Graham Rickson 🇮🇪
@grahamrickson.bsky.social
London-raised, Leeds-based primary music teacher, horn and ukulele player, film and classical CD critic, responsible dog and cat owner. Writing things for www.theartdesk.com (@theartsdesk.bsky.social)since 2009. Proud Irish citizen ☘️.
There’s a recent English-language remake of Ikiru with Bill Nighy. It’s ok, but the original is best.
January 21, 2026 at 9:14 PM
There’s a recent English-language remake of Ikiru with Bill Nighy. It’s ok, but the original is best.
Watch some vintage Japanese films! Ikiru or Tokyo Story are brilliant entry points. Both made me blub.
January 21, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Watch some vintage Japanese films! Ikiru or Tokyo Story are brilliant entry points. Both made me blub.
Sorry to hear that - hope it goes well
January 20, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Sorry to hear that - hope it goes well
It’s probably closer to concert uke size. Heavy!
January 19, 2026 at 7:53 PM
It’s probably closer to concert uke size. Heavy!
Here’s mine. Cheap on eBay!
January 19, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Here’s mine. Cheap on eBay!
Banjo ukes are so much LOUDER than standard wooden ukuleles. I took mine into a school today and some of the younger pupils covered their ears!
January 19, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Banjo ukes are so much LOUDER than standard wooden ukuleles. I took mine into a school today and some of the younger pupils covered their ears!
Looks good! Mine has the G string tuned an octave lower, which does make the sound slightly less irritating.
January 19, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Looks good! Mine has the G string tuned an octave lower, which does make the sound slightly less irritating.
LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS!!!
January 18, 2026 at 9:07 PM
LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS!!!
When I stay with my in-laws in France, I still enjoy looking through their multi-volume 1960s Grand Larousse encyclopaedia.
January 18, 2026 at 7:53 PM
When I stay with my in-laws in France, I still enjoy looking through their multi-volume 1960s Grand Larousse encyclopaedia.
Yes. Borrowing things from libraries. Watching things on telly when they were actually broadcast. Looking things up in encyclopaedias. (I'll get my coat...)
January 18, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Yes. Borrowing things from libraries. Watching things on telly when they were actually broadcast. Looking things up in encyclopaedias. (I'll get my coat...)
I forgot I had this gem, and found it this afternoon while tidying a bookshelf. My introduction to Gorey was through reading 'The Shrinking of Treehorn' as a child. He wrote and illustrated so many books!
January 18, 2026 at 7:10 PM
I forgot I had this gem, and found it this afternoon while tidying a bookshelf. My introduction to Gorey was through reading 'The Shrinking of Treehorn' as a child. He wrote and illustrated so many books!
I’ve got this box set - loads of good stuff in it.
January 18, 2026 at 2:28 PM
I’ve got this box set - loads of good stuff in it.
Good Mancini score too.
January 18, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Good Mancini score too.
Humphris used to conduct choirs at my Saturday morning music school.
January 18, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Humphris used to conduct choirs at my Saturday morning music school.
There’s an egg vending machine near us. I loved using it until one of the boxes contained a completely rotten egg which stank out our kitchen for days.
January 17, 2026 at 8:20 PM
There’s an egg vending machine near us. I loved using it until one of the boxes contained a completely rotten egg which stank out our kitchen for days.
And she smiles while she's playing. I like musicians who look as if they enjoy what they're doing.
January 17, 2026 at 4:04 PM
And she smiles while she's playing. I like musicians who look as if they enjoy what they're doing.
if you buy it on the Hyperion website it costs even less. We saw Hewitt playing Bach, Couperin and Ravel in Leeds a few months ago. Magical stuff. Her dad came from Leeds!
January 17, 2026 at 9:16 AM
if you buy it on the Hyperion website it costs even less. We saw Hewitt playing Bach, Couperin and Ravel in Leeds a few months ago. Magical stuff. Her dad came from Leeds!
I went to hear Sinopoli conduct Mahler 5 with the Philharmonia at the RFH when Wallace was principal trumpet. Amazing - I can still remember the opening fanfare.
January 16, 2026 at 3:05 PM
I went to hear Sinopoli conduct Mahler 5 with the Philharmonia at the RFH when Wallace was principal trumpet. Amazing - I can still remember the opening fanfare.
Oh dear. There’s a lot of terrible music out there besides the neglected good stuff.
January 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Oh dear. There’s a lot of terrible music out there besides the neglected good stuff.
Fabulous! Reminds me of Wayne Thiebaud... who's almost unknown here in the UK.
January 13, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Fabulous! Reminds me of Wayne Thiebaud... who's almost unknown here in the UK.
Yes - septuplet rhythms in the opening Intrada is the thing I remember
January 13, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Yes - septuplet rhythms in the opening Intrada is the thing I remember
Will look for a second hand copy. I've got Mackerras's Supraphon version of the Janacek, which is good
January 13, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Will look for a second hand copy. I've got Mackerras's Supraphon version of the Janacek, which is good