Billy Connolly’s signalman joke
In around 1980 I was a researcher at London Weekend TV when I was assigned to a pilot for a possible series starring Billy Connolly. It was a pretty lame … Continue readingBilly Connolly’s signalman joke
Recent Posts
Bridget St John: Nice/Long Long Time
Fabulous clip from a 1972 Whistle Test. The first song is from her album Thank You For while the second didn’t yet have a title having been written only the … Continue readingBridget St John: Nice/Long Long Time
The taming of a hawthorn hedge
ABOUT this time last year I was disappointed to come across a newly laid hedge and find I had missed seeing it done by a couple of weeks. My luck … Continue readingThe taming of a hawthorn hedge
Tom Waits: Heartattack and Vine
Never knowingly underplayed, old Waitsy lets rip.
Ralph McTell: Old Brown Dog
This was the only version I could find of McTell’s beautiful song from the album You Well Meaning Brought Me Here. It’s for our lovely Young Brown Dog who is … Continue readingRalph McTell: Old Brown Dog
Dionne Warwick: Do You Know the Way to San Jose
This was written for Dionne Warwick by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was released in April 1968 and reached No 10 in the States and No 8 in Britain. … Continue readingDionne Warwick: Do You Know the Way to San Jose
Elvis Presley: Anyway You Want Me (That’s How I Will Be)
This was the B-side of the immortal Love Me Tender. It reached No 1 on US Billboard‘s Most Played in Jukeboxes chart. It was written by Aaron Schroeder and Cliff Owens and … Continue readingElvis Presley: Anyway You Want Me (That’s How I Will Be)
Farewell, old friend
RECENTLY I have lost a friend who has stood beside me for almost half a century. His name is Old Bob and he is a bottled beer. Bob originated at … Continue readingFarewell, old friend
Mike Sarne: Come Outside
I had a crush on Mike Sarne when I was 13 or 14. This was a ‘novelty’ record written by Charles Blackwell and featuring Wendy Richard (who was born in … Continue readingMike Sarne: Come Outside
Happy End: Kaze wo Atsumete
Funny how a Japanese band singing in their own language can sound so like Western rock. From their classic and hugely hard-to-find 1971 album Kazemachi Roman.