



There's nothing like twangy guitars for taking a Christmas carol just... somewhere else.

Making his second appearance with a Rock n Rail 'Single of the Week', Bill Nelson gives us all a marvellous gift with this festive and seasonal delight. As is typical from this artist, the whole production is from his own hand: all music, all video (filmed in York), and this adds to the personal touch. Hope you enjoy it.

For good measure and your festive delight, check out his Christmas offerings from previous years...
Bill Nelson Christmas 2011...
Bill Nelson Christmas 2008...
Bill Nelson Christmas 2007...

A very merry Christmas from everyone at Rock n Rail.

Record of the Week

I Hate Christmas
Three Litre

I Hate Christmas



Don't be fooled by the title, it's not quite as throwaway as it at first appears to be...

But I won't spoil it too much for you; you have a listen and see what you think for yourselves.

This is one of my all time festive favourites. It combines melancholy, humbug, longing, hopes, dreams, a wry smile here and there along with all the trimmings of sleigh-bells, church-bells and a choir. Yet it starts so simply with that acoustic intro that gets stung by that chiming electric guitar after the first line.

Very merry stuff. And don't you get me started on New Year!

You can buy this on CD at amazon...
Or on eBay...

Find out more about Three Litre...
Drowned in Sound review of this single...
A review of their gig with The Darkness...
Velocity Recordings Three Litre page...

Record of the Week

December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)
George Michael



Its December so I can choose Christmas 'singles'! Stop groaning over there... not everything is Mariah Carey or Chris de Burgh, you know.

This one isn't a classic, as far as the wider world is concerned and not seen as being in the same league as his earlier festive offering, 'Last Christmas'.

But I love this song. Well written and beautifully created. George's un-mistakeable voice delivers the melancholic lines with pure class and craft to conjure a picture many may well feel an affinity with.

There is a tinge sadness here yet there is a glimmer of more than just the warmth of a winter's fire. The Christmas message of hope, peace and light is delivered in a lovely song rather than Santa's sleigh.

Wonderful stuff. Buy it or download it and make it a classic...

You can buy this on CD at amazon...
Its also available on iTunes...

Power of the Press

The release of the results of the Leveson enquiry are only days old, but you wouldn't think it from reading today's headlines. Nothing. Not a sausage...

That enquiry, of course, was spurred on by the outrage fuelled by News Corps ability to hob-knob with the almighty and powerful while, at the same time, dredging the depths of depravity in order to get a story or angle they tell us is in 'the public interest'. Those that felt Mr (for he certainly ain't Sir) Rupert Murdoch's time had come were all hopeful for a while, but it seems the status quo has been well and truly maintained. After all, there was that most humble day of his life and the closing of the dirty, dirty rag the News of the World to pacify those getting a scent of Australian blood.

Alas, so far, nothing has changed. Legions upon legions still read The Sun. You know, the most surprising and worrying thing is to survey those that are reading The Sun: women... pin-stripe suited city 'gents'. Quite unbelievable really but, as this reporter can confirm, true.

Which is more than can be said for todays 'reports' about Avram Grant re-joining Chelsea FC in a consultative role.

Its all pure speculation and rumour. Nothing more. Yet, talkSport reported first the rumour that '...there are reports he could be joining Chelsea...' later updated to '...there seems to be little truth in the rumours Grant is joining Chelsea...' finally, 'Chelsea have confirmed there are NO plans for Avram Grant to join the club...' So, a WHOLE bloomin' day of a lead story that wasn't a story after all!

Great journalism chaps. Rupert would be proud if not humble.