A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
IN the days before technology took over and nerds ruled the world, national newspaper production was oiled, indeed well-oiled, by an ocean of alcohol. Daily Mail sub-editors and newsdesk staff would think … Continue readingBooze of the World
Drummer Jaki Liebezeit as brilliant as ever on this OGWT clip from 1975.
While not exactly stranded, we are ankle-deep in the white stuff after our first snowfall of the winter. Hence this belter from the 1993 album Kamakiriad, the Dan man’s second … Continue readingDonald Fagen: Snowbound
‘The Georgia-born singer allegedly wrote this bitter break-up song from 1991 on the night his wife sent him divorce papers. I can believe it,’ says Matt. And that concludes his … Continue readingTravis Tritt: Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)
According to Matt: ‘This slice of hard-edged, old-time country from 1964 is the anthisesis of yesterday’s Reba McEntire classic but every bit as compelling.’
Matt writes: ‘The Oklahoman’s impassioned performance as a wife struggling with her husband’s infidelity transcends the slightly overblown Nashville production on this hit from 1992.’
Matt describes this as ‘a 1988 heartbreaker from Alabama-born Gosdin, second only to George Jones in my book in the pantheon of country’s best balladeers’.
Says Matt: ‘Twitty literally phoned in his contribution to this hit from 1974 but Loretta’s plaintive vocals just about lift it out of novelty-song territory.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfV-YEfQxWI
MANY years ago the missus and I decided that what the world needed was a book about George Carman, the brilliant defence barrister whose acquitted clients included Jeremy Thorpe, accused … Continue readingStitched up by George Carman
Matt says: ‘Anderson’s plan to save his marriage on this song from 1981 would be a non-starter in the mobile-phone era.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzgaLFzlB2Y