I wonder what it means?
Author: ashleyelsdon
Storyteller - Poet - Explorer
Now here’s the real sound of Christmas … Tijuana Christmas (Sound of Brass)
Something from my childhood that I remember from every Christmas. Decorating the tree to the sound of Tijuana Christmas. My Grandfather used to love it too, and in many ways that sound reminds me of him, which is no bad thing at all.
It was awesome, and now I’ve found out that it’s on iTunes I can go grab it for myself and relive all of those memories!
Doctor Who: Hornet’s Nest – the Stuff of Nightmares
I can remember finding out about this story and buying it on iTunes and then listening to it on a train home one winters evening and being struck by just how much fun it was to listen to. Whilst on the one hand it was a very traditional fourth Doctor story, it was also different in the way it was told and how it was constructed. A nicely congruent departure for number 4. Added to that was the excellent script, which I’m sure was added to by Mr Baker, it was, and still is a joy to listen to.
My favourite line from that particular story is “Glumly I had a terrible pot of tea and a damp Garibaldi“, which speaks volumes about the story and the writing.
Even though I know the story very well I can still safely say that it’s one of my favourites out of all of the stories in the whole series. Perhaps because it’s the beginning, perhaps because it’s lovely to hear old and new characters come back into a story. I don’t know, and perhaps it’s better like that.
Doctor Who, Paul Magrs, and some wonderful stories
Having just finished listening to all three story arcs by Paul Magrs I thought I might write a little something about each of these lovely stories. So expect some waffling on about Doctor Who over the next few days. Not that you wouldn’t expect waffling on about Doctor Who if you’re a regular reader of this blog.
Starting Serpent Crest
I’ve listened to the Hornet’s nest and Demon Quest, and now it’s time for the third in the Paul Magrs set of stories, Serpent Crest. I don’t think I’ve listened to this for about a year or so and I’m looking forward to hearing it again this week. The whole thing is in 5 episodes and runs for about five and a half hours, which is just about right for listening to in a week.
That should keep me going until some new Doctor Who arrives in January anyway.
New Who!
Ok, not exactly new Doctor Who, and, in fact, arguably not Doctor Who as these are of course “Companion Chronicles”. However, they are the remaining Mary Tamm stories that I haven’t heard, so I’m looking forward to listening to them a great deal.
Blancmage: Irene and Mavis
This has only just been re-released, and from what I hear it isn’t indicative of what Blancmange went on to do later, but I did feel compelled to get a copy. I haven’t played it as yet, but it won’t be long and we’ll see (or rather hear) what it’s like.
The Wire 2013 Rewind
So it’s time to find out what the alignment has been between the Wire and my personal listening tastes over the last twelve months. In previous years it hasn’t been as close as you might think, but I think that this year it may be a lot closer. A tentative flick through the magazine will show what the results are.
Either way I do find the Wire’s annual rewind a good way to catch up on releases (and re-releases) that I’ve missed or not properly listened to, so this year’s edition will make for good reading I’m sure.
I do like Teenage Engineering
Apart from the fact that it’s a great name for a company, they also make totally awesome things.
Doctor Who: The Sands of Life
Another great fourth doctor story with Mary Tamm, and with the excellent inclusion of David Warner. This is the second story in Big Finish’s second season for Tom Baker, and this story is really the kick off for the main story arc in the series. It’s a great story arc too, and David Warner is at the centre of it. It’s far more like a serious Doctor Who story as opposed to the Auntie Matter, which was quite frivolous and yet wonderful to listen to.
The Sands of Life is quite a traditional story in many ways. The doctor meets a life form he’s not met before which is threatening all life on earth but only due to a mistake caused by Cuthbert (played by David Warner). I won’t say anymore about the story in case you do listen to it. I’d recommend it, it’s an excellent story and it continues with “War with the Laan”, but more of that another day.
I am Ashley Elsdon 