Author: Margaret Ashworth

This was written by the singer and released on October 30 1970. It was his first hit, reaching No 8 in Britain.

In memory of Jeff Beck who has died at 78, this was probably his most commercial track and not his kind of thing at all. It was produced by Mickie … Continue readingJeff Beck: Hi Ho Silver Lining

This was written by the singer and released on his 1966 album Fred Neil. Wikipedia says: ‘It was composed towards the end of the [recording] session, after Neil had become anxious to … Continue readingFred Neil: Everybody’s Talkin’

I know you are not supposed to say other performers did Bob Dylan’s songs better than Dylan but it’s true 99 per cent of the time. This was recorded in … Continue readingJimi Hendrix: All Along the Watchtower

I have said before that I feel Elton would have been perfectly at home in the 60s. This cheery number, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was recorded in … Continue readingElton John: Crocodile Rock

This was first recorded in 1930 by Rufus George Perryman, known as Speckled Red, but I am not sure if he wrote it or if it is ‘traditional’. (I have … Continue readingCarl Perkins: Wrong Yo Yo

As I’ve said before, I didn’t greatly care for Donovan, though he did give me a big laugh when he claimed in his autobiography to have been a major influence … Continue readingDonovan: Colours

This was the group’s second single, and was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. It was recorded on April 19, 1962 (an earlier version recorded on February 8 was … Continue readingBeach Boys: Surfin’ Safari