We continue the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things that currently make him happy. And this week he's very happy. As happy as a monkey in a monkey tree. Happy about gigs, happy about albums, happy about sharing a new drink with y'all.

He's so happy that he'll have a bunch more reasons to be cheerful next week...

135) A new B-Side Band album! They've been maintaining a relatively low-key presence recently but Tauranga's B-Side Band has a short and sharp album to unveil and it's a very good one.

The eight tunes on the quirky rockabilly rebels' ‘Fast Forward' find them in the company of new drummer Blair Williams and still benefiting from the distinctive guitar of Mike Kirk.

Produced by singer Paul Parkhouse, most of the songs are his (one from Simon Elton and one from Blair), you'll find the band in sterling form, tough and humorous, happily exploring weird sounds and revelling in Paul's unique harmonica style.

136) The Nairobi Trio is back! It seems like quite a while since the Nairobi boys hit town but four or five of them will be here on Easter Monday enjoying the open air of the Te Puna Quarry amphitheatre.



It's a $25-per-carload, bring a picnic, let the good times roll for an hour or two, sort of day, kicking off about 3pm.

Wet weather venue is the soon-to-be-relocated Te Puna War Memorial Hall at the corner of Te Puna Rd and State Highway 2. Entry there is $15 or $10 per person, depending on who you talk to.

137) Blues at the gallery! We'll get back to this closer to the time but, just as a quick heads up, award-winning Canadian guitarist Joel Fafard brings his bag of Southern roots tunes and blues classics to the Art Gallery on April 16, an event not to be missed by blues lovers. Support will be courtesy of Mike Garner, who also performs at Brew Bar on The Strand this Saturday, March 28 at 4pm.

138) Bob's new album! Mr Dylan has nailed it with his new collection of old torch ballads, Shadows in the Night, all of which were at one time performed by a certain Mr Sinatra.

All slow tunes, from the obscure ‘Stay With Me' to the well-known – the slowest ‘Autumn Leaves' ever recorded – it's a thing of great, rip-yer-heart-out, beauty.

139) Bands are breaking up! After a decade in which every old band in the universe reunited to milk the nostalgia circuit one more time, a couple of metal's more colourful outfits are calling it a day: Black Sabbath is knocking it on the head after Tokyo's Ozzfest at the end of the year while Motley Crue play their first-and-last-ever New Zealand date in Auckland on May 9.

All four original Motley band members have signed a binding ‘Cessation Of Touring' agreement, to take effect after this year's New Year's Eve show in LA. Opening for them at Vector Arena is young up-and-comer Alice Cooper.

140) But not all of them! Did I mention nostalgia? Said milking continues apace and eighties diehard fans can get a serious fix of it on April 1 at Vector Arena, enjoying the combined talents and impressive wigs of Billy Idol, Cheap Trick and The Angels. ‘Nuff said.

141)...and some never do! Forget those young whipper-snappers, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, swinging the blues since 1935, is coming to New Zealand for the band's 80th anniversary tour, the closest show is the Founders in Hamilton on May 27.

Current members still include a core hired by Basie, including saxophonist John Williams and trombonist Clarence Banks, as well as former members of Stan Kenton's, Benny Goodman's and Lionel Hampton's ensembles. Two thumbs up!

142) Chocolate cake! Yes, this is the drink mentioned in the intro! A bit more fancy than usual but delicious nonetheless: dip a wedge of lemon in sugar; mix equal measures Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur) and vodka in a shot glass. Drink it in one, then suck the lemon.

Prepare to be surprised because, astonishingly enough, it really does taste like chocolate cake. Despite the complete absence of chocolate. Or cake. Cheers!