Cycling Again.

I cycled three miles to the village of Rhu this morning, went to the local shop and purchased my breakfast and went down to Rhu point, chilled out switched on the Ipod and took these (just phone photos) (how’s my drivelling?)

Looking up the Gareloch from Rhu Point. If you look carefully you might see the biggest nuclear base in Europe! (Faslane)

The yacht in this picture is called Drum and belongs to octogenarian Glasgow motor dealer Arnold Clark. If you think it looks familiar you’re probably right. If you are of a certain age you’ll know it from this video and Drum’s previous owner, one Simon Le Bon.

(Call the fashion police! Naff video warning!)

The Blues Masters – Howlin’ Wolf

I’ve neglected this occasional series recently. Chester Burnett aka Howlin’ Wolf was both a physical and metaphorical giant of the blues. He was taught guitar at a young age by Charlie Patton and his harmonica teacher was Sonny Boy Williamson(2)!

His life story is fascinating. As well as his time with Patton and Williamson, he also played with Robert Johnson and Willie Brown as well as Junior Parker, Jimmy Reed and MT Murphy. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list three Wolf songs amongst the 500 most influential recordings which shaped rock and roll, namely Smokestack Lightning, Spoonful and Red Rooster.

His very religious mother didn’t think much of his success. When he tried to give her money in later life she wouldn’t take it because it had been made from performing “the devil’s music”. When Wolf died in 1976 he was buried near Chicago and his grave is marked with a tombstone depicting a guitar and a harmonica (allegedly paid for by Eric Clapton).

Here he is from 1964 and a rather loose, jazzy version of Smokestack Lightnin’.

Also click here for a great version of one of his other songs Shake It For Me.