A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
This was written by Arthur Alexander, who recorded it in 1961. It reached number 24 in the US in March 1962. According to Wikipedia, the lyrics were inspired by Alexander’s … Continue readingArthur Alexander: You Better Move On
THIS hymn, to me, has a particularly lovely tune. It was composed by Benjamin Mansell Ramsey (1849-1923), who also wrote the words. Surprisingly for someone who lived comparatively recently, there … Continue readingTeach Me Thy Way, O Lord
This was written in 1960 and recorded in 1962 by the American singer Tommy Roe, who was influenced by Buddy Holly and the Crickets. It reached the top of the … Continue readingTommy Roe: Sheila
This quintessential teenage angst number was written by Eddie Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart. It was recorded on March 28, 1958, at Gold Star Recording Studios in Hollywood. Cochran … Continue readingEddie Cochran/The Who: Summertime Blues
THIS hymn, to me, has a particularly lovely tune. It was composed by Benjamin Mansell Ramsey (1849-1923), who also wrote the words. Surprisingly for someone who lived comparatively recently, there … Continue readingTeach Me Thy Way, O Lord
The Springfields – Mary O’Brien (later Dusty Springfield), her brother Tom and Tim Feild, later replaced by Mike Hurst – had a lovely harmony but in my opinion were let … Continue readingThe Springfields: Silver Threads and Golden Needles
I COULDN’T decide which of these piano sonatas was my favourite, so I thought I would write about both. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was born in Bonn, the son of … Continue readingTwo Beethoven piano sonatas
Cliff’s debut single and his first hit, reaching No 2 in 1958. It was written by Ian Samwell, a member of Cliff’s original backing group, the Drifters (not to be … Continue readingCliff Richard and the Drifters: Move It
THIS hymn has a delightful freshness and innocence about it, which is perhaps not surprising as it was written by a schoolboy. This was the 15-year-old John Milton (1608-1674) when … Continue readingLet Us, With a Gladsome Mind
THE German composer Robert Schumann (1810-1856) completed his only piano concerto in 1845. It was premiered in Dresden with his wife Clara as the soloist. I wonder if this work … Continue readingSchumann Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op 54