Showing posts with label Rock n Roll. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rock n Roll. Show all posts

Saturday 9 May 2020

Medieval Little Richard



When I was a lad my sister, eleven years older than I, would bring home records, those large black 78s' that once sent us all wild.  A huge pile eventually appeared in the house, mostly Rock and Roll, featuring all the favourites of the time.  Among them was one 45' that had four tracks upon it, these were songs by the fabulous Little Richard.  This was excellent and even as a stupid kid I really enjoyed 'Lucille' and 'The Girl Can't Help it' even if I understood nothing at the time.
His showmanship and rowdy performances really led Rock and Roll front.  To say he influenced music that followed is putting it mildly.  Most groups of the 60s were influenced by him, Paul McCartney was taught vocalisation by Richard when the Beatles fronted his UK tour.
His life became one of many ups and down, these were not to his benefit.  Having in recent years suffered stokes, heart problems and various other problems died today at the age of 87.
His music will remain for a long time.



This is a good book.  The author takes you through all the relevant bits, what to wear, where to stay, how to conduct yourself before authority and keep your head on, etc.  All very good stuff for anyone interested in England during the 14th century.  The author claims many things changed during this time, good things like the death of the brutal English King Edward I which brought joy to Scotland and Wales, and not so good thing like the plague, or the Peasants revolt, many peasants came from this district it must be said.  Some things do not change.  Fashions changed and Kings changed and 'English' became a language common to all, allowing for dialects, accents and local words and preferences for French.  All in all it is a good readable book.
However I gave up a third of the way through.  This is because that while readable it is not readable as a book, the make up of the book makes it readable as a reference book.  That is, if I was studying this period I would certainly have this book on my shelf, as a reference book to be 'dipped into' on a 'need' basis it is excellent, I will retain it myself for that purpose, however this book is not designed for the reader to 'read through.'  A shame, but if you are interested in the century Scotland got Robert the Bruce as King, Scotland of course is ignored alongside Wales except when appropriate by this book, or desire to know the background in which life existed, then this book is definitely for you.



Wednesday 25 October 2017

'Fats'

                           

One of New Orleans most famous characters and the man who may be credited with the first 'Rock n Roll' record ('The Fat Man') has sadly passed on. Fats Domino, one of the great music influences leaves a long list of great songs, this video contains the best.



Friday 15 January 2016

Friday Night is Music Night, at least on here...




  



  

Music to make the head think and the heart leap!

 

Monday 11 January 2016

Wowie!


The media are in overdrive this morning at the death of David Bowie.
I am unmoved.
I bought his album 'The Man Who Sold the World' when it first came out and considered it far ahead of its time.  He was booked to play in Edinburgh that night but I managed to avoid him, I suspect the £1:50 entrance fee put me off.  His next, 'Ziggy Stardust,' was OK but not as powerful as 'The Man...' at its launch.  Both were enjoyed at the time and Bowie was among the top stars of his day but then he trailed off somewhat.  Always a wee bit not right in the head he ended the 'Ziggy' period and went off the rails as far as I can remember.  Listening again to 'The Man Who Sold the World' I find I cannot recollect any of the songs bar the signature one and while this album appeared so far ahead of its time now appears dead and lifeless, indeed somewhat dated.  This reaction has not happened for me with the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Cream or many others I wonder if that is Bowie or just me? 
Most lost interest when his 'gay' life appeared at the beginning of the 'Glam Rock' period and then his music took on the 80's empty sham style that pervaded the era.  Fancy hairstyles and absurd fashion dominated while music was all show and shallowness which fitted the decade.  
Music has got worse since!
Bowie took to acting and various other activities while I was too busy having a life and working for to keep a roof over my head.  His life no longer interested and his music when it appeared was dire.  He always struck me as someone not quite all there possibly chasing something that he could never find.  People tend to call this 'inventive' but all too often it was desperation it seems to me.
Now he has died after suffering from a horrible disease and the media who have ignored him now lather themselves in a frenzy!  Hour after hour his music, mostly the dreadful 80's stuff, has been played at each and every opportunity.  Let me remind folks he was not as important as they make him out to be.


Monday 16 July 2012

Time Catches up on us All



One of the better class of rock groups 'Deep Purple' were excellent at their job!  This was one of the albums I obtained and attempted to wear out, and at 36 shillings and 8 pence I was taking a chance!  Rock groups today often have a good musician or two but often appear to me at least to be a bit 'plastic,' a wee bit made up if you like.  Deep Purple were the real deal!  Today however time caught up with 71 year old John Lord the classically trained keyboard player and one of the two founder members of the band.  He died after suffering an awful illness but leaves behind a good few memories.   BBC John Lord  


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