MG Rover - is Mandy using police to buy time? - Guto Bebb

New CD's Newydd

Steve Eaves: Moelyci
LP ddiweddaraf Steve Eaves - ond mae hi allan ers 'steddfod Wyddgrug. Dwi'n credu fod Steve Eaves yn un o dalentau mawr y Gymru Gymraeg ac mae'r casgliad hwn yn cadarnhau hynny. Mae 'na ambell i gan sy'n gignoeth o ran cyfleu profiadau bywyd - ond rhywsut mae'r gerddoriaeth yn llwyddo i leddfu natur ddirdynol y geiriau. Campwaith. Some of you might have noticed that I commented on a session with Steve Eaves that I enjoyed recently. I was surprised to find that I could comment on this CD with the cover and product details available on-line. It's a great CD. In many ways a raw and emotional collection but none the worse for that. Recommended whether you understand Welsh or not. Guto
Low-life
New Order: Low-life
Again, this is me indulging in retrospection and as we say in Welsh 'hiraeth' for my long lost youth. As my review of the Smiths LP on vinyl indicated I prefer vinyl to CD and this classic cut from the mid 1980's has been tempting me for a while. Yes, I have a battered copy on vinyl but a remastered analogue version on heavy duty vinyl finally persuaded me to part with my cash today. What can I say. It's as I remember; brave, confident and typical mid 80's New Order. The worse part of this is that all the 1980's LPs released by New Order are now available on remastered vinyl and the quality of this pressing and appeal to my much younger alter ego means that I will have to keep away from the record shop if I'm to avoid parting with too much cash! A great record! Guto
Let's Change the World With Music
Prefab Sprout: Let's Change the World With Music
One of my all time favourite groups who simply disappeared in the early 1990's despite a run of classic albums. In my view there are few song cycles as perfect as 'Steve McQueen' released in 1985 and 'Jordan The Comeback' from 1990. And then, with a single exception, Paddy McAloon, the band leader and songwriter simply walked away. Or so it seemed. In fact he is a happy family man living in County Durham and still producing and writing music on a daily basis. This record is a superb confirmation of his talent and the fact that most songs date back to the early 1990's (but never previously released) tells me that the McAloon vaults, if opened, probably contain hundreds of gems which can be compared with the work produced by Prefab Sprout in their pomp. A great CD. Guto
Southpaw Grammar (2009 Expanded Edition)
Morrissey: Southpaw Grammar (2009 Expanded Edition)
Oh yes, I'm sad enough to have bought this expanded edition of an LP which was panned upon release ten years ago. The easy comment to make is that Morrissey has never reached the heights of The Smiths in his solo career. I disagree but this LP was considered to be so bad when released that even I, a big fan, could not be persuaded to buy it. Ten years later I gave it a try understanding that it has been re-produced, the track listings changes and four songs excluded on the first release included this time. The result? A triumph if you enjoy Morrissey at his miserable best! Guto
Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths: Strangeways, Here We Come
Not on CD but on super heavyweight vinyl. This LP, and this comment is controversial, is the best effort of The Smiths. A great record which never fails to take me back to my student days and the walkman on the Cambrian Coast Railway as I travelled home on the odd weekend from Aberystwyth. It's a nostalgic buy in many ways but my old vinyl version has seen significant playtime and the opportunity to get this album on pristine vinyl was too good to miss. It also comes with a free MP3 download - what's one of those? :-) Only joking! Guto
Working on a Dream
Bruce Springsteen: Working on a Dream
The latest from 'the boss". Not his best but with his back catalogue that would be difficult! My own favourites from his past would be 'Darkness on the Edge of Town', 'Nebraska', 'Live 1975-1985', 'Tunnel of Love' (oh the memories!) and 'The Rising' from 2001. This is a good rather than great album from one of the most influential figures in popular culture over the past 25 years. Guto
Lungs (Lep Version)
Florence & the Machine: Lungs (Lep Version)
I bought two new CD's this week. This one by an artiste in her early 20's and the other by an individual who is almost 60. Both are great but this is the more challenging listen. Think of early period Kate Bush or Fiona Apple in a bad mood! Worth a listen. Guto

07/06/2009

MG Rover - is Mandy using police to buy time?

News broke over the weekend that the real Prime Minister First Secretary of State and Business secretary, Lord Mandelson had insisted that the Serious Fraud Office have a look at the report into the collapse of MG Rover.

Of course the first reaction has to be - about time too! But wait a minute, couldn't the SFO have been brought in at any time during the various inquiries? As it happens, yes. So why now? I am sure that the dark lord is keen to be as thorough as possible. After all, 6000 workers lost their jobs in the West Midlands and another 9000 nationally at suppliers and dealers, including Conwy.

But - could it be that the reports he wants them to look at contain some scathing criticism of the government's actions? Could it be that an SFO investigation means that the report cannot be published yet? Could it be that the SFO will be working diligently and slowly and will take until, say, next June to report back?

You have to hand it to him, he is a cunning so-and-so!

Posted on 07/06/2009 at 10:32 AM in Business, Labour, Mandelson, Scandal | Permalink

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