Final Part: A Majestic Music Tale

Saturday evening and we're back at the Majestic Cafe in Conway, New Hampshire. 

Sitting at our usual table having been greeted by Majestic volunteer Beverly, who had not only taken us under her wing and recommended tonight's duo Dennis O'Neil & Davey Armstrong, but immediately went to speak with Scotsman Davey to inform him that Margaret was also Scottish. This led to an interval meeting in which he came over for a chat. There followed a special moment, when their second set began he sang a song especially for Margaret - 'Caledonia'. If you know the song you'll get the moving message in the lyrics. 

The whole evening was special and the music very varied from traditional folk to recognisable contemporary songs. Dennis O'Neil played a Godin guitar (a stringed instrument or synth guitar) which was linked to a console beside him that, at the touch of buttons, sounded like a banjo, a piano, an organ, a violin or accordion and also made different electric and acoustic guitar sounds. Quite amazing ! (See more tech info here.)

Also Davey played an unusual pipe instrument that was a bagpipe minus the bag. I've found an old video of them playing at the Shannon Door pub in Jackson (a few miles north of Conway). It shows Davey's stage persona, bare feet hitting floor pedals, and Dennis's guitar becomes an accordion - it certainly captures their performance and how much fun it was. Here they're playing the Steve Earle song 'Galway Girl' > 

Encore >

Having enjoyed ourselves once again, it took little persuasion from Beverly for us to come along the following Wednesday for more entertainment in the shape of Kevin Nolan & Simon Crawford. English and Scottish musicians, full of jokes and a good ol' sing song to many well known tunes. Bar manager Joe had encouraged dancing and the invite was accepted (see video below - click ➤ twice) - to some 'Old time Rock and Roll'

That's THE END of our story, but not I suspect the last we'll hear of the Majestic Cafe, Conway. 

(click link here for more)

  

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). 

Part 2 of: A Majestic Music Tale

Some 5 hours after 'Travelling the Blues Highway' with John Howell, we were back at the Majestic Cafe in Conway for the Friday Night Jazz.

The music was a tribute to American jazz legend, pianist and innovator Bud Powell, who I'd never heard of. The piano quartet playing were lead by Jed Wilson on piano with Mike Sakash (sax), Scott Kiefner (double bass) and the impressively cool Tim Gilmore on drums. 

We enjoyed many of the improvised pieces they played but the name of this tune really stuck with me. Titled 'In the Mood for a Classic' - and why not !

Sitting on other tables were some of the lady volunteers from earlier in the day, who'd said we shouldn't miss this evening, and we got to meet Joe the manager who ran the bar with a smile and had a good selection of local draft beers to tempt me. 

As we were leaving one of the ladies pulled up in her car and offered us a lift back to our Airbnb, saving us the 20 minute walk in the dark. Nice !

- 24 hours later we'd be back again for the Folk music. And another classic evening... 

Final verse - this Friday

  

A Story of Good ForTUNE

or A Majestic Music Tale (in three verses)

It would be fairly flash of me to suggest my recent trip to America was in part a field trip to gather material towards the FMS, but that's pretty much what happened. It went like this:

On the first day at our Airbnb in New Hampshire we decided to walk the 20 minutes into the modest town centre of Conway. The first small business we entered was the Sweet Maple Cafe where Margaret picked up a free newspaper 'The Conway Daily Sun' full of local 'What's On' in the area. It had an article 'Travel the Blues Highway' at First Friday at Majestic. A former Southern radio DJ John Howell was giving a talk at 1pm in the Majestic Theatre, just along the road. We thought we'd go.

On entering we were welcomed by a bevy of volunteers keen to show us the theatre building, its Music Center history and the Majestic Cafe. Their friendly enthusiasm saw us buy tickets for that evening's Jazz night (and before we left we signed up for the following night's folk music too), but I'm getting ahead of myself.

The fascinating lunchtime talk was advertised as Bob Dylan 'Highway 61 Revisited', with that part of the talk to be on a later date. Today John Howell spoke of the Delta blues artists - Muddy Walers, Charley Patton, Son House, Howlin' Wolf and Robert Johnson. He showed some great videos of the these artists along with John Lee Hooker performing 'Boom Boom'. This is the actual video he showed us.

As the video mentions at the start many artists have covered this song and coincidentally, later during our stay, while browsing the book shop minutes from our Airbnb, a store brilliantly named 'The Local BOOKie', the owner had the radio tuned to a local station, and on comes a version of 'Boom Boom' by Big Head Todd & the Monsters from 1997 that actually has John Lee Hooker guesting on the track. (tune in here).

Next Verse (Part of this Tale) - coming midweek. 

  

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). 

As promised a couple of Rick Wakeman extras. This time not with a cast of hundreds, but solo !

1st: the famous Yes track 'And You And I' on piano. Titled by YouTube: 'The Other Side of Rick Wakeman'

2nd: from his latest piano based album, a track called 'Sea of Tranquility' - (this one is for Toni). 

  

Off this evening to see Mr Rick Wakeman CBE. Not a tribute act and billed as 'The Return of the Caped Crusader' himself. 

I have lots of previous notes and links to many tracks (mostly Yes) and more recently (the Strawbs), so what to choose was the question. Then I checked tonight's tickets, which says "Six Wives & King Arthur", so it had to be something from these records.  

I found a video from a 1975 production of Rick Wakeman in 'The Myths and Legends of King Arthur' - A Pageant on Ice - featuring his six-strong band the English Rock Ensemble (ERE), narrator Terry Taplin, conductor David Measham and the 46-strong New World Symphony Orchestra, chorusmaster Guy Protheroe and the English Chamber Choir, and the Nottingham Festival vocal group. And taking the performing personnel up to 130 or so, what the programme notes described as ‘a host of ice stars'. 
Mid-70s progressive rock had a reputation for pomposity, grandiosity and excess all areas. Rick who funded the three shows at Wembley Empire Pool, was quoted as saying "Everyone thinks I'm crackers"! Though all the shows were a sell out they ultimately lost money.

A review in music paper 'Sounds' revealed sound problems and they weren't to complimentary, feeling the ice skaters stole the show. "Guinevere looked appropriately ethereal as she gracefully navigated the arena, while ERE singers Ashley Holt and Gary Pickford Jones sang a particularly soppy ode in her honour; and nobody fell over."

The clip I found is of 'Guinevere' (Patricia Pauley skating) from King Arthur on Ice. 

Not expecting such an extravaganza this evening, but should be fun, knowing Rick.

 

FYI: I unearthed a copy of the 16 page Programme of the Show. (click to view)

As I had so many other videos I though some extras might work well this coming midweek ...

to follow

  

As this is birthday week, today's Star Track is for the birthday girl. One of Margaret's favourite tracks is 'At Last' by Etta James. 

It's a song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the 1941 musical 'Sun Valley Serenade'. Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded the tune several times, with a 1942 version reaching No.2 on the US Billboard chart.

In 1960, R&B singer Etta James recorded an arrangement by Riley Hampton that improvised on Warren's original melody. It was the title track of her debut album and has become her signature song.

  

Cat Stevens - composer and singer: 'Oh Very Young'

❝ You're only dancin' on this earth for a short while

And the goodbye makes the journey harder still ❞

  

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). 

Solo piano

Beautiful video

‘Nuvole Blanche’ (White Clouds) by Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi (born 1955).

Just right for this moment, this week... 

  

We are about to engage in many of the experiences associated with today's song. In 2012 American singer Mary Chapin Carpenter wrote about flying and arriving at an airport. Of friends and relations in a 'Transcendental Reunion'. 

I heard this performed on a BBC 'Transatlantic Sessions' show (Series 6, Programme 3), which is the video clip below. I was immediately struck by the song's sentiment. 

Joined by singer Aoife O'Donovan and superbly accompanied by Phil Cunningham (accordion) and Jerry Douglas (dobro guitar). Fabulous song

From her album 'Ashes and Roses' (in case the BBC clip doesn't play in your area - click here).

  

On this day 50 years ago Pink Floyd released their album 'Wish You Were Here' - cue the title track. 

Footnotes:

Ronnie Rondell Jr. the stuntman 'on fire' on the LP cover recently died. More on that story, click here. 

And... 

Curiously the band Badfinger had also released an album titled 'Wish You Were Here' - a year earlier. 

  

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). 

The Genesis tribute band last Friday were brilliant. Genesis Connected were as billed 'Celebrating the hits of Genesis • Phil Collins • Peter Gabriel and Mike & The Mechanics'. Lead singer Pete Bultitude sounding just like Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Paul Carrack, whilst also playing drums at various points in the show.

They totally nailed their version of the Phil Collins and Philip Bailey 'Easy Lover' song. 

Which prompts this video I found of a 20 year old German girl Sina Doering, known as Sina-Drums, who has loads of drum covers of classic rock songs from the 1970s and 1980s on YouTube.
This is her video of 'Easy Lover'. Such a great song, but from the drumming view it's a real insight.

   

As we are off to see tribute band Genesis Connected this evening, time to recall this: 

August 16th 1975 - Front page of the Melody Maker: "Gabriel out of Genesis?"

The September 6th edition had an article titled "Why I quit Genesis" by Gabriel himself. I had seen them play on the Final tour show at the Empire Pool, Wembley in April, performing the entire 'Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' album*. By my reckoning (helped by a Genesis the movement website) the 9th and final time I'd see them 'live' with Peter Gabriel.   

As we now know the news of his leaving was just the start of another chapter in the Genesis history. 

Earlier this year I chanced upon a long forgotten 'Gabriel-era Genesis' track off 'Foxtrot' called 'Can-Utility And The Coastliners', played by an Argentina tribute band called Genetics. It was an amazing cover and there were other videos in which Steve Hackett had performed with them (a seal of approval if ever there was one). 

Vocally Genetics are spot on, thanks to Tomás Price, and all the early favourites are covered, including this brilliant version of 'The Cinema Show'. 

* A Deluxe release of ‘The Lamb’ is due the end of September - see here.  

Genetics website here. 

  

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). 

The magazine headline read:

THE SHADOWS: Instrumental in inspiring a generation...

Inside it reminded me that "Apache & Beyond - sixty-five years after Apache's electrifying riff first revolutionised British rock'n'roll".

On August 27th 1960 The Shadows 'Apache' hit the No.1 spot in the UK singles chart and stayed at the top for 5 weeks. We've had this record as a Star Track (see here) previously. 

The Shads version didn't chart in America but was covered by a Danish guitarist Jorgen Ingmann. His version entered the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1961 and peaked at No.2 in April. 

I'd never heard any of this until now. With odd sci-fi noises, evoking alien life forms for no apparent reason ! This is 'Apache', written by Jerry Lordan and played by multi-instrumentalist Jorgen Ingmann.

  

As promised last week here are a few more music memories to share about Andy Rob.

He was part of these music blogs on many occasions. Joining in the 2017 request to 'Pick your favourite band for each decade, starting in the sixties'. This revealed his love of acoustic music and especially close harmonies: The Beach Boys and Crosby, Stills & Nash for starters.

Then in 2018 his American holiday 'Road Trip' lead directly to a Friday Star Track from The Highwaymen. See this blog.

That love of 'wooden music' had him suggesting I do a feature on Martin guitars (after I did a blog all about Rickenbacker guitars).

So I thought today I'd give you a 'triple-play' and hope Andy would approve. 

Joni Mitchell wrote about 'Woodstock' and very different versions of the song were released in 1970. Mitchell's piano, choral vocals and high notes recording appeared in April 1970 on her album 'Ladies of the Canyon' and as the B-side to her single "Big Yellow Taxi". Click Play here.

A definite rock version by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young from their album 'Déjà Vu' released in March 1970 became the best-known version of the song in the United States. Play here. (video has some nice shots of the Festival).

And then a third version, by the British folk-rock band Matthews Southern Comfort, arranged by singer Iain Matthews, became the best-known version in the United Kingdom and was a No.1 single in October 1970.

This weekend corresponds with the 'Woodstock Festival - 3 days of Peace and Music' in August 1969.

R.I.P. 

  

As soon as I read the information regarding the 'Celebration for Andy Rob' and read "Hawaiian shirts encouraged, pina colades optional - laughter essential" my mind went back to the time he requested Jimmy Buffett singing 'Margaritaville'.

The slight difference between Hawaiian and Caribbean shirts or having a margarita instead makes this track seem ideal. 

From his 1977 album 'Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes' this is Jimmy Buffett for Andy. 

Some more music memories next week. 

   

Over the coming months I will be remembering friends we have recently lost and the good memories that they hold.

While today is one year on from my daughter getting married, I thought a quirky love song might get those thoughts of happier times started. 

80s indie synth-pop group A Flock Of Seagulls with 'Space Age Love Song' is today's track. Lead singer Mike Score (real name!) had some crazy haircut back then, google him today and he doesn't have any hair !!

I actually discovered this track in a music video from the movie 'Career Opportunities' featuring Jennifer Connelly and Frank Whaley in an in-store dance sequence. Here's that music video for you: click here

  

I remember my son Scott would play the Foo Fighters 'Best of You' every morning before traipsing off in the sunshine to school. It was 2005 and he played it all Summer long !

I have a track that has the same 'feel good' effect for me.

Robert Jon & The Wreck with 'Highway' has that 'get up and go' and enjoy the day energy. Not that the two songs sound similar, just the feelings they convey. 

I've been playing this track daily as therapy for the times. So this is for me ... and naturally you. I hope the prescription works >

Robert Jon & The Wreck are from Southern California and this single is off their soon to be released new studio album 'Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes'.

To me vocally Robert Jon sounds like Phil Collins on 'Highway'. Check out other tracks from their previous albums. 

i.e.: ‘Hate to See You Go’ (very Allman Bros) here. 

 

An occasional music spot - remembering places around the World

The place in this instance is a time and place. Namely Summer 1980 and the European 'Grand Tour'.

Time for some nice pictures and 'pastoral' music. Literally a musical portrayal of the joys and emotions associated with being in the countryside. 

While driving around the countries of Europe in 1980 the music we played more than any other was Beethoven's Symphony No.6. It just fitted in so well with the unfolding scenery. 

Ludwig van ...

  

"It's 12 noon in London, 7am in Philadelphia, and around the world it's time for Live Aid"

Saturday 13th July 1985. Where were you ?

I was in front of my television, where I'd remain for the next 16 hours. Listening on the radio while watching the show from Wembley stadium and then from just after 10pm the American concert from John F. Kennedy stadium in Philadelphia. 

You may well have forgotten all those who performed that day. Here's the running order link:- Live Aid.

This is a song that always makes me smile. Taking the stage around 2:20 Nik Kershaw sang four songs including this hit single - the one with the nonsense lyrics and confused ramblings of an 80s popstar - hence the title 'The Riddle' >

  

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). 

Another big show this last weekend in Birmingham saw Black Sabbath play what was billed, along with the title 'Back to the Beginning' and an all-star cast, as their last ever show. We will see ....

Time for this song originally from their second album released in 1970. It's an anti-war protest song and bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler says "it's about how these rich politicians and rich people start all the wars for their benefit and get all the poor people to die for them" - sound familiar ?

I heard it the other day and thought the guitar and drum playing towards the end sounded brilliant, so had to post it. Considered the greatest ever Heavy Metal song and one of the group's best tracks, this is 'War Pigs' >

All about that Birmingham show (link here) 

  

"Do you remember" Gigs you went to ? Of course you do !

The recent passing of guitarist Mick Ralphs caused this track to pop into my head. As a founding member of Mott the Hoople, Ralphs left in 1973 to form Bad Company. So wasn't playing on today's track, but as the lyrics reveal he was very much apart of those earlier 'Saturdays Gigs'.

All about 'Live' shows - 

- Mott the Hoople played a reunion of five nights at Hammersmith Odeon back in 2009. We were there to see Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs and other original band members. Nice article worth a read (here). 

- And I just read about a 'Mottfest' scheduled for this October in Ross-on-Wye. See story.

- Finally, you've probably heard 'Live Aid' was 40 years ago this month and the BBC have some programmes lined up 'When Rock 'n' Roll Took on the World', starting this Sunday and I believe the entire Wembley show is getting a repeat performance on 13th July.  

  

"Bobby Troup was sitting behind the wheel of his '41 Buick, with his wife Cynthia, driving 

from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Los Angeles, when an idea for a song documenting their  

trip began to take shape in his mind. It was February 1946 and Troup, a singer, musician  

and songwriter, was heading West to Chicago, where they picked up the 2,448 mile long US Highway, that would take them all the way to LA - on Route 66 ! "

Finally the reason behind the build up of recent 'Road Music' can be disclosed. Today marks 40 years since Route 66 was officially decertified by the Highway authorities in 1985 (nearly 60 years after it had opened). The romance surrounding the route continues to this day, if in fact following the original road, which has disappeared in parts, is less continuous. John Steinbeck in his book 'The Grapes of Wrath' called it the Mother Road and it symbolises escape, loss, freedom and hope for a new beginning. 

The song by Bobby Troup '(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66' mentions the places they passed along the way - I'm sure you know the words. In March 1946 it was recorded and released a month later by Nat King Cole. His jazz inflected swing rendition was a bit hit. While 15 years later the song was reinvented for a whole new generation by Chuck Berry. I first heard the song as the opening track on the debut LP by the Rolling Stones, their version was a transformation of Berry's straight three-chord 12-bar blues 1961 recording. 

So Chuck Berry is today's Star Track artist. With a great video full of nice memorabilia >>>

In case you wondered - a Shasta caravan refers to travel trailers manufactured by the Shasta Corporation that captured the imagination of lovers of 'Van Life'.

🚙 Also you may remember an early 60s TV series called 'Route 66', an American adventure crime drama. The theme to the show was by Nelson Riddle and goes like this (link).

🚙 OR Get Your Kicks On The Stones version 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTG9dKW7EaA&list=RDuTG9dKW7EaA&start_radio=1

     R e m e m b e r i n g    

 -    B R I A N   W I L S O N   - 

o f  T h e  B e a c h  B o y s

Who passed away earlier this month. You have perhaps seen this video from former Beach Boy and cousin Mike Love, of his song 'Brian's Back'. An emotional and touching tribute to the life and work of "the driving creative force behind The Beach Boys’ best work". 

> Reminds me of the time on Long Island in 1998. We'd gone to a balloon festival out East and as we entered there was music coming from the other side of the field. Easily recognising the songs and I said 'boy these guys are good, they sound JUST like the Beach Boys'...
'That's because they ARE The Beach Boys' !

   

I've finally decided on this week's track, which not only featured in a Top 50 best road trip songs list (see here) at No.23, but also was the subject of a Rick Beato video I'd found called 'The Greatest Guitar Solo You Can’t HEAR! '

Christopher Cross 'Ride Like the Wind' released in 1980 was his debut record and after 45 years it has finally received an official music video created by director Andrea Calvetti, with wild ’70s energy and cars tearing through the desert.

The guitar solo you can't hear, played by Cross, is at the end...

Here's the Rick Beato video explanation I mentioned, for your interest (click link).

   

I've previously mentioned when compiling a tape (playlist in current jargon) of Road songs that probably all you'd need would one full of Creedence Clearwater Revival songs. If I were to pick one it would be this, if only for that brilliant guitar intro... 

'Up Around the Bend'

'Curva' = bend in Portuguese [subtitles are also in English] 

The Road in the video is actually in Brazil - PR444 highway - Londrina to Malinga

  

In January I started my 'One For The Road' monthly track, without revealing where this was going. 

As the reasoning will become clear by the end of this month, June will provide a 'traffic' build up of Driving music along the lines previously discussed in a post last July, (re-read here). 

There I mentioned Classic and Contemporary songs and that my list was mostly American bands, though not exclusively. Long distance road trips having originated in the states they cornered the market in 'Two-Lane Blacktop' 'Easy Rider' style out-takes with music and lyrics to set your wheels a spinning. What is remarkable is my 2025 monthly 'Road' tracks so far have not featured any American music. Motorways, Highways & Autobahns but no Freeways or Interstates. 

That is about to change of course as we head out on the highway with some 'Big American Car Music' looking for adventure. Many classics are former Friday Star Tracks: 'Sweet Home Alabama', 'Running On Empty', 'Wasn't Born to Follow' & 'Don't Look Back' as I have remembered these favourites from personal road trips. 

These tracks are going to need little introduction. From 1977 and off the 'Lust for Life' LP this is Iggy Pop 'The Passenger' - fasten seat belts

  

Two six packs of Shiner

99 cent butane lighter

Lucky Strikes and a fifth of Patron

Ice down that Igloo cooler

Tank of gas that oughta do er'

I can feel a good one comin' on

Might need a few translations here ...  

'Shiner' is beer from Texas; 'Lucky Strike' cigarettes; 'Patron' is tequila; the rest I think you'll get ...

Watched the Netflix series 'Yellowstone' and it was full of songs like this in a landscape of cowboy tough guys and the girls were pretty tough too.
Blackberry Smoke formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000, this track is from 2009 ‘Good One Coming On’ -

We're gonna roll all night

There were plenty more tracks like this from artists I didn't know - Shane Smith & the Saints,

The Panhandlers & Cody Johnson - check them out

  

From The Cove (see last Wednesday's Spotlight post) to Hollow Coves in one small hop.

This month's Road Track is from Hollow Coves an Australian indie folk band formed in 2013. The band consists of vocalists and guitarists Ryan Henderson and Matt Carins.

The track is called 'On The Way' and we are on the road in a VW camper and a Road Trip bucket list - perfect. I'm right there... 

Along with a couple of albums they have also released and EP called 'Wanderlust'. No surprise there !

 

  

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). 

Our most recent Fairlight Folk event celebrating The Hayloft Club from the 70s and 80s was another successful and enjoyable evening - lots of wonderful old stories and plenty of great music from Garry Blakeley and Bear Lucas. Here's a couple of short video clips for posterity.
Just click the play button twice.

Garry and Bear with their improvised version of John Martyn's 'The Man in the Station'

A segment from 'Music for a Found Harmonium' 

You may recognise it but didn't know that was the title of the piece, written by English composer
Simon Jeffes in 1984.

Various tunes old and new were played - I didn't get to note down all of them so here's a mention of those I did. 

- 'Pirates of the Caribbean' medley into a reel including 'Heilan' Laddie'.

- 'Si Bheag Si Mhor' (little [bheag] fairy hill and a big [mhor] fairy hill. The tune is from the 18th century by Turlough O'Carolan. Fairy hills in Fairlight !

- 'The Keeper would a-hunting go' (chorus song 'Hey down, ho down, derry derry down').

- 'Vivaldi' (a version of the Curved Air instrumental track from 1970 - previously called 'Viv's Audi').

- 'Dirty Old Town' (written by Ewan MacColl - who actually played at The Hayloft in 1974, with American folksinger Peggy Seeger).

- including the two songs featured above, there were a number of jigs/reels & polkas that I either missed the names of or Garry confessed to having forgotten what they were called anyway. 'The Irish Washerwoman' may have been one of them? 

Background info here. 

   

Sentimental time this Friday after recent events.

Last Sunday May 11th marked one hundred years ago in 1925 when my father was born.

I had previously noted he shared his birth date with one Irving Berlin, who was born in 1888, and lived to be 101. He wrote hundreds of songs, many becoming major hits, which made him famous before he turned thirty. One song from the musical movie 'Top Hat' starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers was 'Cheek to Cheek'.

So this is for all you 'Baby Boomers' who are here today probably as a result of your parents meeting and dancing cheek to cheek. 

 -  B L A T A N T   A D V E R T I S I N G   C O N T E N T  -

This is the poster we have produced to publise the folk event in our local pub happening this Sunday.
It provides the details that were listed in the post last month called 'Fairlight's Folk Revival' that contained music videos: Click on

  

[At the beginning of last year]

Friend Mel says to me “Do you fancy doing a Vinyl Night up at the Cove. Like they do at the Jenny Lind in Hastings? “

“Yeah. Sounds good to me” I reply.

“Let’s ask Henry, see what he says”.

Henry at the Cove liked the idea and said we could use the upstairs room in the pub on a Thursday night. We cobbled together some equipment and went for a dry run to check everything out.

Launched in May, we switched to every first Tuesday of the month - our one year birthday is this coming week.

We have about a dozen regulars, which was good, and everyone enjoys listening to records they've maybe not played in years. First half it's play what you want, with the second half being a selected theme. We've had ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ (naturally); 'Desert Island Discs'; 'Tamla Motown/Soul'; 'Sixties Singles'; 'Film & TV Music' and 'Sounds of Summer' to name a few. And have Shake, Rattled and Rolled our way through quite a variety of tracks - Abba to Zappa - often discovering something new and memorable or simply a forgotten group or artist.

Picking just one such moment at random, which met with nods of approval and 'I'd forgotten how good this track was' comments: from the 1969 album 'Family Entertainment' this is 'The Weaver’s Answer' from Roger Chapman and Family.  

This recording is from TopPop, the first regular dedicated pop music TV show by Dutch broadcaster AVRO which aired weekly from 1970 to 1988.

Great saxophone solo is shown as a flute playing... no idea why ? That's the 70s for you !

   

Time for this month's 'One For The Road' track.

This is a band I heard back in January, just after I'd missed seeing them play in Hastings Old Town. Originating from Eastbourne the group are named after a collection of telescopes at the nearby Herstmonceux Observatory. 

The Equatorial Group features Helen Weeks, Dave Davies, Twe [Teresa] Fox, Andy Tourle and Neil Grimes and it's been written listeners hear the shadows of Neil Young or the colours of Fleetwood Mac in their music. You decide, but I'm hearing pedal steel guitar excursions like Neil Young solos and clear four-part harmonies. 

Here's their song ‘Feet’ from the most recent album 'Sea' - don’t know what the song’s about but the video is a definite front seat view of the road ahead.

Check out more music and videos: 'Fire'; 'Lights Shine'; & 'Electric Light': (click on). 

  

Record Store Day (last weekend) may well have past but I read a number of articles all about the subject. These made interesting reading especially after asking a favourite record shop in Hastings town about this 'Day', only to be told they didn't believe in it !

A long article I found entitled 'The Great Vinyl Buying Swindle' went some way to explaining what was conceived in 2007 as a good idea to boost interest in Vinyl records and to support stores again, has now turned into just another commercial merry-go-round !

This article* did deal with every aspect of the business from a lack of pressing plants to quality and costs of 'new' vinyl records. But the author had a a nice turn of phrase which I did enjoy. Like: 

- Record Store Day - RSD: festival/circus/ritual (delete as appropriate)

- New marketing terms for ‘Audiophiles’:

‘Half Speed Mastered From 1/4 Inch Master Tapes’! ‘Pressed On Virgin Heavyweight 180gsm Vinyl For Optimum Sound Fidelity’! Ob-Bla-Di-Ob-Blah-Blah-Bloody-Da!!!

- Crazy amounts of variations of special releases for RSD - re issues of classic LPs - ker-ching

- Greed-flation - Rip-Off Store Day ! more like...

I wont go on but the current cost of NEW vinyl is crazy and you won't find me paying such prices, that have more than doubled since 2008. Far better to hunt for 'old' discs at Record Fairs and shops that are selling second hand, at prices you can afford. 

Rant over - to this week's music. Which really has to be a new release I suppose. And I have another one of those amazing outrageously colourful videos from Escape Music. 

Soon to be released is an LP by Sign of the Wolf. A new supergroup featuring members from iconic bands such as Black Sabbath (Vinnie Appice), Whitesnake (Doug Aldrich) and Rainbow (Tony Carey). They aim to bring back melodic Hard Rock. "Evil has to fail so the spirit can prevail" - epic !

This is 'Rage of Angels' > 

*For those of you with time to spare here's the link to the article referred to. Link 

   

Back at the end of February I promised to feature The Animals version of Eric von Schmidt's 'Baby Let Me Follow You Down' covered by Bob Dylan on his first album.

Given a new arrangement by Americans Wes Farrell and Bert Russell, The Animals version of this song re-titled ‘Baby Let Me Take You Home’ is strikingly different and it was apparently a key influence on Dylan's change to electric music.

This recording from Tyne Tees TV in July 1964 is quite bizarre to say the least, not surprisingly grainy, while taking 'miming' to a whole new level of pretense. Great song which reached No.21 on the UK chart before the band's follow up smash hit 'The House of the Rising Sun'.

I recently found out that all these years I had been singing the wrong lyrics - I certainly hadn't been singing: "I'll do anything in this God-Almighty world, If you'll just let me take you home" ?

NB: Tomorrow is 'Record Store Day'. I may well revisit this next week.

  

Today is World Drummer's Day - hands up if you knew that ?

April 4th (4/4) is a universal celebration of percussion because the most popular time signature used in music is 4/4. So how about 216 drummers all together !

Our old friends Rockin' 1000 from Paris in 2019 with The Ramones 'Blitzkrieg Bop' >

NB: There's a minute of credits at the end - FYI.

The FMS has featured the song 'Blitzkrieg Bop' previously, would you believe nearly 9 years ago.

As a bonus on 4/4 Day here's the same song but from a purely drummers perspective:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpLKD-0wzDk

      

Hastings 'Fat Tuesday' music.

On top of the Unplugged Saturday 'Pub to Pub' afternoon of non stop 'live' music, Sunday saw the Umbrella parade along the Prom lead by Mr Wilson's Second Liners. From the bicycle wheel drum kit to the uniformed brass section they were quite a sight and sound !

Described as New Orleans meets 90s club classics - a totally bonkers rave that even saw rock 'n' roll power chords from the banjo player !

The White Rock theatre hosted an afternoon of drum bands and dancing (see photo). And dance tunes with a difference is what we got. Check out Mr Wilson's: Short promo here 

Expect Robert Miles, Fat Boy Slim, Prodigy and more... YouTube has plenty - this is a good example of their 'all join in' interactive performances > click here

   

A brief history of the changing RCA Victor single sleeve.

Late 60s the old red 45 bag design with the black label was updated to the orange label colour and bold logo type. Early 1975 a new sleeve appeared, designed by my work colleague Dick Whitbread and artworked by yours truly. (Modestly, I still get a kick out of seeing this single sleeve in shops). 

RCA single sleeve evolution - (L-R) 1967, 1971 and 1975.

The last 45 pictured above is one of the first releases with this new sleeve: 'Fox On The Run' by Sweet came out on 7th March 1975. It was the first Sweet single written by the band, rather than producers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman - gone was the make up of the glam rock look and the group finally had their own 'A' side record and hit of their making. 

Not that some of their previous hits hadn't been good, just that some had been a bit dodgy (see below for a Sweet reminder). 

By the end of March 'Fox On The Run' was a Top 10 hit, reaching No.2 in April. 

Here's a YouTube compiled Top 10 hits list > www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwOVua9IEd0

Some very poppy early numbers BUT their pick as No.1: 'Fox On The Run' !

Garry Blakeley is a virtuoso fiddle player and performed at the original Hayloft Folk Club with a number of house bands and in the group Brian Boru and Burgess & Blakeley.
Garry is also a full time member of the celebrated supergroup Feast of Fiddles.

Performing with his good friend Bear Lucas, on guitar and vocals, together they produce an eclectic range of songs and sounds.

Here's a taster with a couple of videos of Garry, firstly playing in Hastings at The Stag. And then below taking the lead with Feast of Fiddles from a couple of years ago (he is far right on the stage). 

The Hayloft Folk Club

Following the success of last year’s two shows that featured artists who’d performed at the Folk Club in the 1970s. This show provides another chapter in the fascinating history of The Cove.

View The COVE pub in Fairlight for additional information: thecovefairlight.co.uk/events/ 

  

Part Two: of Nico and Jackson Browne:-

Also featured on Nico's 1967 'Chelsea Girls' album was a version of 'These Days' (one of my all time favourites). A song written when Jackson Browne was only 16 years old, but not recorded by him until 1973, by which time thanks to a Gregg Allman version, the arrangement had changed. 

Another song also written by Jackson, shortly after he returned to California in 1967, was titled ‘The Birds of St. Marks’. Rediscovered in 1994 it was only properly recorded for the first time on his 2014 LP 'Standing in the Breach'.

It's apparently written about Nico, and has a very 60s Byrds feel to it (probably why I like it so much). The middle guitar break with Greg Leisz and Val McCallum (on 12 & 6 string guitars) is wonderful and they return for the instrumental ending. 

Another great track from a teenage Jackson Browne

> Article on Nico’s version of 'These Days' -  https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-story-behind-the-song-the-contrasting-origin-of-nicos-these-days/

   

Within the space of a few weeks I heard two tracks off the 1967 ‘Chelsea Girls’ album by Nico (she of The Velvet Underground & Nico fame) I'd not previously known. 

She was born Christa Päffgen in Cologne, Germany and after being introduced by The Stones Brian Jones, she began working in New York with Andy Warhol.

This is part one of a two part story involving her and a young Jackson Browne, who she had a brief romance with in 1967, and who wrote both songs in question.

The first track is ‘The Fairest of the Season’ from the album that apparently Nico didn’t approve of once producer Tom Wilson had filled it out with strings and flutes... (I rather like them) - the LP also contains contributions by Velvet Underground members. 

Part Two of this romance will be next Friday

   

We been down the Motorway and the Highway. Today "Wir fahr'n, fahr'n, fahr'n, auf der Autobahn" for the latest 'One For The Road' track.
Issued today to mark the 50th anniversary of Kraftwerk's iconic 'Autobahn' album, with releases on three different formats including a Picture disc. 

Funnily I always thought they sang 'Fun, Fun, Fun on the Autobahn'...

Band member Wolfgang Flür explains: 

No! Someone else told me that they [the misinterpreters] thought the way we speak in German "Fahren", which means driving, sounds like the English word "fun". "Fahren fahren fahren", "fun fun fun". That is wrong. But it works. Driving is fun. We had no speed limit on the autobahn, we could race through the highways, through the Alps, so yes, fahren fahren fahren, fun fun fun.

Even the video uses 'Fun, Fun, Fun' > beep, beep 

The original album version of the song lasts 22 minutes, but the track was edited down to 3 minutes for its single version, b/w ‘Morning Walk’ (Morganspariezgang), released Feb 1975.