Graeme Thomson
@graemethomson.bsky.social
Books. Under The Ivy; Small Hours; Themes For Great Cities &tc. Email: [email protected]; Web: www.graemethomson.net
Frankie contemplating what a terrible cunt Jim Ratcliffe is.
February 12, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Frankie contemplating what a terrible cunt Jim Ratcliffe is.
Found our band demo tape from 1993 or thereabouts. Pretentious, nous, Msr. Baudelaire?
(And yes, our band was named after the second American Music Club album...)
(And yes, our band was named after the second American Music Club album...)
February 8, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Found our band demo tape from 1993 or thereabouts. Pretentious, nous, Msr. Baudelaire?
(And yes, our band was named after the second American Music Club album...)
(And yes, our band was named after the second American Music Club album...)
The faintest hint of Paddy McAloon c.1985 about Michael Carrick
February 7, 2026 at 11:40 PM
The faintest hint of Paddy McAloon c.1985 about Michael Carrick
Good afternoon to the man dressed in top-to-toe beige tones walking down our street brandishing a Bible and shouting very loudly about Jesus.
February 5, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Good afternoon to the man dressed in top-to-toe beige tones walking down our street brandishing a Bible and shouting very loudly about Jesus.
Heading in the opposite direction... John Martyn died on this day in 2009. The subject of my 2020 book, Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn.
January 29, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Heading in the opposite direction... John Martyn died on this day in 2009. The subject of my 2020 book, Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn.
A very happy birthday to the estimable Roddy Frame. I was sent this piece recently: I've interviewed Roddy lots of times, but I think this may have been the first, for Time Out in 2005 - a little after the release of perhaps his greatest record, Surf.
January 29, 2026 at 8:36 AM
A very happy birthday to the estimable Roddy Frame. I was sent this piece recently: I've interviewed Roddy lots of times, but I think this may have been the first, for Time Out in 2005 - a little after the release of perhaps his greatest record, Surf.
My reading plan for 2026 is all about the short American novel (and some short African ones, too)
January 27, 2026 at 3:28 PM
My reading plan for 2026 is all about the short American novel (and some short African ones, too)
Meerkats v one merely very confused cat
January 24, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Meerkats v one merely very confused cat
Very sad to have confirmation that the great Martin Carthy is ailing and has likely played his last gig. It was a privilege to write the notes for this live album. His final quote here seems fitting: 'I have nothing to hide. I just think, You did it, for heaven's sake, to the best of your ability.'
January 23, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Very sad to have confirmation that the great Martin Carthy is ailing and has likely played his last gig. It was a privilege to write the notes for this live album. His final quote here seems fitting: 'I have nothing to hide. I just think, You did it, for heaven's sake, to the best of your ability.'
Spreading the word about Magic Hooton, "up and coming magician for hire."
January 22, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Spreading the word about Magic Hooton, "up and coming magician for hire."
I'm beginning to wonder whether this is what he's really after...
January 21, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I'm beginning to wonder whether this is what he's really after...
Also, 4 years this week since this was first published...
January 19, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Also, 4 years this week since this was first published...
In case you thought it all couldn't get any worse...
January 19, 2026 at 1:25 PM
In case you thought it all couldn't get any worse...
An optimist writes...
January 18, 2026 at 8:43 PM
An optimist writes...
Great back cover blurb, too, and beautiful illustrations by Alasdair Gray.
January 17, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Great back cover blurb, too, and beautiful illustrations by Alasdair Gray.
Great piece on a great writer. My 1985 edition of Lean Tales is a treasured possession.
January 17, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Great piece on a great writer. My 1985 edition of Lean Tales is a treasured possession.
I love this photo. Rural Nottinghamshire, late 1950s/early 60s. A group of workers take a well earned break from tree planting in the nursery. One of them is my mum.
January 16, 2026 at 3:07 PM
I love this photo. Rural Nottinghamshire, late 1950s/early 60s. A group of workers take a well earned break from tree planting in the nursery. One of them is my mum.
This should be on the list. In 1985-86 The Waterboys were probably the greatest live band on the planet. Here you get six sides of them in full flood.
January 15, 2026 at 7:41 PM
This should be on the list. In 1985-86 The Waterboys were probably the greatest live band on the planet. Here you get six sides of them in full flood.
Golden slumbers
January 14, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Golden slumbers
This LP is 40 years old in 2026. The first Van album I bought, secondhand, was Beautiful Vision. The second was No Guru No Method No Teacher. As the sticker inside the sleeve reveals: 6 quid from Virgin in Broadmead, Bristol. Money well spent. I was 13 & and it completely blew me away. Still does.
January 13, 2026 at 10:40 AM
This LP is 40 years old in 2026. The first Van album I bought, secondhand, was Beautiful Vision. The second was No Guru No Method No Teacher. As the sticker inside the sleeve reveals: 6 quid from Virgin in Broadmead, Bristol. Money well spent. I was 13 & and it completely blew me away. Still does.
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. Runrig, 23 April 1984. I was 10 years old and an unwilling participant.
I wore a kilt.
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. Runrig, 23 April 1984. I was 10 years old and an unwilling participant.
I wore a kilt.
January 11, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. Runrig, 23 April 1984. I was 10 years old and an unwilling participant.
I wore a kilt.
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. Runrig, 23 April 1984. I was 10 years old and an unwilling participant.
I wore a kilt.