Did someone mention a 'Road Trip' ?  Oh yeah, that was me.... last week.

And this week has all been about 'roadmaps', so this is rather fitting. Not Bobby Troup's 1946 kinda trip to get your kicks, this is a different route. Chuck Berry looking for the 'Promised Land', name dropping as he goes.

From French television in 1964 - two tracks for one, as 'Promised Land' goes into the evergreen 'Johnny B. Goode' > 

In 1978 a gentlemen named Johnnie Allan released a Cajun version of 'Promised Land', which is really rather good: And right here.

Continuing on from last week, we're still in 1971, only we've 'skipped the pond' to take a look at the American Billboard Chart for 19th February.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had been steadily easing their way up the chart and were set to peak at the No.9 spot with their version of 'Mr Bojangles'. A song about a street performer encountered in a New Orleans jail, who called himself Mr. Bojangles to conceal his true identity from the police. First written and recorded in 1968 it has gone on to be covered by numerous artists from various backgrounds.
Today's artist, who I only recently discovered had died last October, is someone I've long been a fan of, but who never became a household name or bothered the Top 40. Born in New York State as Ronald Clyde Crosby, he changed his name in the late 60s, then relocated in 1971 to Austin, Texas. He became a leading figure in the outlaw country music scene along with the likes of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. Oh, and he's the man who wrote 'Mr Bojangles'.
I became aware of him after hearing the LP 'A Man Must Carry On' in 1977 or thereabouts. In fact a year later I would pass close by to Austin, Texas, but in a questionable set of wheels that didn't offer time to spare (...but that's another story).
Given that so many different artists have covered 'Mr Bojangles', it's no surprise to find plenty of versions by the writer himself. This one has some wonderful steel guitar from Lloyd Maines plus piano & guitar solos. Let's hear it for, the one and only, Mr. Jerry Jeff Walker >

Fortunately YouTube has loads of his music to enjoy.
So it's no surprise I have lots of extras to add for you: (His music is like being on a 'Road Trip': 'Roll On Down The Road'; 'Pickup Truck Song'; 'L.A. Freeway' & 'Gettin' By' - all easy come, easy go !)
> A live (recording only) from The Great American Music Hall, San Francisco in 1991 is 1 hour and 46 minutes long and the Gonzo Compadres are a kick-ass backing band > best versions of all the above and many more favourites, so highly recommended: [link to this]

> More recently is 'Jam in the Van' and worth checking out. Great concept. Three videos to enjoy, especially 'Gettin' By': [link to] via YouTube OR 'Jamin' [all 3]

> Final link is to the 'Pickup Truck Song': [right here] - "Half the fun's gettin' lost..." 

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). 

Monday 15th February: Today is Nova Scotia Heritage Day.
A perfect excuse to post some music I found from the Canadian province's annual Celtic Colours Music Festival, featuring a fantastic group called Coig (gaelic for Five, as originally it seems there were five members of the group) - link to their website. 

Here's a lively infectious set of tunes entitled: 'Franzke en Français' - which are 'Le Reel de Violon du Monte en Vielle' / 'St. Andrew’s Flight' / 'Dionne Reel' / 'Franzke’s Reel' > toe tapping tunes 

 

50 years ago this coming Monday, Britain went decimal. Overnight 240 pence to a Pound became 100 - and the dear old 'shilling' disappeared from our lives.

This meant LP records costing £2 2s 11d [or 42/11] suddenly became priced as £2.15 !
I'd been buying records from the cut price Virgin Mail Order company for the previous few months, sending off my 'Postal Order' and receiving a 10-25% discount on record shop prices.
So what was my final Long Playing record purchase in 'old money' ?
Not easy to work this one out, however with a combination of half baked memories, various Virgin Mail Order adverts and the Vertigo Records back catalogue from 1970 I have a best guess hypothesis - it was > Beggars Opera 'Act One' LP ©1970
My favourite band The Nice had broken up early 1970 and Beggars Opera, from Glasgow, came along to rock the classics in their place. The track 'Raymond's Road' is very much in the same vein as "Rondo" by The Nice, though credited to the band members and arranged by organ player Alan Park there are other composers contributing: Bach, Grieg, Rossini, Mozart's and a brief rendition of the "Karelia Suite" by Sibelius… but NOT necessarily in that order... !
This also allows me to introduction to you the YouTube channel: (Beat Club - from German tv) and this unique psychedelic video technique* they seemed pretty keen on using. 

[NB: BEWARE YouTube ad break interruptions] >

*If you're a fan of these video techniques, or just want to explore, Beat Club has a veritable who's who of early 70s music - there's Yes - Status Quo - Deep Purple - UFO - Taste - original Fleetwood Mac - Curved Air - Caravan - Colosseum - Black Sabbath - Canned Heat - Byrds - Santana - ELP all to relive.

THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
or
The Bright Side of the Attic

You hear quite often about 'Cash in the Attic', referring to something stashed away that could be worth more money than you'd ever imagined.
I've been here before (see previous blog), as certain LPs hiding amongst your collection could also be concealing far greater value. Especially if they are original purchases (first pressings) and in good condition.
One such album is pictured below. My attached note reads as follows:-
Record Collector* > Christmas 2020
Pink Floyd 'Dark Side of the Moon'
> (Harvest SHVL 804 LP, 1st Press)
Solid Light Blue Triangle Label
With Black inner, 2 posters / 2 stickers
Gatefold, only 1 side opening
- Excellent condition
Selling for £995.00

This is naturally only a guide to value, not a guarantee. Source is *Record Collector magazine.
If your copy of this album meets all this criteria, tell someone and make sure they know where it is in the house and be sure to keep the record safe and sound.

Sometimes "You may ask yourself, how did I get here"? 

Well all that recent Bowie music on tv lead, via Lou Reed, to Glam-Rock (Roxy Music - Mott the Hoople - Sweet) and it was while listening to Sweet's 'Fox on the Run' that I noticed Scorpions had done a German version called 'Fuchs geh' voran'. This got me thinking about 'Neunundneunzig Luftballons' by Nena - the anti-war song from 1983 (in English: '99 Red Balloons'). I was learning German at the time, so this single struck a chord with me. 

It became a No.1 in 14 countries. While in the UK/US she maybe a one hit wonder - in Europe she was really successful and had loads of hits. 

Here's a 'Live' show from the "Nichts Versäumt" ('Nothing Missed') Tour in 2018 with Nena (Gabriele Susanne Kerner) looking like '99 Red Balloons' was only yesterday ! It's a Great Show (in Dortmund) with all the 1980s European/Anthem hits. Great audience reaction [reminds you what a live show was like] and a bit of a family affair as her daughter and son are part of the band. All the uplifting songs are in German which just shows the language of great music is all that really matters ? [see subtitles note below].

I've picked one track (but could have easily chosen any of the seven videos available). Kicking off then with 'Rette Mich' [Save Me] > Nena  

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Busy blog this one… so fasten seat belts … And don't miss these from the same show: (Rather than give you loads of links, I'll let you chose as you wish - just search 'Nena "Nichts Versäumt" Tour in 2018' and all these videos should come up). 

- 'Leuchtturm' > [inc. Jumpin' Jack Flash (intentional) + audience join in singing]
- 'Wunder Gescheh'n' > [daughter on accordion + singalong]
- 'Du kennst die Liebe nicht' > [group in the middle of the audience]
- 'Fragezeichen' > [more of the same]
- 'In Meinem Leben' > [duet with her son]
- 'Indianer' > [native indian [1st Nation] chants + great drums] 

⏯⏯⏯⏯ [Subtitle button/tab 'cc' - available] 

I have just discovered a new feature available with these particular YouTube videos. If you click on a 'cc' symbol, in the row, bottom right of the video screen, it will put subtitles up that translate the lyrics in to English. 😁 Neat.

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