It is amazingly simple to make a giant leap from a fairly mundane chat about songs from the 60s and 70s to suddenly find yourself in a discussion about paedophiles. I’m not suggesting this was a chat over a pint in a pub. I’m not even sure that people discuss pop songs and paedophilia inContinue reading “From innocence to sexual predators in one fell swoop”
Category Archives: music
Turn on your tv and switch off your mind as you binge watch
It is amazing how much our attitude to watching TV has changed over the past half a century. Then again think of the way entertainment changed between 1875 and 1925. By 1875 Music Hall was the big thing. The working classes flocked to see and hear variety acts ranging from Little Tich to Marie Lloyd.Continue reading “Turn on your tv and switch off your mind as you binge watch”
Dodgy lyrics or were these guys trying to play things straight?
I got into a discussion on Twitter the other day about lyrics from pop songs in the late 50s and the 60s. When it got around to lyrics that would be looked on in horror today (although some of the modern rap stuff is very close to the mark)someone referred to Young Girl by GaryContinue reading “Dodgy lyrics or were these guys trying to play things straight?”
Longed-for letter boosts my spirits as we catch up with some old friends
As the tour went on it seemed as though every day there was something new, though none of it quite as bad as those few horrific minutes in the cinema when a Polish actress made use of her natural assets to kill a man. As Dickens said: “They were the the best of times; theyContinue reading “Longed-for letter boosts my spirits as we catch up with some old friends”
How strong are your resolutions as we face a Brave New Year?
A New Year lies before us and this is normally a time to make resolutions, hollow promises of what we will do in the year ahead. We announce our intention to lose weight; to stop smoking; to drink less; to be kind to others; to refrain from licentious behaviour; not to abuse others on Facebook,Continue reading “How strong are your resolutions as we face a Brave New Year?”
Poetry or song? It’s just words
The other day I gave you the lyrics of a Bob Dylan song from 57 years ago and suggested that lyrics are basically poetry without words. Then again some of the finest lyricists in the world are really poets first who then have their poetry put to music. This does not mean all poems couldContinue reading “Poetry or song? It’s just words”
Desolation Row
by Bob Dylan b. 1941 They’re selling postcards of the hanging, they’re painting passports brown The beauty parlor is filled with sailors, the circus is in town Here comes the blind commissioner, they’ve got him in a trance One hand is tied to the tightrope walker, the other is in his pants And the riotContinue reading “Desolation Row”
We’re baby boomers ‘cos our parents went to war
Nowadays they talk about baby booms as occurring nine months after a specific incident – such as a national blackout – but the baby boomer generation refers to those born after the end of the Second World War. In the US they give it a 20-year span with the first boomers born in 1946, basedContinue reading “We’re baby boomers ‘cos our parents went to war”
Hello, fancy meeting you here after all this time!
On my path through life I have met many people – at school, at work and in my leisure time. Some have entered my life and after a few years exited it again. Some school friendships ended when I left school (although there were a few which lasted longer – my dear departed friend RogerContinue reading “Hello, fancy meeting you here after all this time!”
Remember the swinging 60s? I do – I was there
It has been said: “If you remember the 60s then you weren’t there.” Those of us who grew up in that swinging decade are looked on as survivors of a period when speed and weed and even acid flooded the clubs and the streets not just in London but out in the sticks as well.Continue reading “Remember the swinging 60s? I do – I was there”
Robin's Nest 