Albert Tatlock

What's occurring on the 26th October?

Great result for Ireland against my tournament tip Australia (well not counting the obvious favourites). They finally turned the switch to 'on' after trudging with form the last year. If we can get out of the group that sets up a nice Ireland Wales quarter final - which means at least 1 northern hemisphere team in the semis. 4:30 am start tomorrow for Wales Samoa. It's going to be intense!

This should get you vinyl peeps salivating ... There's a glimpse of the insert artwork too.

Ha - my work is done!

Just noticed that the list of possible request songs is now much much bigger - perhaps it's now derived from the ex-wilcobase list of everything that's been played including covers. All sorts of weirdness there. E.g. Easter Bunny Ditty anyone?

Another Aussie review, and a mixed one in this case -The Vine http://www.thevine.com.au/music/album-reviews/wilco-'the-whole-love'20110917.aspx

The All Blacks Haka is one of the great moments of drama in sport. Even better is when they play Samoa, Fiji, or Tonga, when both sides get their war chants going - though the actual playing invincibility of the All Blacks gives their Haka more weight. This is actually a ruby league match, but you get the idea.

Behind the scenes with the English squad. A bit slow to start, but quite funny - in spite of the fact that I'm Welsh a few of them look like good lads :-)

Sydney Morning Herald 4.5 / 5 http://www.smh.com.a...0915-1ka65.html

Like the Sasquatch comments - was anyone here there? http://online.wsj.co...3459206104.html

Toronto.com http://www.toronto.com/article/698388?bn=1

Spin 8 / 10 http://www.spin.com/reviews/wilco-whole-love-dbpm And that photo is doing the rounds

Same words, different layout, with 9 pics too http://www.indystar.com/article/20110914/ENTERTAINMENT/109140375/Review-Wilco-kicks-off-tour-with-comfortable-self-assured-show Nick looks like a mix of Ronnie Barker and Harry Worth these days

As of a few hours ago, Willy Vlautin and the guys from Richmond Fontaine at a free record store show. Nothing memorable to report other than just wanting to confirm what nice guys they are, and as a Brit Willy has such an exotic accent to my ears

Not so full, but here you go:- http://www.montrealg...4463/story.html

First two artificial intelligence robots to be connected to each other end up having an argument. Well, it made me laugh. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14843549

Coming to the UK in November. At last! It's been 8 years or so ...

New official press pic? http://www.aaamusic.co.uk/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Wilco-2011-ZoranOrlic.jpg

Brilliant, but can he crimp?

In general I'm much more into the Americana Wilco than the art-rock Wilco, but when Art of Almost reaches that point where it takes flight, it makes me want to leap up and punch the air. Haven't felt that about any Wilco track before. Usually, the extreme emotions have been of the wistful sweet sadness variety.

Porridge got to the USA? Great news. Yes, luckily Sir George didn't tell ne to 'Naff orrff'

Thanks guys - it's always tricky not to come off sounding like boasting or something when telling these sort of stories, but I hope VC is the better for the odd personal reflection. I used to enjoy it much more when people treated VC much more as a magazine to which they were contributing with fleshed out reviews, personal stories etc. I suppose now those who want to write paragraphs have their own blogs for that sort of thing. And I agree with Moss -my money was on Something - given his fondness for George and the way he encouraged him to write more.

Just a little story from yesterday that the many Beatles fans here might appreciate. Needless to say, as you will probably already know, he is a lovely, lovely man. The wife and I had the greater part of a day around Avebury and its related nearby neolithic sites, followed by calling in at the house of Sir George Martin. He and his wife welcome visitors once a year for charity, as part of the national scheme whereby usually private gardens are opened up to the public. It was all happening between 2 and 5 pm. We arrived around 3:30 and there was a short queue of around half a dozen people wai

I'm changing my stance on extraneous merchandising. I'd like to buy the album with an accompanying microchip to embed in my skull containing Smileys on a permanent loop. Then I'd be permanently walking round like some beaming blissed out loon. Would you be able to tell the difference though... ... And if Pat did produce this then GOOD WORK. I am planning to meet Sir George Martin on Sunday (he opens his garden for charity once a year). I'll tell him to take a listen...