Continuing from last Wednesday (please read the intro first):

The Bevis Frond gig in Hastings is tomorrow night. And I've been refreshing my memory and making additional notes. I can't be accused of not doing my homework !

I've some must listens and a Star Track. So here's 'Six of the Best' (click on each arrow to listen):

➤ 'He'd Be a Diamond' *(Song covered by Teenage Fanclub)

➤ 'Lights Are Changing' (Sounds like The Byrds) + a great acoustic version, search 'Aterpe Sessions'

➤ 'The Strangers Mirror' (11 minute slow track into some blistering guitar solos)

➤ 'Mr. Fred's Disco' *(great lyrics, like "Don't smile your crown shows up in ultraviolet light")

➤ 'Through the Hedge' *(organ based melody and smouldering guitars)

➤ 'Coming Round' *(Power chords, an encore track)

"Everyone has a favourite tune. Is this yours" ?

From the 2011 album release 'The Leaving of London' this is 'Johnny Kwango' - who was a professional wrestler and was on British TV when Wrestling was popular.

 

* Denotes tracks currently on the 'live' setlist.

.... there are of course lots more where these came from. 

I hope you like The Bevis Frond as much as I do. 

  

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary.
Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out !
Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

Back end of last year I came upon this band. I'd never heard of them before and the track 'You’re On Your Own’ did more than just catch my attention. Then I found they were playing a gig in Hastings accompanied by the following blurb "The Bevis Frond (guitarist and songwriter Nick Saloman) have become the UK's leading underground psychedelic rock band. Their music is an iconoclastic collision of distinctly British psychedelia, space-rock, grunge, slow-burning soulful laments, even grizzled folk and more occasional moments of sublime pop genius."

All this from one band was summed up by the fact they'd released something in the regions of 29 albums since their debut in 1987. I freely admit that at first I became a bit obsessed with The Bevis Frond, trying to get to grips with such a varied and extensive catalogue of music. Not only was I liking a lot of the songs but I found that Nick Saloman, a Londoner, was now a Hastings resident, and the extensive recorded output was through his own and various other independent record labels. Going some way to explaining why I'd never heard of him and why 'underground' perhaps best categorises him if you too don't know the name.

Describing the 2018 LP 'We're Your Friends, Man' The Progressive Aspect website says of the aforementioned song - "The longest track here is the 13 minute album closer 'You’re On Your Own', one of Nick’s trademark Neil Young-duels-with-Jimi beasties" !

As I personally delved deeper into the music I was hearing influences from Elvis Costello and Tom Petty vocally to The Jam, Procol Harum, the Cure, Pink Floyd and Hendrix. Weird and wonderful, odd subjects and song titles and 'stoned-out' lengthy guitar jams all the way to sensitive folky numbers. No wonder my head was spinning - so let's play the track I came in on and go back to those liquid light show psychedelic days of yesteryear. 

(This reminds me of the very first FMS Star Track 'Maggot Brain' by Funkadelic) > 

 

Today is just an introduction... 

Friday I shall list other favourites leading to a Star Track, which will be a distinct contrast to this Bevis Frond track. Nick Saloman is a man of multiple hats and the wealth of material available can be overwhelming at first. 

... to be continued

   

Last weekend in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland the 22nd 'Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival' took place. This was heavily publicised on Facebook and that's where I came across this video from a 1979 gig.

It's a BBC tv recording from a show at the Middlesex Polytechnic, Hendon in January 1979. Amazingly good quality and what a performance. "Guitar on a lead, playing and singing, no ear monitor and mixing it with the crowd" is one amazed YouTuber comment. And there's only three of them !

A fantastic rhythm section of Gerry McAvoy (bass) and Ted McKenna (drums) with William Rory Gallagher on guitar and vocals. 

NB: There's a short intro to the video from the YouTube contributor and then we're off to 'Shadow Play' 

   

A Scottish folk song involving a tale of love between a soldier and a woman. An Irish captain is rejected, because Peggy has no intention to marry a foreigner or a soldier. The captain soon dies due to either a broken heart or battle wounds, possibly both. The historical context is unclear, though the song may allude to the 1644 capture of the Fyvie Castle. 

Like many folk songs, the authorship is unattributed and there is no strict version of the lyrics, though William-O and Peggy-O are the named captain of the Irish dragoons and the beautiful Scottish girl from Fyvie, in most versions recorded. 
Often titled 'The Bonnie Lass O' Fyvie' or in this case 'Peggy-O' it's been recorded by so many artists and has the knack of sounding just like a song by that artist. Check out different versions: Bob Dylan's 'Peggy-O', it's undoubtedly him, Simon & Garfunkel it's very them and likewise today's track by the Grateful Dead is totally them. 

The video helpfully has the lyrics of this tale of woe pretty Peggy-O & William-O (and some typically excellent Jerry Garcia guitar playing). And is probably an America version ?

   

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary.
Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out !
Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

Back last January on Burns Night I mentioned having a few more songs to share at certain times of the year. Here then is one of the most famous love songs associated with Robert Burns, 'My Love is like a Red, Red Rose'. 

Five Hand Reel recorded their beautiful version in 1978, Dick Gaughan taking the vocals for this rendition of the classic Scottish poem. "As fair art thou, my bonnie lass"

  

Connection up the dots from the last three weeks... 

Singing many of his own compositions Jason McNiff is quick to recognise his musical influences. Often playing Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Jackson C. Frank, as mentioned last week and also the songs of Townes Van Zandt. 

I'm not overly familiar with much of his work but I heard this song almost 20 years ago now and it's stuck with me. The song was written back in the 70s and recorded by Townes Van Zandt in 1978, it was covered in 1998 by Lyle Lovett on his album of cover versions titled 'Step Inside This House'. 

Townes Van Zandt died in 1997. The video is a tribute to him.

The song is called 'Flyin' Shoes' - version by Lyle Lovett > 

Connecting - Pentangle with Bert Jansch, to Jason McNiff and now Townes Van Zandt

   

'Folk, Blues & Beyond' is the title of a 1965 album by British folk revivalist and fingerstyle acoustic guitar legend Davy Graham. 

It's also the title chosen by Jason McNiff for his regular Thursday music nights at our local pub. These have been running since last September and the format of Jason playing either side of a different guest has been really good. Needless to say I'm a regular, so I've seen him quite a lot and as a fan jokingly call myself a 'Niffy'.  

I did feature him two years ago as a Friday Star Track (click link for this), mentioning the connection to his time at the 12-Bar Club in London studying the guitar playing of Bert Jansch. Who in turn had been inspired by Davy Graham. 

I have a number of favourite songs, plenty of newer ones, but I really like this old one from 2000, recorded in a closing down tape studio in Wandsworth. 'Off the Rails’ has a nice video of images of London from back then (and somewhat curiously photos of New York). It has a catchy chorus and lyrics that deal with life on the road (or train stations in this case) as he name drops Waterloo and the Thames while paraphrasing a Jackson C. Frank song 'Blues Run the Game', that is part of his current setlist and he tells us he'll sing that song till his dying day. 

> 'Off the Rails' written by Jason McNiff - great song ! 

AND as if by magic I've just come across some archive footage [for Onlinetv by Rick Siegel] of Jason at the 12-Bar Club singing the Blues > 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpPcRUgE1r0&list=RDQpPcRUgE1r0&start_radio=1

   

Going back to our last Vinyl Night up at The Cove, my Fairlight folk compadre Steve played a track off an LP by Pentangle. 'Willy O' Winsbury' came on and I recognised the tune but all the lyrics were different. That's weird I thought. 

Unbeknown to me a very familiar Fairport Convention song off the 'Liege and Lief' album uses the same melody as the traditional folk song 'Willie O' Winsbury', Richard Thompson having written new words to 'Farewell Farewell'. You live and learn.

Here's the celebrated folk group Pentangle (Jacqui McShee on vocals, with John Renbourn, Bert Jansch guitars, Danny Thompson on bass and Terry Cox drums), with Willie or Willy O.

The video is from a live tv show in 1972 and is really good quality. 

FYI: And the Fairports Farewell version is here. 

   

From Hastings Rock Radio (last week) to 'Hastings is Music' this - see yesterday's Photo post. 

As part of my monthly 'undiscovered artists' slot, take a listen to The Gasoline Gypsies. 

They are a highly acclaimed, award-winning roots-rock band from Michigan, frequently identified as an independent, unsigned act. Named one of the "Three Best Unsigned Bands in America" by JBL (the American audio equipment manufacturer) on their website and they have won multiple Detroit Music Awards. Their records are self released. 

Four part vocal harmonies, dual lead guitars, with a tasty rhythm section built on drums, bass, and keys make up the music of The Gasoline Gypsies. 

I really like the voice of lead singer Caleb Malooley, and got the chance to tell him so, when I saw them perform. Especially like this track 'Broken Arrow' featuring some great guitar work from Neal Love.

Check out other YouTube videos ‘ Hard Livin’, ‘Come Down To The River’ and 'Playing With Fire'.

       

'Hastings is Music'

Correctly this should be headed 'Old Photos' as they were all taken last year - but the message is clear. Hastings has so much music going on there's never a dull moment.

(top shot): The mural in town features artists old and new along with music venues in the town. 

(the two other pictures): Are taken from roughly the same spot in the Jenny Lind pub - on different occasions last year. 

(1st) is The Equatorial Group. Featured on the FMS last April. (link here).

(2nd photo) is of The Gasoline Gypsies - who played last October at the Jenny's Friday 'Sundowner' during a mini tour of the UK - and they'll be tomorrow's Friday Star Track. 

All Photos taken 2025. 

   

April - what a month of music...

It started with our Vinyl Night - more on that next month. Then a few drinks in a pub in Hastings Old Town, offered an excellent mix of old and new tracks (noted). 'Hastings Rock' radio station was the next discovery, when they broadcast an interview about the Fairlight Players latest production.

A play we were very much involved in, which included many recognisable songs from the 60s and 70s. One being the Harry Nilsson song 'Without You', which I discovered was not actually written by him but by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of the group Badfinger. And then there was 'Ron on Sound' !

He is always responsible for the Sound at every Players show and he also plays a real eclectic mix of pre-show music. And he did it again for 'Some Mothers Do 'ave 'em'. We had disco hits, the Bay City Rollers, Cliff Richard, Yes and a great track from James ‘Sit Down’, with it's message of unity and shared experience. A powerful anthem that was very popular backstage before each performance.

And finally there was designer of all our Special Effects and the play Director Keith selecting a piece of music as a 'curtain call', he simply said was a favourite track of his. Bob Dylan sang ‘Watching the River Flow’ as everyone took a bow. 

A mix of styles, more blues rock than folk, with some killer guitar playing from Jesse Ed Davis with Leon Russell on piano, who also produced this 1971 record. Great stuff >

NB: Watch out for the false ending early on...

'Hasting Rock' Radio - is available via this button here ⏩ 

  

-  A  U S T R A L I A   1 9 8 2  - 

This is basically a follow up to last Wednesday's intro story (see here 🔽)

During the weeks that I was 'Down Under' something had been going on 'Up Here' ! 

Britain had acquired a new TV station. Channel 4 had launched on November 2nd, and by the time of my return Australia was happening in a big way. To begin with C4 had begun by showing The Paul Hogan Show. This had been on Australian Television for almost 10 years but was new to the UK and introduced a host of colourful characters and Aussie catchphrases. Paul Hogan would soon be 'Crocodile Dundee' and an international star. 

While the radio was continually playing a great new song by a band called Men At Work. The track had been a No.1 success the previously year 'Down Under' and would now top the charts in both the US and UK by January 1983. 

More colourful lyrics and Australian slang - so lets go "travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie" - with the official video > 

In May 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) celebrating its 75th anniversary named the 30 Best Australian Songs from 1926 to 2001, as decided by a hundred-strong industry panel. "Down Under" was ranked as the fourth song on the list.

Link to the full list. 

    H A P P Y    B I R T H D A Y   T O     

 -   M y   b r o t h e r   J I M   - 

7 0   t o d a y

Welcome to the Club "bruv" 

We have over the years shared many music memories, from numerous Fairport Convention gigs to Folk Festivals in the old VW camper. BBC radio recordings on a Sunday afternoon and local clubs and pubs, none more unusual than the one in Caines, Australia in 1982.

It was a Sunday evening at the end of October and my journal records it as follows:

We had walked around town for quite awhile before finding the advertised Folk Club. It was rather sad, at first, no wonder there are so few Folk Clubs here, people don't seem interested. Anyway the music began and we quite enjoyed the very casual feeling and listened to some good music. "Streets of London", "Mr. Bojangles", some Eric Bogle songs and nice dulcimer music from a Canadian traveller. Cairns Folk Club - it's a long way from Clare to Here ! (Someone did sing this Ralph McTell song). 

It was also on this occasion we first heard someone perform 'The Aussie Bar-B-Q song', written by Scottish born Eric Bogle (famous for his anti war songs, notably "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda". The 'barbie' was indeed a National Institution and the lyrics certainly struck a chord, many requiring translation. In fact there's a video of a 'Live on Michael Parkinson' Australian TV show, from 1982 in which the lyrics were changed from 'snags' to 'sausages' so as to not confuse an international audience! [Full lyrics here]. 

The song originally appeared on Bogle's second album "Plain & Simple" (with John Munro) the previous year. Sing along now:

Parkinson link fyi: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cauE2CSCDyE&list=RDcauE2CSCDyE&start_radio=1

Eric Bogle did mix his more serious songs with plenty of humorous ones. In 1984 there was 'Do You Know Any Dylan' - well worth a read through of this story song [link]

   

It occurred to me, that during the 40 or so minutes* that the Artemis II Orion spacecraft and it’s crew were speeding (at 5632 km/h) through the darkness that is the far side of the Moon, they were actually in its shadow. The Moonlight’s Shadow ! Queue the song… 

Nothing to do with space travel or specifically the Moon, Mike Oldfield's 1983 release 'Moonlight Shadow' gets a 'live' full orchestra production with Miriam Stockley on vocals in this 2006 German 'Night of the Proms. 

The roar of the crowd in recognition and 'All together' in German: 'alle zusammen' >>>> 

* While this is also about the amount of time it takes to listen to the whole of the album ‘Dark Side of the Moon‘ by Pink Floyd. 

   

We begin today with a short introduction - a 30 second (TikTok) promotion video:

You may have seen this story in the news. History link here. 

No better way to celebrate than with a demonstration from one the Telecaster's finest exponents. 

Totally in the Groove [the master] playing 'live' in Boston in 1993. 'Eileen' by Mr Keith Richards and The X-Pensive Winos band. 

A YouTube comment:
"Some of the most electrifying rhythm guitar lines ever laid down have been done so by Keith Richards. This is one of the best examples. This is rock 'n' roll in all its raw power."

  

With over 500 Star Tracks listed on the Friday Music Spot, I'm often convinced we have had a band before only to discover we haven't. Today's band I was sure we'd had previously. It was along time ago, so I've excused myself, because while one of their songs has featured it turns out it was from a tribute concert for the late Phil Lynott with Gary Moore & Friends performing 'Don't Believe a Word'.

Fifty years ago tomorrow Thin Lizzy released their Jailbreak album. Full of great tracks, I've selected the 'Cowboy Song', a particular favourite. Phil Lynott wrote and sang the song, Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson share the guitar work with Brian Downey on drums. 

Presenting the official visualiser video for 'Cowboy Song' >

Want to see Thin Lizzy 'live' - there's a 1978 video from Sydney, Australia (great backdrop) with Gary Moore now in the band and a faster track than the original. Click here. 

Fans note: Opening very soon in London, before touring the country, a new musical called 'Moonlight'.
See this link. 

   

I've had this track lined up for awhile. Time for a love song from the head of The Cure's Robert Smith. 

One of those songs that had chart success at the time of its release in 1987, including being the band's breakthrough in America, though it wasn't huge. Subsequently it has received many nominations in 'Greatest Songs' lists, and in 2019 Billboard ranked it No.1 on their list of the 40 greatest The Cure songs. While Robert Smith said he considers "Just Like Heaven" to be one of the band's strongest works, and called it "the best pop song The Cure have ever done".

Today's Star Track, from the LP 'Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me', is 'Just Like Heaven' with its 50 second instrumental intro, a definite trademark of The Cure. 

Plus a Special Extra:

A Rick Beato: 'What makes this song great ?' - 13 minutes that adds a level of appreciation and insight into the song. Recommended. Watch it here. 

 

Last week we went to see a Pink Floyd tribute band in Hastings: called On Thin Ice.

While waiting for them to come on the music playing was British bands that fans of Pink Floyd would clearly approve of. So we had the Moody Blues, Led Zeppelin, Procol Harum and this track from Supertramp - 'Crime of the Century'.

Quite an appropriate choice of song, written by Rick Davies [on piano and vocals] and Roger Hodgson.
Don't you think ? 

Track Notes:

Title song from the band's 1974 album of the same name. 

The guitar solo from Roger Hodgson in the video is footage from a concert in Paris, part of the 'Breakfast in America' tour in 1979. John Helliwell plays the saxophone solo. 

Rick Davies sadly died last September, at his home on Long Island. 

  

I did have something different lined up for today. Then I changed my mind, only to think again... 

So here's an instrumental piece of music to allow you to forget the News for the next seven minutes and watch a video that reminds us of our wonderful world and the nature that made it so. 

The group is called Held By Trees and this track is 'The Tree of Life' >

Info:

Held By Trees is a project led by David Joseph featuring veterans from Talk Talk, Pink Floyd, and Dire Straits. Blending post-rock, ambient, and progressive styles, their debut album 'Solace' from April 2022 features organic, nature-inspired music.
The band on the LP is: Paul Beavis - Drums, James Grant - Bass, David Joseph - Guitar, Robbie McIntosh - Lead Guitar, Andy Panayi - Clarinet and Saxophone & Laurence Pendrous - Piano. 

 

Back end of last year I saw an article headline that read "The Best American band you've never heard of" - only on this occasion I had heard of them !

While sitting having a drink in the bar at a hotel last August, music was playing via a phone playlist and I was able to 'Shazam' a number of the tracks I liked. The Red Clay Strays 'Wondering Why’ was one of those tracks noted. A country music band formed in Mobile, Alabama, their 2022 single "Wondering Why" was successful in late 2023 after going viral on TikTok and exposure on Live AF (An independent country and Americana space, on YouTube channel Western AF). This song is very bluesy and lead singer Brandon Coleman's voice is quite something. 

More Red Clay Strays (and further religious references) check out: 'Devil in My Ear' > here

And I can recommend: 'Wanna Be Loved', ‘I’m Still Fine’ and 'Drowning’. 

  

To follow last time's Star Track it feels only right and proper to actually feature the Band. 

I came upon this particular track via a post entitled "Five songs to prove Robbie Robertson is an underrated guitar genius": (link).

The track is ‘It Makes No Difference’ from 1975. The video is combined footage from 'The Last Waltz' movie and a show at the Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco.

The Band were: Rick Danko (bass guitar, vocals, guitar, double bass, fiddle), Richard Manuel (piano, vocals, keyboards), Garth Hudson (organ, keyboards, saxophone, accordion, woodwinds, brass), guitarist Robbie Robertson and drummer & singer Levon Helm. They have now all passed away, to play Music from the Big Pink in the sky ! What a memory they leave. 

A sad song, some great guitar and a sax solo - written by Robbie Robertson and sung by Rick Danko >>> 

  

For the record over the last ten years   T H E  F R I D A Y  M U S I C  S P O T   has now starred 500 tracks, the grand total from November 2015. 

The first 50 songs can be replayed via this link. For 51-100 click here: 101-150 click this one and then 151-200 (link) ; while 201-250 is here ; 251-300 right here ; 301-350 revisited here ; and for 351-400 click this link ; for 400-450 link here ; Today lists the last 50, see below. 

Click on the blue arrow ➤ to replay that track. Please note: Many of the 500 videos featured are showing unavailable, but I'm sure you can search for an alternative, if you choose. 

451 ➤ 2-4-6-8 Motorway ............................. Tom Robinson Band
452 ➤ Walk In My Shadow .......…....................................... Free
453 ➤ Cast Your Fate To The Wind ............. Sounds Orchestral
454 ➤ Not Fade Away ............................................. Buddy Holly
455 ➤ Getting Closer .................................................. Lonerider
456 ➤ Beautiful........................................................... Carol King
457 ➤ Highway to Hell .................................................... AC/DC
458 ➤ If I Had a Hammer …....................................... Trini Lopez
459 ➤ Autobahn …………............................................ Kraftwerk
460 ➤ The Fairest of the Season  ....................................…Nico 

461 ➤ The Birds of St. Marks .......................... Jackson Browne
462 ➤ Fox On The Run .......….......................................... Sweet
463 ➤ Blitzkrieg Bop .........…................................. Rockin' 1000
464 ➤ Baby Let Me Take You Home .......................The Animals
465 ➤ Rage of Angels ....................................... Sign of the Wolf
466 ➤ Feet.................................................. The Equatorial Group
467 ➤ The Weaver's Answer ........................................... Family
468 ➤ Cheek to Cheek …......................................... Fred Astaire
469 ➤ On The Way ………….................................. Hollow Coves
470 ➤ Good One Coming On ........................ Blackberry Smoke

471 ➤ The Passenger ................................................... Iggy Pop
472 ➤ Up Around the Bend ....... Creedence Clearwater Revival
473 ➤ Ride Like the Wind .........…................. Christopher Cross
474 ➤ (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 ..................... Chuck Berry
475 ➤ Saturday Gigs ......................................... Mott the Hoople 
476 ➤ The Riddle..................................................... Nik Kershaw
477 ➤ Highway ..................................... Robert Jon & The Wreck
478 ➤ Space Age Love Song …................... A Flock of Seagulls
479 ➤ Margaritaville …………............................... Jimmy Buffett
480 ➤ Woodstock ........................…Matthews Southern Comfort

481 ➤ The Cinema Show .............................................. Genetics
482 ➤ Wish You Were Here ....................................... Pink Floyd
483 ➤ Transcendental Reunion ............ Mary Chapin Carpenter
484 ➤ So Very Young ...............................................Cat Stevens
485 ➤ At Last ............................................................. Etta James 
486 ➤ Guinevere.................................................. Rick Wakeman
487 ➤ Boom Boom .......................................... John Lee Hooker
488 ➤ Galway Girl ................. Dennis O'Neil & Davey Armstrong
489 ➤ Rockin' in the Free World ……....................... Neil Young
490 ➤ Galadriel.....................................…Barclay James Harvest

491 ➤ Lotta Love ............................................... Nicolette Larson
492 ➤ She's A Star ............................................................ James
493 ➤ Angel Delight .........…........................ Fairport Convention
494 ➤ Sugar and Spice ........................................ The Searchers
495 ➤ Gonna Move Across the River ... Bill Pinkney the Drifters 
496 ➤ The Winter Long .................................................. Strawbs
497 ➤ She Knows How .............................................. The Burros
498 ➤ In Electric Dreams ............ Phil Oakey & Giorgio Moroder
499 ➤ Sultans of Swing ………........…...................... Dire Straits
500 ➤ The Weight ........................................ Playing For Change

  

Wahey made it... the 500th Friday Star Track is today. And it's another classic song, though presented in a slightly different manner by Playing for Change Foundation.

We're off around the world with musicians from all corners. Beginning with a drummer who you'll probably recognise before the song's composer gets things rolling.

Originally on the Band's 1968 debut album 'Music from Big Pink' (a house in West Saugertes, near Woodstock, New York) an LP widely considered to be one of the most influential in rock history. 

Here then is 'The Weight' recorded by Playing for Change. With the Band's guitarist Robbie Robertson and a full supporting cast. Look out for the mid-song solos from Ahmed Al Harmi [Bahrain] playing oud and Rajeev Shrestha [Kathmandu] on sitar >

Footnote: In the 1969 movie 'Easy Rider', the song was used as recorded by the Band, but their recording was not licensed for the soundtrack LP release. To deal with this, ABC-Dunhill commissioned Smith, a band that recorded for the label at the time, to record a nearly identical cover version of the song for the soundtrack album. 

BIG Foot note: In among the 500 Star Tracks, there have been many of my all time favourites.
And there's plenty more where they came from !

  

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary.
Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out !
Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

Ever since the local pub here in Fairlight advertised their 'Burns Night' plans (tonight) I have mostly been listening to Rabbie Burns, in verse and song. 

I've a few songs to share, for certain times during this year, but for now this widely acclaimed song of heartbreak is from a 5 Hand Reel album I have, 'For A' That' released in 1977. Vocals by Bobby Eaglesham > ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ 

The lyrics and more about this tale (see right hand column) can be found on -  www.bbc.co.uk/arts/robertburns/works/ae_fond_kiss/  - giving details of Robert Burns's association with Agnes McLehose. 

  

STORYTIME: are you sitting comfortably ? Then I'll begin...

On a rainy night in 1977, a talented, yet hardly known musician walked into an almost empty pub in Deptford, South London, for a drink.

The place was practically deserted. A couple of young lads playing pool in the corner. Maybe three or four other people scattered around.

And in another corner, a small Dixieland jazz band was setting up.

They weren't particularly talented. Older men with older instruments, wearing worn pullovers. The kind of band you'd walk past without a second glance.

But they played anyway.

As he sat there nursing his pint, something caught his attention. Not their skill - but their commitment. Here was a band playing to a room that didn't care, in a pub that was practically empty, on a night when most people would have stayed home.

He started calling out requests. "Creole Love Call", "Muskrat Ramble", classic Dixieland standards from decades past.

The musicians looked genuinely surprised. Someone in this empty pub actually recognized their music. Someone was actually listening.

When they finished, the bandleader stepped up to the microphone and announced with quiet dignity: "Goodnight and thank you. We are the Sultans of Swing."

He had to laugh. The Sultans of Swing. In this forgotten pub. Playing to an empty room. "You couldn't be less a sultan of anything," he thought, "if you were in that band, on that night, in that pub."

But that's exactly what struck him.

He went home to the council flat he shared with his brother David and bass guitarist John Illsley. They were living on next to nothing, couldn't even pay the gas bill. The name "Dire Straits" wasn't clever marketing - it was their actual situation.

Mark Knopfler picked up his National Steel guitar and started writing about those musicians. About playing music not for fame or money, but simply for the love of it.

The song was good. But something was missing.

Then he bought his first Fender Stratocaster - a 1961 model. And he recalls "It just came alive as soon as I played it on that guitar." He revamped the chord structure and Dire Straits recorded a demo. A BBC Radio London DJ named Charlie Gillett loved it so much he played it on his show. Two months later, they had a record deal.

But when the single was officially released in May 1978, UK radio stations weren't interested. Too long. Too wordy. Not commercial enough.

The song seemed destined to fade away - just like the band that inspired it.

Then something unexpected happened.

The record started selling in Holland. Then it spread across Europe. Then American radio picked it up. "Sultans of Swing" climbed to number four on the Billboard charts.

And BBC Radio 1, which had passed on it as too wordy? Finally played it !

And the real Sultans of Swing?

Nobody ever found them. The musicians who played that night in Deptford never came forward. They never knew their offhand introduction became immortalized in one of the greatest rock songs ever written.

But maybe that's the point.

Those musicians didn't play for recognition. They played because music mattered to them - even when nobody was watching. But one person noticed. That's all it took.

The story of "Sultans of Swing" reminds us that the most powerful moments often happen in the quietest rooms. That passion doesn't require applause to be real. That somewhere, right now, someone is creating something beautiful - not for fame, not for fortune, but because they can't imagine doing anything else.

And maybe someone is listening.

We've probably all been there, in a pub with a band playing to an audience that isn't bothered. Yet the musicians are enjoying themselves.

Support 'live' music, because everyone has to start somewhere - and when Mark Knopfler wrote this song, Dire Straits were unknown !

   

As we edge ever closer to the 500th FMS Star Track I'm thinking something familiar and appropriate would be in order... video and story wise !

Last week due to bad weather some areas of the UK where without power. I send these tracks out every Friday, but without internet and electricity no one can listen to them. We all live in 'Electric Dreams' and as such: We'll always be together, However far it seems; - 'Together in electric dreams'.

Cue Philip Oakey (singer and co-founder of the Human League) and Giorgio Moroder (Italian producer and composer, of Donna Summer & the film 'Midnight Express', to name just two). 

Of course this song is also from a movie, 'Electric Dreams' released in 1984 - wonderfully described in one YouTube comment as "Filme fantástico música sensacional" (In English: Fantastic film sensational music - if you hadn't guessed). Press play >

>>> The last song played on MTV 80s in the UK before its shutdown on December 31, 2025, was "Together in Electric Dreams", marking a poignant farewell as the channel ceased broadcasting alongside other MTV music channels in the region. 

  

Last week's video ending in a very wintery way, compounded by some cold miserable weather on the home front to start 2026. I think I have a possible antidote for you. 

Also I'm planning once a month to feature an artist or band I've only just discovered. Starting today with The Burros. 

The group were formed in the early 1990s when singer songwriters John Harvey, Bob Pereira and Steve Farley came together in Detroit. Their music has a warm and sunny feel like it's always summer. Their LP 'Homestead' from 1995 is full of love songs and the formula works [vocals, chorus, break, vocals, playout]. 

From the opening Byrds like Eagles intro to 'She Knows How' there's a good easy feeling about it as it rolls along, and you just know the guitar break is coming (3 minutes in) and returns before it disappears off down the road. 

I hope this track warms you up, for at least 5 minutes anyway, unless you hit replay of course or even listen to the rest of the album on YouTube. 

I can recommend 'Her Heart Decides' (typical Burros), 'Lean Into Me' (jangles along), 'Perfect Time' (pedal steel & piano), actually the whole album. (Click link)

The Burros are as follows:

Guitar, Vocals – Bob Pereira & John Harvey

Bass Guitar, vocals, Twelve-String Guitar – Joe Lambert

Drums – Bill Harvey & Nino Dmytryszyn

Guitar – Tim Diaz

Keyboards – Christian Codish

Pedal Steel Guitar – Bobby East

   

That's 2025 over and out !

It was a particularly sad year as we said goodbye to many loved ones.

It also seemed like one of those years when we lost many music artists. I choose to not always dwell on this and instead noticed that 1945 must have been some extra special year, with so many famous musicians born that year and turning 80 in 2025.

One band member born 5 years before in 1940 was Dave Cousins of the Strawbs, but he left us in July of last year.

I was a big lover of his music. There were many tributes paid, highlights recorded and favourite tracks to recall. Here's one memorable song.

Off the 1974 'Hero and Heroine' LP the opening track is called 'Autumn' as a three-part song, this is the final piece called 'The Winter Long'. It was released as a single titled 'Hold on to Me (The Winter Long)'. This seemed a nice sentiment to wish everyone for 2026. 

A very nice video that ends in a rather chilly and snowy way (somewhat appropriate given this morning's white scenery I'm looking at, out of the window).  

The full 8-minute album track is here FYI: (click)