The Tao of Terry Wogan

Terry Wogan was only eight years older than David Bowie, but his soul was ancient... To my surprise, I felt slightly sadder about Terry Wogan’s death than about David Bowie’s. The thing about Wogan was that he was devoid of illusion about humans. He’d seen right through us, to the core, decades ... Read More...

Sean Penn’s Subtle Brume

Sean Penn's Rolling Stone 'interview' with drugs baron El Chapo contains some surprising details, finds Brit... Many Dabbler readers will be aware that there was a bit of a hoo-hah the other week about actor Sean Penn’s clandestine interview with fugitive Mexican drug baron and multiple murderer Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Fewer will ... Read More...

Leper Messiah

Last week, Frank posted a birthday homage to David Bowie. This week, alas, a second homage has become necessary. This one includes several references to another titanic figure of modern music. Stay well, John Lydon, stay well. There is a fictional character named, somewhat foolishly, “Ziggy Stardust”, the creation of a ... Read More...

Adele’s Missing Earworm

What is a melody, and why are good ones so hard to write?... In The Guardian Clive James writes: It could be said that Adele is Mama Cass born again, but she needs a song to match her voice. I have listened several times to her smash hit, Hello. I was hoping that the shapely beauty ... Read More...

The Petula Clark Files

'It is fifty years since I began my collection of Petula Clark clippings'... I keep my Petula Clark files in a remote secure storage facility. The perimeter fence is electrified, and patrolled by wolves. The wolves are not electrified, but I am working on it, in partnership with the animal behaviourist ... Read More...