Nicks` Cabinet of Curios

G K Chesterton - Father Brown Short Stories - Arcturus - 2018 This volume brings together two of Chestertons` Father Brown collections, The Innocence of Father Brown and The Wisdom of Father Brown. I read one or two of the Fr Brown short stories in younger days and as I recall, enjoyed them. I`ve watched a number of screen adaptations, both recent and not-so-recent, and enjoyed those. When I saw this book in  my local library, I borrowed it straight away, never doubting for one second that it would provide a few happy hours. In that I was mistaken. The problem with these stories, for me at any rate, is not necessarily the plotting, but more with the great mans` storytelling style. In fairness, these stories were hugely popular in their day, so it may be that our expectations of writers has changed. This is not helped by the way he punctuates his stories with odd, sometimes mystifying, observations on spiritual matters that must have been puzzling to  readers o...

Johnny Orlando - Sing a Song for Free -Pye - 1972 - Promo Copy NB -This is the original Johnny Orlando, not the other one.  This is a recent addition to my music collection and one that I prize very highly. I cannot tell you a lot about him, other than the fact that he is a long-established and well-respected singer of reggae/pop/soul. He has a knack for songwriting and concentrates mainly on love songs. His real name is Leslie Alexander Vassell, and in younger days he did sometimes record as Al Vassell.  Now in his 70s, he is still active in music today, based in the UK, and has recently performed in Spain and England. Sing a Song for Free has a `60s pop/soul feel to it. Some might find it a bit lightweight but not me.  Amazingly, I had no trouble finding a copy at a reasonable price and in fact there were a few copies about when I bought mine, most apparently in decent condition and not expensive.  Usually I don`t collect major label release...

Fergus Hume - Professor Brankel`s Secret This was the follow-up to Fergus Humes` first novel The Mystery of a Hansom cab. It is very different to his detective stories, being in every way a 19th century Gothic novel. Some would say it is rather derivative, perhaps too heavily influenced by some of the better-known works in that genre. Perhaps it is, but I don`t really care about that ! The eponymous Professor, described at one point as looking "the incarnation of an arch fiend - a modern Mephistopheles", seeks "the heart blood of a pure maiden" - you will need to read the book to find out why - reconciling himself to his grisly mission with the thought that "the killing of a person in the case of science is no murder". He is just a touch obsessional ! In pursuit of this goal he is soon producing "a long steel knife, the edge of which he felt with a hideous smile". The young woman he has selected seems rather reluctant to part...

Trevor African is a name used by Jamaican singer and record producer Cecil Brown. I assume that this is the same Cecil Brown who sang in vocal trio The Willows in the `70s and that Cabrock (formerly C A B Rock) is his own record label, C A B  being, presumably, his initials.  Joan (actually Joanne) is a classic song. It starts with the songs` protagonist sitting alone watching the sunset and reflecting on his relationship with Joan/Joanne. He realises that in life, night passes and a new day begins ; "As the moon goes away/And the sun comes up/We welcome, we welcome/A brand new day" . He admits that there have been times in the relationship when he was in the wrong and his commitment to Joan/Joanne is renewed. It might sound a bit trite put like that, you really have to hear it.    Jah is My Soul - a nice little tune. Not as strong as Joan but very agreeable and in many ways quite uplifting. The kind of tune that you get it out and play it, and straigh...

Passenger to London (1937) `Passenger to London` is a 1930s British B-Movie. It was written by David Evans, a screenwriter with 37 TV and film credits to his name, and features an impressive cast, notably Jenny Laird (Dr Who, Inspector Morse, Z Cars, Sherlock Holmes and the Mask of Death, Ghost Squad and much else).  Clearly, it was made on a low budget and as it only lasts 1 hour some of the finer points have to be glossed over. As an example, Lairds` character very quickly comes to trust a man she has found in her hotel room, even though she is openly dismissive of his explanation for being there and despite the fact that he initially pretends to be a hotel employee, which he is not.  I don`t really mind that myself, but I can imagine some would not be so tolerant. However, the film does pack a lot into an hour and that suits me fine. If `30s b-movies are not your thing, I very much doubt that this one will win you over, I think this is one for afficionados onl...

Dorothy B Hughes - The Blackbirder - The Feminist Press/City Univ of New York -- 2004 In the `Femmes Fatales - Women Write Pulp` series Modern reprint of book first published in 1943. Some time has passed since I read this, so I can`t really provide a review as such.  This book was first published during World War Two and at that time would have been quite contemporary .  The author was not writing for an academic audience, probably not writing for posterity,  and disliked the term `woman writer`. I`m guessing she would not have been chuffed to be published  by the Feminist Press at the City University of New York, or to have been included in a series of  highlighting women writers of pulp.  However unchuffed she might have been, I for one am glad this title has been reprinted. It is not what I would call a spy story, but is an absorbing read in the `noir` style. I recall there were quite a few printing errors and it was not always c...

Reggae on the Rocks - Arnot Hill Park (Arnold Park) - Nottingham - 16 June 2019 This is the third time I`ve seen this talented group of local lads live, and hopefully not the last time. Their set began with The Harder They Come and ended with Too Experienced so as you can tell there was plenty there for the lover of vintage reggae. At one time it would have seemed odd the idea of a reggae covers band as all the emphasis was on original material, but these days I quite like hearing a few old favourites played live. Perhaps I`m getting old ! The band are proficient and versatile, playing an hour-long set that is designed to appeal to a wider audience but still have something to offer for the seasoned reggae fan.  Some will say that they are something of a reggae variety act - whether that`s a criticism or a recommendation is very much a matter of personal taste. Inevitably, there were a couple of songs I personally could have done without, a couple which they sometim...