Down Under by Bill Bryson (review)

Bill Bryson brings his trademark wit and insightful curiosity down under to Australia in this highly enjoyable and interesting book. He delves deeply into the culture, history, people, wildlife and landscapes of this huge and fascinating country. Bryson has the gift of bringing these things to life and at times making seemingly boring subject matters worth reading about. His enthusiasm and love for Australia is infectious but he is not afraid to write about Australia's most notable social failure, the desolation of the Aborigines. There is a sense of poignancy and helplessness in the book regarding the fate of these people. But there is plenty to admire about Australia; Bryson's description of the towns and cities and people is very favourable and I think perhaps the Australian tourist board owes him a gratitude of thanks for promoting their country in such a good light. It might not be the funniest of Bryson's books, but it still contains many humorous anecdotes and observations, a skill that he has honed down to a fine art. Due to the copious amounts of deadly creatures that abound in Oz, and which Bryson is not slow to point out, it is highly unlikely that I will ever set foot in this dangerous country. But thanks to Down Under I feel that I have, in some way, travelled around Australia with Bryson, albeit from a safe distance. 8/10

Anna Calvi in concert

A drizzly, cold night in Glasgow. I needed something to warm me up and brighten up the gloom of Scotland in February - Anna Calvi and a few pints of cider might just be the answer. I entered The Arches and unzipped a few layers of clothes. Unfortunately the cloak room was not open tonight so I had to lump around looking like a fatty. I headed straight for the bar through a barrage of noise and ordered a pint of Magners, then double backed to listen to Anna Meredith, the support act for the evening. They were a trio; a girl on cello, a guitarist and Meredith on laptop, percussion, clarinet and vocals. It was an interesting fusion of electronica and alternative rock and I tapped my feet along quite happily. The guitarist and cellist were especially good, and maybe they should have been given a bit more room to demonstrate their considerable skills. After they finished I headed back to the bar, apologising my way past people in that typically British manner, and ordered Gaymers, a lovely English cider which I wish was more on tap in Scotland. I edged my way through a steadily increasing crowd and found a fairly decent vantage point that I also hoped would be a sweet acoustic spot. I didn't want to be too close to the amps. Anna and her quartet arrived onstage to a hearty welcome and without much fuss launched straight into a song. I had read on Wikipedia that Calvi had been lauded for her live performances and within a few songs I could see why. There was power and intensity and energy focused skilfully into each song that was at times breath-taking. I idly wondered how they achieved such a level - probably hundreds of hours of practise is the answer. But they sounded fresh and original, there was nothing stale or rehearsed about them. Calvi and her band performed the stronger songs from her recent album 'One Breath' and also delved into her first self titled album. If there were any weaknesses to her performance then I wasn't aware of them. Her guitar playing was exemplary and boy, does she have a rare set of lungs. I left The Arches feeling fully validated in paying £14 for such an experience, and even forgave the crooks at the box office for adding on a service charge and processing fees. Great gig. Up there with Throwing Muses.   

Plunkett & Macleane (film review)

Unusual and quirky period thriller starring Robert Carlyle and Jonny Lee Miller as two men of contrasting social standings who gang together to become highwaymen, targeting only the super wealthy. Liv Tyler, with an impeccable English accent, complicates matters when Jonny Lee Miller falls in love with her. Alan Cumming, Michael Gambon and Ken Stott are all excellent in their supporting roles, and the acting is definitely one of the strengths of this film. The costumes and period settings are equally impressive, from the extravagant lifestyles of the rich to the mud and rags of the poor. The addition of a modern soundtrack to a period drama was a bold but successful choice and composer Craig Armstrong does a good job. The story and dialogue is a bit hit and miss, at times losing my interest, and the characters could have been more fully rounded, but there is enough in this stylish film to merit a watch. 7/10