The drummer in the woods
THIS week my husband Alan heard a great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) drumming. We used to hear and see them quite often in the south London suburbs – they sometimes … Continue readingThe drummer in the woods
Author: Margaret Ashworth
Square
David Bowie: Starman
Bowie wrote this for his fifth studio album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. It was released as a single in April 1972, reaching No … Continue readingDavid Bowie: Starman
Sing a song of blackbirds
ON a walk through the park the other day I saw dozens of blackbirds – every one of them male. Where all the ladies have gone I have no idea. … Continue readingSing a song of blackbirds
Denny Mitchell Soundsations: I’ve Been Crying
In the 60s I lived in Beckenham, Kent, and this group were from neighbouring Bromley. When they released this in 1964 they had a signing session in the Beckenham record … Continue readingDenny Mitchell Soundsations: I’ve Been Crying
Strawbs: Part of the Union
With 90 per cent of the country on strike, this seemed an apposite choice. It was written by group members Richard Hudson and John Ford and featured on their January … Continue readingStrawbs: Part of the Union
Chan Romero: Hippy Hippy Shake
This was written and recorded by Chan Romero in 1959, when he was 17. I think it’s brilliant but all I can find out about it is that it got to No … Continue readingChan Romero: Hippy Hippy Shake
The year with no summer
IT HAS been a pretty cold winter so far in Lancashire, with night temperatures regularly down to about minus 8 deg C and staying at freezing point during the day. … Continue readingThe year with no summer
The Kinks: Lola
This was written by group leader Ray Davies for the Kinks’ 1970 album Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One. It was released in June 1970, five months ahead of the … Continue readingThe Kinks: Lola
Rolling Stones: Brown Sugar
The band have dropped this number from their live act reportedly because of controversy over the lyrics. That’s good enough for me to feature it. It is credited to Jagger … Continue readingRolling Stones: Brown Sugar
Neil Sedaka: Calendar Girl
This quintessential pop song was composed at the Brill Building by Sedaka (music) and Howard Greenfield (lyrics). It was recorded in 1959 and released in December 1960. Early in 1961 … Continue readingNeil Sedaka: Calendar Girl