The Specials Ghost Town

Looking forward to the programme described below on Radio Scotland on Monday.

11:30 Songlines
1/8. John Cavanagh uncovers the story behind Ghost Town, by The Specials. A song that’s been described as the most prescient number one in British chart history.

It was the anthem for early Thatcherite Britain. I think it articulated [...]

Shawn Colvin - Sunny Came Home

This song has particular memories of a holiday we took in Ireland in 1998. The DJ/Broadcaster Gerry Anderson on BBC Radio Foyle (a Londonderry based station) was our listening choice whilst driving around the sights, like the Giant’s Causeway and Donegal, because he was hilariously funny. He also played this record every morning.

Easter Parade

As readers will know The Blue Nile are a particular favourite of mine and this song is definitely one of their very best. A tour de force, a black and white short film, a non rhyming piece of poetry that goes somewhere in your deepest thoughts but you’re just not sure where. Paul Buchanan takes [...]

Derek and Clive

Not for the easily offended!! (or indeed the fairly hard to offend!) Just how many playgrounds was this sung in in the 70’s?

And also specially for Smiler (and those Statler and Waldorf conversations we had at the weekend) Click Here
(PLEASE!  only click if you are not offended by the very worst swearwords [...]

Doc Watson

Some things to bear in mind before watching this video. 1) Doc Watson is 85 years old  2) He has been blind since before his first birthday and 3) This is an impromtu performance where he tries out a new guitar he’s never played before.

He got the nickname “Doc” during a live radio broadcast when the [...]

Band on the Run

Happier times for Paul. Probably the last good album he made circa 35 years ago. There’s some great footage here particularly with the celebs posing for the album cover.

Posting and Playing MP3 Files on WordPress

The only drawback I have found since switching to WordPress is the process of uploading and playing of MP3 files. I tried the WordPress instructions with no success and I know from the various forums I am not alone! Well dear reader I have cracked this particular nut! Here is the step by step 1) set up an [...]

NASA Sends Beatles Across The Universe!

The Beatles’ peace anthem Across the Universe is being beamed into outer space by scientists at Nasa.
An avid fan persuaded the US space agency to do it to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the song’s release.
If all goes according to plan, Nasa will transmit the Beatles tune via its deep space network at Midnight GMT.
Former [...]

How Good is This?

This is a performance of the Grandstand theme at a jazz club in London. Conducted by the guy who wrote the tune. It’s amazing and a great way to end the sporting and musical themes on the blog this week.

Scarlett Johannson and Tom Waits

Thanks to my friend The Helpless Dancer for alerting me to the fact that Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson is to release an album of Tom Waits covers entitled “Anywhere I Lay my Head”. There is no information yet on which songs are to be included on the album but having heard the singing on the [...]