arlo guthrie has retired, so here's the motorcycle song

I'm glad to say that Arlo Guthrie has just retired, rather than died, and although he has some health issues, l hope he has many, many happy years in retirement. It must have been hard for him growing up as the son of the legend that was Woody Guthrie, but Arlo made a decent career for himself, while always coming across as a nice guy. He has many songs that l love, and l suppose Alice's Restaurant is the most famous, but l've always had a soft spot for this little ditty - The Motorcycle Song.

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me and my uncle - joni mitchell, john phillips, the grateful dead and judy collins

Me and My Uncle was written by John Phillips of The Mamas and Papas during an evening of much merriment, or at least it seems so, as he couldn't remember writing it afterwards. It's been covered a few times, and the Grateful Dead version is probably the most well known.
However, related to this, although l've always liked Joni Mitchell, l could never fathom how so many people (and other musicians) worshiped her so much, and considered her a genius. That was until l saw Joni's 1965 Oscar Brandt 'Let's Sing Out' version, from before she was even signed up to a record label. The guitar playing is intricate and superb, and she sings it in such an emotive and playful way. The other older musicians just look amazed.
Consider me a convert.

Here's John Phillips



Here's one of the many the Grateful Dead versions



Here's Judy Collins



And here's the magnificent 1965 version by Joni Mitchell



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francis rossi's green telecaster for sale

Another reason l need to win the lottery and move to a larger house. Status Quo guitarist / singer Francis Rossi has put his green Fender Telecaster up for auction with Bonhams, Knightsbridge on 17th December 2019. Rossi bought the guitar for £75 in 1968 and painted it himself, using green Ronseal, and it was the guitar most used by him during the subsequent years.  Rather sadly for me, it is estimated to go for between £100,000 and £150,000, which is a bit out of my price range, especially with Christmas coming up.
For those that have the money - see here

                                                                Image by Bonhams

Here's Rossi and the guitar in action





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richmond live 2018 and the black sheep frederick dickens

As it's nearly time for Richmond Live again, l thought l'd stick these up from last year, as l couldn't get on my blog at the time, so promptly forgot about them.
There was no competition for the band l enjoyed the most, as Darlington's 'The Black Sheep Frederick Dickens' ticked most of the boxes for the type of music l love. An electronic two piece with an operatic type madman of a singer, doing bleak gothic songs about Charles Dickens' alcoholic brother. What's not to like?. l have attached a small part of their set that l recorded.
The last two pics are the albums l bought after their set (One is an Avalanche Records compilation).
Once again...Enjoy.

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neil kinnock condolences letter and spacemen 3 - revolution

As unlikely a scenario as it may have seemed a few years ago, the nightmare is coming true, as Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt battle it out to be the next Conservative Prime Minister. What a fucking choice - it's like someone asking me if l want my left or right bollock blasted off. Either outcome is shit, and with Donald Trump as United States President, things really are looking grim.
I thought things were bad years ago when Neil Kinnock lost out on becoming Prime Minister. I even went so far as to write and offer my condolences to him, and here's the reply l got (It's my old address, so don't bother trying to find me there). Political leaders have certainly gone downhill since then. Where's a revolution when you want one? Bastards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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bob dylan - the rolling thunder revue

It's been a week since Netflix released their Martin Scorsese produced Rolling Thunder Revue, featuring a 'Bob Dylan Story'. I've watched all of it three times since, and parts of it numerous times, and l absolutely love it.
The live footage has been cleaned up and looks amazing, and there's pretty much just the right amount of newsreel crap to emphasise the story. Dylan is on top form, and it's probably the last time he has been so engaged on stage. There's been a bit of a debate online about some of the interviews, as they are related to events or people that are made up, and that uses up time that could be spent showing more live footage, but that sort of obfuscation just makes me chuckle, as it's in the spirit of the Renaldo and Clara movie from the same period, and, although it would be hard to believe, amps up my  love for Dylan even more. I can't wait for the (hopefully) DVD and loads of extra footage
Here's the trailer, plus a couple of clips from it.
Witness the majesty of his Bobness (and Scarlet Rivera).
Avoid Jail, Go immediately to Netflix and watch the full film now!!







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a cute raccoon eating cherries

Ever wanted to watch a video of a very laid back Raccoon eating cherries while wearing a bib?
Today's your lucky day!
One of the greatest things l have ever seen on youtube.



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on tv with the sleaford mods

 Had a bit of a shock the other day watching the film about The Sleaford Mods - 'Bunch of Kunst'. There l was, in the front row of the audience at their gig at The Duchess in York. It was only for a brief moment, but nevertheless, l am now a TV star. You'll have to guess which one is me.

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right said fred - bernard cribbins, plus david bowie connections

After the Scott Walker post below, here's something cheerful - Bernard Cribbins with 'Right Said Fred'. It always bugs me when l sing along to this that there is no part where the lyrics go 'Right said Fred - knock it on the head' as it would fit perfectly. So l just fit that bit in myself.
Also, to continue with the David Bowie part of the Scott Walker post, l reckon he appropriated the vocal mannerisms at the end of this for the speaking parts of The Laughing Gnome era songs (with some Anthony Newly thrown in for good measure). Probably plenty of more songs as well, especially Tommy Steele's 'l Puts The Lightie On'.
See what you think.









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scott walker's death

Despite Scott Walker becoming famous way before l got into music, l got to love his output later on, and went through a long period when l used to play his solo albums through earphones when falling asleep at night. Admittedly a lot of the songs take some getting used to, but it's well worth the effort. He certainly followed his own path, when he could have taken an easier route with lots more financial incentives and rewards, which is another reason l respected him.
For beginners, there's the marvelous Boy / Child best of, and his 'Sings Jacque Brel'  is another go to compilation. It also helps that one of my favourite songs of his is about one of my favourite films - 'The Seventh Seal'.
He'll be sadly missed in this household, as well as amongst the many he has inspired and influenced.
Here's a taster.









And here's how much he meant to David Bowie. Listen to Bowie's reaction after Scott calls him on Bowie's 50th Birthday.



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the aliens - the happy song

A perfect time to stick this old favourite up again.
The Aliens - 'The Happy Song'



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chinese construction worker dancing

My mate can 'dance', and does so at every opportunity, despite my opposition, but l love the moves this Chinese construction worker has in his locker. There's plenty more of him on you tube (the Chinese fellow - not my mate).



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angry looking magpie in australia

I've only just seen this, but think it's a great picture / screenshot.
A Magpie in Queensland Australia swooping on a biker, which was captured superbly on their GoPro.
It looks annoyed!

Here's the full video



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marc bolan defends bob dylan

Back before he became famous, Marc Bolan defended Bob Dylan's 'Self Portrait' album in the pages of Melody Maker.

Here's the lyrics to the song Belle Isle that Bolan was on about (Bob based it on a traditional song)

As there's no video for that, here's one of my favourite Dylan songs, the live version of 'Hurricane'

To demonstrate how unknown Bolan when the letter was printed (Self Portrait was released June 8th 1970), they even printed his home address. How times were to suddenly change.
Bolan had been about for a few years on the underground scene, but in October 1970 T.Rex released this little beauty and his life was never the same.

Ride a White Swan - from 'Beat Club' German TV



And here's some more Bolan  - at the time, the biggest star since The Beatles.









And lastly, one that made me cry playing it after he died - one of his last songs - 'Soul of my Suit'
I loved him



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al perman found in a book plus david essex and the stray cats

It's funny what you can find stashed away in old books bought from charity shops. 

Here's a recent example - a photograph of a singer who looks a bit like David Essex in 'Stardust', but the back of the photo has 'Al Perman 1966' written on it. That could be the photographer or the singer, as l have no idea. I tried a quick Google search but with no success, so it is likely to remain a puzzle.

Here's David Essex playing Jim MacLain with The Stray Cats in 'Stardust'



Here's David Essex's 'Rock On' (a favourite of mine)



And here's the later day Stray Cats doing the 'Stray Cat Strut'



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family guy's great job

Family Guy still has the ability to make me laugh out loud at some of their madder moments, and this is an fine example from the other day.
Probably the best job in the world.



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don letts confirms l was ahead of my time - plus skinhead reggae music

Many moons ago when l was out and about in New York, l often used to wear a green hat that looked a bit like a tea cosy. l was mocked by some of the people l was with for wearing it, but what can l say - l had style.
This has recently been confirmed when watching a Don Letts programme on the BBC about Skinhead culture. It was interesting and well presented by Don, but the main thing that stood out for me was that he was wearing exactly the same kind of green hat l was wearing back in the day.
A man of good taste obviously.

Also, l've often argued about the original skinheads love of reggae and their openness towards blacks at the time. This obviously changed for later skinheads, but here's some top reggae tunes that the skinheads used to like that l used to play constantly when driving my sister and her daughters about (and no - l'm not a skinhead or racist).

John Holt - Ali Baba



Dave and Ansell Collins - Double Barrell



Toots and the Maytals - Pressure Drop



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iphone x advert

The recent advert for the iphone x is doing my head in.

Sure, the woman in the advert is very attractive, the song is very catchy (All Night by Big Boi), and the singing animojis are cute, but there's something that's been really bugging me.

What the hell is the animoji on the right?

It just looks like a lump of poo - and don't try to convince me it's meant to be chocolate ice cream.

Bloody youth of today / what's the world coming to / wouldn't have got away with this when l was a lad ... blah blah blah blah etc

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out and about - the beatles and the stones in stockton

Once more, out and about, this time to see The Stones, as you may well have guessed, a Rolling Stones tribute band, at Ku in Stockton. The singer didn't sound a lot like Mick Jagger, but we still had a great night, and we were also treated beforehand to a stripped down version of Beatles songs done acoustically. The Beatles part of the show sounded more like them, but we prefered the Stones, as the songs are better.
This was also after watching Manchester United beat Arsenal, and myself and Robbo beating lads at pool in dodgy bars before the gig.
Marvellous!
Here's a video l made at the show.

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out and about - the strypes

More out and about that l'd forgotten about from last month - The Strypes at Newcastle University. A lads night out and a lot of fun it was. I drove there and a mate drove back, so it saved on a taxi or hotel this time.

The Strypes have really improved and matured as a band, and their stage show is entertaining and varied, but the sad thing is, how much bigger can they expect to get, unless they hit lucky with a song on a commercial or film / TV series to help promote them?

It's a shame, and they deserve to gain a wider audience. 

However, some might say they already have with us old farts going to see them

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