A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
This beautiful song was written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and first recorded by Hammond on his 1972 album It Never Rains in Southern California. It was arranged by Warren … Continue readingPhil Everly: The Air That I Breathe
Written by Chip Taylor, who said he was inspired by the Rolling Stones’ Ruby Tuesday, this was first recorded by New Yorker Evie Sands and released in 1967. It would probably … Continue readingP P Arnold: Angel of the Morning
A NUMBER of composers were not averse to re-using tunes in different settings, sometimes many years apart, and a good example is Schubert’s Rosamunde theme. The melody made its first appearance in … Continue readingSchubert’s Rosamunde
This was written by the group’s frontman, Domingo ‘Sam’ Samudio, based on the 1962 Hully Gully Now by Big Bo and The Arrows, which in turn was based on the 1953 Feelin’ Good by Little … Continue readingSam the Sham and the Pharaohs: Wooly Bully
IN these achingly politically correct times, it seems hard to imagine a proudly men-only dance group capering through the streets with their faces blacked up, exchanging jokes and insults with … Continue readingBacup, land of the Nutters
This was written by lead singer Doug Sahm and released in 1965, reaching No 13 in America and No 15 in Britain. Here they get an endorsement from Bob Dylan: … Continue readingSir Douglas Quintet: She’s About A Mover
I love this one. It is based on Ugly Woman by the Trinidad calypso singer Roaring Lion, recorded in 1934. It was adapted by Joseph Royster, Carmella Guida and Frank Guida and released … Continue readingJimmy Soul: If You Wanna Be Happy
This was written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh and first released by Ray Peterson in 1960, reaching No 7 in America. In England Decca Records decided not to release … Continue readingTell Laura I Love Her
Written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld, this was first released in 1960 by the Four Voices but did not reach the charts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKGk9qg9A9k Brian Hyland took it to No 3 … Continue readingBrian Hyland: Sealed with a Kiss
RATHER a short post this week, as this hymn seems to be the only surviving work of both author and composer, and not much is written about either of them, … Continue readingMay the Mind of Christ my Saviour