A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
IN these achingly politically correct times, it seems hard to imagine a proudly men-only dance group capering through the streets with their faces blacked up, exchanging jokes and insults with … Continue readingBacup, land of the Nutters
Mean guitar from June Millington on this 1972 clip, which features a lot of Fannying around before it gets going. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imZUqkPlUaQ
This was written by lead singer Doug Sahm and released in 1965, reaching No 13 in America and No 15 in Britain. Here they get an endorsement from Bob Dylan: … Continue readingSir Douglas Quintet: She’s About A Mover
I love this one. It is based on Ugly Woman by the Trinidad calypso singer Roaring Lion, recorded in 1934. It was adapted by Joseph Royster, Carmella Guida and Frank Guida and released … Continue readingJimmy Soul: If You Wanna Be Happy
Great clip from 1975. Lee Brilleaux and I used to share the same butcher in Chalkwell, David Harrison, sadly now closed.
This was written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh and first released by Ray Peterson in 1960, reaching No 7 in America. In England Decca Records decided not to release … Continue readingTell Laura I Love Her
Another selection from the brilliant Richard Thompson tribute album Beat The Retreat.
Written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld, this was first released in 1960 by the Four Voices but did not reach the charts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKGk9qg9A9k Brian Hyland took it to No 3 … Continue readingBrian Hyland: Sealed with a Kiss
RATHER a short post this week, as this hymn seems to be the only surviving work of both author and composer, and not much is written about either of them, … Continue readingMay the Mind of Christ my Saviour
Amazing period piece from something called Playboy After Dark, a programme hosted by the pipe-smoking Hugh Hefner and purporting to show a ‘party’ at his place with Bunny Girls on … Continue readingTony Joe White: Groupie Girl