Being of mixed Celtic and Norse extraction, I have skin that turns brown in the summer and blue in the winter. At this time of year I also have a tendency to don winter plumage.
Out goes the 8mm crop, in comes the shaggy mop. This year though, I've gone for something in between.My facial growth tends to follow a similar pattern.
In the winter months I simply can't be bothered shaving.
This, I put down to an inherent dislike of razors.

As a young adult, I worked as an engineer and had a face like a dirt magnet. As soon as I shaved, I attracted a rash of spots. This too may have contributed to my distaste for razors.
Now, away from the grime of my youth, I still hate shaving.
I do it, but only because I have to.
The beard is now a definite shade of grey- vanity gets in the way and anything more than a few days growth renders me like Santa Claus. Fortunately the stuff on top of my head is fighting against my advancing years.

Still though, I have this irrational dislike for razors - I put it down to standing in my local supermarket trying to figure out which blades to buy.
The UK's two major manufacturers produce at least ten different types of blade each, all with an apparently different mounting system and I'm dammed if I know which fits my razor or even which make I have.
Why do they do this to us? What is it about razor manufacturers that makes them inflict such misery.
This doubt over which to buy leaves me using the same blade for about a fortnight. It's only when, having eventually shaved, and I look like I've walked off the set of a Steven King movie, that I venture to the shops armed with my empty razor.

When I look at my electric kettle, my Marshall amp, my printer, my pc base unit, my TV and my computer monitor, they all have the same standard cable, I'm left wondering why can't razor manufacturers get their act together.

All of which brings me nicely to the music. Ah the music. The great saviour of my sanity.
Famously, having had more beards than a Bangkok knocking shop, Bob Dylan now cultivates an unusual array of facial furniture. Still cuts the deal though...

One of those 'I was there moments' John Brown is a revelation. The purpose and poignancy sharper and more relevant today than ever before.Bob Dylan- SECC on April 11th 2007.
http://rapidshare.com/files/76623588/11.04._2007_Glasgow_pt_1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/76632636/11.04._2007_Glasgow_pt_2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/76640591/11.04._2007_Glasgow.rar
from the 'Judas' period,
Bob Dylan - Tales Of A Mexican Painter
http://rapidshare.com/files/75067096/mexican_painter_1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/75072109/mexican_painter_2.rar

Some bang up to date REM from their five night stint in Dublin this summer
REM - Dublin Olympia, 1st Night
http://rapidshare.com/files/75250411/Olympia_Theatre_-_Dublin_-_Night_1_-_30.06.2007_pt1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/75250411/Olympia_Theatre_-_Dublin_-_Night_1_-_30.06.2007_pt1.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/75260405/Olympia_Theatre_-_Dublin_-_Night_1_-_30.06.2007_pt2.rar

Something pretty rare (I think). Two great Scottish songwriters together on stage - look out for a repeat of this when Edwyn Collins gets back on the stage next year. No apologies for the poor sound quality. if you're a fan of either, you'll put up with it.
Roddy Frame & Edwyn Collins - Preaching To The Converted
http://rapidshare.com/files/75109254/Preaching_To_The_Converted.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/75104667/preaching_2.rar

The album that got them noticed + plus a stack of B-sides
Del Amitri - The Walking Hours
http://rapidshare.com/files/75095540/hours_1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/75099231/hours_2.rar

Nice laid back stuff. Reminds me of James Taylor. Don't know much about them other than the fact they are from Scotland, that this album was Mercury nominated and that I saw them on the same bill as Roddy Hart and the Trashcan Sinatras and they were brilliant.
Hobotalk - Beauty In Madness
http://rapidshare.com/files/73422207/Beauty_In_Madness.rar

There wasn't any point in uploading anything from the Zep O2 show as it was plastered all over the net within 24 hours of the last chord of Rock and Roll. Instead, what JPJ does nowadays.
Bluegrass collective with Glen Phillips and members from Nickel Creek. JPJ guests on bass and mandolin, Pete Thomas on drums.
Mutual Admiration Society - Live
http://rapidshare.com/files/76587142/Live.rar

Continuing the Zepgrass vibe...
Hayseed Dixie - Live At Flannigans
http://rapidshare.com/files/76614935/29.04.2004_Flanigans.rar

...a little more of the same...
Hayseed Dixie - Let There Be Rockgrass
http://rapidshare.com/files/76575902/Hayseed_Dixie_-__Let_There_Be_Rockgrass.rar

...and veering slightly back towards something in a more traditional country vein
Steve Earle & the Del McCoury Band - The Mountain
http://rapidshare.com/files/76603237/The_Mountain.rar

Gem of a live recording from one of our greatest and most respected guitarists Richard Thompson - More Guitar http://rapidshare.com/files/76603237/The_Mountain.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/76597142/More_Guitar.rar

First taster of what hopefully will be my Hogmanay series - some hallyrackit drinking songs The Oysterband - The Shouting End Of Life
http://rapidshare.com/files/76608420/The_Shouting_End_Of_Life.rar

Back to normal service with one of my favourite bands of the 80s. Is it just me or do the Editors sound like a cross between the Mackenzies and the Bunnymen
Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie - Fish Heads And Tails
http://rapidshare.com/files/76577698/Fish_Heads_And_Tails.rar

Apologies for any quality or bitrate issues.
As usual, covers included where I have them.
Try then buy or, better still, support real music - go to the gigs.

Hopefully something festive next week - maybe some more drinking songs.