A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
This was the group’s debut single released in the UK on 6 August 1965. It reached No 14. Group members Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane derived the tuen from Solomon … Continue readingSmall Faces: Whatcha Gonna Do About It
Ok, it’s cheesy, but it’s a great melody. It was written by Don Black and Mark London as the theme song for the 1967 film To Sir, with Love, starring Sidney … Continue readingLulu: To Sir With Love
This song by Motown’s Holland-Dozier-Holland (Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland) was the B-side of Jimmy Mack, which was Martha & the Vandellas’ last Top Ten hit in … Continue readingMartha & The Vandellas: Third Finger, Left Hand
TODAY is Palm Sunday, and I can’t do better than repeat the story about Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem to meet the barbaric fate he knew awaited him as I told it … Continue readingAll Glory, Laud and Honour
Sorry, but as far as I am concerned Phil Spector could do no wrong. He co-wrote this one with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and produced it. Released in November … Continue readingThe Ronettes: Baby, I Love You
THERE is nothing like the call of the curlew. Perhaps it’s more evocative than any other sound of the uplands in spring. However it is heard less frequently these days … Continue readingCurlews calling
This was written by Motown’s main production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland (Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland), and it reached No 1 in both America and Britain in 1966. The … Continue readingFour Tops: Reach Out (I’ll Be There)
IT HAS been a voyage of discovery for me this week. It is the first time I have written about a hymn I don’t know, and along the way I … Continue readingVictorian gems
This was written by Tony Romeo and released in 1969. It reached No 10 in America and No 2 in Britain. It was something of a comeback for Christie after … Continue readingLou Christie: I’m Gonna Make You Mine
This was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Little Eva took it to No 12 in America and No 30 in Britain in 1962. The Beatles performed it live … Continue readingLittle Eva: Keep Your Hands Off My Baby