For all you musically curious geeks out there (and you know who you are), I'm about halfway through the more than fascinating HOWARD GOODALL'S BIG BANGS (NOT a euphemism), which details five of the most important discoveries in the history of music. Even if you know some of this stuff, Goodall is delightful and always entertaining. Plus, he wrote the Theme to Blackadder. 
Howard also wrote the music and lyrics to the musical,
The Hired Man with Melvyn Bragg. I bought the original 1984 album years ago, only because the show was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. I think I sort of listened to it once and put it away. Several years later, for some unknown reason, I thought that I should listen to it again, just to make sure I didn't like it...and I absolutely fell in love with it! I don't know why, but I love the show. Maybe because it's just so different that what I was used to. I also bought the 2-CD live concert cast that has almost the entire show and many of the original cast members. That's very good, also.
I also love Howard's other show,
Days of Hope. It's a small show with six or so actors, and it's scored for just a piano and two guitars.
