Deke Leonard – Freedom And Chains (2005)

Deke Leonard is a Welsh musician serving a life sentence in the music business. After several unsuccessful escape attempts he is now resigned to his fate.

During the sixties, Deke served his apprenticeship in several successful rock’n’roll bands on the Welsh gig circuit, including the CORNCRACKERS, the JETS, the BLACKJACKS and the DREAM, who headlined the national press in 1967 with the headline ‘The Biggest Freak-Out To Hit South Wales’. There were occasional adventures abroad in the footsteps of The Beatles, notably residencies in the Top Ten Club in Hamburg – where bands cut the mustard playing up to 7 or 8 hours a day – and a tours of US Army bases in Europe.

In 1968 Deke joined Pye recording artists, THE BYSTANDERS, whose single releases included 98.6 and When Jesamine Goes. But the times were changing and the BYSTANDERS were changing with them. They changed the name of the band to MAN and renegotiated their deal with Pye Records from a singles deal to an album deal, and started seriously writing their own material. Deke, a compulsive songwriter, thought he’d gone to heaven. They released two albums on Pye, REVELATION and 2OZS OF PLASTIC (WITH A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE). They signed a new management deal with Marshall Arts and were soon touring Europe, so much so that they based themselves in Germany for a year.

At the start of the seventies, Marshall Arts negotiated a new record deal with United Artists and MAN entered a golden period. They made seven studio albums with UA, four of which charted, and two live albums, LIVE AT THE PADGETT ROOMS and XMAS AT THE PATTI featuring Dave Edmunds. Both topped the budget album charts and are now regarded as collectors items. Each album was promoted with British and European tours, and they found themselves working 364 days a year (Marshall Arts allowed them Christmas Day off).

After the second UA album Deke left the band and was immediately offered a solo deal with UA and went on to make two albums, ICEBERG and KAMIKAZE. Deke formed a band called ICEBERG and set off to promote them with British and European tours, and live radio performances on the John Peel session shows. During his absence MAN had recorded two albums, BE GOOD TO YOURSELF and BACK INTO THE FUTURE, both of which charted. Things were going well. But when things were going well, the MANBAND (a name by which they have become definitely known) usually broke up and they duly followed this pattern. Deke, abandoning his solo career, rejoined a reconstituted MANBAND giving Marshall Arts, who had continued to represent Deke, a collective nervous breakdown.

The next album, RHINOS, WINOS & LUNATICS went to number 12 in the British Album charts, and the band went off to the USA, doing three long tours, the first supporting HAWKWIND on the ‘Space 1999 Tour’, and headlining the next two. During the second tour they met one of their heroes, John Cippolina from QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE and invited him to join the band for a British tour. He agreed and the resulting live album, MAXIMUM DARKNESS also charted. After his departure, the band broke up, reformed, signed a new record deal with MCA and recorded THE WELSH CONNECTION. As soon as it was released the band went out on tour in America and Europe to promote it.

But during this tour, cracks began to appear and Man headed for a final break up. They finally broke up during a Scandinavian Tour that followed the last American adventure. They did a farewell tour of Britain which resulted in the album, ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL and a HTV documentary LIVE AT THE ROUNDHOUSE – now released on CD and DVD.
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After the break-up, Deke stayed with United Artists and made BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES, a solo album produced by Martin Rushent, whose clients included the BUZZCOCKS and the HUMAN LEAGUE. Then corporate shenanigans intervened. EMI bought United Artists and the new regime delayed the album release. It was finally released five years later.

In the meantime, Deke formed THE FORCE with former DUCKS DELUXE frontman Sean Tyler and they released an album called, imaginatively, THE FORCE. Extensive touring followed during which Sean Tyler had a nervous breakdown and THE FORCE mutated into ICEBERG. Then, in 1983, Deke’s agent informed him of an offer he’d received for a European tour for MAN.

Would they be interested? Yes, they were. The new tour was booked and the next incarnation of MAN hit the road. The new line-up included MAN originals, Micky Jones and Martin Ace along with Deke, but did not include long-time drummer Terry Williams who had joined DIRE STRAITS. His replacement was ex-GENTLE GIANT drummer, John `Pugwash’ Weathers.

For the next twenty years the band toured extensively and continued to produce albums including THE TWANG DYNASTY, CALL DOWN THE MOON, and ENDANGERED SPECIES and most of the back-catalogue has now been re-released by Point Records. Further to a number of official bootleg albums are now on the shelves, several new compilation albums have been produced (including live concert material) by various companies including Sanctuary Records. DVDs include MAN LIVE and MAN AT THE ROUNDHOUSE and a live appearance on the latest rock compilation DVD THE LEGENDS OF ROCK.
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Throughout the 1980s Deke also became a journalist contributing regular articles and reviews for, amongst others, VOX MAGAZINE, NEW HI-FI SOUND and STUDIO WEEK. For the past 10 years Deke has written a regular monthly column ‘Deke Speaks’ for the fanzine THE WELSH CONNECTION compiled and edited by his publisher, Michael Heatley (author of the Dec.2004 publication JOHN PEEL A LIFE IN MUSIC).

During the 1990s, Deke wrote two critically-acclaimed autobiographical books, RHINOS, WINOS, & LUNATICS (The legend of the MAN a Rock’n’Roll band) and MAYBE I SHOULD’VE STAYED IN BED? (The Flip Side Of The Rock’n’Roll Dream) both published by Michael Heatley of Northdown Publishing, author of the December 2004 publication JOHN PEEL, A LIFE IN MUSIC. Deke’s books reveal the quirky side of the rock’n’roll dream and provide a sideways glance at the social history of the last forty years. THE TIMES called them `hilarious and unputdownable’; TIME OUT (London) called them ‘the quintessential rock’n’roll memoirs that’ll have you laughing out loud’; CLASSIC ROCK remarked ‘This is a genuinely hilarious feast. Forget Spinal Tap. This is the real deal’ and MOJO observed ‘Leonard writes up a storm. You will find these books irresistable’.

In 2003 The Fiction Factory, a film company, acquired the film rights to both books and a film is now in pre-production.

Occasional TV appearances include from the past THE OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST and BBC coverage of festivals such as READING and GLASTONBURY and a host of European shows. Deke has more recently appeared as a panellist on HTV’s PUB ROCK QUIZ and guest commentator on BBC 1’s JUKE BOX HEROES and BBC1’s WALES IN OUT TIME with JOHN HUMPHRYS.

Past radio shows include five live JOHN PEEL SESSIONS and Deke is now a regular on BBC Radio Wales, most recently presenting a programme of rock’n’roll anecdotes called TALES OF THE ROAD; as a guest narrator on DRAGONS BREATH (a history of welsh rock music) and assuming the mantle of team captain on the musican quiz series ROCK OF AGES with guest panellists Trevor Burton of THE MOVE; Reg Presley from THE TROGGS and Mike D’Abo.

Recently, Steve Elsdon, a promoter and friend, suggested he try a one-man show, telling rock’n’roll stories and singing songs. The first show was at the new DYLAN THOMAS CENTRE THEATRE in Swansea. It was a great success and Deke loved every minute of it. Other shows have followed in London and nationally. Deke now sees himself as a cross between Bo Diddley and Peter Ustinov. A tour of one-man shows is now planned and this biography is intended to whet your appetite in the hope that you will be encouraged to participate.

In 2004, Deke left the band to follow his own star. The split was amicable but Deke thinks the band were secretly glad to get rid of him. “Well,” he says, “given half a chance I’d get rid of me.”

Deke Leonard’s one-man shows are an hilarious journey, illustrated with songs, around the flip side of the rock’n’roll dream. It is designed to appeal to both those familiar with Deke’s career, and newcomers alike. As RECORD BUYER remarked “It is social history, rock’n’roll and essential’.

During 2004 Deke also went back into the studio to record his first solo album for a quarter of a century entitled FREEDOM AND CHAINS, a compilation of new songs recently released on 17th January, 2005 by Angel Air Records. Also, soon to be released by Hux Records is Deke Leonard WIRELESS – a collection of live radio shows recorded during the 70s including John Peel session. (official biography)

Deke Leonard is singer & lead guitarist with Man, Wales’ psychedelic music wizards founded in 1968 & still going strong. He has also fronted his own hard rock band & made three solo albums – ‘Iceberg’, ‘Kamikaze’, & ‘Before Your Very Eyes’. This is a 21 track collection of songs from the 70s & 80s only seven of which exist in officially released form & are featured here in alternate form. The rest are studio recorded demos & songs that for various reasons never got out. (Promo text)

I first saw Deke Leonard way back in 1976 when he was playing with the Man band at Edinburgh University round about 1976 and it turned out to be one of the best live concerts I had ever been at ! I went on to buy Deke’s “Iceberg” albums Iceberg and Kamekaze over the next few years and very much enjoyed the songs. I drifted out of music, essentially for the next 35 years but started to replace many of my 70’s vinyls with CD’s round about 2012. In February 2017, I Iearned of the passing away of Deke and felt quite sad about it, this kick started my re-newed interest in his music and I recently purchased Freedom and Chains. It amazes me why Deke Leonard didn’t rise to the great heights of fame and fortune, but unless you grew up in the 60’s and 70’s you might not appreciate his contribution to the music industry. This album has some very clever lyrics and you can’t help but smile all the way through Guantanamo Bay(track 04). Hope that’s how you spell it !!! So black !!. Palestine has an amazing lead guitar throughout the song again with a superb chorus. The theme of the album is just as the title suggests and the songs pretty much stick to the general theme. If you liked the Man band, this is actually quite different but in all the best ways, it will not disappoint. Take a risk and listen (Bruce Craig)

This album portrays a master performing his art. ENJOY

Personnel:
Deke Leonard (guitar, vocals)
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Martin Ace – Simon Parsons – Keith Hodge – Gareth Llewelyn – Silve Thorrington – Bob Richards and many more

Tracklist:
01. The Thrill Of Revolution 6.07
02. I Don’t Love You Anymore 2.56
03. Cuba 5.18
04. Guantanamo Bay 3:17
05. Blues 4:01
06. Tahitian Thunder 4:21
07 Palestine 3:58
08. Just Another Woman 4:27
09. Queen Of My Heart 2:53
10. Something In My Heart Says No 2:02
11. Tomorrow’s Gonna Come 3:26
12. Empty Places 4:17
13. The Same Mistake 4:03
14. Is This What Love Is? 5:22
15. Trapped (In The Jaws Of Love) 4:00
16. Blues 2 (The Meek Mix) 4:18

All songs written by Deke Leonhard
except 06., written by Deke Leonhard & Sean Tyla

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Roger Arnold “Deke” Leonard (18 December 1944 – 31 January 2017)

Supertramp – The Very Best Of Supertramp (1990)

Supertramp were an English rock band formed in London in 1969. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson (vocals, keyboards, guitar) and Rick Davies (vocals, keyboards), they are distinguished for blending progressive rock and pop styles and for their use of Wurlitzer electric piano and saxophone.[5][6] The group’s line-up changed numerous times throughout their career, with Davies the only consistent member. Other longtime members included bassist Dougie Thomson, drummer Bob Siebenberg, and saxophonist John Helliwell.

The band were initially a full-fledged prog-rock group, but starting with their third album Crime of the Century (1974), they maintained a more pop-oriented sound.[5] They reached their commercial peak with 1979’s Breakfast in America, which yielded the international top 10 singles “The Logical Song”, “Breakfast in America”, “Goodbye Stranger” and “Take the Long Way Home”. Their other top 40 hits included “Dreamer” (1974), “Give a Little Bit” (1977) and “It’s Raining Again” (1982).

As of 2007, Supertramp album sales exceeded 60 million. They attained significant popularity in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia. Their highest sales levels were in Canada, where they had two diamond-certified (ten-times platinum) albums (Crime of the Century and Breakfast in America). In 1983, Hodgson left the group to pursue a solo career. Davies took over as the band’s sole leader until 1988, after which they disbanded and later reformed in various configurations.

The Very Best of Supertramp is a best of album by the English rock band Supertramp, originally released by A&M Records in June 1990.

The compilation features 15 studio recordings from 1974’s Crime of the Century to 1985’s Brother Where You Bound. The cover depicts the grate from the cover of Crime of the Century, the hand carrying the glass from the cover of Breakfast in America and the orange umbrella from Crisis? What Crisis? (by wikipedia)

Originally a European compilation, The Very Best of Supertramp is the closest thing to a definitive overview of the ’70s pop-prog group. Certainly, there will be hardcore fans who will notice some favorite album cuts missing — after all, despite their considerable success on the pop charts, Supertramp was as much an album rock band as ELP or Genesis — but all the hits are here, from “Bloody Well Right” to “It’s Raining Again,” as well as a sizable portion of their blockbuster Breakfast in America. That alone will make it worthwhile for all casual fans, but what’s really nice about the collection is that it flows very smoothly, even if it isn’t in chronological order. There have been other Supertramp compilations, but The Very Best of Supertramp stands head and shoulders above the rest. (by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)

Personnel:
Rick Davies (vocals, keyboards, harmonica, melodica)
John Anthony Helliwell (saxophones, clarinet, vocals)
Roger Hodgson (vocals, keyboards, guitar)
Bob Siebenberg (drums, percussion)
Dougie Thomson (bass)
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Jake Beddoe (saw on 11.)
Slyde Hyde (trombone, tuba on 05.)
Ken Scott (water gong on 08.)
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background vocals on 11.:
Christine Helliwell – Vicky Siebenberg – Scott Gorham

Tracklist:
01. School 5,35
02. Goodbye Stranger 5.48
03. The Logical Song
04. Bloody Well Right 4.33
05. Breakfast In America 2.41
06. Rudy 7.17
07. Take The Long Way Home 5.04
08. Crime Of The Century 5.31
09. Dreamer 3.31
10. Ain’t Nobody But Me 5.07
11. Hide In Your Shell 6.48
12. From Now On 6.17
13. Give A Little Bit 4.08
14. It’s Raining Again 4.23

All songs written by Rick Davies &Roger Hodgson

Tracks 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 11 from Crime of the Century (1974)

Track 10 from Crisis? What Crisis? (1975)

Tracks 12 and 13 from Even in the Quietest Moments… (1977)

Tracks 2, 3, 5 and 7 from Breakfast in America (1979)

Track 14 from …Famous Last Words… (1982)

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Mott The Hoople – Two Miles From Heaven (1980)

Mott the Hoople are an English rock band, popular in the glam rock era of the early to mid-1970s. They are best known for the song “All the Young Dudes”, written for them by David Bowie and appearing on their 1972 album of the same name.

Two Miles From Heaven is a compilation album of tracks recorded by British rock band Mott the Hoople during their period with Island Records from 1969 to 1972. It features the original band line-up of Ian Hunter (vocals, piano, guitar), Mick Ralphs (guitar, vocals), Peter Watts (bass guitar, vocals), Dale Griffin (drums) and Verden Allen (organ). Incomplete tracks from original sessions were supplemented by overdubs of vocals, keyboards (by later Mott the Hoople and Mott member Morgan Fisher) and guitar (including contributions from Mott guitarist Ray Majors).

Of significance to followers of the group were the inclusion of alternative versions of extant Mott the Hoople songs (a vocal version of “You Really Got Me”, the discarded mix of “Thunderbuck Ram” and early demo tapes of songs that were later recorded for their All the Young Dudes album once the band had left Island and signed to Columbia Records: “One of the Boys”, “Ride on the Sun” (better known as “Sea Diver”) and “Black Scorpio” (Momma’s Little Jewel). “Until I’m Gone” was an otherwise unreleased Ralphs track.

The initial vinyl release was on Island’s German label (202 429-270), in 1980, but it has subsequently been re-released on Angel Air SJPCD 161 in 2003 with additional bonus tracks. (by wikipedia)

After British Lions broke up, Dale Griffin, Overend Watts, Ray Majors and Morgan Fisher went in the studios to put together this compilation of rare and unreleased Mott The Hoople material from Island’s vaults. Mott recorded virtually everything they wrote, and just about any day not spent gigging was spent in the studio. As a result, there is a lot of unreleased (and unfinished) material in there.

What an absolute peach this collection is. Unreleased tracks, rare b-sides and early versions of songs that would be recorded later on… this album has long been sought after by fans, and is now at long last available on CD.

It starts with a rare vocal version of the Kinks’ You Really Got Me. Next up is Ian’s first stab at social commentary, Road To Birmingham which was the b-side to Rock And Roll Queen, Mott’s first single. Then there’s the alternate version of Thunderbuck Ram, with Verden’s organ featuring much higher in the mix. The studio version of Keep a Knockin’ is fast and furious, and an absolute belter.

Movin’ On is next – slated for the original vinyl but withdrawn at the last minute is a medium-paced rocker that Mick Ralphs would eventually re-record with Bad Company. Ride On The Sun is beautiful – this again would be re-recorded (as Sea Diver) later on – and is possibly one of Ian’s best ballads. Growin’ Man Blues is another fast rocker which I never grow tired of hearing. Till I’m Gone is another ballad, beautifully sung by Mick Ralphs (for a version of him sharing the vocals with Ian, check out the Anthology). One Of The Boys is an acoustic version of the song that would be re-recorded later on. Black Scorpio (Momma’s Little Jewel) is faster than the version that would be recorded for the Dudes album.

Two more bonus tracks close the album, The Debt (which was the b-side to Midnight Lady) and the non-LP single Downtown, with Mick Ralphs again supplying the vocals for this Neil Young/Crazy Horse cover.

Sound quality throughout is excellent (a lot better than the original LP). Strangely, tho’ the running order on the “Bald At The Station” side is different from the original LP. No matter – this is an important album in Mott’s history, and I for one am glad it’s finally available on CD! (hunter-mott.com)

An even more overlooked album from an already overlooked band, this was released at the beginning of the 80’s without too much fanfare. Having heard the album I have no idea why; this is so much more than just a collection of B-Sides and out-takes. 75% of this album is made up of songs that could have been on albums in their present state. I hardly know where to begin; “The Road to Birmingham” for example is a song that should have been on “Brain Capers” or “Wildlife” and the re-mix of “Thunderbuck Ram” actually outshines the original and it’s interesting to hear the pre-Bad Company version of “Movin’ On” and a few of the covers thrown in as well. This was such an interesting band and this is a real gem of a collection that would do YOUR collection well. (by Jacob Koehler)

Personnel:
Verden Allen (organ, background vocals)
Dale “Buffin” Griffin (drums, background vocals)
Ian Hunter (vocals, piano, guitar)
Mick Ralphs (guitar, background vocals)
Pete “Overend” Watts (bass, background vocals)
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Guy Stevens (piano, percussion)

Tracklist:
01. You Really Got Me (Davies) 3.08
02. The Road To Birmingham (Hunter) 3.30
03. Thunderbuck Ram (Ralphs) 4.41
04. Going Home (Ralphs) 3.00
05. Little Christine (Ralphs) 3.06
06. Keep A Knockin'” (Richard Penniman) 3.25
07. Black Hills (Ralphs) 1.32
08. Movin’ On (Ralphs) 2.44
09. Ride On The Sun (Hunter) 3.38
10. Growin’ Man Blues (Hunter) 2.46
11. Until I’m Gone (Ralphs) 3.14
12. One Of The Boys (Ralphs, Hunter) 4.19
13. Surfin’ U.K. (Ralphs) 2.37
14. Black Scorpio (Hunter/Watts) 3.36
15. I´ll Wind Blowing (Hunter) 3.53
16. The Debt (Hunter) 4.15
17. Downtown (Whitten/Young) 3.03

Dale Griffin tried hard during the production process to improve on the original recordings. All material was transferred from the original 8- and 16-track tapes to 24-track tape. All were remixed, and many were overdubbed, as follows:

The Road to Birmingham: extra acoustic and electric guitars were added by Overend Watts, together with a few minor edits
Thunderbuck Ram: some keyboard fills were added by Morgan Fisher
Going Home: Overend Watts and Dale Griffin added backing vocals
Keep a Knockin’: Morgan Fisher added piano
Black Hills: Morgan Fisher added piano and mellotron
Ride On The Sun: Morgan Fisher added Hammond organ and mellotron
Growin’ Man Blues: in reality only a minute and a half long, they had to do two dub edits and some covering vocals and instrumental fills
Till I’m Gone: Overend Watts added acoustic guitar
One Of The Boys: Overend Watts added guitar; Dale griffin and Overend added backing vocals
Surfin’ UK: Dale Griffin added backing vocals and percussion
Black Scorpio: Ray Majors added slide guitar, Dale Griffin added backing vocals and percussion
Ill Wind Blowing: Dale Griffin added backing vocals and percussion ((hunter-mott.com))

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More from Mott The Hoople:

Alan Hawkshaw – Girl In A Sports Car – The Essential Lounge Music Collection (1997)

William Alan Hawkshaw (born 27 March 1937) is a British composer and performer, particularly of themes for movies and television programmes. Hawkshaw worked extensively for the KPM production music company in the 1960s and 1970s, composing and recording many stock tracks that have been used extensively in film and TV. In 2016, he was awarded a doctorate, officially giving him the title of Doctor for his contributions to the music industry.[citation needed]

As such, he is the composer of a number of familiar theme tunes including Channel 4 News, Grange Hill and Countdown. In addition, he is an arranger and pianist, and in the United States with the studio group Love De-Luxe scored a number 1 single on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with “Here Comes That Sound Again” in 1979.

He is the father of singer-songwriter Kirsty Hawkshaw, who was a member of the dance music group Opus III from 1991 to 1995, and has also worked with artists such as Tiësto, Delerium, BT, Seba, and Paradox.

Born in Leeds, Hawkshaw worked as a printer for several years before becoming a professional musician, first joining the pop group The Crescendos. In the early 1960s, he was a member of rock and roll group Emile Ford and the Checkmates. He also formed the Mohawks band and Rumplestiltskin with some session musicians. At that time, Hawkshaw was an exponent of the Hammond organ, heard in the Mohawks’ music, and also on the UK recording of the musical Hair. In 1965 Hawkshaw played piano on The Hollies group composed album track; “Put Yourself in My Place” included on the EMI/Parlophone album; Hollies (1965) being featured on a piano solo during the song.

Hawkshaw was also featured playing with David Bowie on the Bowie at the Beeb album, in a performance recorded for the “John Peel in Top Gear” show on 13 May 1968, in which he played a solo on “In The Heat of the Morning”.

In 1969, Hank Marvin recruited Hawkshaw into The Shadows to tour Japan in which one concert was recorded and subsequently released in Japan, The Shadows Live in Japan (1969), taking a featured lead on piano on “Theme from Exodus”. In 1970, Hawkshaw recorded one more studio album with The Shadows, Shades of Rock before leaving this band.[citation needed] He also did appear as keyboardist on The Shadows’ spin-off vocal group Marvin, Welch, & Farrar’s self-titled debut and follow-up Second Opinion albums both released on EMI’s reactivated Regal Zonophone label in 1971.

In the 1970s, he played in The Shadows; he worked for Olivia Newton-John, Jane Birkin, and Serge Gainsbourg (including on “L’homme à tête de chou”) as a musical director, arranger and pianist and was a keyboard player for Cliff Richard, for whom he also co-wrote (with Douggie Wright) “The Days of Love”, one of six shortlisted songs which Richard performed in A Song for Europe that year. He also played keyboards on Donna Summer’s 1977 double album Once Upon A Time. One of his best-known compositions is “Blarney’s Stoned” (originally recorded for KPM in 1969 under the title “Studio 69”) which was used as the theme tune for Dave Allen’s television shows The Dave Allen Show and Dave Allen at Large. In 1975, he wrote the theme tune to the BBC’s On the Move educational programme, which featured Bob Hoskins as an illiterate lorry driver. The song was sung by The Dooleys. In 1977, he composed “New Earth Parts 1 & 2” for Hank Marvin’s Guitar Syndicate LP project. This was subsequently sampled over 30 years later by Jay-Z for his song “Pray”.

Hawkshaw also performed the music The Night Rider (the theme for Cadbury’s Milk Tray adverts). He also composed “Best Endeavours”, which has been the theme for Channel 4 News since 1982, and was used for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s The National news and current affairs programme from 1984 to 1987. His tune “Chicken Man” was used as the theme for Grange Hill from its start in 1978 until 1989, and revived for the final series of Grange Hill in 2008. Another recording of Chicken Man was used contemporaneously with the original Grange Hill version for the ITV quiz show Give Us A Clue. The Countdown “Chimes” jingle used on Channel 4’s Countdown game show was also composed by Hawkshaw. He composed all the music for the Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World series, and the theme “Technicolour”, which was used for the BBC Midlands Today programme from 1984 to 1988, following which was replaced with a remix of this tune from 1989 to 1991.

In the United States, he also scored a number 1 single on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with “Here Comes That Sound Again”, as part of Love De-Luxe With Hawkshaw’s Discophonia in 1979.

Also in 1979, he released a disco album under the moniker “Bizarre” which was essentially a solo project with the help of executive producer Barry Mason. It was released in the UK on Polydor Records (cat. no. 2383 553) in 1979 – tracks: Get Up/Don’t Move/Hot Hollywood Nights/You Make My Life So Beautiful/Let Me Fill Your World With Love/Take The Money And Run. he also once more appeared with The Shadows guesting on their 1979 UK chart-topping album String of Hits playing piano on a cover of Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.

Hawkshaw is credited with the co-composition (with B. Henry) of “I Feel So Good”, a 1966 release by Manchester’s Playboys (Fontana TF745).

The Alan Hawkshaw Foundation in conjunction with the Performing Rights Society has since 2003 supported young underprivileged music students and Media composers to gain degrees and scholarships at both the Leeds College of Music and the National Film and Television School.

In July 2016, Hawkshaw was awarded a doctorate for his contributions to the music industry, adding the title of Doctor to his name.[citation needed]
Personal life
After a brief early marriage, Hawkshaw married German-born Christiane Bieberbach in 1968; they have two children; singer, composer and musician Kirsty (b.1969), and Sheldon (b.1971) (by wikipedia)

And here´s a nice compolation with many of his early compositions;

This retrospective album is entirely devoted to the wearly worj of Alan Hawkshaw and it represents only one of the variety of styles for which he is known. For example, nothing could be a diverse as the piece “!Girls In A Sports Car”and say “The Champ” from the group Mohawks in which Hawkshaw played organ and is known as “Morris Hawk”.

The original names of these instrumental appear in bold but new titels have been assigned to each and are indicated in brackets. They were originally published as libary pieces and thesetendto adopt the nmes of the particular programme for which they are used. (taken from the original liner notes.)

Enjoy this more or less happy sounds of Alan Hawkshaw !

Personnel:
Alan Hawkshaw (keyboards)
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many, many unknown studio musicians

Tracklist:
01. Girl In A Sports Car (Clarissa) (Hawkshaw) 2.44
02. Scooter Girl (Tanta) (Hawkshaw) 2.42
03. Sunflower (Sunbird) (Hawkshaw) 2.24
04. Warm Hearts (Love On A Summer’s Day) (Hawkshaw) 2.30
05. Bluebird (Hummingbird) (Hawkshaw) 2.17
06. Midnight Rhapsody (Melody At Midnight) (Hawkshaw) 3.08
07. Happy Rainbow (Colours In the Rain) (Hawkshaw) 2.30
08. Amour (Love In Paris) (Hawkshaw) 2.15
09. Blue Note (Deep Blue) (Hawkshaw) 4.26
10. Grange Hill (Back To School) (Hawkshaw) 2.07
11. Brush Off (Cold Shoulder) (Hawkshaw) 2.14
12. Playmate (Great Pals) (Hawkshaw) 2.03
13. Flapjack (Dessert Storm) (Hawkshaw) 1.58
14. Knock About (Hang About) (Hawkshaw) 2.05
15. Lazy Evening Blues (Lay-Back Blues) (Hawkshaw) 4.41
16. Cruising (Cruise Around) (Hawkshaw) 4.27
17. A Man Alone (In Solitude) (Hawkshaw) 4.21
18. Sky Train (The Shuttle) (Hawkshaw) 2.36
19. Man Of Means (In the Money) (Hawkshaw) 3.14
20. Love At First Sight (Dumbstruck) (Hawkshaw) 2.36
21. Beauty Spot (The Mole) (Hawkshaw/Parker) 1.58
22. Moody (Dreamy) (Hawkshaw) 3.18
23. Sheer Elegance (Suave & Sophisticated) (Hawkshaw) 3.37
24. Blue Haze (Smokey) (Hawkshaw/Parker) 3.28
25. Piccadilly Night Ride (On Oxford Street) (Hawkshaw/Mansfield) 1.50
26. Beat Boutique (Mary Quant) (Hawkshaw/Mansfield) 1.52
27. Dave Allen At Large (Irish Gnome) (Hawkshaw) 1.51
28. Destination Venus (Jupiter Bound) (Hawkshaw) 2.41

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Pete Townshend – Who Came First (1972)

Who Came First is the debut album by Pete Townshend, released in 1972 on Track Records in the UK and Track/Decca in the US. It includes demos from the aborted concept album Lifehouse, part of which became Who’s Next. The original release had a gatefold cover and included a poster with additional photos of Meher Baba from the Louis van Gasteren film Beyond Words. The cover photo of Townshend standing on eggs is a reference to the eternal question “Who came first: the chicken or the egg?” It peaked at number 30 on the UK album chart and at number 69 on the US Billboard 200.

Townshend had already participated with other artists on two previous albums in tribute to his guru Meher Baba, Happy Birthday and I Am.  These albums were privately distributed in very small quantities between 1970 and 1972 in the UK. Soon after Decca asked Townshend for permission to release the recordings, as inferior copies were circulating in the US as bootlegs. Rather than re-issuing the original albums Townshend decided to change the track list substantially and develop the project into his first “official” solo album. Three of Townshend’s demos for Lifehouse were selected, along with two songs each from the earlier tribute albums and two additional songs.

The Lifehouse demos included are: “Pure and Easy,” edited from its original length of 8:35; “Let’s See Action”; and (with minor overdubs added) “Time Is Passing.” Of these, only “Let’s See Action” had seen prior release, as a single by the Who in 1971. The Who’s versions of the remaining two Lifehouse songs were eventually released on Odds & Sods and on reissued versions of Who’s Next. All of Townshend’s Lifehouse demos were eventually released on Lifehouse Chronicles in 2000.

From the tribute album Happy Birthday came Townshend’s “Content” and Ronnie Lane’s “Evolution.” The latter is a reworking of the track “Stone” which had appeared on The Faces’ debut album First Step in 1970; the Happy Birthday version was over six minutes long and was edited to 3:36. From the follow-up tribute album I Am, Billy Nicholls’ “Forever’s No Time at All” and Townshend’s “Parvardigar” were selected; the latter’s lyrics are adapted from Meher Baba’s “Universal Prayer.” The track list was rounded out with Townshend’s composition “Sheraton Gibson” and his cover of “Heartache,” a.k.a. “There’s a Heartache Following Me,” which had been a UK number 6 hit in 1964 by the American country singer Jim Reeves and a favorite of Meher Baba, according to Townshend’s notes on the album’s back cover.

The songs were recorded at Townshend’s home studio, which was among the most advanced home studios in England at the time. Townshend does not appear on the Nicholls track, but does play guitar on the Lane track; he plays all other instruments on the remainder of the album.

One dollar from each sale of the 1972 album went to charities.

Original UK copies were on Track Records, reissued by Polydor Records after Track ceased operations in 1978. The first US issue appeared on the silver Track/Decca label. In 1973 it was reissued in the US on the MCA Records black with rainbow label, but without the gatefold cover or the poster.

The first compact disc release by Rykodisc appeared in 1992 with six bonus tracks taken from the privately distributed albums, also issued in a limited edition deluxe version with extra artwork. A remastered edition appeared in 2006 on Hip-O Records, the legacy division of the Universal Music Group, with nine bonus tracks, the first six being the ones from the Rykodisc reissue. The nine bonus songs on the Hip-O reissue comprise the remaining Townshend performances from Happy Birthday and the 1976 record, With Love, along with the track “I Always Say” recorded between 1968 and 1970.

Reviewing in Christgau’s Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981), Robert Christgau wrote: “Townshend sounds as relaxed in this rather folkish Meher Baba tribute cum ‘gynormouse ego trip’ as Paul McCartney in his do-it-yourself studio, and a lot less self-absorbed—other musical gurumongers sound ‘Content’ (title of worst song here), but Pete seems happy, too. So much so that some of this music is a little lightweight—expressing the kind of undiscriminating joy in the everyday one might expect from somebody who considers ‘You always were, you always are, and you always will be’ both a profound sentiment and a snappy way to finish off a concept album. But I’m encouraged that Ronnie Lane (singer-songwriter on ‘Evolution’) offers a drink (alcohol, get it?) to the Master and his Truth. And in the end the homely sweetness and frailty of his music prevails.” (wikipedia)

Pete Townshend’s first solo album was a homespun, charming forum for low-key, personal songs that weren’t deemed suitable for the Who, as well as spiritual paeans (direct and indirect) to his spiritual guru, Meher Baba. Who fans will be immediately attracted by the presence of a couple of songs from the aborted Who concept album Lifehouse (much of which ended up on Who’s Next), “Pure & Easy” and “Let’s See Action.” The Who did eventually release their own versions of both those songs. But Townshend’s own versions aren’t the highlights of this record, which shows a folkier and gentler side to the Who’s chief muse than his albums with the group. “Sheraton Gibson” is a neat tune about rock & roll road life, and “Time Is Passing” takes very subtle inspiration from Baba. Most of the rest of the album contains some of the most unusual pieces Townshend has released: his acoustic cover of Jim Reeves’ “There’s a Heartache Following Me” (recorded because it was one of Baba’s favorite tunes), “Evolution” (which is actually pretty much a solo track by his buddy Ronnie Lane of the Faces), “Parvardigar” (adapted from Baba’s Universal Prayer), and “Content” (a philosophical poem by Maud Kennedy that Townshend put to music). The 1993 reissue of this LP for compact disc fleshes out the program considerably with six previously unreleased tracks, including Townshend’s demo of the Who single “The Seeker.” The other bonus cuts are by no means filler; meditative and melancholy originals, they’re just as strong as the tracks on the original release. (by Richie Unterberger)

Personnel:
Pete Townshend (all instruments, vocals)
+
Ronnie Lane (guitar, vocals on 02.)
Billie Nicholls (guitar, vocals on 03.)

Tracklist:
01. Pure And Easy (Townshend) 5.33
02. Evolution (Lane) 3.45
03. Forever’s No Time At All (Nicholls/McInnerny) 3.09
04. Nothing Is Everything (Let’s See Action) (Townshend) 6:25
05. Time Is Passing (Townshend) 3.28
06. There’s A Heartache Following Me (Baker) 3.23
07. Sheraton Gibson (Townshend) 2.38
08. Content (Kennedy/Townshend) 2.56
09. Parvardigar (Baba/Townshend) 6.50
+
10. His Hands (Townshend) 2.08
11. The Seeker (Townshend) 4.37
12. Day Of Silence (Townshend) 2.53
13. Sleeping Dog (Townshend) 2.57
14. The Love Man (Townshend) 5.02
15. Lantern Cabin (Townshend) 4.11
16. Mary Jane (Townshend) 2.38
17. I Always Say (Townshend) 5.47
18. Begin The Beguine (Porter) 4.49

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Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh Happy Days (The Best of Edwin Hawkins Singers) (2001)

Edwin Reuben Hawkins (August 19, 1943 – January 15, 2018) was an American gospel musician, pianist, choir master, composer, and arranger. He was one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. He (as leader of the Edwin Hawkins Singers) was probably best known for his arrangement of “Oh Happy Day” (1968–69), which was included on the “Songs of the Century” list. The Edwin Hawkins Singers made a second foray into the charts exactly one year later, backing folk singer Melanie on “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)”.

Hawkins was born in Oakland, California, on August 19, 1943. At the age of seven, he was already the keyboardist to accompany the family’s gospel group.

Together with Betty Watson in May 1967, he was co-founder of the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ, which included almost fifty members.[2] This ensemble recorded its first album, Let Us Go into the House of the Lord, at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California (on the Century 70 custom label owned by LaMont Branch). The choir used this LP as a fundraiser to go to the 1968 Youth Congress for the COGIC in Washington, D.C. to compete in the annual choir competition and represent the Northern California area. The choir did come in second place at the competition, but that was one of many surprises coming their way. Upon their return from that trip, the LP found its way into the hands of a KSAN Underground Rock DJ in San Francisco who happened to pick “Oh Happy Day” to play on his station; it became an instant hit. The soloists on the album were Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Dorothy Combs Morrison (the original lead singer on “Oh Happy Day”), Tramaine Davis (Hawkins), Reuben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Betty Watson, and Ruth Lyons.

Once “Oh Happy Day” started being played in other parts of the country and the group was made aware of its rising success on the radio, they began to get in contact with the right people in the industry who helped them get a major record deal. The group signed on with the newly created Pavilion label (distributed by Buddah), and released a second LP, called He’s A Friend Of Mine, in 1969, but it was “Oh Happy Day” that rocketed to sales of more than a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts, making U.S. No. 4, UK No. 2, Canada No. 2, No. 2 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 1 on the French Singles Charts and the German Singles Charts in 1969.[4] It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it. His arrangement of the song was eventually covered by The Four Seasons on their 1970 album Half & Half.

The choir’s second LP Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts was the 1970 Melanie single “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” on which the label listed the performers as “Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers”. The song peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. and Top 10 in several other countries.

In 1990, Hawkins, credited as a solo performer, had a number 89 hit on the R&B chart with “If at First You Don’t Succeed (Try Again)”.

In the 1992 movie Leap of Faith, Hawkins is the choir master for the gospel songs.[citation needed]

Hawkins died of pancreatic cancer on January 15, 2018 in his home, in Pleasanton, California, at the age of 74. (by wikipedia)

One of the few Edwin Hawkins compilations to escape the bounds of the LP medium, Buddha’s Oh Happy Day!: The Best of the Edwin Hawkins Singers offers 15 tracks from one of the most uplifting artists of the late ’60s and ’70s. Beginning with the title track of their debut LP, Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord, the disc includes the full version of the surprise pop hit “Oh Happy Day,” along with several of Hawkins’ own excellent compositions, among them “I Shall Be Free,” “Precious Memories,” and “Late in the Evening.” The Edwin Hawkins Singers did some intriguing covers as well, and two of the best are included here: the Five Stairsteps’ “O-o-h Child” and Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” (the latter is nearly seven minutes of testifying bliss). (by John Bush)

Personnel:
Edwin Hawkins Singers

Tracklist:
01. Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord (Traditional) 2.24
02. Pray For Peace (Traditional) 5.07
03. Oh Happy Day (Traditional) 5.07
04. Joy Joy (Traditional) 6.29
05. Give Me A Star (Traditional) 3.13
06. I Shall Be Free (Hawkins)) 4.13
07. To My Father’s House (Hawkins) 5.40
08. Someday (Hawkins) 3.50
09. Jesus, Lover Of My Soul (Traditional/Wesley) 4.16
10. O-o-h Child (Vincent) 3.54
11. Precious Memories (Hawkins) 3.51
12. Late In The Evening (Hawkins) 3.27
13. A Long Way To Go (Mann/Weil) 2.52
14. Blowin’ In The Wind (Dylan) 6.47
15. I’m Going Through (Traditional) 5.04

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Edwin Reuben Hawkins (August 19, 1943 – January 15, 2018)

 

Steve Miller Band – The Very Best Of The Steve Miller Band (1991)

The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1966 in San Francisco, California. The band is led by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals. The group is best known for a string of (mainly) mid- to late-1970s hit singles that are staples of classic rock radio, as well as several earlier psychedelic rock albums. Miller left his first band to move to San Francisco and form the Steve Miller Blues Band. Shortly after Harvey Kornspan negotiated the band’s contract with Capitol Records in 1967, the band shortened its name to the Steve Miller Band. In February 1968, the band recorded its debut album, Children of the Future. It went on to produce the albums Sailor, Brave New World, Your Saving Grace, Number 5, Rock Love, Fly Like an Eagle, Book of Dreams, and more. The band’s Greatest Hits 1974–78, released in 1978, sold over 13 million copies. In 2016, Steve Miller was inducted as a solo artist in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (by wikipedia)

And here´s a pretty good sampler made for the Germa n rcord market by Arcade with many of his great tunes.

Listening to this album while driving is not a bad idea !

Personnel:
Byron Allred (synthesizer)
Greg Douglass (guitar)
Gerald Johnson (bass)
Gary Mallaber (drums)
Kenny Lewis (guitar, bass)
Gary Mallaber (drums)
Steve Miller (guitar, slide-guitar, vocals, keyboards, electronics)
Lonnie Turner (bass)
Jacheem Young (organ)

Tracklist:
01. Space Intro/Fly Like An Eagle (Miller) 5.55
02. The Joker (Ertegun/Curtis) 4.19
03. Abracadabra (Miller) 3.38
04. Give It Up (Miller) 3.33
05 Rock N’ Me (Miller) 3.05
06. Macho City (Miller) 3.22
07. Serenade From The Stars (McCarty) 3.11
08. Threshold (Allred) / Jet Airliner (Pena) 4.37
09. Keeps Me Wondering Why (Mallaber/Lewis) 3.40
10. Jungle Love (Douglass/Turner) 3.09
11. Take The Money And Run (Miller) 2.48
12. True Fine Love (Miller) 2.36
13. Wild Mountain Honey (McCarty) 4.50
14. Winter Time (Miller) 3.10
15. The Stake (Denny) 3.54
16. Swingtown (McCarty) 3.27
17. The Window (Cooper) 4.17

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Some people call me the space cowboy, yeah
Some call me the gangster of love
Some people call me Maurice
‘Cause I speak of the pompatus of love
People talk about me, baby
Say I’m doing you wrong, doing you wrong
Well, don’t you worry, baby, don’t worry
‘Cause I’m right here, right here, right here, right here at home

‘Cause I’m a picker, I’m a grinner
I’m a lover, and I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker, I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one
I’m a picker, I’m a grinner
I’m a lover, and I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker, I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I get my lovin’ on the run

You’re the cutest thing that I ever did see
I really love your peaches, wanna shake your tree
Lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey all the time
Oee, baby, I’ll sure show you a good time

‘Cause I’m a picker, I’m a grinner
I’m a lover, and I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker, I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I get my lovin’ on the run
I’m a picker, I’m a grinner
I’m a lover, and I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker, I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one

People keep talking about me, baby
Say I’m doing you wrong
Well, don’t you worry, don’t worry, no, don’t worry, mama
‘Cause I’m right here at home
You’re the cutest thing I ever did see
Really love your peaches, wanna shake your tree
Lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey all the time
C’mon baby, now I’ll show you a good time

Fairport Convention – Across The Decades (2003)

Fairport Convention are a British folk rock band, formed in 1967 by Richard Thompson (guitar, vocals), Simon Nicol (guitar, vocals), Ashley Hutchings (bass guitar), and Shaun Frater (drums, percussion), with Frater replaced by Martin Lamble after their first gig. They started out heavily influenced by American folk rock and singer-songwriter material, with a setlist dominated by Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell songs and a sound that earned them the nickname ‘the British Jefferson Airplane’. Vocalists Judy Dyble and Iain Matthews joined them before the recording of their self-titled debut in 1968; afterwards, Dyble was replaced by Sandy Denny, with Matthews leaving during the recording of their third album.

Denny began steering the group towards traditional British music for their next two albums, What We Did on Our Holidays and Unhalfbricking (both 1969); the latter featured fiddler Dave “Swarb” Swarbrick, most notably on the song “A Sailor’s Life”, which laid the groundwork for British folk rock by being the first time a traditional British song was combined with a rock beat.

However, shortly before the album’s release, a crash on the M1 killed Lamble and Thompson’s then-girlfriend, Jeannie Franklyn; this resulted in the group retiring most of their prior material and turning entirely towards British folk music for their seminal album Liege & Lief, released the same year, with this style being the band’s focus ever since. For this album Swarbrick joined full-time alongside Dave Mattacks on drums. Both Denny and Hutchings left before the year’s end; the latter replaced by Dave Pegg, who has remained the group’s sole consistent member to this day; and Thompson would leave after the recording of 1970’s Full House.

The 1970s saw numerous lineup changes around the core of Swarbrick and Pegg – Nicol being absent for the middle of the decade – and declining fortunes as folk music fell out of mainstream favour. Denny, whose partner Trevor Lucas had been a guitarist in the group since 1972, returned for the pop-orientated Rising for the Moon album in 1975 in a final bid to crack America; this effort failed, and after three more albums minus Denny or Lucas, the group disbanded in 1979. They played a farewell concert in the village of Cropredy, Oxfordshire, where they had held small concerts since 1976, and this marked the beginning of the Cropredy Festival (since 2005 known as Fairport’s Cropredy Convention) which has become the largest folk festival in Britain, with annual attendances of 20,000.[8] The band was reformed by Nicol, Pegg, and Mattacks in 1985, joined by Maartin Allcock (guitar, vocals) and Ric Sanders (fiddle, keyboards), and they have remained active since. Allcock was replaced by Chris Leslie in 1996, and Gerry Conway replaced Mattacks in 1998, with this lineup remaining unchanged since and marking the longest-lasting of the group’s history. Their 28th studio album, 50:50@50, released to mark their 50th anniversary, was released in 2017, and they continue to headline Cropredy each year.

Despite little mainstream success – with their only top 40 single being “Si Tu Dois Partir”, a French-language cover of the Dylan song “If You Gotta Go, Go Now” from Unhalfbricking – Fairport Convention remain highly influential in British folk rock and British folk in general. Liege & Lief was named the “Most Influential Folk Album of All Time” at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2006, and Pegg’s playing style, which incorporates jigs and reels into his basslines, has been imitated by many in the folk rock and folk punk genres.[9] Additionally, many former members went on to form or join other notable groups in the genre, including Fotheringay, Steeleye Span, and the Albion Band; along with solo careers, most notably Thompson and Denny.[10] Hers ended with her death in 1978, though she is now regarded[by whom?] as Britain’s finest female singer-songwriter, and her song “Who Knows Where the Time Goes?” – recorded by Fairport on Unhalfbricking – has become a signature song for herself and the band. (by wikipedia)

Across the Decades is an apt title for a band that’s as much an institution as anything. With more than 35 years under their belt, Fairport have a huge catalog to cherry-pick from for what’s essentially a best-of release. Be warned, however, that there’s nothing from the classic Sandy Denny/Richard Thompson lineup that helped invent British folk-rock. Instead, this picks up in 1971, although there are cuts from Denny’s second, mid-’70s stint with the band. However, the bulk comes from later on, although many of the names are familiar, as is a great deal of the material; the pieces are played with plenty of energy and skill — probably more skill than when some of them were first rolled out.

But they stand the test of time, as do many of the songs, several of which are written in styles influenced by the tradition. Purists might well turn their noses up at some of this, and demand compilations that trawl all the way back in the band’s history, and, to be fair, there was a magic about some early lineups that’s not completely evident here. However, that’s not to decry any of this, especially at a budget price for a double-CD set. It’s not the perfect introduction to Fairport, but for those curious about the slightly later years, this is a good way to sample that. (by Chris Nickson)

Personnel:
Various Fairport Convention line-ups

Tracklist:

CD 1:
01. The Hexamshire Lass (Traditional) 2.37
02. Hens March Through the Midden/The Four Poster Bed (Traditional) 2.46
03. Sloth (Swarbrick/Thompson) 13.03
04. It’ll Take A Long Time (Denny) 5.31
05. Firs An Feathers (Swarbrick) 4.50
06. Cell Song (Mattacks/Nicol/Pegg/Swarbrick) 3.58
07. Who Knows Where The Time Goes (Denny) 6.29
08. Ballad Of Ned Kelly (Lucas) 3.46
09. The Deserter (Traditional) 4.31
10. Both Sides Now (Mitchell) 3.08
11. Walk Awhile (Swarbrick/Thompson) 4.09
12. Rosie (Swarbrick) 4.10

CD 2:
01. How Many Times (Thompson) 3.30
02. My Feet Are Set for Dancing (Lesurf) 4.03
03. Angel Delight (Mattacks/Nicol/Pegg/Swarbrick) 4.32
04. Red And Gold (McTell) 6.43
05. Open the Door Richard (Dylan) 4.59
06. It Takes A Lot To Laugh (Dylan) 5.44
07. I’ll Keep It With Mine (Dylan) 6.27
08. Tam Lin (Traditional) 7.58
09. Who Knows Where The Time Goes (Denny)
10. Doctor Of Physik (Swarbrick/Thompson) 3.50
11. The Naked Highwayman (Tilston) 4.44
12. Meet On The Ledge (Thompson) 5.31

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Various Artists – Viva Mexico (1974)

The music of Mexico is very diverse and features a wide range of musical genres and performance styles. It has been influenced by a variety of cultures, most notably the culture of the indigenous people of Mexico and Europe. Music was an expression of Mexican nationalism, beginning in the nineteenth century.

Many traditional Mexican songs are well-known everywhere, including María Grever’s first international hit “Júrame” (“Swear to me”), and her song “Te quiero dijiste” (English version “Magic Is the Moonlight”), written for the 1944 Esther Williams film. “La Noche de los Mayas,” Huapango de Moncayo, “Sinfonía India (Second Symphony),” “Sobre las Olas,” “La Sandunga,” “Cielito Lindo” (“Beautiful Sweetheart”), “Bésame Mucho” (“Kiss Me a Lot”), “Perfidia”, “Solamente una vez” (English version “You Belong to My Heart”), “Esta Tarde Vi Llover” (English version “Yesterday I Heard the Rain”), “Somos Novios” (English version “We Are Dating”), “¡Ay, Jalisco, no te rajes!”, and “Jesusita en Chihuahua,”

Other famous songs include “México Lindo y Querido” (“Beautiful, Beloved Mexico”), “Jarabe Tapatío’ (known internationally as “The Mexican Hat Dance”), “El Rey” (“The King”), “El Triste” (“The sad one”), “Pelea de gallos”, “Enamorada” (“Enamoured”), “Échame a mi la culpa” (“Blame me”), “La ley del monte” (“The law of the land”), “La Bikina” (“The Bikina”), “Por Debajo de la Mesa,” “La Media Vuelta,” “La Bamba,” (“The Bamba”), “Lilongo,” and “Jarabe Pateño”. “La Cucaracha” (“The Cockroach”), although popularized during the Mexican Revolution, is a Mexican corrido. (by wikipedia)

And here´s a beautful sampler with traditional music from Mexico … and if you like for example Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, then you should listen … it´s music that can make you happy … and sometimes very sentimental (“Las Golondrinas”) it´s music directly from the heart of the people of Mexico.

Tracklist:

Mariachi Jalisco De Pepe Villa:
01. Guadalajara (Guizar) 3.04
02. Las Alteñitas (Espinosa) 2.42
03. Camino Real De Colima (Vargas/Fuentes) 1.56
04. Las Perlitas (Cardenas Jr.) 2.41
05. Jarabe Tapatio (Particheia) 2.30
06. Las Mañanitas (Traditional) 3.04
07. La Negra (Vargas/Fuentes) 2.49
08. Atotonilco (Espinosa) 2.58
09. La Madrugada (Vargas/Fuentes) 2.37
10. Las Copetonas (Traditional) 2.41
11. Cu Cu Ru Cu Cu Palomma) (Mendez) 2.54
12. Las Golondrinas (Serredell) 3,02

Mariachi Los Mensajeros:
13. El Guaje (Sones Jaliscienses) (Jaliscmnses) 2.18

Irma Serrano:
14. Flor Del Rio (Cordero) 2.46

Jorge Valente:
15. El Vicio (Ruiz/Zorella) 2.59

Mariachi Jalisco De Pepe Villa:
16. Guadalajara (Trditional) 2.08

Trio Los Panchos:
17, La Corriente (Navarro) 2.58

Eva Garza:
18, Padre Nuestro (Delfino) 2.31

Fernando Soto:
19, Rayando El Sol (Cancion Mexicana) (Traditional) 2.18

Mariachi Los Mensajeros:
20. Chapala (Son) (Guizar) 2.19

Irma Serrano con Los Alegres De Teran:
21. La Martina (Castro) 3.02

Cuco Sanchez Y Antonio Bribiesca:
22. Maria Elena (Barcelata) 3,96

Linda Vera:
23, Guindame La Hamaca (del Rivero) 2.22

Irma Serrano & Lloren Organillos:
24. La Abandonada (Castro) 3.16

Mariachi Jalisco De Pepe Villa:
25. El Mariachi (Guizar) 2.50

Jorge Valente:
26. Calladamente (Maldonado) 2.25

Irma Serrano:
27. Carinito De Mi Vida (Valdes/Ortega) 1.46

Coral Mexicano:
28. Cielito Lindo (Fernandez) 2.22

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I got this rare item from Hermann, a reader of this blog … Thank you very much !!!

The Nighthawks – Times Four (All Previously Unreleased Material) (1982)

A hard-driving Washington, D.C.-based bar band with strong Chicago blues roots, the Nighthawks were formed in 1972 by harpist and vocalist Mark Wenner and guitarist Jimmy Thackery. The band earned a reputation as a solid outfit through more than a decade of touring and recording projects with John Hammond and former members of Muddy Waters’ band. Thackery left in 1986, but Wenner regrouped around longtime members Jan Zukowski on bass and Pete Ragusa on drums. Trouble, their 1991 release on Powerhouse, was a blend of blues, R&B, and rock influences, with a typically energetic sound born from thousands of gigs across the country. Subsequent efforts included 1993’s live Rock This House, 1996’s Pain & Paradise, and 1999’s Still Wild. A collection of live performances from 2001 saw release in the spring of 2002 as Live Tonight. Since then, the band has stayed active delivering such albums as 2006’s Blue Moon in Your Eye, 2009’s American Landscape, and 2015’s Back Porch Party. In 2017 they returned with All You Gotta Do, which included a version of Brenda Lee’s “That’s All You Gotta Do.” (by Bill Dahl)

Billboard, 1982

I’ve alway felt that the Nighthawks best showcase was their live stage persona, seen them several different times at different venues, and they never disapoint. What you are getting with this double album is a taste of their special gritty take on the urban blues. Its amazing that the Nighthawks vocal harmonies, along with Mark Wenner’s just stone slutty as a dockyard doxie, harmonica solo’s are enough to draw your attemtion, but Jimmy Thackery’s out front, in the background guitar work is his standard excellence. (D. G. Luttrell)

Personnel:
Pete Ragusa (drums, vocals)
Jimmy Thackery (guitar)
Mark Wenner (vocals, harmonica)
Jan Zukowski (bass, vocals)
+
Guitar Junior (guitar, vocals on D2, D4)

Tracklist:

LP 1: Live Sessions:
01. Ubangi Stomp (Underwood) 3.33
02. Mystery Dance (Costello) 1.37
03. Announcement 0.40
04. Boppin’ The Blues (Perkins) 3.50
05. Announcement 0.17
06. Talk To My Baby  (James) 5.23
07. Come On (Let The Good Times Roll) (King) 5.43
08. Off The Wall (Jacobs) 2.18
09. Double Trouble (Rush) 9.19

LP 2: Studios Sessions:
10. Let A Woman Be A Woman (Christian) 3.26
11. All Your Fault (Maghett) 4.05
12. What A Girl Can’t Do (Guernsey) 2.44
13. You’ve Got To Move (James) 4.51
14. Claudette (Orbison) 2.27
15. Mystery Train (Parker) 4.19
16. Back Seat Boogie (Cole) 3.00
17. How Many More Years (Burnette) 4.35
18. Mind Your Own Business (Williams) 3.06
+
19. Live Sessions (Part 1 – uncut version) 15.47
20. Live Sessions (Part 2 – uncut version) 17.42

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