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
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.
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”.
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.
For no other reason than I Like It
According to this Planet Rock article, the organisers of this summers olympics approached Who manager Bill Curbishley to see if drummer Keith Moon would like to play at one of the musical events.
Keith Moon Asked To Play Olympics | Rock News | News | Planet Rock.
I emailed back saying Keith now resides in Golders Green crematorium, having lived up to the Who’s anthemic line “I hope I die before I get old”,
said Curbishley
If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him
Grammy award winner, Levon Helm died yesterday afternoon aged 71 after battling with cancer.
In a career spanning over 60 years Helm is probably best know as the drummer and lead singer of The Band who performed both as support to Bob Dylan and in their own right.
He also appeared as a solo artist playing with artists such as Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Albert Lee, Joe Walsh, Dr. John and many many more. Although best known as a drummer Helm was a multi-instrumentalist, playing mandolin, guitar, harmonica and banjo as well as drums and various percussion instruments. In addition Helm had a steady acting career, appearing in around a dozen movies.
The music world is today mourning the loss of a major talent.
Bert Weedon has died at the age of 91.
Weedon is the guy that most British musicians refer to when asked who influenced and inspired them to take up the guitar. He is well known as the author of the famous “Play In A Day” book and is cited by McCartney, May & Clapton as the source for their learning the guitar.
Bert began his show business career playing with names such as Ted Heath, Mantovani and The Squadronnaires, before becoming a featured soloist with the BBC Show Band. He also accompanied singing stars Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Nat King Cole and Judy Garland.
I have included the YouTube clips as a tribute for those who, like me, were brought up with the master on TV.
Roger Hodgson celebrates his 62nd birthday today. Founder member of Supertramp, one of the best “progressive” rock bands to come out of the UK, he was born in Portsmouth in 1950.
Hodgson composed and sang on most of their hits including Dreamer, The Logical Song and Breakfast in America.
Happy Birthday Roger
Long time drummer for American rock band, the Doobie Brothers, Michael Hossack has died.
Doobie Brothers Drummer Michael Hossack Has Died.
Hossack performed with the band from the early 70’s right up until recently. He was an important contributor on all their major releases including probably their most famous hits “Listen To The Music” , “Black Music” and of course “Long Train Running”.
As a tribute, why not take a listen to the live versions below.
WrAnTz 