A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
LAST week I wrote about the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni with another short opera, Pagliacci (The Clowns) by Ruggero Leoncavallo, the combination being widely known as ‘Cav and Pag’. It was the success … Continue readingPagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo
IT’S funny how sometimes the least remarked and least glamorous things remind you afresh of how utterly amazing the world is. The stream at the back of our house is … Continue readingIn praise of algae
I don’t think this got the appreciation it deserved. It was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich (the Ronettes’ Be My Baby and Baby, I Love You, and the Crystals’ Then He Kissed … Continue readingLesley Gore: Maybe I Know
I THOUGHT we would go for a blockbuster today, and they don’t come much blockier than this one. It is also known as Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah and as Bread of … Continue readingGuide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
This was written by Ellie Greenwich and Tony Powers, and first recorded by the Exciters in 1963 as a follow-up to Tell Him. It reached No 57 in America. Wayne Fontana … Continue readingThe Exciters: He’s Got the Power
FOR me, this is one of the great melodies, haunting and beautiful. It will remind others of films with a theme of violence. Whether classical music should be linked with … Continue readingMascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
IT’S been quiet in our village since work stopped on building sites in our market town of Clitheroe. The daily procession of low-loaders carrying heavy plant, concrete mixer trucks and … Continue readingHow green was my valley
This was written by group members Steve Winwood, Spencer Davis and Muff Winwood, although solely credited to Steve Winwood on the UK single label. Bassist Muff Winwood recalled that the … Continue readingSpencer Davis Group: Gimme Some Lovin’
SOMETHING a bit different this week, and it may not be to everyone’s taste, but I think it’s lovely. In the Garden was written by C Austin Miles (1868-1946). He trained … Continue readingIn the Garden
This was underrated at the time, being released in 1964 as the B-side of the Beach Boys’ first US chart topper I Get Around, reaching No 24 in its own right. … Continue readingBeach Boys: Don’t Worry Baby