August 10, 2017

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Appearing on the scene in 69

Glen Campbell won our hearts,

when he gave us ‘Wichita Lineman’,

which made No. 7 in the charts.

 

In the same year 2 hits followed:

‘Galveston’ – much loved by he.

And assisted by Bobbie Gentry –

‘All I have to do is Dream’ reached No.3

 

‘Try a little Tenderness’ came in 70

then ‘Honey come back’ making No.4

‘Everything a man could ever need’ came next,

and ‘It’s only make believe’ a No.4, once more.

 

‘Dream Baby’ made the Top 40,

(his only hit of 71)

until in 75 with ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’

at No.4 – he once again shone.

 

‘Southern Nights came in 77,

from this home grown US boy.

Thank You Glen Campbell – vocalist and guitarist,

for bringing us so much joy.

 

RIP  1936 – 2017

 

 

May 23, 2017

 

 

In 62, the first Bond theme came from –

The John Barry Orchestra for ‘Doctor No’.

Followed by ‘From Russia With Love’,

in 63, sung by Matt Munro.

 

Then in 64, with the third Bond title song,

came Shirley Bassey with her hit, Goldfinger.

and in 65, ‘Thunderball’ from Tom Jones,

also another fine welsh singer.

 

The fifth Bond film theme – ‘You Only Live Twice’,

was sung, in 67 by Nancy Sinatra.

Then ‘On Her Majesty’s Service’ in 69, saw the

re-appearance of The John Barry Orchestra.

 

‘We Have All The Time In The World’,

( also in this film), an unforgettable song,

performed as only he could,

by wonderful Mr Louis Armstrong.

 

Early 72 saw Shirley Bassey once more,

at her sparkling best with ‘Diamonds Are Forever’

and in 73, Paul McCartney and Wings gave us

‘Live And Let Die’, which we all sang together.

 

Composed by John Barry – words by Don Black in 74,

‘The Man With The Golden Gun’, nicely for Lulu did sit.

And in 77, Carly Simon with ‘Nobody Does It Better’,

from the film, The Spy Who Loved Me’, a hit.

 

Shirley Bassey performed the theme from ‘Moonraker’

( her third Bond song coming in 79).

And next Sheena Easton with the title song

‘For Your Eyes Only’, in 81, also divine.

 

In 83, the film ‘Octopussy’

found Rita Coolidge with ‘All Time High’,

and in 85 (with a U.S. No.1), Duran Duran sang,

‘A View To A Kill’, making young hearts sigh.

 

‘The Living Daylights’ came from Norway’s A-ha,

in 87, with the next film title song.

And Gladys Knight with ‘Licence To Kill’,

in 89, proved she could still do no wrong.

 

Also at her best in 95 Tina Turner,

had a hit with ‘Golden Eye’ to let us know.

And in 97 with ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’

yet another American – fab Sheryl Crow.

 

‘The World Is Not Enough’ from Garbage,

in 99, with the next film title seen.

And ‘Die Another Day’ in 2002 from Madonna,

a hit by this world renown song queen.

 

The song for Casino Royale in 2006 –

‘You Know My Name’ by Chris Cornell, did please.

‘Another Way To Die’ for Quantum Of Solace,

in 2008 coming from Jack White and Alicia Keys

 

More recently, in 2012 Adele gave us ‘Skyfall’,

always sure to mesmerise.

And Spectre, just perfect for Sam Smith

in 2015, coming as no surprise.

 

Whatever James Bond Film your favourite,

whichever actor your preference to play the man,

you are guaranteed a time of excitement

no matter which decade they span.

 

James Bond films are films like no other;

fantasy entertainment of the highest score.

And in 2017 with heartfelt sadness

fans said ‘Goodnight, God Bless’ to Sir Roger Moore.

 

And now, just three years later,

the original James Bond, (some considered the best) –

Sir Sean Connery, has sadly departed.

Thank you,  in peace, may you rest.

 

R I P  Sir Sean Connery  1930 – 2020

May 22, 2017

 

 

‘Bat Out Of Hell’ by Meatloaf

in 79 arrived with drive.

and ‘Running Up The Hill’ at No.3

was Kate Bush in 85.

 

‘It’s A Shame’ made the Top 20 in 70,

for America’s Motown Spinners,

and at No.1 in 78 was ‘Dreadlock Holiday’

making Stockport’s 10cc winners.

 

‘Stuck In The Middle With You’,

in 73 a Top 10 for Stealers Wheel,

and in 96 – Orbital,

gave ‘The Box’ a Top 20 feel.

 

At No.7 in 92 came ‘The Bouncer’

by UK duo – Kick Like A Mule,

after Dire Straits in 79

gave us ‘Sultans Of Swing’, so cool.

 

‘Ball Of Confusion’ in the charts at No7,

in 70, for The Temptations.

Also in 70 ‘It’s All In The Game’ sang The Four Tops,

2 years after Cliff’s No 1  – ‘Congratulations’.

 

May 7, 2017

 

 

In 78 with ‘Radio Radio’

was Elvis Costello at No. 9,

and in 89 The Traveling Wilburys

recorded ‘End Of The Line’.

 

In 76, The Isley Brothers

took ‘Harvest For The World’ to No. 10,

and in 92 at No.1 was –

‘End Of The Road’ by Boys ll Men.

 

‘Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye’

in 70 found Steam at No 9.

This song also (at No.10 in 83)

saw Bananarama shine.

 

‘Don’t Let It Die’ by Hurricane Smith,

in 71 reached No.2,

and in 63, a Top 20 for Skeeter Davis

saw ‘End Of The World’ come into view.

 

In 67 ‘A Place In The Sun’

for Stevie Wonder made the Top 20.

‘Heaven Help Us All’ another of his songs,

in 70, making a chart entry.

 

In 80 with ‘Masterblaster (Jammin)’

he reached No.2, doing it his way,

and another No.2 back in 69

was ‘Yester-me Yester-you Yesterday.

 

In 65, ‘It’s The Same Old Song’

found The Four Tops at 34,

and in 76, ‘Don’t Stop The Music’

by Tavares reached No.4

 

In 91, ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’, a Top 20

by Paul Young, fans thought just heaven.

(This song originally a hit for Crowded House,

making No.25 in 87).

 

In 58, The Platters –

took ‘Twilight Time’ to No.3,

and 70 saw The Beatles

at No.2 with ‘Let It Be.’

 

‘Resurrection Shuffle’ in 71

by Ashton, Gardener & Dyke at No.3

And making No.1 in 80,

David Bowie set ‘Ashes to Ashes’ free.

 

In 82, ‘Don’t Stop Believin’

found Journey at No.6,

‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ from 84,

by The Smiths, in this final mix.

 

In 97, ‘The End Is The Beginning Is The End’

by The Smashing Pumpkins made No.10,

and ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It’

in 91, a Top 40 for REM.

 

By Harriet Blackbury

April 28, 2017

 

 

Pure excellence

of the highest order,

acknowledged

by loud applause

 

from the

privileged few

lucky to be seated

for this worthy cause.

 

Pure excellence;

another night to remember,

as eyes meet in credulity

row after row.

 

Each person moved

by such perfection,

from one who can

put on a Show.

 

Pure excellence

from this formidable teacher,

with a voice to die for –

like a summer breeze.

 

Satisfaction guaranteed

or your money back,

from one who knows

how an audience to please.

 

Review  –   The Rudolf Kempe Society

Songs of Apollo

Word and Music – Stratford upon Avon

2018 season.

 

 

April 10, 2017

 

 

In 75 at No.9 was Barry White

with ‘Let The Music Play’,

and ‘Thank You For The Music’,

by Abba in 83, so very apt today.

 

‘Goodnight Tonight’ in 79

reached No.5 for Wings

and ‘A Place In The Sun’ from 67

by Stevie Wonder – everyone sings

 

‘Thanks For Saving My Life’

in 74 reached No.33 –

This Billy Paul song proving

how vital music can be.

 

At No. 2 in 75 – ‘The Last Farewell’

by Roger Whittaker, was loved so.

And also ‘Softly As I Leave You’,

in the Top 10 of 62 – by Matt Munro.

 

At No.3 in 58 The Platters, let

‘Twilight Time’ gently unfold.

And ‘Thank You For Being A Friend’

in 78, came from Andrew Gold.

 

‘Good Vibrations’ and ‘God Only Knows’

two of the Beach Boys successes of 66,

and ‘Unforgettable’ by Nat ‘King’ Cole,

from generations of your fans, in this final mix.

 

 

 

Thank you so very much.

Brian Matthew  1928 – 2017

 

 

March 31, 2017

 

 

A pal likes to be remembered –

whether they be new or old,

and in 77, ‘Thank You For Being A Friend’

came along from Andrew Gold.

 

In 88, Mica Paris was at No. 7

with ‘My One Temptation’ on show,

and in 04 at No.3 was Keene,

with ‘Someone Only We Know’.

 

Deniece Williams made No.8 in 77,

reaching a note so spine chilling,

and today ‘That’s What Friends Are For’,

sounds just as movingly thrilling.

 

‘Friends Will Be Friends’ by Queen

in 86, another Top 20 fix,

and in 89 ‘Rooms On Fire’,

at No.16, by Stevie Nicks.

 

‘All About You’ / ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ –

a double ‘A sided’ No.1 in 05, for McFly,

And Leo Sayer’s 77 Number 1 –

‘When I Need You’ – I cannot pass by.

 

‘Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own’ –

a seventh Number 1, in 05 for U2.

and ‘Dedicated To The One I Love’ in 67,

by Mamas & Papas, stopped us feeling blue.

 

So many hits came from Abba,

‘Knowing Me Knowing You’, springs to mind,

after hauntingly memorable ‘Fernando’,

and ‘Dancing Queen’ – always on re-wind.

 

In 07 at No.7 came ‘Soulmate’

from UK’s Natasha Bedingfield,

and Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell’s 69 hit –

‘The Onion Song’, more than appealed.

 

In 71, a classic from James Taylor –

‘You’ve Got A Friend’, made No.4,

after his first chart entry – ‘Fire and Rain’,

which came the year before.

 

The Average White Band’s – ‘Let’s Go Round Again’

has the best ‘feel-good’ instrumental middle,

which some DJ’s frustratingly fade out,

or the song comes on, when I’m needing a piddle!

 

With vocals by The Bandits,

Billy Cotton & his Band reached 3 in 54,

with a song entitled ‘Friends & Neighbours’,

which got Granny onto the dance floor.

 

February 19, 2017

 

 

A genuine ‘Mr Nice Guy’,

who’s departure, too soon came into view.

Best known for penning ‘You’re A Lady’,

‘Hold On To Love’, and so many more too.

 

A 1930’s song – ‘Love Is The Sweetest Thing’,

becoming his Top 60 hit of 78,

and with Albums totalling more than 20,

his uniqueness, carried much weight.

 

Whether teaming up with Julian Lloyd Webber

and Mary Hopkin, to form Oasis in 84,

or in collaboration with Richard Stilgoe –

his creative talent easily opened each door.

 

A safe pair of hands on the piano,

and so gifted on the Organ too.

Our Home-grown talent from Bury –

Peter Skellern, may God bless you.

 

Thank You for the Music.

RIP  1947 – 2017

February 3, 2017

 

With ‘Wannabe’ in 96

The Spice Girls hit the top spot.

And ‘Mama’ and ‘Spice Up Your Life’,

a pick of No.1’s to follow on the trot.

 

With ‘Love And Affection’, Joan Armatrading,

in 76 had this much loved top ten ,

and ‘Me, Myself, I, just one of her 80’s songs,

Feminists adored playing – again and again.

 

In 07, The Kaiser Chiefs

took ‘Ruby’ to the No.1 slot.

This group one to ‘Never Miss A Beat’

with Sheffield’s Ricky Wilson, so hot.

 

‘Think Twice’ came in 94 –

the first No.1 for Celine Dion.

‘It’s All Coming Back To Me Now’ – was heaven,

before, in 98, ‘My Heart Will Go On’.

 

‘Why’ and ‘Walking on Broken Glass’ –

Top 10 hits for Annie Lennox in 92,

And ‘No More I Love Yous’ in 95,

in the Charts at Number 2

 

In 77 America’s Thelma Houston,

sang ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’,

and in 93 at Number 4 –

were Shakespear’s Sister with ‘Stay’

 

In 08, ‘Mercy’ – No.1 for Duffy,

and at No.3 was Warwick Avenue.

‘I Kissed A Girl’ sang Katy Perry,

and in 09 she was ‘Thinking Of You’.

 

In 90, with ‘Vision Of Love’,

US Diva, Mariah Carey hit the scene.

‘Without You’, her first No.1,

with many more hits in between.

 

Featuring Westlife, her next No.1 –

‘Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)’,

and with ‘All I want For Christmas Is You’,

she takes her annual bow.

 

From Dolly to timeless Madonna.

From Cilla to Florence And The Machine.

From Kylie, (always relevant) –

Girl Power – setting the scene.

 

From Dusty to Lady GaGa.

From Blondie to Taylor Swift.

From Lulu (forever vital) –

Girl Power – guaranteed to give you a lift.

 

January 22, 2017

 

In 70, ‘Home Loving Man’ by Andy Williams –

a song in our hearts to live on.

And 86 found ‘Caravan Of Love’,

by The House Martins at No.1

 

In the mid 80’s ‘Holding Back The Years’ –

a chart favourite for Simply Red.

Followed by two decades of hits;

this group – Manchester born and bred.

 

In 07 were ‘’Westlife with ‘Home’ –

another Top Ten to appreciate.

And Kanye West featuring Chris Martin,

gave us ‘Homecoming’ in 2008.

 

Simon and Garfunkel in 66,

followed the ‘Homeward Bound’ trail.

And in 67 with ‘Homburg were Procol Harum,

after their No.1 – ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’.

 

In 87, ‘Running In The Family’,

made No.6 for Level 42.

Long after ‘The Folks Who Live On The Hill’

for Peggy Lee, came into view.

 

‘Ill Find My Way Home’, in 81

came from Jon & Vangelis.

And ‘Take Me Home ( A Girl Like Me)’

in 2001, a hit for lovely Sophie Ellis-

 

In 04, came ‘Somewhere Only We Know’

and ‘Everybody’s Changing’ by Keane,

followed in 06 by his 3^rd Top Ten, –

‘Is It Any Wonder’, setting the scene.

 

JT and the Big Family,

in 90 gave us ‘Moments in Soul’,

And back in 62, with ‘Rambling Rose’,

was the ever reliable Nat ‘King’ Cole.

 

From ‘Dance To The Music’ & ‘Everyday People’

to ‘Family Affair’ & ‘Runnin Away’, in 72.

America’s Sly & The Family Stone

always guaranteed to shine through.

 

The ‘All American Girls’ – Sister Sledge,

at No.8 with ‘We Are Family’, in 79.

And ‘Reunited’ found Peaches & Herb,

singing of when hearts re-entwine.

 

‘Home is where the heart is’ – a Top 40,

in 77, for Gladys Knight & The Pips.

And in 99, ‘Makes Me Love You’ at no. 25

for Italian Instrumentalist – Eclipse.

 

‘Chasing Pavements’ and ‘Hometown Glory’

with passion, came from Adele.

And back in 79 was Anita Ward

with her Number 1 hit –  ‘Ring My Bell’.

 

Whether home is ‘The House Of The Rising Sun’,

or ‘The House That Jack Built’ type,

You’ll survive if doors let in love and warmth,

and your computer connects you to Skype.

 

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