good morning and welcome to fitzie’s wrapped!
Last week I sort of ranted about how ridiculous Spotify and its Wrapped are. Today, I’m doing my own.
In my previous Wrappeds I liked to highlight the records I bought and the concerts I attended. That’s a little tougher this year because I bought far fewer albums. Still, there were a few highlights. And I was quite lucky with the concerts I attended.
Let’s dig in
Fitzie’s favourite purchase: Haim, Women in Music Part III on yellow vinyl
This is already one of my favourite albums in the last few years and I’ve played their standard black vinyl many times. But it’s been much harder to find variants - so I’m very happy to have come across this at Reckless Records.
I also found some cool Japanese pressings of Queen, Dexter Gordon and Bill Evans. I might’ve picked up a German pressing of The Beatles’ Revolver, but I can’t remember if that was this year or last.
Fitzie’s favourite concert: The Rolling Stones in Denver, Colorado
Been waiting years to watch The Rolling Stones. I first bought tickets for my dad in 2019, but then Covid came and the Stones never got round to rescheduling their show at the venue I had booked for (Petco Park in San Diego).
So my dad and I went this year, almost five years later. And, boy, what a show! The Stones still put on one the best shows out there, and walk circles around peers decades younger than them. Ronnie Wood was a particular highlight for me.
I also loved how Keith Richards got his own three-song stretch in the middle part of the show while Mick was likely resting off stage. After that? Banger after banger, beginning with Sympathy For the Devil. It’s pretty amazing just how many great songs they have.
Other concerts I greatly enjoyed: Jack White, Vampire Weekend
Fitzie’s least favourite concert: The Decemberists in DC
Maybe I just don’t like them? I took a chance on seeing The Decemberists after hearing a couple of their newer songs on the radio. I really enjoyed Burial Ground and was happy to hear that during the show. The rest was kind of boring, and their 16-minute Joan In The Garden does not translate well live.
Most-played band: Probably The Grateful Dead.
Is that any surprise?
Fitzie’s favourite radio station: 88.5M The SoCal Sound.
Of course it is! Been my favourite since 2018. Saddened that my favourite DJ left the station for one in Chicago, but the music goes on.
Top new album: Songs of a Lost World, by The Cure.
I already did a Track of the Day on theri new album some weeks ago. It’s tremendous, and The Cure at their best.
Top new song: Coming to a hoddle near you.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Lost Changes, by Beth Gibbons
And now for your links:
Jay Harris ($$): ‘Things will get worse before they get better’ for Spurs
Dan KP says Daniel Levy must back Ange Postecoglou in January
David Hytner: Postecoglou wrestles with Spurs fragility as fans demand more