Reba McEntire: It’s Your Call
Matt writes: ‘The Oklahoman’s impassioned performance as a wife struggling with her husband’s infidelity transcends the slightly overblown Nashville production on this hit from 1992.’
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Vern Gosdin: Is It Raining At Your House?
Matt describes this as ‘a 1988 heartbreaker from Alabama-born Gosdin, second only to George Jones in my book in the pantheon of country’s best balladeers’.
Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty: As Soon As I Hang Up The Phone
Says Matt: ‘Twitty literally phoned in his contribution to this hit from 1974 but Loretta’s plaintive vocals just about lift it out of novelty-song territory.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfV-YEfQxWI
Stitched up by George Carman
MANY years ago the missus and I decided that what the world needed was a book about George Carman, the brilliant defence barrister whose acquitted clients included Jeremy Thorpe, accused … Continue readingStitched up by George Carman
John Anderson: Motel With No Phone
Matt says: ‘Anderson’s plan to save his marriage on this song from 1981 would be a non-starter in the mobile-phone era.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzgaLFzlB2Y
Fairground Attraction: Perfect
A lot later than most of my choices, but I think it’s a good rocker. It was written by Mark Nevin and was the debut single of Fairground Attraction in … Continue readingFairground Attraction: Perfect
Tony Booth: LOnesome 7-7203
For the first instalment of his series of country songs about phones, our friend Matt writes: ‘The Floridian honky-tonker cut this rollicking version of a country classic with help from … Continue readingTony Booth: LOnesome 7-7203
Wizz Jones: Black Dog
Looking a bit like Keith Waterhouse, Wizz playing live in Hebden Bridge, 2012, with an old Jesse Winchester song. He’s now 82 and still going, bless him.
Kevin Ayers: Lady Rachel
We couldn’t conclude a Canterbury season without the great Kev, could we? This is a live version from 1975 with a band including Ollie Halsall and Zoot Money. Tomorrow we … Continue readingKevin Ayers: Lady Rachel
A most uncommon market
AS if he didn’t have enough call on his funds, a few weeks ago Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £20million award to refurbish Bury Market. Embarrassingly for Sunak, he was under … Continue readingA most uncommon market