This song was the soundtrack to my summer in 1963. Another marvellous composition from Holland, Dozier, Holland, performed perfectly by Martha and The Vandellas. Released on the Gordy label in the USA, in Britain it was a Motown record. I cannot keep still when I hear this song, … | Continue reading
As the post title suggests, it has been a very cold week. When the heating failed to work on Tuesday, we tried calling a different engineer. It just so happened that he was at his mother’s house nearby, so he came round immediately. He could tell the boiler was not firing correct … | Continue reading
This is the fourteenth part of a fiction serial, in 776 words. As Kirsty was waving goodbye to the police officers, Adam Brice was drinking tea and eating bread and jam, wondering why old man Inchcape had not showed up to complain about the fencing. But Jess Inchcape was biding h … | Continue reading
I am going back to 1962 with this choice. I was only 10 years old, but I knew I had to have this record as soon as I heard it on the radio. This was his only major hit, but it was a very big one. Chris Montez changed his style later and became a … Continue reading Retro Music 35 | Continue reading
This 7-minute colour film has been enhanced for video to give an interesting impression of daily life in the ruined city not long after the end of WW2. | Continue reading
This is the thirteenth part of a fiction serial, in 780 words. Tom was released on bail, pending investigation. But by the time he got home that night after collecting his car from the school car park, there was no trace of Sarah and the kids. He eventually found a note on the pi … | Continue reading
1963 again, (That was a great year for music!) and another pop classic from America. Lesley Gore was just 16 years old when she recorded this song, which was produced by none other than Quincy Jones. She went on to have more hits, including the classic “You Don’t Own Me”. In late … | Continue reading
In 1964, the American teenage girl group The Shangri-Las had a number one hit with the song ‘Leader Of The Pack’. This was in a short-lived musical genre known as ‘Teenage Tragedy’. I didn’t buy that record, but the same year I did buy another of their records. This one. The lyri … | Continue reading
Originally posted on My Life as an Artist (2): With my two friends Patrick and Maureen in front of the then newly constructed Commonwealth Institute in Kensington London…….now The Design Museum. I posted this image on FB and Twitter this week with the added text saying ‘what a go … | Continue reading
This the twelfth part of a fiction serial, in 749 words. At the end of the school day, Kirsty appeared in the empty classroom. Tom smiled at her, and indicated that she should sit at a desk. “Now, Kirsty. What didn’t you understand earlier?” The girl shrugged. “Well that Geometry … | Continue reading
During the 1960s, London was trying to become the new fashion capital of the world. It rebranded itself as ‘Swinging London’, and photographers were out on the streets taking photos of the new fashions, regularly using professional models too. This selection includes some styles … | Continue reading
Also in 1963, The Ronettes hit the charts with this song. One of the earliest examples of Phil Spector’s ‘Wall of sound’ technique, it was a huge hit almost everywhere. Ronnie (Veronica Greenfield) formed the group with her sister and cousin, and later married Phil Spector the mu … | Continue reading
This is the eleventh part of a fiction serial, in 753 words. After eating his toast and drinking his tea, Jess could feel his jaw aching, and he was sure that one of his teeth was loose. But as he hadn’t been to a dentist since he was at school, he decided not to worry … Continue … | Continue reading
I found these online. There were no dates given, but most of the photos appear to be very old. No individual photographers were credited, but they all come from a Pinterest site called ‘Vintage Everyday’. The little boy looks sleepy. Waiting for someone to come home? Cats on a ha … | Continue reading
A big hit on both sides of The Atlantic in 1963, this song performed by The Chiffons often pops into my head. It crossed over from Doo-Wop into mainstream pop, spanning both musical genres and pleasing listeners all over the world. It wasn’t their only hit, but it was the first o … | Continue reading
This is the ninth part of a fiction serial, in 804 words. Jess Inchcape had also had a disturbed night. Some kind of blue glow had illuminated his bedroom, but by the time he had woken up Hilda to see it, it had gone. She wasn’t happy. “You imagining stuff, Jess? Now I’m awake fo … | Continue reading
When most people of a certain age think of this song, they will hear the Mamas and Papas version in their heads. However, because my dad worked in the record business, I was aware of earlier versions years before the big hit from the famous American vocal group. Written and relea … | Continue reading
This fascinating short film (8 minutes) shows everyday life in many different cities around the world in the 1920s. The original black and white footage has been enchanced, colourised, and some sound added for effect. Cities in America and Europe are featured, and I found it very … | Continue reading
This is the ninth part of a fiction serial, in 773 words. George sat on the sofa looking across at the crumpled body of his wife. For some reason, he felt if he looked at her long enough, she would be alright. After almost forty minutes had passed, he realised that wasn’t going t … | Continue reading
In 1963, Dionne Warwick had a huge hit in Britain with the song, ‘Walk On By’. Even though I was only 11 at the time I liked it enough to buy it, and the following year she released her version of another Bacharach/David composition, ‘A House Is Not A Home’. At just 12 years old, … | Continue reading
My 12 year-old self would never forgive me if I didn’t include this 1964 Motown hit from one of their most successful groups. Another songwriting success for the talented trio of Holland, Dozier, Holland. Baby, baby, baby don’t leave me Ooh, please don’t leave me all by myself I’ … | Continue reading
This colour film from the 1960s has been remastered into very good quality video. It was filmed at various trendy locations and shopping districts, as well as some famous tourist sites. Obviously intended to show the new fashions of the day, and the contrast with the older people … | Continue reading
This is the eighth part of a fiction serial, in 844 words. George waited as his wife appeared to be composing her thoughts into words. He had no idea why she wanted a serious talk, or what that might be about. When she started talking, he was genuinely shocked. “I think we need t … | Continue reading
Carole King and Gerry Goffin were two of the most prolific songwriters of the modern age. Then in 1971, Carole released her solo album, ‘Tapestry’. Set to become one of the biggest-selling albums in history, it contained a selection of near-perfect songs, all written and performe … | Continue reading
This is the seventh part of a fiction serial, in 770 words. Before he left Weston, George phoned the house to let Eileen know he wouldn’t be home that night. But there was no answer, and he left a message on the answerphone. It wasn’t like his wife to not answer, and he wondered … | Continue reading
The week has been dominated by weather. Bad weather, constant rain and strong winds. The combination has caused something to happen on the roof, resulting in a leak that is finding its way down the chimney of the wood burner, onto the stove top. So now as well as walking Ollie in … | Continue reading
I was 20 in 1972, and heard a lovely song on the radio. I didn’t know the performers, an American duo called Seals and Crofts, but I bought the record. In 1974, The Isley Brothers released a cover version as a single, and I bought that too. Even now, I am not sure which version … … | Continue reading
The Kinks were a London-based pop group formed in 1963 by two brothers, Ray and Dave Davies. In 1964, they had a hit with the song ‘You Really Got Me’, and that attracted my attention at the age of 12. Three years later, they released a track from their latest album. It was calle … | Continue reading
With most men being required for military service during WW1, that left a huge gap in the employment market at home, and created the need for some women to serve overseas too. Women took on many traditionally male roles during the men’s absence, and thousands more chose to serve … | Continue reading
This is the sixth part of a fiction serial, in 777 words. While George was in Bath, Eileen made the most of a day on her own. Although feeling out of place in the sportswear shop, the staff were very kind to her, and she was soon kitted out with three changes of appropriate cloth … | Continue reading
This is the fifth part of a fiction serial, in 906 words. That evening, Eileen cooked a Beef Stroganoff for dinner, something she hadn’t served up for years. Then she got the Port from the cupboard, suggesting they had a glass or two. George couldn’t fail to notice that she hadn’ … | Continue reading
This song from 1966 was a real floor-filler at many clubs in London. Even then, it sounded old-fashioned. But once it started, it was almost impossible not to get up and dance, no matter how badly you danced! Written and performed by Robert Parker, it was the first record I ever … | Continue reading
Soul music wasn’t just about Tamla Motown, back in the day. In 1967, I heard a great soul song by Chuck Wood, called Seven Days Is Too Long. I bought it the next day, released by Roulette Records. A real foot-tapper! First time I called you girl They say you wasn’t home Then seco … | Continue reading
Tony Ray-Jones loved to observe English people when they were relaxing. I found more of his photos online. A boat trip off the coast at Eastbourne, 1967. A beauty contest in Newquay, Cornwall. 1967 Enjoying an ice cream at the Epsom Derby, 1967. (Littering did not seem to bother … | Continue reading
This is the fourth part of a fiction serial, in 809 words. Enjoying his walk around the unfamiliar city, George got to see the castle and the cathedral just as he had hoped, stopping for lunch in between. It was a nice day, so he decided to head east to the coast, and the seaside … | Continue reading
Fifty years ago, an American tourist went on a trip to London and took lots of photos. In 2016,those photos were discovered, and put in an online article. Sadly, the photographer was not named. Denmark Street. This is known as ‘Tin Pan Alley’ and was the home of many record compa … | Continue reading
More from Tamla Motown, this time from The Miracles, with their front man Smokey Robinson. Released in 1965, this was a considerable hit in Britain, and I bought it at the age of 13. The album it came from also included ‘Tracks Of My Tears’ and ‘Ooh Baby Baby’. Co-written by Smok … | Continue reading
Originally posted on Nicholas C. Rossis: So, you’ve completed your first book. After pouring your heart and soul into your first masterpiece, the rest of the world surely needs to appreciate your accomplishment as much as you do. This landmark moment in your life needs to be shar … | Continue reading
This is the third part of a fiction serial, in 784 words. When George woke up late the next morning, Eileen was already busy in the living room. The crochet club had a new project, and she was occupied with the squares that were her contribution. So he cooked his own breakfast of … | Continue reading
Beginning in 1908, the police force in Birmingham began to take ‘mugshots’ of women arrested for prostitution in that city. They would be taken to a commercial photography studio, and their image taken to accompany the charge sheet. This helped with repeat offenders who could now … | Continue reading
I was 18 in 1970, and rarely showed any interest in what could be called ‘Rock Music’. However, I heard a record on my car radio and decided I just had to buy the single. I think it still sounds very fresh, over 50 years later. The British Band Free had been around for a … Contin … | Continue reading
More Motown, and another song from the dream team of Holland, Dozier, Holland. This time from 1966, released on the VIP label, part of The Motown group of companies, and performed by The Elgins. This was a top favourite song of mine, and remains so to this day. This song was reis … | Continue reading
I was only 12 years old in 1964, but I knew a good singer and a good song when I heard it. Sam Cooke is one of the finest vocalists of his generation, and most of his songs have been covered by other singers, but almost never bettered. The same year that I bought this … Continue … | Continue reading
This is the second part of a fiction serial, in 815 words. Eileen woke up with George on top of her. He was definitely amorous, and she struggled to remember the last time he had done anything like that. It had to have been at least five years earlier, after too many whiskies on … | Continue reading
Originally posted on toritto: Who is “Sur.ly”? Recently I went to log onto my wordpress blog (toritto.wordpress.com) and encountered a page evaluating my blog for various offensive themes. There aren’t any but the sur.ly page blocks access to my blog. I am currently accessing th … | Continue reading
This is all 26 parts of my recent fiction serial, compiled into one complete story. It is a long read, at 21,471 words. We had all read the novel at school. The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas. But there were four of us, so we called ourselves the four musketeers. Childhood … | Continue reading
Aretha Franklin is often called ‘The Queen Of Soul’, and with good reason. Her huge hit ‘Respect’ generated many covers, and still sounds relevant today. However, it was another of her hits that first drew me to her, and it is that song I am featuring in this series. This was rel … | Continue reading
This is the first part of a fiction serial, in 843 words. George hadn’t been sleeping that well since retiring. Losing the routine of working all day had upset his body clock, and left him restless at night. And being around Eileen all day felt strange too. He had realised that y … | Continue reading