Category: Music

Doom and Gloom


Thursday morning. This would normally be a late start but due to some schedule shuffling I had to get up earlier than normal. This is not good and I was demonstrating my “not happy” shuffle between bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Fifty minutes later I am sat behind the wheel of my car.

Things have not improved. To go with my mental state the weather has conspired to compound my condition. It is dull, drismal, almost foggy. The kind of weather that means the sensor on my car can’t cope and I have to manually intervene and start and stop the wipers or drive with the automotive equivalent of an opaque bathroom window. This is all becoming just too much to bear.

Having dropped my wife and friend of at work I am heading home when I have an epiphany.

Wow !!!

All of a sudden the indecipherable mush coming from the radio leapt into focus. My hand reached for the volume control and cranked it up to the max.

The reason for this sudden burst of activity ?

Chris Evans, Radio 2, was playing the new Rolling Stones single. Fabulous. Folks they are back, this is old style Rolling Stones. “What’s it called ?” I hear you ask .

“DOOM and GLOOM”

‘Doom And Gloom’ marks the first time that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood have been in the studio together for seven years and as an apparent worldwide exclusive, until 08:25, Chris went ahead and played it all over again.

Brilliant. Since this is not on YouTube yet I thought I’d plug in a Stones track here as a place holder and as an alternative for all you folks who didn’t get to hear the best thing on the radio for months, dare I say it, years.

And another to keep you going. Watch a 63 year old Mick Jagger sprint down the length of the stage and still keep singing, presumably at the end of the show. He puts many youngsters to shame, Oh, and me.

RIP Andy


Singer Andy Williams has died, at the age of 84, following a long battle with bladder cancer.

Best known for the song “Moon River” but he also had hits with “Can’t Get Used to Losing You” and “The Hawaiian Wedding Song”.

Back in the sixties “The Andy Williams Show” was popular viewing in our household, noted for the variety and big name guest star appearances and of course the catchphrase

Not Now… Not Ever… NEVER!!

followed by “The Cookie Bear” falling on his face.

Andy, you had a fabulous voice and have left us with many pleasant memories.

Gogol Bordello – St Gallen


I love these guys ever since hearing them on Radio Paradise. Give them a listen, no snap decisions.

Ebony Buckle – Beautiful Voice


I may be out of touch with the charts when it comes to the popular rappy crappy music that fills the airwaves but I do know a great voice when I hear it.

The other night I was watching the latest George Gently episode which was filled with some really nice music fronted by the voice of Ebony Buckle. This lady is a real talent.  Take a listen to Silver Dagger which was featured in the show.

Roger Waters – Happy Birthday


Roger, founder member of one of the best rock bands there has ever been, was born  69 years ago today.

Happy Birthday Roger.

With such a huge catalogue of music it is difficult to choose a representative piece to celebrate with. I am sure you have your own favourites, here is “one” of mine.

Hal David Walks On By


Prolific song writer Hal David has died, aged 91.

Oscar and Grammy winner David,along with Burt Bacharach wrote such hits as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” and “Walk on By” along with many other songs that have become standards such as “What’s It All About?”, “What’s New, Pussycat?”, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and “What Do You Get When You Fall in Love?”. In all Hal David was credited with writing the lyrics of some 700 songs.

The world has lost a great talent.

I Just Had To Let You Have It


Noir – We Just Had To Let You Have It. That is the name of the band and their only album.

I have this on vinyl and right now I have no way to play it. So I was knocked out to find this available on youtube.

Give it a listen. You may be surprised. This is Rain, the opening track of the album.

This does not sound like a 70’s cut.

Track 2 Hard Labour

And here is Track 4, In Memory of Lady X

Track 5, How Long

And finally Track 6, The System

RIP Jon Lord – The Original Highway Star


Jon Lord, founder member of Deep Purple, died yesterday after losing his fight against Pancreatic Cancer.

Johns keyboard playing provided the backcloth and some times the lead for Deep Purples distinctive sound. His Hammond organ sound was a key component and counterpoint to Ritchie Blackmores guitar playing.

Besides playing with Deep Purple Jon  was part of Whitesnake and the collaboration Paice, Ashton & Lord. He also appears on, or is credited on,  recordings by many well know artists including David Gilmour, The Kinks, George Harrison, Sam Brown and Nazareth to name but a few. We should not omit the many solo and orchestral works that he has created over the years.

I was priveleged to see Jon Playing as part of the Purple incarnation that also featured Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice and Ritchie Blackmore when they played Portsmouth Guildhall (9 February 1971). A stunning show featuring stunning musicians.

The music world has lost a great talent but his legacy will play on.

Happy Birthday Woody


Woody Guthrie that is.

Woody died back in 1967. Had he been around today he would have been 100 years old.

He was nicknamed the “Dust Bowl Troubador” and wrote “This Land Is Your Land”, the iconic American folk song. This was just one of the 3000 plus songs and stories that he wrote over a period of about 15 years. Despite his prolific out pourings his commercial career was not to be a long one. He spent most of his latter years in hospital and died of Huntingtons Disease.

Another relatively well known song, written by Guthrie and covered by Lonnie Donegan is “Grand Coulee Dam”.

Farewell Donna


Donna Summer, famous for disco classics including I Feel Love and Love To Love You Baby, has died at the age of 63.

Summer first entered the  music business, as a backing singer for Three Dog Night, whilst still in her early 20’s. She then went on, as a solo artist, to release the many singles that were to provide the sound track to the 70’s and 80’s.

She won five Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards and charted three multi-platinum albums.

My favourite track, by far, was State of Independence and shows that she was more than just a disco artist.