I'm not sure how to start a blog ... do it day by day ... hmmm, that sounds too hectic for someone in retirement. Once in a while? ... it would be hard to keep track of what I'd said or done before ... Pick a topic and rant? ... No, ranting leads to ranting ... So, let's just think about some music ... Yes, that's what brings me to this place, really ... music ... Bob Dylan music .... Dylan, of course. Bought his first vinyl album, still have it, too. I lent a man a copy of Lightnin' Hopkins' brilliant Last Night Blues on the fontana label. He lent me Bob Dylan. There was no going back after that. Vinyl, tape, cd, video ... Bob's been a constant companion musically. Before Bob, I was deeply into Elvis ... still got his first UK album, too ... Elvis in his green Tupelo velvet suit ... the photograph was taken by a monkey from the Daily Sketch (they get a byline on the front cover) ... it was the days of rock 'n' roll and shellac discs. Mystery Train, Heartbreak Hotel, I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone, Blue Suede Shoes ... hmmmm, indeed there was no turning back. Jerry Lee has featured in my collection; Great Balls of Fire and lots of shakin' goin' on ... and later ... much, much later the only worthwhile Dylan successor, John Hiatt, a close second or third, Graham Parker (incidentally, both are still turning out great work), Mr Johnny Cash, Marshall Crenshaw (superb; Dylan rejected him as a NET bass guitar player for some unknown reason) and, why not, dear, sweet acerbic Randy Newman ... I like singers who know how to handle words and use the words they use to make a point, personal and otherwise. At 64, I'm still searching ... I like how the ladies sound these days ... Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch (with guitar wiz David Rawlings), Aimee Mann, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sarah McLachlan ... a favourite? They are all favourites and on the player or turntable at some time or other. Back to Bob for a moment ... Modern Times was a good album; not a great album ... Saved, by contrast, was a great album, but somehow not a good album. Work that out, but I know why I'm right. My fingers are getting tired ... more later ... My catchphrase ... Cheers!