A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
MEMOIRS of a grim childhood in working-class Dundee are hardly my normal reading matter. However a raft of enthusiastic reviews led me to invest in Toy Fights: A Boyhood by Don Paterson. … Continue readingThere was a young man from Dundee . . .
Following yesterday’s version by the Andrews Sisters, here’s an instrumental performance in which the Prof (1918-1980) manages to make his piano give a good impression of steel drums.
Must say I wouldn’t say no to a rum and coke by the pool in sunny Trinidad. Composed by Lionel Belasco with lyrics by Lord Invader, this was a huge … Continue readingThe Andrews Sisters: Rum and Coca-Cola
More alcohol-themed fun from the Rorster. This audience-participation special was filmed in ’76 for the Dutch TV show Filter Furore.
COMMENTERS sometimes reminisce about the late TV presenter Jack Hargreaves, so I thought I would recall few of his programmes. I have to admit that I don’t really remember him, … Continue readingGentle Jack, a TV natural
Sadly, that was Rory’s problem. This acoustic tour de force is from the 1977 Irish TV programme Me and My Music.
A cautionary tale from the 1971 LP Muswell Hillbillies.
From her 1961 LP Strange Fruit. ‘If this joint is raided, somebody give me some gin.’ /
Even further back in time for this one, made in 1942. Spike Jones and his City Slickers were among the many performers showcased in ‘Soundies’, short musical films designed to … Continue readingSpike Jones: Clink! Clink! Another Drink
IN my early years on the Daily Mail in Manchester I sometimes had to do the late shift, from 7.45pm to 3.45am. Everyone else went home by 2am leaving me and a … Continue readingThe Bolton Slumberer