Say it with music

Away today for weekend so no time to post so thought I'd leave some music.

Music Monday - British Blues

Stones with a Howlin Wolf cover, the only traditional blues song to be a UK no1,


Eric Burdon the best blues voice ever, white men can sing the blues.


Peter Green awesome talent, Fleetwood when they were a blues group.


Eric Clapton say no more.


check out the last one, a young Rod Stewart when he was a blues singer.

Music Monday - Positive

Just feeling after all my set backs recently I should get back to just been my positive self so here are three songs :-

Music Monday - Funeral Music

Thought I'd get my music monday post up and running again and gonna start with something thats still big in my mind.
Took some deciding what to play at Dads funeral but eventually I decided on these two :-





So that asks the question what songs would like at your own funeral ?



These are mine :-

Day 28 & 29 - Happy to be the same

Weighed in at 211lb when I got home this morning which is same as Friday morning. Considering we were out both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon its a result.

Saturday we went into town early had a couple of drinks then tried a new Italian restaurant we'd spotted, it was ok but don't think we'll be going back. Afterwards made our way to the Volunteers Arms as it was re-opening following refurbishment and one of the groups Paulas nephew plays in were the star attraction. The band is blues group called TC & the Moneymakers and are really talented.

We actually went to see them again on Sunday but not before a big Lunch, they were playing outdoor in a Pub Car Park, sort of local music festival.



Got to mention the big footie news the draw for the Carling Cup as been made and the Mighty Whites have got the big one, yes them in Red will be coming over the hills to ER. Of course they are in top form a division above us and we have no chance (just like last time, lol).
ER will be bouncing hell we hate them nearly as much as we love our own team, again we have nothing to lose nobody expects us to win but this is Leeds United and anything happens.

Just for the doubters here is a reminder of what happend last time and that was at their place :-

Weigh in Wednesday - Its getting boring

This weight loss campaign is getting boring to write about, for the third week running I have a solitary one pound loss to report, suppose its consistant if nothing else. Still would love to tell you about a 4 or 5 pound loss or an occasional failure so you can all kick start me again.
Still should be pleased a loss is a loss right.
So results of week 3 :-
Start Weight - 224lb
Weight last week - 222lb
Weight this week - 221lb
Target weight - 203lb
loss/gain in week - 1lb
loss %  against target - 14.3%

Went out to a wine evening on Saturday it was organised by the local social club and 9 couples from my table tennis club attended including Paula and myself. First time they've all met her and a few have mentioned how nice she is. The evening went well but did include a 5 course meal which was good but not diet friendly.

In a couple weeks we are off to see Blondie at York race course, really looking forward to it as I was a big fan back in day. Of course all us young men had a crush on Debbie Harry (hell she's 66 years old now can you believe it) but actually the group was good had some great hits, were very popular in the UK. In fact I believe when it comes to number one hits (6 in total) the only american acts to have more in the UK chart are Elvis & Madonna (who ain't in Debbies league).

So reckon I'll finish with some Blondie clips :-

Music Monday - Aussie Bike Song for Sandii

Just read my friend Sandii's blog and am impressed her hubby as just treated her to a nw Bike to help with her fitness campaign.

And thinking of the music post I did the other week on Aussie groups, I couldn't resist posting this by Melbourne group "The Mixtures".

Another year clocked up

Yes today is my birthday but to be fair I've stopped counting, think that happens when you reach the old git stage.
Its also the first day of Spring and surprisingly the weather is very Spring like the sun is shinning and not a rain cloud in site.

So todays music post is by the Zimmers, just for my birthday :-

Music Monday - Australian Music

Following last weeks "Best of British" music post Sandii challenged me to do a post on Australian music so started me thinking what Aussies have had hits over here. Of course there is Kylie but the challenge was without her so I'm leaving her out plus her sister and Jason Donavan who dueted with her but had some solo hits.

Of course we all know Aussies have a habit of claiming whats not their own such as Olivia (born in Cambridge) and the Bee Gees (Isle of Man).

So this is a tough challenge but I'll start with the most famous Aussie of them all who had a number one hit with this classic :-


Ok enough of that and reckon I'll take you back to the sixtes with a group and song that reached our top ten and is on many 60's compilation albums its The Easybeats who came from Sydney with the classic "Friday on my mind" :-


Fast forward to the 80's and another group from Down Under did well in the UK charts with a song called "Down Under" which actually made the No1 spot. The group of course was called Men at Work :-


Need to come forward again to he current century and nclude Melbourne Band Jet, only seems right seeing the lead singer bought me and my mates a drink in Chicago last year when we spotted them in a bar. Here they are with "Seventeen" :-


Australian music is quite varied but arguably their most famous group ever is the Hard Rockers AC/DC and here they are with "Back in Black" :-


But its a Folk group that is arguably the most succesfull act in the British Charts if you don't include Kylie, they've been about since the 60's when they had numerous hits (including 3 number ones I believe). Of course its The Seekers but reckon to finish this weeks post I should go for their 1993 classic "I am Australian" :-


May even get there one day.

Music Monday - Money

Well this week I'm dedicating my music post to money mainly because I could do with some (couldn't we all).
Last night I checked my money and worked out this month I had a surplus so decided to order a couple of pairs of moleskin casual trousers and a leather belt from M & S online, I'd seen them in a store a few weeks ago and liked them and with the recent weight loss I've dropped a waist size so need them. Reckon maybe they'll be a bit tight but perfect b my holiday.
Still feeling slightly flush (financially) went into town this morning and got my Euros for my holiday, ok its 8 weeks away utgot a decent exchange rate.
Anyway got home thinking that leaves me slightly tight for the rest of the month but I'll manage then the mail arrives and my bloody car insurance is due, so now I'm skint.

So here is some songs about money :-
Abba - "Money, Money, Money"


Dire Straits - "Money for Nothing"


Flying Lizzards - "Money"


The Jam - "Pretty Green"


Spinal Tap - "Gimme some money"

Music Monday - Valentines Day for Singles

Well it is Valentnes Day and not a great one for us singles so I'll dedicate todays post to all of us that are on our own for whatever reason.

We'll start with Roy Orbison "Only the Lonely"



Of couse we are all looking for our dream partner so here is Wreckless Eric "Whole Wide World"



Of course we can't forget all those that hve been cruelly Jilted so here is Jilted John with "Jilted John"



Ok it can get worse (not the music quality) here is Etta James with "Stop the Wedding"



Of course we can't leave out those of us that have lost the person we love so here is Led Zepplin "Stairway to Heaven"



RIP Jane its been a long 18 months since I lost you but will never forget.

Music Monday - A Great Yorkshireman - John Barry

Sadly last week arguably the best modern day music composer John Barry passed away aged 77.
He was one of our own born and brought up in York as John Barry Prendergast in 1933 and became known as the man who wrote the James Bond songs actually writing the music scores of no fewer than


Of course it wasn't only Bond movies he wrote the music for, in fact he wrote for hundreds of films winning 5 oscars for the folowing :-
1966 Best Original Song for "Born Free" from Born Free
1966 Best Original Music Score for Born Free
1968 Best Original Music Score for a Motion Picture (not a Musical) for The Lion in Winter
1985 Best Original Score for Out of Africa
1990 Best Original Score for Dances with Wolves

And Grammys for :-
1969 Best Instrumental Theme for Midnight Cowboy
1985 Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band for The Cotton Club
1986 Best Instrumental Composition for Out of Africa
1991 Best Instrumental Composition Written For A Motion Picture Or For Television for Dances with Wolves

As well as the film music from the likes of King kong, Zulu, the cotton club, etc. Barry also wrote the music from many TV series and had a number of chart hits with his orchaestra.

Barry was awarded the "Order of the British empire"

He was inducted into the songwriters hall of fame in 1998.



John Barry RIP

Music Monday - Physical for Sandii

Last weeks post I used the word game to come up with song titles, I used Clown and got 5 songs which I posted. I challenged anyone to come up with a word and one of mylong time blog friends Sandii took up the challenge.
She came up with the word "Physical" which was a good one and tough.
Anyway to get to the point I've actually got 3 songs this week that have "Physical" in the title :-

1. First up is the 1981 fitness record from Olivia Newton John "Physical", bit of coincidence here cos didn't didn't she play the part of Sandy in grease.



2. Another lady I wouldn't mind getting Physical with, its Madonna with "Physical Attraction" -


3. Got to admit it was hard to find a 3rd (thank you internet) and I eventually got this from Stuart Goddard (ok better known as Adam Ant), "Physical (you're so)" -



So any words for next weeks challenge ?


On another note I've had a hectic weekend, been playing in the York table tennis championships and did quite well. Saturday was the divisional events, ok the top 3 seeds for the mens singles on sunday decided not to play and save themselves for the big one but it was still a tough event. I was in the top division and everyone reckoned it was wide open with 7 0r 8 people in with a real cance so I was delighted to win it. Reckon I should be really pleased cos remember getting to the semi-final and looking at the ages of the other three left in I realised at 52 I was 25 years older than the nearest to me (27, 21 & 17). I actually beat the 17 year old in the semi in straight sets and the 21 year old (top seed) in the final in 4 sets, lost the first but comfortably took the next 3. Not bad for a old fat lad.

Sunday I got to the last 8 of the mens singles before losing to my 25 year old team mate (did take a set off him) who was reigning champion and top seed and went on to win it again. Lost in the semi of the veterans again in 4 sets but was still giving away 10 years to my opponent who was top seed.

Music Monday - almost forgot.

What a clown almost forgot to d my "music monday" post, so it'll be a quickie.

Remember a game we used to play, it involved coming up with a word/name/subject, etc. Then the challene was to name as many songs with it in the title as you can.

So you've guessed it todays word is Clown (managed to get 5) :-

1. The obvious one "Tears of a Clown" Smokey Robinson -


2. Everly Brothers classic "Cathys Clown" -


3. "Send in the Clowns" done be many artists but heres Barbara Streisand -


4. And of course there is the Manfred Mann song "Ha Ha said the clown" -


5. Last and maybe the best is Dave Davies (The Kinks) with "Death of a clown"-


Ok who's coming up with next weeks word, I need a challenge, lol

Music Monday - Bands

When it comes to the music industry I'm a little confused at the word "Band" nowadays, when I think of a Band it includes people playing musical instruments. Yet we regularly get the name associated with groups of singers (eg Boy Bands or Girl Bands).
Now I'm not going to get into the argument of whether some of these are good, sure they are but on the other hand I find them quite boring to be honest, just too many of them appearing at present. A lot of the newer ones are glorified karaoke groups n my opinion manufactured through TV programmes like the X Factor.
In fact rather than call them "Bands" surely "Choir" would be a better description.

So what is a "Band" well when it comes to the Rock/Pop industry in my opinion its a group of indiduals that form a group, it should contain a singer, guitarist, bassist and drummer in the least. So in theory what I'm saying is a Band line up would contain a least 4 people to get the right sound.

Of course this could be increased and arguably be improved by adding others, maybe a 2nd guitarist, maybe a keyboard man, a saxophone player, etc.

But when I was thinking about this post I remembered that some very good and succesfull Bands/groups have actually only had three members with somebody doubling up their instrument with lead vocals.

So todays song choice is some of my favorite 3 piece Bands/groups I'm sure you can think of many more :-
The Police (Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland) :-


The Stray Cats (Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker & Slim Jim Phantom) :-


Cream (Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce & Ginger Baker)


The Jam (Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler)


Double Trouble (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Leyton & Tommy Shannon) :-


Ok I usually leave it at 5 songs and all the above acts are well known but when I think of 3 piece bands my mind goes back to 2005 and a local group I saw in Memphis called "The Dempseys", well if you want live entertainment these were well worth a look, I went back to see them again the following night.

Music Monday - Too Good for Words

Yes music monday is back and we'll start the year with 5 of my favorite guitar tracks all very different but I'm sure you'll find something you like.

So in reverse order at No5 I'm going for Magic Slim & the Teardrops with "Black Tornado" :-



No4 its The Allman Brothers Band with "Jessica" :-



At No3 its The Shadows "Apache" :-



So on to No2 and its the origional Fleetwood Mac line up with the great Peter Green and "Albatross" :-



Well when it comes to guitar playing only one artist was gonna top this chart for me and its Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Wasn't actually sure which of his instrumentals to pick, could have been "Testify" or "Lenny" but I eventually opted for is this "Rude Mood & Hideaway" two songs for the price of one enjoy my friends :-

Strange Song Choice

Have you ever been doing somethingon your own and started to hum, whistle or sing a song to yourself without any reason. Ok nothing unusual many of you will say and I'd agree its something I've done in the past as I'm sure many of you have.
However in my previous experience its normally something we've heard recently or a song from our all time favorite lists. This last week its different, I found myself on more than one occasion humming and singing two songs from "Simon and Garfunkel" Bridge over troubled Water album.
Ok I don't dislike S & G but I'm also not their biggest fan either, I do have the album bought it in the 70's on vinyl(if anyone can remenber vinyl records)and it is quite good. Strangely though I reckon I haven't played it or heard the songs concerned for 25 to 30 years yet I could recite all the words.

For the record the two songs concerned were :-
Baby Driver


Keep the Customer Satisfied


Now if somebody had asked me to sing a S & G song I would have gone for my favorite of theirs "The Boxer" which is on the same album.

Tribute Bands or the real thing

Got a copy of the local newspaper the other day and was really pleased when I opened it up to find one of my favorite 60's groups "The Animals" is playing at the local town hall in October.
In fact "The House of the Rising Sun" is one of my favorite songs of all time.


I'm a big fan of some of the great British 60's bands and these are one of my favorites so I read on. Actually it turns out the group is actually called "The Animals & friends". Ok I realise it wont be all the origional line up (Chas Chandler died in 1996) but surely 2 or 3 of them will be there.

Read on and the article tells me actually two of the origionals are there John Steel the drummer and keyboard player Mick Gallagher. Hang on I thought wasn't the keyboard player Alan Price so I checked and of course I'm correct, Gallagher actually replaced Price for 3 months only in 1965 before been replaced himself. He later became known as part of Ian Drury's Blockheads but thats another story.

So actually only one of the origional line up is there and thats the bloody drummer. I mean can you imagine the Animals without Eric Burdon on vocals or Hilton Valentine on lead guitar I can't. Its like The Stones without Jagger & Richards, The Kinks without the Davies brothers, The Who without Daltry & Townsend.

I reckon its actually a tribute band and at £17.50 a ticket I think I'll go to the local Karaoke instead.

And just to remember the proper line up :-

Happy Birthday Noddy

Well my first taste of music was in the Glam Rock years of the early 70's and there was only one group and one lead singer that summed up the era.

So Happy 63rd Birthday today to Noddy Holder

What the Sixties gave us (1)

From the days music was created from talent & not just a few buttons on a computor, here are are four (all very different) classics that you've maybe not heard from some of Englands great 60's Bands, love to know what you think of each performance :-

1. The Animals "Tobacco Road" - Not the origional line up was actually billed as Eric Burdon & the New Animals but I think this disproves the theory white men can't sing the blues.


2. The Kinks "Don't Forget to Dance" - Ray Davies is a song writing god, I think this is bloody brilliant.


3. The Yardbirds "Mr you're a better man than I" - Lookout for a young Jimmy Page pre Led Zep in the photos.


4. Cream "Crossroads" - Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce & Ginger Baker perform the Robert Johnson Classic.