Things That Make You Go Hmm ... Really??

She is here!!!

Good morning!  I hope you slept well and feel rested?  Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in Blue Towelling Robe No. 1, enjoying my first cuppa of the day.    

Wow!  Here we are again: Friday!  Where did that week go?  No, seriously, where did that week go?

“Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun,” according to a 1931 song written by Noel Coward.  The big question is: what am I?  A mad dog or an English man?  Anyway, this crazy bastard was on the beach at Southend-On-Sea in 37 degree heat and I am still alive to tell the tale!

I do not like hats.  I am not a hat person.  Thus, I had nothing to take to the beach.  Literally, some West Ham bobble hats and a flat cap from Yorkshire, given to me by Matthew Pearson.  Bugger me, that flat cap saved my life!  I spent the whole day looking like Del Boy but, without that cap, I’d have been dead meat.

The kids were quite happy to play in the sea, while the adults sat on chairs under umbrellas, sipping drinks, spraying themselves with cool water and righting the wrongs of the world.  It was actually quite difficult to get Josiah out of the water!  Thankfully, he is aquatic like his father was.  A lovely day out! 

Hope you can join me tomorrow at 1.00 p.m. for ‘The A-Z Of Mi-Soul Music’.  Tomorrow’s executive producer is the woman that won me in the recent charity auction, Miriam Rosier.  Never met her before.  Looking forward to it.  She’s been unable to come in for a while but, tomorrow, she makes her debut appearance.  There will then be nine weeks of The Letter M, and then I've confirmed Vivienne McKone and Gina Sedman before we start The Letter N in October.

Miriam and I are going to the pub after the show and, this weekend, that will be highlight of my carousing.  I’m looking forward to a very chilled few days. 

These feelings of depression and desperation will be with us a while.  In his book ‘1984’, George Orwell said, “The war is not meant to be won it is meant to be continuous.”  Perpetual conflict is a deliberate tool used by ruling authorities to maintain societal control, consume resources, and keep citizens poor and uneducated.  War makes some people a lot of money, which is why there’s always some bogus war somewhere!

Good morning!  I hope you slept well and feel rested?  Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in Blue Towelling Robe No. 3, enjoying my first cuppa of the day.  Happy Hump Day!

When you DJ at a club, you will always get punters asking for requests, and they will say, “People are asking for …” No, ‘people’ are not asking for anything!  YOU want this genre, no one else, just YOU!  The DJ is reading the room and playing for everyone (that’s why people are dancing!)  All you are thinking about is YOU!

Crook-in-chief Gianni Infantino is STILL in charge of FIFA.  How is this possible?  The man who colluded with the Argentinian F.A. to steal the World Cup (again!)  How does this criminal stay in power?  I guess that’s a silly question.  Criminals in power always have wealthy ‘protection’.

Net U.S. payroll jobs added by president: 1. Clinton: +22.9M, 2. Biden (tie): +16.1M, 2. Reagan (tie): +16.1M, 4. Johnson: +12.2M, 5. Obama: +11.6M, 6. Carter: +10.3M, 7. Nixon: +9.2M, 8. G.H.W. Bush: +2.6M, 9.  Ford: +2.1M, 10. G.W. Bush: +1.4M, 11. Trump: −2.3M.  Further proof that the bloated buffoon hasn’t got a clue what he’s doing! 

There is this racist myth that Caucasians are great with the economy and that POC don’t know how to handle money.  Remember, in 1921, racists burned and destroyed more than 35 square blocks of a neighbourhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the time, one of the wealthiest black communities in the United States, colloquially known as ‘Black Wall Street’.  POC were handling money so expertly, they had to shut it down!

There’s a very smart, young guy online called Dean Withers.  He must have a strong masochistic streak because he chooses to debate with Trump supporters every day.  The other day, he asked one of them what was so great about America, and the guy said, “White culture.”  Dean asked him what that was.  All the guy could say was that it comes from England and France.  This is a question I have pondered many times, what is this ‘white culture’ that right-wingers are so anxious to protect!  I suspect my idea of ‘culture’ is very different to Deform voters’ definition. 

Bet365 CEO Denise Coates paid herself £277,000,000 this year, and £410,000,000 in 2020.  This was more than 20,000 times the minimum wage that she paid most of her workers.

My first girlfriend used to eat plants and was obsessed with Edwyn Collins.  I’d never met a girl like herbivore.

Good morning!  I hope you slept well and feel rested?  Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in Blue Towelling Robe No. 1, enjoying my first cuppa of the day.

Welcome to TMI Tuesday!

Did you know, in Australia, kangaroos kill more people than sharks!

The last generation who can afford to retire has already retired!  Sad but true!

Arafath Ahmed, 27, has been jailed for 9 years and 6 months after driving at 129mph before losing control of his Audi on the A23 near Warninglid.  Passenger Mohammed Morshed died after being thrown from the vehicle and becoming trapped beneath the wreckage.  Ahmed was also banned from driving for 12 years and 10 months.  I hate cars, I hate driving and I particularly hate other drivers!  The A23 is the road I use to go and see my mum!  I don’t want arrogant, homicidal maniacs on the road beside me!

A British woman just found a 35-year-old Mars bar and it's HUGE compared to the ones sold today.  Victoria Gordon discovered this bar dating back to 1991 in a house in Lincolnshire.  Intrigued, she bought a modern Mars to compare them.  The old one weighed about 65g, while the new ones weigh only 40g, that's nearly 38% less product.  This is exactly what they call ‘shrinkflation’.  Instead of just raising the price, a manufacturer gradually reduces the amount sold.

Jessie Cave, who famously played Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter franchise, has an OnlyFans account.  She joined the platform to clear debt, making more in a year than her entire acting career. Unlike the adult material typically associated with the platform, her content is non-explicit.  She focuses on a highly specific niche: hair fetish content.  She stays fully clothed during her videos.  The content mostly consists of her brushing, braiding, or styling her very long hair.

Just a quick (and final) word about the epic summer Reunited party on Sunday.  As I said yesterday, Reunited is a gathering of Barrie’s friends and followers, but the key thing is that we are all hard-working, honest, decent people, like-minded people, people with a good heart.  When you come to Barrie’s parties, you see old friends and you make NEW friends.  Real friends.  Not just raving buddies.  Proper friends.  Even though I didn’t know many of the people there, we all have so much in common and it really felt like a family affair.   

5.0 out of 5 stars

A Fascinating Read From Someone Who Has Truly Lived The Music

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2026

Format: Paperback

Verified Purchase

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A fascinating read from someone who has truly lived the music As a regular listener to Lindsay Wesker’s A–Z of Mi-Soul Music every Saturday, I already knew he had an incredible depth of knowledge about soul music and the industry. This book only reinforced that impression. The Mistakes I Made (And How to Avoid Making Them) is a fascinating insight into a colourful, varied and often unpredictable career. Lindsay shares his experiences with honesty, humour and humility, making the book feel like you’re listening to a friend telling stories rather than reading a typical autobiography. One of the things I particularly enjoyed was how Lindsay makes learning feel effortless and entertaining. Throughout the book, he shares fascinating snippets about the artists he’s met and worked with over the years, along with behind-the-scenes stories and personal experiences that most of us would never otherwise hear. Those little insights bring the music and the people behind it to life, making the book as informative as it is enjoyable to read. What struck me most was how much wisdom is woven into the stories. The lessons learned from both the highs and the lows are genuinely thought-provoking and relatable, whatever your background. If you enjoy music, broadcasting, or simply reading about someone who has lived an interesting life and isn’t afraid to share the mistakes as well as the successes, this is well worth your time. Lindsay really knows his stuff, and his passion for music shines through on every page. Highly recommended.

Good morning!  I hope you slept well and feel rested?  Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in Blue Towelling Robe No. 2, enjoying my first cuppa of the day.

Welcome to Monday although, for those of you working in the NHS, welcome to just another day.

R.I.P. William Orbit (artist & music producer of All Saints, Blur and Madonna) (69)

R.I.P. Tony Scott, Dutch hip-house artist (54)

Many thanks to everyone that listened to ‘The A-Z Of Mi-Soul Music’.  ‘The A-Z Of Heather Haywood’ (one of the founding members of The Cool Notes) was an absolute hoot!  She is lovely, happy lady, and full of brilliant stories.  Check out the show on my Mixcloud page.  This week, we start on The Letter M.  Our executive producer is Miriam Rosier, who paid big money to be my executive producer when we did our recent charity auction.  I shall be taking her to the pub for a drink after the show, to show my appreciation.

I shall be taking it easy today, as it was a busy weekend.  I was spinning tunes on Saturday and Sunday. 

On Saturday, I left Harlesden at 10.30 a.m. and we didn’t get home until after 2.00. a.m.  A long day!  The Trouble was selling jewellery at The Bricklayers Arms so, once we got home, we still had to unload her heavy bags and boxes.  She had a cuppa (and some chocolate biscuits) in front of the TV and said to me, “Ooh, I fancy another cuppa!” and promptly fell asleep.  We were shattered!  I didn’t even get under the duvet!  Thank you to all the beautiful people that came out to see us!  Not only did we have The Queen Of Two-Step (Di Greeneyez), but we also had The Queen Of Limbo (Debbee Ranger) there as well!  She is very flexible!     

On Sunday, as ever, I did my weekly shop and filled up with petrol.  We had lunch around 2.00, as I wanted to leave at 3.00.  At just before 3.00, The Trouble said she was not feeling well, and would I mind leaving her at home.  I did mind leaving her at home but I didn’t want to force her to come out.  As it happens, I’m really sorry she missed Reunited, because I was the best thing I’ve played at in decades.  Perfect day, perfect venue, perfect set of people.  All of this is made possible by the great Barrie Thomas who, down the years, has collected this fabulous set of friends, admirers and ravers.  So that, when he does Reunited, these beautiful people want to come and support him.  As you can see from my photos, I had a great time!  Thank you to all those that brought such amazing energy.

She is here!

Good morning!  I hope you slept well and feel rested?  Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in Blue Towelling Robe No. 3, enjoying my first cuppa of the day.  Happy Hump Day!

We call it ‘blue-eyed soul’.  It’s easy to understand.  White people making soulful music.  Bobby Caldwell, Michael McDonald, Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, The Bee Gees, The Alessi Brothers, Barbra Streisand etc.  It’s easy to understand.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t good enough for some American journalist, who coined the term ‘yacht rock’, which I really hate!  Maybe it’s got something to do with ‘Sailing’ by Christopher Cross?  Or maybe it’s got something to do with the yuppies that love this genre?  On my TikTok feed yesterday I saw something called ‘yacht house’.  I nearly threw up in my mouth! Watch out for dance versions of ‘blue-eyed soul’ classics!     

Yesterday, I handed The Trouble my phone and showed her a list I had just found online: The Cheapest Property Areas In London.  She looked at it.  “Harlesden’s not on there!” she said.  That’s why I showed it to her.  My dirty, skanky area was not on that list of 20!  I’m still in shock.

The insulting thing is: people are still coming to Harlesden looking for a bargain!  You wouldn’t go to Knightsbridge looking for a bargain, so don’t come looking in our late-Victorian, early Edwardian houses! 

People tell me I sound racist when I talk about population, over-population and over-crowding.  Obviously, I’m not.  I think it all comes from my love of the countryside, trees, hills, mountains, parks and green fields, but it also comes from my love of silence.  Have you ever heard silence?  It’s an amazing sound.  The reason I bring this up is because I saw a list of The Top 15 Most Populous Countries In The World, and I’m pleased to say England was not on that list.

I will be going down to Hove today, to spend 24 hours with Lady Wesker.  Just her and me.  She will have my undivided attention, until she has a nap!