Joe Banks

but in between, there's an entertaining sub-plot about a messianic Lithian child causing havoc within Earth's repressed society... It's a novel packed with ideas, some more engaging than others, and Blish doesn't always wear his learning lightly, but I really liked it. A genuinely original work. 3/3

even if ultimately it doesn't really amount to much. A biologist/Jesuit studying a paradisical alien planet called Lithia, populated by intelligent but God-less lizards (David Icke, look away), becomes convinced that it's a Satanic trap. Returning to Earth, he has an audience with the Pope... 2/3

My slow tour of classic SF slowly continues with 1958's A Case Of Conscience by James Blish, a book that's become renowned as one of SF's most serious attempts to tackle the role of Christianity in the context of a non-terrestrial, but supremely civilised world. It's a dense, fascinating read... 1/3

Thanks, yes, must listen!

Here's a chest-swelling, patriotic Hawkwind headline from Sounds, 13 May 1972 😉 Plus mention of dates with The (Morrison-less) Doors - though the 11th was at the Mayfair in Birmingham rather than The Roundhouse...

I've just DMed you on Xitter

Weellll, I think we just didn't really notice at the time, but definite examples...

I'm sure you're right, but people (like me) can't resist making connections... BTW, did you see that message I sent (via Chat) on here last week?

Street battles, invented languages and gigs in psychiatric hospitals: France’s lost rock revolution of 1968 Bands such as Magma and Art Zoyd provided a soundtrack for the student protests that shook the country. Little remembered now, a new book reveals their decisive influence on later successes such as Ai...

From today's Guardian online and based on a new book, an article on the early 70s French rock underground. The treatment is a little wide-eyed, but good to see it there nonetheless. Would argue Les Variations were more than just Stones knock-offs though... www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...

Peter Elson

I loved these books...

Great album and cover

Thank you, that means a lot!

I missed Peter Hammill's Edinburgh gig due to family illness but an advance copy of @joebankswriter.bsky.social new book on Peter's work has cheered me up. It's a big book that
goes well with the equally new big CD box set I've also been listening to. More book details here:
kingmakerpublishing.com

Glad you're liking it, Sid!

I had foolishly maxed out my one & a half pints limit ;-)

Ah, in that case, I'm sure it'll be a tonic!

Oh, really sorry to hear that, Sid - though I'm not sure that might aid her recovery!

So, Peter Hammill at the RFH last night was quite an experience... Highlights for me were Don't Tell Me, Comfortable?, Patient, A Way Out (particularly amazing) and Still Life (though gutted to have missed Modern - not allowed back into the hall post-toilet break!) (pic by Howard Rankin)

An article on Hawkwind by Geoff Barton in Sounds 2nd, October 1976.
@joebankswriter.bsky.social

No, this recording is the first time it's been heard since 1974

YouTube video by Jonathan Smith Hawkwind - America

This is just one of the highlights of Hawkwind's Edmonton Sundown set from 25 January 1974, as featured on the new Hall Of The Mountain Grill boxset. Robert Calvert in absolutely mesmerising form... www.youtube.com/watch?v=-su6...

Oh blimey, I was hoping he'd at least play some of them!

Wow, that really sounds quite something

Wow, The Lie! Lot of energy needed for that...

Ha. Mr Peter Hammill...

Awaiting PH in Manchester...

Excellent stuff!

Ha, fair enough, but it included many classic songs!

Reports coming in of an amazing performance by Peter Hammill at Edinburgh's Queens Hall last night. Looking forward to Thursday at the RFH... Set included: My Room, The Comet..., If I Could, Last Frame, Patient, Stranger Still, Four Pails, Traintime, and Vision (pic: Phil Mason)