Issue 138 – December 2024
Sweet leaf of the north, you go back and forth – a little brown star to guide us on our way. Sweet Leaf of the North you go back and forth – A symbol of hope in a world that’s cold and grey. Not a Christmas song in the traditional sense but a song of rare beauty from one of the most prolific songwriters of the last twenty years. Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip’s timelss Sweet Leaf of the North, ‘it’s human, it’s real & it’s got soul.’ © Iggy Pop. Read more about Mik on page 20, we’ve a competition for his special Christmas gig at the Brudenell on 22nd December. Gathering together for the good of the local community, Connecting Crossgates have organised Carols in the Park at Manston Park on Saturday 21st December at 6.30 -7.00 p.m. There’s mulled wine and mince pies on offer. Bring a torch or lantern but try not to set fire to the place. Happy Christmas, Peace & Love. All at East Leeds Magazine
Issue 137 – October 2024
Through a crack in the window meanders a breeze. Aids the mimic of crickets through the rustling of leaves. And the ghost need not scare me, they’re welcome within. To share my rye whiskey and watch with me. As the rain pours down in the yard. Rain, a most haunting sound. Rain makes beautiful music and rain brings peace upon all whom it falls. Rain by Martin Stephenson and the Daintees from the Boat to Bolivia album back in 1986, perhaps one of the most beautiful songs ever written about the weather and quite apt as it feels like it’s done nothing but piss it down for about three years now. And as the nights draw in, and National Clock Breaking Week approaches, our thoughts turn to Christmas and who better to start the Christmas festivities than the Medieval Baebes who bring their weird folky mead influenced songs back to Leeds Minster. We’ve a competition on page 12 for two tickets but they really are worth going to see regardless.
Issue 136 – September 2024
From the dew-soaked hedge creeps a crawly caterpillar, When the dawn begins to crack, It’s all part of my autumn almanac. Breeze blows leaves of a musty-coloured yellow, So I sweep them in my sack. Yes, yes, yes, it’s my autumn almanac. Possibly the finest Autumn song ever written, Autumn Almanac, a 1967 hit single for the Kinks, the original warring brothers and a reunion that really would be worth seeing. and a taste of what was to come with one of the best albums ever made, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, “a finely observed slice of English custom”. These days it’s almost uncanny if you interpret ‘Village Green’ applied to modern issues. Relevant themes include disparaging the increasing modernisation of cities and destruction of “little shops”, satirising those who photograph mundane moments, exploring the emptiness of celebrity culture and being suggestive of environmentalism. And this was written kicking on 60 years ago. Nothing to do with anything in this issue, I just thought I’d mention it.
Issue 135 – August 2024
From the park you hear the happy sound of the carousel. You can almost taste the hot dogs and French fries they sell, yes you can. Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah. On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be
The Drifters describing a typical summer day way back in 1964. For the younger generation who might not have any experience of this, a typical summer day usually meant a bit of sun, some blue sky and no rain. Yes no rain for maybe three or even four days, it sounds inconceivable in this day and age.
Alan C certainly doesn’t have such worries over in that there Spain as he celebrates Fiesta time with a nostalgic glow. And for those of us in the mood for a bit of nostalgia we’ve a competition on page 20 to win 2 tickets for former Drifters singer Roy Hemmings’ Sounds Of Philadelphia & Motown show at Leeds City Varieties.
Issue 134 – July 2024
I took the time to take a look at Mrs. Williams’ rose this morning, in her garden sitting staring from the ground. The early light, the early sounds of the early sun dawning and the whisper of the wind the only sound. I took the time & saw the rhyme I wasn’t seeing I was much too busy being busy, Wasn’t I. Mrs. Williams’ Roses, a fine B side to the Sign of the Queen single from Noel Harrison in 1967. A song about taking time out and how so often we pass things without a second thought. A few years ago Halton in Bloom had similar thoughts, they made the decision to brighten Halton up and as Bruce Forsyth would have said ‘Didn’t they do well!”. It’s easy to pass the Red Bus cafe on the road to York or the East Coast but like Mrs Williams garden, it’s well worth to take the time to visit as Warren explains.
Issue 133 – June 2024
Oh, someday girl, I don’t know when, we’re gonna get to that place. Where we really want to go, and we’ll walk in the sun. But till then, tramps like us, baby, we were born to run. Classic Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run, there’s not much more to be said (except Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s version was better). There’s quite a few people at both Crossgates Harriers & St. Theresa’s Athletics Club who were born to run and care enough about their sport that they’re prepared to spend time and effort trying to get the running track up at Temple Newsam in good condition so the rest of us can benefit from it when we awake from our collective slumber, let’s give them all the support they deserve.
Issue 132 – May 2024
I say, I don’t like cricket, oh no. I love it I don’t like cricket, no no, I love it. Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc from 1978, Graham Gouldman sang giving 10cc the distinction of having three UK number one hits all with different lead vocalists. None of this has any relevance to Crossgates Cricket Club who are looking for new members and sponsors. But it was the only song we knew which mentioned cricket. Something completely different from local indie publisher Armley Press seems to have quite a few people bowled over as their latest release Confessions of a Pole Dancing Priest. Not exactly an every day subject but absolutely worth a read! And competition time again, Classical Ibiza hits Temple Newsam this June, see page 37.
Issue 131 – March 2024
Rainy Day Man, this is what they call you. But nobody knows the truth. But I know now, rain is just an answer. To your broken heart. Funny how the rain keeps falling down, Will it ever stop somehow? Something different here, for a change we’re not wallowing in nostalgia and feature the lyrics of a newly released song. And there’s a Leeds connection here as Jeff Christie, one of our most enduring musicians for over fifty years links up with Italian singer songwriter Lorenzo Gabanizza for their fourth composition together – ‘Rainy Day Man’ (see page 20.) Still on a musical theme and local barber Mark Ramsden tries to get us away from the telly and out to see some live music. Maybe we would but it always seems to be a rainy day here and the rain keeps falling down.
Issue 130 – February 2024
Hey, Now just get in and close the door. And put your foot down, I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we cross the city limit. And head on down the M62. And forty-five minutes to Manchester. Driving away from home, Thirty miles or more. And we’ll go moving away from home. Without a care in the world. “Driving Away from Home (Jim’s Tune)” is a song by Scouse band It’s Immaterial. Released as a single in March 1986, a classic driving song although we’re not sure who Jim is but we think he might like a pint (when he’s not driving) and a sing song. And with that in mind it’s competition time again. We’ve two tickets up for grabs to see the Dublin Legends at the Irish Centre. See page 20 for more details. The Crossgates Community Coalition have launched a fund raising page to try to buy and revamp the iconic library building and turn it into a community hub. Whatever the politics involved, nobody can deny this buidling is a part of our local history (page 22).
Issue 129 – January 2024
People need people, To walk to, To talk to. To cry and rely on, people will always need people. To love and to miss, to hug and to kiss. It’s useful to have other people. To whom to moan If you’re all alone, it’s so hard to share, When no one is there. Kindly words from poet Benjamin Zephaniah who sadly passed away just before Christmas. Moving onto 2024 and as the nights slowly get lighter anyone wanting to make a few changes to their lives might be well served giving our resident East Leeds hypnotist Gillian Lambert a call. Whether it’s anxiety or stopping smoking, Gill can help. If you can’t see yourself doing that, why not try boxing (page 22) or karate (page 13), whatever you do this year, let’s raise a glass to a bit less rain than we had last year.