Thursday 4th March, 2010.

Any visit to Birmingham for a haircut also provides a splendid opportunity to call in at the city's remaining music stores for a swift browse. First port of call is Tempest Records. But, what's this? It's closing down! This is very bad news indeed but explains why they couldn't get the latest Transatlantic (it's been on order since well before Xmas - in the end I had to get it from HMV for more money and sans bonus DVD). Kept saying that it was on order from Germany. Expected any day. Keep checking. Humph. Transpires they haven't ordered any new stock for ages (no Airbourne or Joe Bonamassa then) and now all stock is in the sale and when it's all gone they will close forever. Even their web site is closing. This is very sad news as Vicky and I have been going to Tempest records for at least 25 years. It's always busy as well. Full of weird people into rock's rich tapestry, hip-hop, trance, dance and all things in between. Stocks vinyl as well for those who can afford it.

Next stop is Swordfish. Not a regular visit for us. This doesn't appear to be closing down just yet but it probably will do eventually given we are the only ones in there. I'm looking for anything by Mick Taylor or the albums by the Stones on which he played (even tho' it sticks in my craw 'cos I know that Jagger and Richards don't pay him royalties). There's no Mick Taylor solo stuff and all the Stones albums are full-price (i.e. a bl**dy rip-off). Same thing at Tempest (apart from the fact that they were a third-off in the closing down sale) by the way. So, nothing purchased at either independent record store.

Finished up at HMV where they don't have anything by Joe Bonamassa (couldn't even find a section). The Rolling Stones stuff is even more expensive and they've never heard of Mick Taylor. At least they've heard of Airbourne and confirm that the new album will be out next week. To assuage my frustration we settle for Midlake's latest album of mournful folke rock. If it's a s good as that last album of theirs ('The Trials of John Claude Van B*ggering F*rt Knocker' or whatever it was called) it'll be bostin'. But we leave town slightly frustrated at the way the world's going. But what can we do? It's progress, eh?

It's the internet from now on methinks. Let's hope web sites employ loads of people.