October 27, 2015

 

 

Tune into

Tonys Time Machine 

on Wednesday 28th October

to hear Harriet’s poem

‘For The Love Of The Unknown  (Halloween)’

along with the ‘Play-list’

of songs taken from the poem.

Tony will also be in conversation

with Zak and possibly Charly too.

So have a real spooky time Folks

 

(See the poem in full below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cream satisfied our thirst,

in 67, with their ‘Strange Brew’,

and in this year, The Beatles took us,

on a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’, they knew.

 

63 saw the King, Elvis Presley,

at number one with ‘Devil in Disguise’

and making number two in 69,

‘Suspicious Minds’ came as no surprise.

 

In 74, one of our fave U.S. Rockers,

at number one, did arrive:

Following her ‘Daytona Demons’,

Suzi Quattro took us to ‘Devil Gate Drive’.

 

A ‘Specials’ 81 hit –‘Ghost Town’,

in June made number one

‘Too much too young’, from their AKA live EP,

so poignant, now beloved Rico has gone.

 

‘Black Magic Woman’, an early classic,

from Fleetwood Mac, in style.

Two years later, Jimi Hendrix Experience

introduced us to their ‘Voodoo Chile’.

 

Alive and kicking came ‘Simple Minds’

insisting ‘Don’t you (forget about me).

Jim Kerr, at the helm showing us,

how cool ’Ghost Dancing’ could be.

 

Never ones for a ‘Quiet life’,

Japan, in 82, brought us ‘Ghosts’,

and with the help of a ‘Night Porter’,

ensured ‘All tomorrows Parties’ – the most.

 

‘The Devil went down to Georgia’

to link up with The Charlie Daniels Band.

And ‘Ghostbusters’ had us on the run

when Ray Parker Jnr made his stand.

 

 So whether you believe in demons,

and hauntingly spooky apparitions,

or in a devil who enters a body,

without any consenting permission.

 

Or, if you think the whole concept nonsense;

preferring to keep your grip on reality tight.

Just for the hell of it, drop your guard,

and enjoy ‘Halloween’ tonight.

 

Written By Harriet Blackbury

 

 

 

 

 

October 25, 2015

 

 

Neil Diamond’s ‘Cracklin Rose’

bloomed in 70, reaching No.3,

and also arriving at No.3, Vanessa Paradis

in 88, came along with Joe Le Taxi.

 

‘Marlene on the Wall’ from Suzanne Vega,

in 86, climbed up the charts to 21,

and with ‘Luka’ she was back in 87,

and another Top 40 spot was won.

 

Also in 87, solo, she recorded ‘Tom’s Diner’,

but the re-mix in 90, made No. 2 for DNA,

(this also featuring Suzanne Vega),

and was in the charts for a 10 week stay.

 

In 71, on Tamla Motown, The Supremes

got to No. 5 with ‘Nathan Jones’,

and then Bananarama, in 88, reached 15,

after successfully resurrecting his bones.

 

Sam the Sham and the Pharaoh’s,

with their ‘Wooly Bully’ song,

were in the charts at No.11, in 65,

and had us all singing along.

 

‘Enola Gay’ arrived in 80,

and in 81, came ‘Joan of Arc’.

Both Top Ten hits of quality,

from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.

 

‘You can call me Al’, at 4 in 86,

saw Paul Simon relax his guard,

and 72 also found him in a playful mood, with

‘Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard’.

 

Three years after taking ‘Daniel’ to 4 in 73,

76, saw ‘Benny and the Jets’, in the Top 40 chart.

So in 85, when ‘Nikita’ climbed to No.3,

it was no secret that Elton, had won every heart.  

 

No list of names complete without ‘Alfie’,

from our beloved Cilla Black, at her best.

This Bacharach song from 66,

will live on forever, now she’s laid to rest.

 

And finally, everyone’s favourite; ‘Fernando’,

in 76, gave Abba their third No.1.

In a career with 25 Top 40 hits, we say

‘Thank you for the music’, so very well done.

 

Written by Harriet Blackbury

 

 

 

October 20, 2015

 

 

This weeks theme

on

Tonys Time Machine

Wednesday 21st October

11am – 1pm

is

‘Back To The Future and Solitude’.

 

Siobhan and Carolyn

will be reading

 ‘For The Love Of Solitude’

by

Harriet Blackbury

 

and Tony will be chatting

about Wishbone Ash and 

their current tour. 

 

Hope you have fun singing along.

( Repeats throughout the week at the usual times.)

 

 

 

 

 

October 16, 2015

 

 

‘Going out of my head’, a top 40 hit,

making the charts in 65.

This powerful Dodie West song,

came with so much feeling and vibe.

 

Leroy Van Dyke, with ‘Walk on by’ 

in 62, was on display.

And Unit Four Plus Two, in 65, 

secured No.1  with ‘Concrete and Clay’.

 

‘Make it easy on yourself’ in 65, and,

‘The sun ain’t gonna shine anymore’ in 66 –

(Both number one for The Walker Brothers),

had every girl in the country transfixed.

 

Then ‘Jackie’ saw Scott Walker,

finally going solo in 67,

and his love-torn song ‘Joanna’,  

in 68, found him singing of past heaven.

 

In 66, ‘Walking my cat named dog’,

was Norma Tanega’s only hit, 

‘I feel love comin on, by Felice Taylor,

another one – hit wonder, nicely did fit.

 

‘Green Tambourine’ by the Lemon Pipers,

this 68 hit, reaching the top ten pot.

Whilst in the same year, with the same song,

Sundragon, only getting as far as the fifty slot.

 

Len Barry proved we could count on him,

by giving us, in 65, his ‘1 – 2 – 3’

and in 69, Blue Mink, with ‘Melting Pot’,

told us what a great world this could be.

 

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg,

gave us a tune with a seductive feel.

Their ‘Je T’aime’ reaching two in 69;

this love song, so moving and so real.

 

That’s impossible! – we replied to The Bee Gees

when they asked ’Don’t forget to remember’, in 69.

After their third hit – ‘Massachusetts’, (No.1 in 67)

had begun the Legend’s unforgettable pipeline?

 

‘When a man loves a woman’ by Percy Sledge –

A huge hit, in the World Cup year of 66.

Graham Bonney with his song ‘Supergirl’, and

The Chiffons ‘Sweet Talkin’ Guy,  also in this mix.

 

‘She’s about a mover’ by Sir Douglas Quintet, and

‘Big Time Operator’ by Zoot Money and the Big Roll Band.

were both sixties one-hit wonders,

but they nevertheless, made their stand.

 

‘Jackson’ by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood,

came after Nancy, solo, hit ‘Sugar Town’,

proving ‘These boots are made for walking’,

still had some mileage, after the number one crown.

 

‘Paper Sun’ saw Traffic heading up the queue,

and with ‘Hole in my shoe’, continuing the rush.

Their final top ten of 67, being,

‘Here we go round the Mulberry Bush’

 

‘Daydream’ by Loving Spoonful and

‘Summer in the city’, both hits from 66.

‘If I ruled the world’ and ‘This is my song’,

finds lovely Harry Secombe, in this final mix.

 

What can be said about the Sixties,

that hasn’t already been said?

If you were there and you missed it,

then you certainly were off your head!

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury

 

 

October 13, 2015

 

 

I found myself hesitant,

and even a little scared,

entering the hot house from hell,

amongst plants quite absurd,

 

and yet, entrancingly beautiful

in their unique kind of way,

sat warm Trifid’s aplenty.

in a mesmerist array.

 

Then back out into tranquillity,

where a heron, quite still,

was clearly spotted at peace.

Oh such a joy, such a thrill,

 

to walk in the footsteps

of those gone before,

to soak up the ambiance;

please go, I implore.

 

To read of the children,

who played in the grounds.

To horse ride and fish in

idyllic surrounds,

 

and reside in a nursery,

that was hard to leave;

The best childhood possible,

they had, I believe.

 

Winterbourne House,

so superbly maintained,

with past memories intact;

real life in there remained.

 

Thank you dear Rosie,

these lines I impart,

for sharing the gift,

so very close to your heart.

 

This gem near the city,

 a whole world away,

from the hustle and bustle

I shall return to someday.

 

This poem can be read on

blackbury-poems.com

 

October 7, 2015

 

 

And now her mind

drifts off to sea,

we are left with life

as it used to be.

 

‘Her steak pie suppers,

with that touch of finesse;

too full for more, but

plum pudding, nevertheless’.

 

And now her eyes

little sight can see,

Her touch so vital;

how I envy her dignity.

 

Her manicured fingers

gripping a warm tea cup,

though quite what to do with it –

Chaos could erupt?

 

Last weeks contents, she

poured into the sugar bowl,

when our eyes, for a moment

went on a stroll.

 

Cubes bobbed up and down

and glistened away;

she joined in the laughter,

that saved the day.

 

And now she is ready

for her pre-lunch nap.

Our cue to rise,

and gather coat and cap.

 

She opens her eyes

as we reach the door.

We are now but a blur,

so she closes them once more. 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven’t looked

but I know he’s there.

I sense his presence;

his out sprawled legs

ready to sprint off,

stopping my heart

in an instance.

 

I sit and wait; he

knows I’m there.

He senses my presence.

My body shakes.

I have a plan, and leave

the room to find the

death weapon.

 

When I return – he’s gone!

and I am left wondering

‘Was he ever there at all?’

 

 

 

October 6, 2015

 

 

Tune into

Tonys Time Machine

LIVE

Wednesday 7th October

11am – 1pm

for great chat, music and fun

This week

 

Tony will also be reading Harriet’s poem

‘For The Love Of Manchester’

 

Have a lovely time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Users of imagination,

forever swing on tall ship’s sails.

And talk of thrills and fascination,

with truth as clear as Manx cat’s tails.

 

 

 

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