http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/en-EUMokoFeed10http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/78/f6fdb908667df3a65c9a374016fcf0_160x200.jpghttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/a-tragic-end-7270550/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-10-29:/2009/10/29/a-tragic-end-7270550/Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:13:28 +0100 <p>I don't usually post on random news stories but this one today I found particularly poignant.</p> <p>"A teenage folk singer has died after being set upon by two coyotes as she hiked alone in a national park in Nova Scotia.<br> Taylor Mitchell, 19, a rising star of the Canadian music scene, died in Halifax hospital yesterday after the normally shy animals attacked her as she hiked one of the most scenic trails in Cape Breton Park.<br> Walkers who heard her frantic screams alerted park rangers, who shot one of the coyotes.<br> The Toronto-born singer was airlifted to Halifax general hospital where she later died.</p> <p>What a sad end to a talented young girl's life who had a promising future to look forward to. She was due to attend the Canadian Folk Awards on the 21st of next month as she had been nominated in the Young Performer of the year category.</p> <p><strong>Young Performer of the Year Nominees<br> Ariana Gillis – Ariana Gillis (Vineland, ON)<br> Chrissy Crowley – The Departure (Margaree, NS)<br> Qristina and Quinn Bachand – Relative Minors (Victoria, BC)<br> Sierra Noble – Possibilities (Winnipeg)<br> Taylor Mitchell – For Your Consideration (Toronto)</strong></p> <p>To see and hear Taylor go to her MySpace website</p> <p><a href="http://www.myspace.com/taylormitchellband">http://www.myspace.com/taylormitchellband</a></p> <p>or look on Youtube at the tribute videos which are now being downloaded</p> <p>WHAT WERE YOU DOING HIKING ALONE TAYLOR? .....R.I.P </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/a-tragic-end-7270550/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/a-tragic-end-7270550/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/i-m-marching-off-to-bedlam-7188681/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-10-17:/2009/10/17/i-m-marching-off-to-bedlam-7188681/Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:07:45 +0200 <p><strong>Were all Napoleon XIV's tracks related to the 'loony bin'?</p> <p>Most of us 'oldies' will remember his most famous song.</p> <p>><br> <p>Not exactly 'happy' but what the heck, they will probably make some folk smile! </strong></p> <p>Artist info.</p> <blockquote><p>The pseudonym of US songwriter, performer and recording engineer Jerry Samuels, Napoleon XIV burst into the US/UK Top 10 in the summer of 1966 with the bizarre ‘They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!’. Although clearly a novelty song, its subject matter, mental illness (brought on by the loss of the singer’s dog), prompted a ban on many American radio stations. An attempted follow-up, ‘I’m In Love With My Little Red Tricycle’ failed to capture the public’s imagination and Napoleon’s credibility was further dented when it was revealed that the performer undertaking personal appearances to promote the record was not Samuels but a certain Richard Stern. The presence of Napoleon imitator Kim Fowley hardly helped matters. An album based round the hit with lyrics by comedy writer Jim Lehrer was rushed out but in spite of such amusing titles as ‘Photogenic, Schizophrenic You’, ‘The Nuts In My Family Tree’ and ‘Bats In My Belfry’, it failed to sell in vast quantities. Its final track was not even by Napoleon but instead featured the strains of Josephine XV warbling the acerbic ‘I’m Happy They Took You Away, Ha-Haaa!’. In 1990, Napoleon’s finest moment was given a fresh airing courtesy of former Dead Kennedys vocalist Jello Biafra, whose new group Lard recorded a startling version of the hit.</p></blockquote> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/i-m-marching-off-to-bedlam-7188681/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/i-m-marching-off-to-bedlam-7188681/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/still-happy-talking-7188342/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-10-17:/2009/10/17/still-happy-talking-7188342/Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:10:28 +0200 <p>Happy talk, keep talkin' happy talk,<br> Talk about things you'd like to do.<br> You got to have a dream,<br> If you don't have a dream,<br> How you gonna have a dream come true?</p> <p>Talk about the moon floatin' in the sky<br> Lookin' at a lily on the lake;<br> Talk about a bird learnin' how to fly.<br> Makin' all the music he can make.</p> <blockquote> <p> I like the simplicity of 'Happy Talk' from The original movie version of South Pacific.<br> The music was written by Richard Rodgers, the lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.<br> The song was sung by Bloody Mary to her daughter, Liat, about having a happy life.</p> <p>..but for a Blog Happy Saturday I think this version is more appropriate<br> A classic example of Captain Sensible's off-the-wall sense of humor,<br> In June 1982, The Damned's guitarist Captain Sensible scored a no.1 on the UK singles chart for two weeks with his version of the song.</p> </blockquote> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/still-happy-talking-7188342/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>happy-talkhttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/still-happy-talking-7188342/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/don-t-cry-for-me-a-7090761/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-10-03:/2009/10/03/don-t-cry-for-me-a-7090761/Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:40:36 +0200 <p><strong>I ventured into town this morning in a valiant effort to venture further afield.<br> After about fifteen minutes traipsing around the shops I was in great need of a rest and a sit down <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> so I found a bench in the precinct and sat down to listen to a lone musician playing pop classics on his electric guitar.<br> One tune he played instantly made me think of Julie Covington's great version from the 1970's..so of course when I arrived home I had to find her version on Youtube. I just love her pure and gutsy voice</p> <p>"Don't Cry For Me Argentina"</p> <p>If you remember the classic 1970's TV programme Rock Follies then you will know Julie Covington from that.<br> <a href="http://www.therockfollies.co.uk/">http://www.therockfollies.co.uk/</a></p> <p>After listening to various versions of the song I decided that out of all the others I like this version by Sinead O' Connor as an alternative. It is in a completely different style to Julie Covingtons and although some say it is lacking in emotion it displays a quiet subtle strength and power in Sinead's voice that doesn't need to be belted out, also I think the orchestra arrangement is fabulous.</p> </strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/don-t-cry-for-me-a-7090761/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/don-t-cry-for-me-a-7090761/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/08/22/whippersnapper-6795167/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-08-22:/2009/08/22/whippersnapper-6795167/Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:17:18 +0200 <p><strong>Definition of 'Whippersnapper'<br> <em>an unimportant but offensively presumptuous person, esp. a young one.</em></p> <p>Whippersnapper, the folk rock group was formed in 1983 by Dave Swarbrick. His career to date meant he was already a legend on the folk scene having been a member of The Ian Campbell Folk Group and of course Fairport Convention.<br> Whippersnapper was the first band he had brought together himself. Initial contact was with Martin Jenkins and Chris Leslie. Looking for a fourth member, Martin recommended fellow Coventry musician Kevin Dempsey to complete the quartet. Swarb now had three of the most respected acoustic string players in the country as his fellow musicians.</p> <p>In their first year together they played at the two most famous folk festivals in the UK - Cambridge and Cropredy. Through the second half of the 1980s Whippersnapper remained one of the must-see (and must-hear) bands playing on the British acoustic music scene. Tour gigs were inevitable sell-out dates and festival organisers vied to book them. They released five albums - the classic Promises (1985), Tsubo (1987), the live album These Foolish Strings (1989), Fortune (1989) and Stories (1991). By the time the final album was released, Swarb had left the band he had formed, leaving the others to continue as a trio.</p> <p>Remembered with a combination of affection, reverence and delight, Whippersnapper remain of the truly great English folk bands, a watershed in the music`s post-folk-rock development.</p> <p>I remember seeing the band at a couple of small folk festivals around 1987. I bought a cassette tape of 'Tsubo' which I still play occasionally today.</p> <p>In 2007 Whippersnapper reformed and as I can't find any Youtube videos from their eighties gigs here is one from the first gig of their 2009 re-union tour and although they appear to lack a little of the energy from the eighties, they are still ace!</p> <p>a favourite track of mine from the Tsubo album is this old classic<br> "Fare thee well my lovely Nancy"</p> <p>For many years Swarbrick has suffered steadily worsening health due to emphysema. There was considerable embarrassment for the Daily Telegraph newspaper in 1999 when it published a premature obituary for Swarbrick after he was admitted to hospital with a chest infection<br> The Daily Telegraph came mistakenly to believe that Dave Swarbrick had died and published <a href="http://www.alexlyons.co.uk/atrax/swarb_archive/obituary_files/telegraph_obituary.htm">this obituary on 20 April 1999</a>. The paper apologised when it found out it was mistaken.</p> <p>Dave and Christine Pegg launched the SwarbAid, including a fund-raising concert at Birmingham's Symphony Hall in July 1999, and a limited-edition EP live recorded in the hope of paying for his treatment. After a relapse they launched SwarbAid II with a similar concert in 2004.<br> Swarbrick was fortunate enough, in October 2004, to receive a double lung transplant and has since enjoyed improved health and a better quality of life after being confined to a wheelchair for some years.</p> <p></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/08/22/whippersnapper-6795167/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/08/22/whippersnapper-6795167/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/i-want-to-see-the-bright-lights-6773051/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-08-21:/2009/08/21/i-want-to-see-the-bright-lights-6773051/Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:49:30 +0200 <p><strong>There are people who one meets just a few times a year when one attends the same events year in, year out<br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SIMMO7TS">Pete Simmonds</a> is one such person. I chatted to him earlier in the year at Wath and Shepley folk festivals but as I haven't made it to any events since he took the trouble to email me recently to see how I was.<br> He goes to many many festivals throughout the year and as my attendance is limited to just a few a year he knows how I love to catch up on what I have missed by watching the videos he posts on Youtube.<br> He has just posted a batch of videos which he recorded at this month's Cropredy Festival one of which brought back memories to me of a younger Richard and Linda Thompson singing this same song many years ago in 1980 when I saw them at Cambridge folk festival.</p> <p>Here is a rather bad scan of a photo I took back then(probably with my Kodak instamatic)</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/scan0001/3809145" title="scan0001"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/145/3809145_2c2913a8de_m.jpg" alt="scan0001"></a></p> <p>and here's Richard Thompson in August 2009 ... altogether now <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> </strong></p> <p>I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight<br> Written by Richard Thompson </p> <p>I’m so tired of working every day,<br> Now the weekend’s come I’m gonna throw my troubles away<br> If you’ve got the cab fare, mister you’ll do all right<br> I want to see the bright lights tonight</p> <p>Meet me at the station don’t be late<br> I need to spend some money and it just won’t wait<br> Take me to the dance and hold me tight<br> I want to see the bright lights tonight</p> <p>There’s crazy people running all over town<br> There’s a silver band just marching up and down<br> And the big boys are all spoiling for a fight<br> I want to see the bright lights tonight</p> <p>Meet me at the station don’t be late<br> I need to spend some money and it just won’t wait<br> Take me to the dance and hold me tight<br> I want to see the bright lights tonight</p> <p>A couple of drunken nights rolling on the floor<br> Is just the kind of mess I’m looking for<br> I’m gonna dream ‘till Monday comes in sight<br> I want to see the bright lights tonight</p> <p>Meet me at the station don’t be late<br> I need to spend some money and it just won’t wait<br> Take me to the dance and hold me tight<br> I want to see the bright lights tonight</p> <p>Take me to the dance and hold me tight<br> I want to see the bright lights tonight </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/i-want-to-see-the-bright-lights-6773051/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/08/21/i-want-to-see-the-bright-lights-6773051/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/07/23/i-can-see-clearly-now-6572215/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-07-23:/2009/07/23/i-can-see-clearly-now-6572215/Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:17:15 +0200 <p><strong>I've posted this video for no other reason than that the tune keeps running through my head.</p> <p>I remember in the mid 1970's a one-time boyfriend of mine would sit on my living room floor in my council flat near 'Mornington Crescent' singing and practising playing this song with his guitar for hours on end ...apparently there are some really tricky bits.</p> <p>Johnny Nash ...I can see clearly ...</p> </strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/07/23/i-can-see-clearly-now-6572215/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/07/23/i-can-see-clearly-now-6572215/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/06/06/seems-like-a-magnamonous-gesture-6252113/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-06-06:/2009/06/06/seems-like-a-magnamonous-gesture-6252113/Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:51:06 +0200 <p><strong> Oasis have announced refund details for their show last night (June 4) at Manchester's Heaton Park, which saw the band leave the stage twice due to technical difficulties.<br> The Gallaghers promised to give fans at the 70,000-capacity venue their money back, even though they ultimately returned to complete a 23-song set and played past curfew.</p> <p>'My Bella' wasn't there on the 4th but she is there tonight, which is approximately nine years since I accompanied her to see them live at the Leeds Carling Festival.<br> Back then she was a fan and one could often hear the latest Oasis track coming from the closed bedroom door <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Radiohead are her all time favourite band and she hopes to see them again (for the 4th time) back in Leeds later this year and it seems like she will be getting her 'fill' of Oasis too as they have been booked to headline the Benicasm festival in Spain which she will be attending as well<img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>As for me, this year, i'll just close my eyes and drift back to those Bella britpop teenage days when this popular track accosted my eardrums with great regularity (complete with female, teenage wailing)!</p> </strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/06/06/seems-like-a-magnamonous-gesture-6252113/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/06/06/seems-like-a-magnamonous-gesture-6252113/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/05/14/dedication-s-the-word-6113672/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-05-14:/2009/05/14/dedication-s-the-word-6113672/Thu, 14 May 2009 12:36:58 +0200 <p><strong><em>This chap on the right in the pic below, the one with the camera, has a Youtube name of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SIMMO7TS">SIMMO7TS.. </a></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Wath-F.F-009"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/932/3496932_2998d971a7_m.jpg" alt="Wath-F.F-009" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> I captured him and a pal while he was videoing the The Mighty Zulu Nation at Wath Folk Festival a couple of weeks ago<br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEQI9wQ8Y_A">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEQI9wQ8Y_A</a></p> <p>This other pic below was taken at Shepley a year ago..I bet he doesn't realise he has a stalker <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0">(only kidding Pete)</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Shepley-May-2008-011"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/627/3504627_9680d73dcb_m.jpg" alt="Shepley-May-2008-011" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I spot him at most of the folk festivals I go to as he makes it his mission to attend as many as possible videoing the acts as he goes in order to post them for all the festival fans to peruse at their leisure.<br> This is pleasing as it means that I will be able to view some of the acts I missed at Holmfirth last weekend due to ill health.<br> At this moment in time, in less than three years, he has posted around 1,900 music videos ranging from the top artists at the large festivals to the pub singarounds at the 'village dos'</p> <p>What is so great about viewing his videos is that it gives a true reflection of what is going on in today's folk scene and shows the singers as they really are, warts and all without all the gloss of the 'manufactered' promotional vids.<br> Here is one of his most discussed videos, it is one of Maddy Prior at Brampton in 2007 </p> <p>In contrast here is one of one of the most enjoyable bands I saw last year, the fabulous Bellowhead at the 2008 Shepley Festival.</p> <p>I like this one too<br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WlwdwbaIcQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WlwdwbaIcQ</a></p> <p>So fellow bloggers why not take a look at some of his videos, there's a whole archive and variety of acts to choose from .<br> Keep up the good work there Pete and maybe i'll sneak another pic of you at next weekend's festival <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p></em></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/05/14/dedication-s-the-word-6113672/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/05/14/dedication-s-the-word-6113672/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/05/01/busking-in-leeds-6042842/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-05-01:/2009/05/01/busking-in-leeds-6042842/Fri, 01 May 2009 20:58:14 +0200 <p><strong>Here is another regular Leeds busker as opposed to the one I wrote about earlier <a href="http://isadora101.blog.co.uk/2009/05/01/ordinary-is-good-6042580/">HERE</a></p> <p>This young busker has quite a following locally and when I saw him busking late last summer there were about thirty people sat on the floor in the precinct sitting around as he gave an impromptu concert.<br> He wasn't busking when this video was filmed but if you youtube search 'Tristan Mackay' there a variety of clips to peruse.</p> <p>Just thought i'd show this youtube vid though, the visual quality is not that good but it shows the real Leeds busking experience (note the old fella who wants to get in on the act)</p> <p></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/05/01/busking-in-leeds-6042842/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/05/01/busking-in-leeds-6042842/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/04/14/it-just-fits-the-mood-5945435/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-04-14:/2009/04/14/it-just-fits-the-mood-5945435/Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:19:59 +0200 <p>I know i've just said i'm going on a mini blog break but just wanted to post this version of one of my favourite sixties songs.</p> <p>There are so many versions of this song<br> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_You_Love_Me_Tomorrow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_You_Love_Me_Tomorrow</a></p> <p>but this is the one i'm wallowing in right now.</p> <p>Amy Winehouse and 'will you still love me tomorrow'?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/04/14/it-just-fits-the-mood-5945435/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/04/14/it-just-fits-the-mood-5945435/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/03/24/blackbird-5823494/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-03-24:/2009/03/24/blackbird-5823494/Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:50:58 +0100 <p>I have posted this video for no other reason than that I came across it whilst looking for something nice and simple that I could just close my eyes and drift away to.<br> This did it for me...and besides Carly was one of my favourites from years gone by <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Covers don't necessarily mean an improvement of the original version(this being an original Beatles' classic) they can just be the expression of a different point of view. I think this one shows this.</p> <p>Sweet dreams and night night</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/03/24/blackbird-5823494/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/03/24/blackbird-5823494/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/02/07/a-doonan-babe-5527748/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-02-07:/2009/02/07/a-doonan-babe-5527748/Sat, 07 Feb 2009 23:30:21 +0100 <p><strong>Rosie Doonan is an exciting new singer songwriter. She was raised in Yorkshire within a family of musicians, dancers and performers. Consequently her influences are a heady brew and range from the music of the sixties e.g the stones, Free, Joni Mitchel and Nina Simone and more recently Damien Rice, Sheryl Crow and Portishead.<br> “Moving On” her first solo project perhaps unsurprisingly focuses on making a fresh start and developing new ideas. Her songs suggest feelings of moving on, travelling and all the emotions of elation and despair of falling in and out of love.</p> <p>Read more about her here<br> <a href="http://www.rosiedoonan.com/content/biog">http://www.rosiedoonan.com/content/biog</a></p> <p>Rosie went to the same school as my kids, her mother used to attend my belly dance class(although she is a morris dancer of long standing) and her dad is a member of the Doonan family band.<br> I've met her parents at many a gig up and down and always have a chat when we bump into each other at the supermarket.<br> I am pleased to see that Rosie has lots of gigs lined up this summer and I look forward to seeing her at the fab Warwick folk festival in July<img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>What do you think...is she any good then?</strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/02/07/a-doonan-babe-5527748/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/02/07/a-doonan-babe-5527748/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/27/oh-yes-it-s-the-spooky-men-s-horale-5460166/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-01-27:/2009/01/27/oh-yes-it-s-the-spooky-men-s-horale-5460166/Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:13:03 +0100 <p>Only look if you like 'off the wall' music.</p> <p>I saw this Australian group THE SPOOKY MEN'S CHORALE at Warwick Folk festival in 2007. They are really funny and the guys are very zany. After the concert a few of them held court in the beer tent and had a mega sing-song with the die-hards who weren't ready to go to their sleeping bags right away.</p> <p>I had so much fun with them that I put my name on their mailing list and today I received an email from Stephen Taberner of The Spooky man's chorale.</p> <p>...this is what it said</p> <blockquote><p>hi folks</p> <p>we now have a youtube video of the flashmob event in Melbourne in December last year, if you are interested....the ironically intended "buy more stuff!" seemed even more appropriate as our prime minister elevated consumerism to a virtual public duty in the face of looming recession. the crazy scenes at the end are of us accidentally bumping into another flashmob who were also rampaging through the city on the same night with ghetto blasters playing a composition for christmas bells.</p> <p>it's at <a href="http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ooBA6jdc9Lc">http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ooBA6jdc9Lc</a></p> <p>enjoy, and pass it on if you like!<br> warm regards<br> stephen taberner<br> flashmeister/spookmeister </p></blockquote> <p>This is the video that the link leads to...Watch it if you like random things...I do, that's why I am looking forward to seeing them again when they return to the UK this summer <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/27/oh-yes-it-s-the-spooky-men-s-horale-5460166/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/27/oh-yes-it-s-the-spooky-men-s-horale-5460166/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/26/definitely-pipers-not-peppers-5452839/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-01-26:/2009/01/26/definitely-pipers-not-peppers-5452839/Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:35:11 +0100 <p><strong>It being Burns' night last, my thoughts wandered to the memory of my lovely scottish mother and I ended up spending the evening trawling Youtube listening to a diverse selection of scottish tunes.</p> <p>I came upon a name I recognised.."NO" not the 'Chilli Peppers' but the Red Hot Chilli Pipers!<br> I knew the name 'cos they are one of the artists booked to appear at the first folk festival I will be attending this year<br> <a href="http://www.shepleyspringfestival.com/">SHEPLEY FOLK FESTIVAL</a><br> If this video is anything to go by it should be a good gig, bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent, it's a great fusion of scottish traditional and rock.....roll on May<img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I even think my mother who would be in her eighties now would have enjoyed it, although not as much as she used to enjoy listening to Kenneth McKellar and Andy Stewart <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/26/definitely-pipers-not-peppers-5452839/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/26/definitely-pipers-not-peppers-5452839/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/14/elkie-s-a-singer-and-a-pearl-at-that-5377266/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-01-14:/2009/01/14/elkie-s-a-singer-and-a-pearl-at-that-5377266/Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:53:29 +0100 <p><strong>Born Elaine Bookbinder in Salford, Manchester, Elkie Brooks has become one of the most successful and respected singing talents in the UK. Her career has spanned nearly five decades, produced 19 studio albums, and earned her numerous awards and accolades.</p> <p>I was first aware of Elkie when she fronted Vinegar Joe...Back then she was often compared to the late great Janis Joplin</p> <p>Vinegar Joe was a British R&B band in the early 1970s, who were best known for live shows.<br> The core members were lead singers Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer, bassist Steve York, keyboard player Tim Hinkley and guitarist Pete Gage .<br> They released three albums on different record labels defore the band dissolved at the end of 1973.</p> <p>Around 1976 Elkie formed her own band and released an album followed by a tour. band members consisted of<br> Elkie Brooks (vocals)<br> Isaac Guillory (guitar)<br> Steve York (bass)<br> Tim Hinkley (keyboards)<br> Trevor Morais (drums)<br> Jimmy Chambers (backing vocals)</p> <p>I managed to see Elkie in one of these concerts during 1977 at Ronnie Scott's club in London and she was brilliant, The songs 'Pearl's a singer' and 'Sunshine after the rain' were hits in the UK around then.<br> ,</p> <p>Elkie is 64 years of age now and tonight, I am with anticipation, looking forward to seeing her perform at Wakefield Theatre Opera house.<br> She has consistly performed throughout the years so although I don't quite know what to expect tonight, what I am sure of is that she will still be giving it her best shot.</strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/14/elkie-s-a-singer-and-a-pearl-at-that-5377266/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/14/elkie-s-a-singer-and-a-pearl-at-that-5377266/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/01/bin-a-gud-year-for-t-roses-5308941/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2009-01-01:/2009/01/01/bin-a-gud-year-for-t-roses-5308941/Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:54:11 +0100 <p><strong>It's been a lazy sort of a day..relaxing with a bag of liquorice allsorts when out of the blue this tune popped into my head</p> <p>"It's been a good year for the Roses"..I said to t'old man</p> <p>"Aye", he said "but could ha bin better"</p> <p>"NO, Elvis Costello" I enthused</p> <p>"Aye" he nodded "I remember that"</p> <p>Look out for Patrick Duffy of 'Dallas' fame on the drums <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> </strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/01/bin-a-gud-year-for-t-roses-5308941/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2009/01/01/bin-a-gud-year-for-t-roses-5308941/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/12/14/hallelujah-twice-over-5221775/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-12-14:/2008/12/14/hallelujah-twice-over-5221775/Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:32:32 +0100 <p><strong>Jeff Buckley's 'Hallelujah' in chart battle with 'X Factor' version</p> <p>Buckley fans protest against the TV talent show's cover of Leonard Cohen's song<br> Jeff Buckley's version of 'Hallelujah' re-entered the UK singles chart two weeks before the winner of this year's 'X Factor' will release a cover of the song in a bid to get the coveted Christmas Number One.</p> <p>Before the winner of the TV talent show had been decided, fans of Buckley's version of the song - and Leonard Cohen's, who wrote the song - have been buying his version in protest.</p> <p>Buckley's 'Hallelujah' - from his 1994 debut 'Grace' - is currently at number 30 in the charts, from number 43 last week Dec 6th.<br> The song has not been re-released physically.</p> <p>Ironically, this is not the first time Buckley's version of 'Hallelujah' has benefited from one of Simon Cowell's TV talent shows.<br> In March 2008, the song reached the top of Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart after American Idol contestant Jason Castro performed the song on the show. </p> <p>Embedding is disabled on YouTube but click this link to listen to it..it really is worth it.</p> <p><a href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AratTMGrHaQ">http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AratTMGrHaQ</a></p> <p>Just for good measure here is the original Cohen version.</p> <p></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/12/14/hallelujah-twice-over-5221775/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/12/14/hallelujah-twice-over-5221775/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/12/12/stanley-holloway-where-did-you-get-that-hat-5209556/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-12-12:/2008/12/12/stanley-holloway-where-did-you-get-that-hat-5209556/Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:32:57 +0100 <p><strong>In honour of blog hat day......</p> <p>WHERE DID YOU GET THAT HAT ?<br> (Joseph J. Sullivan) (1888)<br> (James Rolmaz) (1901)</p> <p>J.C. Heffron</p> <p>Also recorded by :<br> Stanley Holloway</p> <p>Now how I came to get this hat, 'tis very strange and funny<br> Grandfather died and left to me his property and money<br> And when the will it was read out, they told me straight and flat<br> If I would have his money, I must always wear his hat</p> <p>CHORUS<br> "Where did you get that hat? Where did you get that tile?<br> Isn't it a nobby one, and just the proper style?<br> I should like to have one Just the same as that!"<br> Where'er I go, they shout "Hello! Where did you get that hat?"</p> <p>If I go to the op'ra house, in the op'ra season<br> There's someone sure to shout at me without the slightest reason<br> If I go to a concert hall to have a jolly spree<br> There's someone in the party who is sure to shout at me</p> <p>CHORUS</p> <p>At twenty-one I thought I would to my sweetheart get married<br> The people in the neighbourhood had said too long we'd tarried<br> So off to church we went right quick, determined to get wed<br> I had not long been in there, when the parson to me said</p> <p>CHORUS</p> <p>I once tried hard to be M.P. but failed to get elected<br> Upon a tub I stood, round which a thousand folks collected<br> And I had dodged the eggs and bricks (which was no easy task)<br> When one man cried, "A question I the candidate would ask!"</p> <p>CHORUS</p> <p>When Colonel South, the millionaire, gave his last garden party<br> I was amongst the guests who had a welcome true and hearty<br> The Prince of Wales was also there, and my heart jumped with glee<br> When I was told the Prince would like to have a word with me</p> </strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/12/12/stanley-holloway-where-did-you-get-that-hat-5209556/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/12/12/stanley-holloway-where-did-you-get-that-hat-5209556/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/12/08/hassan-erraji-performs-in-bradford-5182365/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-12-08:/2008/12/08/hassan-erraji-performs-in-bradford-5182365/Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:09:53 +0100 <p>When I went to the restaurant in Bradford last week I knew I was in for a treat. I blogged about the dancers, the food and the ambience but omitted to mention the singer.<br> I hadn't realised 'til I arrived that there was a singer/musician due to perform too.<br> Hassan Erraji is a blind Morrocan now based in Yorkshire who has had quite a varid and interesting lifWhen I went to the restaurant in Bradford last week I knew I was in for a treat. I blogged about the dancers, the food and the ambience but omitted to mention the singer.<br> I hadn't realised 'til I arrived that there was a singer/musician due to perform too.<br> Hassan Erraji is a blind Morrocan now based in Yorkshire who has had quite a varid and interesting life.<br> here is a write up about him</p> <blockquote><p>Hassan Erraji is a sightless master musician and a prolific composer and singer songwriter. He was born in Tazart, a village near Marrakesh, in Southern Morocco. He has made music from an early age. As a boy he made his first instrument from a tin can and a piece of wood, with bicycle brake cables for strings.<br> As a teenager, he performed with folk bands, then later he took up the oud (fretless Arab lute) and studied Arab music theory. He graduated from le Conservatoir Municipal de Casablanca, before moving to Belgium where he studied the violin and European classical music at L’Academie de Music de Woluwe St. Lambert in Brussels.<br> His main stage instrument is the oud, but he is also accomplished with hand-drums, the qanun (harp-zither), the nay (end-blown bamboo flute), and the violin, and other instruments. His performances are enhanced by his interesting and fluent vocals.<br> He now performs throughout Great Britain and Europe, either solo or with his group</p></blockquote> <p>I took this photo at the restaurant last week. Hassan is jamming with an aquaintance of mine<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/imgp3006/3037068" title="IMGP3006"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/068/3037068_aa3f46628c_s.jpg" alt="IMGP3006" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> I managed to find a file of his singing.<br> Although his music won't be to everyone's taste take a listen ...I loved it!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/12/08/hassan-erraji-performs-in-bradford-5182365/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/12/08/hassan-erraji-performs-in-bradford-5182365/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/11/27/the-wonderful-melanie-safka-5120514/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-11-27:/2008/11/27/the-wonderful-melanie-safka-5120514/Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:16:54 +0100<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/user/dennypoos">Dennypoos</a> has likened <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/agfa_scanwise_1/739155">a photo of me</a> taken in the mid '70's to the inimitable 'Melanie..that is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanie_Safka">Melanie Safka</a> she of 'Brand new Key' fame. Melanie is just a year older than me so it was probably "the look" back then. This got me scurrying to youtube to see what I could I find and enable me to wallow in a bygone age, one where I felt young and free without a care in the world...or so it seemed! I had one of Melanie's albums back then and played it endlessly. Here she is around 1970 with Look what they've done to my song I was curious to find some recent work of hers as I believe she runs a tea-shop in Seattle now. Here she is singing one of her most recent compositions written in 2004, filmed in 2007 I think...echoing words which many a baby boomers can identify with ...I tried to die young. I TRIED TO DIE YOUNG Lyrics by Melanie Safka Music by Melanie Safka and Beau Jarred Schekeryk © 2004 Two Story Publishing (ASCAP) I tried to die young Really I tried But the voice deep inside would not let me succumb I laugh at the things I’ve done When I tried to die young I took a plane through the dawn Threw mys<p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/11/27/the-wonderful-melanie-safka-5120514/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/11/27/the-wonderful-melanie-safka-5120514/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/11/27/cherry-ripe-5118519/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-11-27:/2008/11/27/cherry-ripe-5118519/Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:06:25 +0100 <p>When I was in the choir at school in the late 1950's (before I was chucked out for singing out of tune)I learnt the song Cherry ripe.<br> I have tried to find a clip on the internet of the song being sung but with no success.<br> All I could find is this piece without the words.</p> <p>Here is a small write up on the tune with the few words that I remember</p> <p>Cherry Ripe is an English folk song to words by the English poet Robert Herrick (1591-1674), which contains the refrain,</p> <p>Cherry ripe, cherry ripe,<br> Ripe I cry,<br> Full and fair ones<br> Come and buy.<br> Cherry ripe, cherry ripe,<br> Ripe I cry,<br> Full and fair ones<br> Come and buy.[1]</p> <p>An earlier poem by Thomas Campion (1567 – 1620) used the same title Cherry Ripe.</p> <p>The song's title has been used in other contexts on a number of occasions since. Its tune has also been appropriated for other uses. The song was popular in the time of WWI.<br> <u><br> An add on</u><br> In 1879 the name 'Cherry Ripe' was adopted by John Everett Millais as the title of his immensely popular painting depicting a young girl with cherries. It was based loosely on Joshua Reynolds's portrait of Penelope Boothby. The painting was reproduced in colour as a chromolithograph by the The Graphic newspaper as a gift with its Christmas edition. The image vastly increased the newspaper's sales.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/300px_cherryripe1879_by_john_everett_millais/3021680" title="300px-CherryRipe1879_by_John_Everett_Millais"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/680/3021680_7afa52722d_m.jpg" alt="300px-CherryRipe1879_by_John_Everett_Millais" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/11/27/cherry-ripe-5118519/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/11/27/cherry-ripe-5118519/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/11/15/on-my-out-out-5039664/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-11-15:/2008/11/15/on-my-out-out-5039664/Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:57:20 +0100 <p>Last week I bought a Cara Dillon CD from a library sale for a £1.<br> I'm desperately trying to wind down as I get ready to depart for Leeds so i'm playing it right now.<br> I can feel myself getting hyper and am determined not to be the blithering idiot that confronted Kelly in Manchester this time last year<img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"><br> i can't guarantee I won't be though <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/11/15/on-my-out-out-5039664/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/11/15/on-my-out-out-5039664/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/10/06/i-m-still-listening-4831004/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-10-06:/2008/10/06/i-m-still-listening-4831004/Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:41:02 +0200 <p><strong>To the Doors.</p> <p>Seaside man referred to the Doors first album and it reminded of some real psychedelic rock from it...the well known song but is an original Doors composition <u>'Light my fire' </u> I love it <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> I like Jose Feliciano's version too but it seems a bit tame in comparison to this.</p> <p><u>Riders on the Storm</u></p> <p>For MrFlighty 'cos he says he likes it...funny that as it was my ex husband's favourite Doors track too <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>T'old man thinks all Door's music is a racket...but what does he know <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/10/06/i-m-still-listening-4831004/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/10/06/i-m-still-listening-4831004/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/10/06/right-now-i-m-listening-to-4827817/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-10-06:/2008/10/06/right-now-i-m-listening-to-4827817/Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:08:46 +0200 <p><strong>THE DOORS</p> <p>I have posted a track from the Doors on one of my blogs before but seeing as The Sunday times gave me a litle present of The Doors CD Strange days with the newspaper yesterday I make no apologies for doing so again.<br> I have still got my rather battered original Vinyl copy of Strange days from almost forty years ago and for the last ten years i've been meaning to replace it seeing as I don't have a deck now.<br> I'm often to be heard singing lines from 'People are Strange'..and now life really is strange for who'd have thought that copies of this brill album would be handed out free all these years later.</p> <p>A couple of my favourite tracks from the album</p> <p>Love me two times</p> </strong></p> <p>People are strange</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/10/06/right-now-i-m-listening-to-4827817/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/10/06/right-now-i-m-listening-to-4827817/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/09/22/mr-bruin-s-favourites-4754544/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-09-22:/2008/09/22/mr-bruin-s-favourites-4754544/Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:11:26 +0200 <p><strong>Moving on from my pre-school music.</p> <p>When I was at Junior school back in the late 1950's in a small Yorkshire mining village, at assembly the headmaster would bring in an old gramaphone and every morning we would sit and listen to one of his selection of old '78' records.<br> They were mainly classical and I remember him playing Handel's Water music quite regularly, Strauss was another popular composer he would play Johann Strauss's 'Tales From the Vienna Woods' and the ever popular 'Blue Danube'.</p> <p>As a child though I would look forward to the days when he would treat us with a version of Sergei Prokofiev's 'Peter and the Wolf' as we knew the story behind the music and our imaginations would come alive.<br> Here is a little clip which the younger generation may enjoy.</p> <p>I didn't carry on with a passion for classical music when I left junior school but it must have made an impression because this is about the only thing I really remember about Mr Bruin..Headmaster<br> </strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/09/22/mr-bruin-s-favourites-4754544/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/09/22/mr-bruin-s-favourites-4754544/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/29/she-wears-red-feathers-4654537/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-08-29:/2008/08/29/she-wears-red-feathers-4654537/Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:16:50 +0200 <p><strong>I've been trying to remember some songs from my childhood and this sprung to mind.<br> My mother was well up with the charts in 1953..we didn't have a TV but the radio was on constantly.<br> In March 1953 this song was no.1 in the charts for 4 weeks and in the charts for 16 weeks total.<br> Mother taught me some actions for the song and it became my party piece at the ripe old age of four..my hip swivelling goes right back to that Hooley hooley skirt <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>She Wears Red Feathers"- GUY MITCHELL</p> <p>(She wears red feathers and a hooly-hooly skirt)<br> (She wears red feathers and a hooly-hooly skirt)<br> She lives on just cokey-nuts and fish from the sea<br> A rose in her hair, a gleam in her eyes<br> And love in her heart for me</p> <p>I work in a London bank, respectable position<br> From nine to three they serve you tea<br> But ruin your disposition<br> Each night of music calls, rather lost I seem<br> And once a pearl of a native girl came smilin' right at me</p> <p>She wears red feathers and a hooly-hooly skirt<br> She wears red feathers and a hooly-hooly skirt<br> She lives on just cokey-nuts and fish from the sea<br> A rose in her hair, a gleam in her eyes<br> And love in her heart for me</p> <p>Goodbye to the London bank, I started in a-sailin'<br> The fourteenth day from Mandalay I spied her from the railin'<br> She knew I was on my way, waited, and was true<br> She said "You son of an Englishman, I've dreamed each night of you"</p> <p>She wears red feathers and a hooly-hooly skirt<br> She wears red feathers and a hooly-hooly skirt<br> She lives on just cokey-nuts and fish from the sea<br> A rose in her hair, a gleam in her eyes<br> And love in her heart for me</p> <p>I went to her Ma and Pa and said I loved her only<br> And they both said we could be wed, oh, what a ceremony<br> An elephant brought her in, placed her by my side<br> While six baboons got out bassoons and played "Here Comes the Bride"</p> <p>I'm back here in London town and, though it may sound silly<br> She's here with me and you should see us walk down Picadilly<br> The boys at the London bank kinda hold their breath<br> She sits with me and sips her tea which tickles them to death</p> <p>She wears red feathers and a hooly-hooly skirt<br> She wears red feathers and a hooly-hooly skirt<br> She lives on just cokey-nuts and fish from the sea<br> A rose in her hair, a gleam in her eyes<br> And love (and love) in her heart (in her heart) for me</p> <p></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/29/she-wears-red-feathers-4654537/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/29/she-wears-red-feathers-4654537/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/he-put-a-spell-on-who-4622951/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-08-22:/2008/08/22/he-put-a-spell-on-who-4622951/Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:46:41 +0200 <p>"I Put a Spell on You" has been covered dozens of times, perhaps most famously by Nina Simone on the 1965 album I Put A Spell On You, but also by many other performers including many I have never heard of.</p> <p>Bonnie Tyler<br> The Animals<br> Audience<br> Batmobile<br> Arthur Brown<br> Nick Cave's band The Birthday Party<br> Ray Charles<br> Joe Cocker<br> Creedence Clearwater Revival (who performed it at Woodstock)<br> Tim Curry<br> Julien Doré<br> Eels<br> Estelle<br> Bryan Ferry. This cover peaked at #18 in the UK charts in 1993.<br> Diamanda Galas<br> Buddy Guy (featuring Carlos Santana)<br> Queen Latifah<br> Phil Lesh & Friends (Famously covered the song at the Nokia Theater in New York City on Halloween Night 2007)<br> Marilyn Manson<br> Kim Nalley<br> Alan Price (former keyboardist with The Animals)<br> Katie Melua<br> Jimmy Barnes<br> Tab Benoit<br> Sonique's version of the song peaked at #8 in the UK in 2001.<br> Them (featuring Van Morrison)<br> There is a live performance by Pete Townshend on his Deep End Live! album (with David Gilmour).<br> Veronika Harcsa Hungarian jazz singer<br> Most of the covers treat the song seriously; few attempt to duplicate Hawkins's bravura performance. Arthur Brown comes close.</p> <p>..so while I was hopping from vid to vid on youtube I came across this, the original version by the song's composer SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS who cites paul Robeson as one of his influences.<br> I really think the Nina Simone version is great, i've seen Alan price sing it live and as for Arthur Brown we can see where some of his influences came from.<br> Probably i'm a litle biased but my favourite version (of the ones I've heard) is Sheffield lad Joe Cocker's version<br> <a href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=A-TO_5EbH1I&feature=relatedhttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=A-TO_5EbH1I&feature=related">http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=A-TO_5EbH1I&feature=relatedhttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=A-TO_5EbH1I&feature=related</a></p> <p>Enjoy , as in this case I think that this original version from 1956 could well be... errr...the most original<img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0">.</p> <p>not sure when this clip was recorded though</p> <p>I didn't know much about SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS 'til recently but on reading about him on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screamin">Wilkipedia</a> it seems he must have put spells on many susceptible females as it was reckoned, when he died, that he had probably fathered 75 offspring </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/he-put-a-spell-on-who-4622951/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/he-put-a-spell-on-who-4622951/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/21/trees-4618235/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-08-21:/2008/08/21/trees-4618235/Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:22:37 +0200 <p><strong>Today i've been trying to destress t'old man..I asked him what song he wanted me to look up on Youtube..he chose an old favourite of his(and I mean old, him being one of the older generation.)<br> I got him to sit down and listen to it,<br> Paul Robeson singing 'Trees'</p> <p>He thoroughly enjoyed it and the photo-vid of the trees made up for the lack of an image of the man himself.<br> He has now requested that I try to find the lyrics of 'Trees' and although I have looked at various Lyric sites, I haven't been successful yet!</strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/21/trees-4618235/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/21/trees-4618235/#commentshttp://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/12/joe-brown-grooves-on-4578872/tag:isadoraplays.blog.co.uk,2008-08-12:/2008/08/12/joe-brown-grooves-on-4578872/Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:42:39 +0200 <p><strong>Joe Brown is alive and kicking and still grooving <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> Take a look at this Youtube footage put up by <a href="http://uk.youtube.com/user/SIMMO7TS">SIMMO7TS</a> which he recorded at last weekend's Fairport Convention's Cropredy Convention.<br> In this clip he makes clever use of the big screen above the stage but most of his videos are shot directly from the stage.</p> <p>This guy goes to many of the folk festivals all through the summer videoing the various bands from solo acoustic to big band, I have had a chat with him one a couple of occasions and he is a really nice guy and certainly dedicated to his hobby of showcasing the best of Britain's folk festival acts.<br> He's posted 1,116 vids so far..something for everyone amongst that lot!</p> <p></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/12/joe-brown-grooves-on-4578872/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://isadoraplays.blog.co.uk/2008/08/12/joe-brown-grooves-on-4578872/#comments