And a brand new Soft Machine album  in early 2026.

They are actually calling themselves Soft Machine again, it seems, after diversions into  other appelations.

I'd like the vinyl but the price is a bit silly.

Some Fotheringay BBC sessions on a single vinyl record.

Completists only, i would guess, as they are described as 'off air'  recordings. Somebody will know if this material has been included elsewhere.

Gary Mounfield, ‘Mani’ bassist from The Stone Roses and Inspiral Carpets . Just 63.

Mike had wanted to get Anto on board, but he had prior commitments.

Jules

It does seem a little weird to be doing this with the current band plus Steve Earle though, doesn't it?  I'm trying to imagine the absolutely rocking band I've been watching videos of folking out on this material, and where on earth Earle fits in.  Pity it's so few shows in enormodomes too, so I strongly suspect I won't find out in person.

Louder Than War (John Robb) has posted that Mani of the Roses has died....

Looks genuine: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/gary-mani-dead-stone-roses-32913693.amp?fbclid=IwY2xjawOMGwlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBDNzB0VHk2aWx1eWlwT3Qwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkkISEKSYpDJ8bGeu3qOMOCPLdmLwOJHafAzuRlKyviwRTxFb7HpJCtimfzQ_aem_exY69CtFP-udpd6-UeU3Og

Christ, no, not THOSE kinds of blokes!  

Jules

Oh, God.  Commiserations....

Waterboys Fisherman's Blues Review shows:

The Waterboys will perform a special series of dates in August and September 2026 under the banner THE FISHERMAN'S BLUES REVUE. The shows will celebrate and explore the music of the Waterboys' classic Fisherman's Blues era of the mid-late 1980s.

Legendary Waterboys fiddler Steve Wickham will rejoin the band for the shows, and in an exciting development the ensemble will be graced by great American singer/songwriter Steve Earle, who will perform as a member of the Revue, singing his own songs while adding vocals, guitar and mandolin to Waterboys numbers.

The shows will follow hot on the heels of the release of ATLANTIC RAIN, a 3-disc set of previously undiscovered music from the Fisherman's Blues sessions, to be issued July 17 2026 on Chrysalis Records.

Waterboys leader Mike Scott: says "The Fisherman's era was a transcendent time for The Waterboys and it's always exciting to delve into its spirit and see what happens. We'll be performing with an eight-piece band including the mighty Steve Earle who I've wanted to do a project with for many years. He'll bring Americana roots and killer songs to the party, and these promise to be among the best Waterboys shows ever."

Other band members include Brother Paul (organ), Famous James (piano), Aongus Ralston (bass), Eamon ferris (drums) and Norwegian Pedal Steel ace Roar Øien.

ATLANTIC RAIN will comprise 3 discs of previously unheard songs and alternate versions recorded during Fisherman's Blues but forgotten due to the sheer volume of music recorded. Says Scott: "We made so much music during those days - hundreds and hundreds of individual recordings - that I'm still discovering magical stuff in the vaults. This set contains the best I've found so far - the music is every bit as good as the original album.".

Tickets for these shows go on sale Thurs 27 Nov at 10am.

Sat 29 Aug - GLASGOW, OVO Hydro

Sat 5 Sept - DUBLIN, 3Arena

Thurs 10 Sept - AMSTERDAM, Afas Live

Fri 11 Sept - ANTWERP, Olt Rivierenhof

Sat 12 Sept - LONDON, The 02

We were talking like two blokes talk. And one of them had just clocked off from work. We may have been gently amusing, but there was no slapping of thighs.

Jules