Link Wray: Midnight Lover
From the later work of an underrated guitar star, creator of the pioneering instrumental Rumble. This is a live clip from 1975. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zBhViJYO9M
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The Angels: My Boyfriend’s Back
This recording was made in 1963 as a demo for the Shirelles but was considered so good that it was released, and it reached the top of the US chart. … Continue readingThe Angels: My Boyfriend’s Back
Spinal Tap go to eleven
THE scene is heavy-metal guitarist Nigel Tufnel’s music room. He is showing film maker Marty DiBergi a Marshall amplifier on which the dials all go up to eleven, rather than … Continue readingSpinal Tap go to eleven
Bobby Rydell: Forget Him
One of my early favourites, this was American singer Bobby Rydell’s last big hit, reaching 13 in Britain in mid-1963. It is credited with being the inspiration for the Beatles’ She … Continue readingBobby Rydell: Forget Him
Grace Slick/Paul Kantner: Across the Board
Great stuff from the 1973 album Baron von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun. Our Gracie at her best.
Big Mama Thornton: Hound Dog
Great performance from Willie Mae ‘Big Mama’ Thornton (1926-1984). What a gal – I’d let her take me out for a walk any time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frsBq9MCNVg
In praise of hymns
IT CAN be dispiriting to be a small c conservative (though not half as much as being a big C Conservative – thank goodness I am not one of those), … Continue readingIn praise of hymns
Dion: Ruby Baby
This was composed by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who wrote Elvis’s Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock and Loving You, and co-wrote Stand by Me with Ben E King. It was first released by The Drifters … Continue readingDion: Ruby Baby
Wreckless Eric: Whole Wide World
Where Ray Winstone, top geezer of the betting adverts, got his elocution lessons. Eric was one of the first artists signed to Stiff Records, along with Ian Dury and Nick … Continue readingWreckless Eric: Whole Wide World
Schubert: String Quintet in C Major, Op 163, D 956
This is Schubert’s only string quartet, completed two months before he died at the age of 31 in 1828. It is unusual because it is scored for two cellos instead … Continue readingSchubert: String Quintet in C Major, Op 163, D 956