A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
This quintessential pop song was composed at the Brill Building by Sedaka (music) and Howard Greenfield (lyrics). It was recorded in 1959 and released in December 1960. Early in 1961 … Continue readingNeil Sedaka: Calendar Girl
This was written by the singer and released on October 30 1970. It was his first hit, reaching No 8 in Britain.
In memory of Jeff Beck who has died at 78, this was probably his most commercial track and not his kind of thing at all. It was produced by Mickie … Continue readingJeff Beck: Hi Ho Silver Lining
This was written by the singer and released on his 1966 album Fred Neil. Wikipedia says: ‘It was composed towards the end of the [recording] session, after Neil had become anxious to … Continue readingFred Neil: Everybody’s Talkin’
I AM tremendously keen on the British artist Eric Ravilious (1903 – 1942) and as usual I have a calendar of his work above my desk. This month’s picture is … Continue readingHave I got newts for you
I know you are not supposed to say other performers did Bob Dylan’s songs better than Dylan but it’s true 99 per cent of the time. This was recorded in … Continue readingJimi Hendrix: All Along the Watchtower
I have said before that I feel Elton would have been perfectly at home in the 60s. This cheery number, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was recorded in … Continue readingElton John: Crocodile Rock
ONE of the world’s most-loved hymns was first heard on this day 250 years ago. Amazing Grace was written by John Newton for a sermon he gave on New Year’s Day 1773 … Continue reading250 years of Amazing Grace
This was first recorded in 1930 by Rufus George Perryman, known as Speckled Red, but I am not sure if he wrote it or if it is ‘traditional’. (I have … Continue readingCarl Perkins: Wrong Yo Yo
As I’ve said before, I didn’t greatly care for Donovan, though he did give me a big laugh when he claimed in his autobiography to have been a major influence … Continue readingDonovan: Colours