A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
MANY readers will have fond memories of Mr Benn, the animated television series aired first by the BBC in the early 1970s and repeated many times since. Its title character regularly leaves … Continue readingThe adventures of Mr Benn Johnson
Live 1978 performance of JB’s ode to the hand shandy.
OVER the years I have heard many examples of inspiring teachers whose enthusiasm gave their young charges a lifelong passion for the subject. In my case, however, love of English … Continue readingShakespeare v Wodehouse
Bachelor No 2, or the last remains of the dodo, was released in 2000. It was Mann’s third album and in my opinion remains by far her best.
One of the many highlights from his excellent 1973 debut album Closing Time.
Written by Jimmy Destri, this is a live version of the song from the 1999 album No Exit, Blondie’s first release in 17 years. It went to number one in … Continue readingBlondie: Maria
A 1999 live stab at the song from 1977’s My Aim Is True. A woman formerly of my acquaintance insisted to me that the title was Elvis Song. Dumb cluck. … Continue readingElvis Costello: Alison
Bridget’s brilliant version of the Cohen classic. And here’s a more recent live version from a Cohen tribute concert in New York.
Sublime segment from the 1972 album Eat a Peach.
Commencing a short season of songs featuring girls’ names. This is from the excellent 1973 album Faust IV.