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January 16, 2021
What better gift to leave behind,
than a thought that brings a smile to mind.
Each one different, and personal too,
meant for every individual, we once knew.
What better gift, when all is said,
than a thought that brings a shake of the head.
Followed by a chuckle, as friends recall,
times well spent, when we had a ball.
What better fortune could we bestow,
than the part of us, we let folks know.
A world of wealth, each friendship worth.
Such satisfaction when we leave this earth.
by Harriet Blackbury
November 30, 2017
The much loved Beatle, George Harrison,
had more than 10 singles on his own accord,
among them ‘Got My Mind Set On You’
and making No.1 was ‘My Sweet Lord’.
Freddie Mercury’s 1st solo album – ‘Mr Bad Guy’,
was certainly one not to miss.
The 8th track especially winning hearts
was ‘There Must Be More To Life Than This’.
From ‘Space Oddity’ to ‘Ashes to Ashes’
From ‘Life on Mars’ to ‘Fame’,
David Bowie will always be remembered
for staying ahead of the game.
‘Praying For Time’ to get over his loss –
for George Michael, we still shed a tear.
His hit ‘December Song ( I Dreamed Of Christmas)
so relevant at this time of year.
‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’ & ‘You’re My World’,
in 64 were No.1’s, back to back.
Loved both at home and ‘Across The Universe’
was Liverpool’s own Cilla Black.
‘One Moment In Time’
gave Whitney Houston her 3rd UK No.1,
and her 4th No.1 – ‘I Will Always Love You’,
from The Bodyguard, every heart won.
In Nov of 80, ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ –
a gold selling No.1 in the US and the UK,
and ‘Imagine’, and ‘Woman’, two back to back No.1’s –
John Lennon we miss you in every way.
‘Walk On The Wild Side’, a Top 10 in 73
came from US genius – Lou Reed.
Other UK hits include ‘ Soulman ‘ and ‘Satellite Of Love’,
but ‘Perfect Day’, we loved too – yes indeed.
‘Blue Christmas’ and ‘Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me’ –
hits of 64 and 57 for Elvis, – fans thought just heaven.
In 77, ‘White Christmas’ from Bing Crosby
also back in the charts in 85, 98 and 07.
Losing Michael Jackson in 2009
was another huge music industry loss.
‘Rock With You’, just one of his 50 songs
back in the UK Top 200 – showing he was still the boss.
Chris Squire, a respected member of ‘Yes’,
also too soon, from this earth, did depart.
Two Top Ten singles that come to mind are –
‘Circus Of Heaven’ and ‘Owner Of A Lonely Heart’.
With age comes acceptance
that the end may be nigh,
and that all earthly happenings
will soon pass us by.
Though life has a habit
of throwing in a curved ball,
and taking, far too early,
those who haven’t lived at all.
And this shock to the system
sometimes questions belief.
Taking longer to cope with
the heavy burden of grief.
But if waiting for our arrival
are these past heroes and mates,
the party can continue
far beyond heaven’s gate.
written by
Harriet Blackbury.
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
February 27, 2017
The dynamics change
almost overnight
without a hint
of a clue.
A new day dawns
and a wilderness
is the only sight
in view.
A life that let us
go forward
now just a path
of dust.
Another one
now missing
from our tight
circle of trust.
The dynamics change
almost overnight
without so much
as a blink.
A new day dawns
and yesterday’s plans
we immediately have
to re-think.
A life that let us
go forward
now finds us in
‘stand still’ mode.
Another one
now missing
as we embark
on an unknown road.
And grief came knocking at the door
for those now lost who’ve gone before.
The emptiness, the hollow sound,
of those no longer now around.
The house of cards where Jack now King –
a new regime of hopes eternal spring.
And worth and value now assessed
at the worst time, under duress.
And grief now knocking at the door,
let sense prevail, without uproar.
The madness that was yesterday
weighed heavy on each bird of prey.
The house of cards now tumbling down,
slim pickings gathered from the ground.
But no good will they ever do
without a world that’s shared with you.
October 25, 2016
Everyone’s favourite and 60’s Icon –
America’s Bobby Vee, was loved by all.
He bounced into the charts in 61
with his first UK hit ‘Rubber Ball’.
‘Also in 61, four more Top 10 songs included –
‘Take Good Care Of My Baby’ at No.3,
And ‘Run To Him’ in December,
A Christmas hit proved to be.
‘Please Don’t Talk About Barbara’
and ‘Sharing You’ – hits in 62,
and ‘A Forever Kind Of Love’,
in the charts of this year too.
In 63, another song to captivate us,
was ‘The Night Has A Thousand Eyes’,
reaching as high as Number 3
– this Star did mesmerise…
And fittingly ‘Bobby Tomorrow’ –
his last hit of 63.
Though christened Robert Velline,
to us, he’ll always be Bobby Vee.
Thank You for the music –
Rest In Peace (1943 – 2016)
September 13, 2016
‘Never’ arrived without any warning.
Not a hint or inkling was there.
Out of the blue, life came to a standstill,
without sense or seconds to spare.
Just a normal day like any other;
the same route he would always frequent.
No goodbye peck or farewell greeting,
to the other side, quick as lightning he went.
A lifetime of memories called on,
in that instance, when life quickly spent.
Emotion and anger reaching the surface:
All the things unsaid, but so truly meant.
The end – the shock of finality;
the next stage, in that second was there.
Now faced with a lifetime of solitude,
when so happy was life as a pair.
Two swans happily sailing together,
raising their offspring on the lake.
Until the Penn so callously taken,
leaving the Cob with new plans to make.
July 15, 2016
and sand that filtered through their toes
moments before their system froze,
found feet, as one, an army strong,
(instinctively knowing, something was wrong),
running for cover, this way and that.
Arms gathering children, who innocently sat
at bars and restaurants along the Prom,
and dashing for safety, knowing not what from!
In frenzied panic, a gunshot heard.
Their disturbed minds so unprepared
to deal with violence of this magnitude,
during a family day, in happy mood,
as fireworks that had filled the sky,
left all of France asking the question ‘Why,
on such a day, when peace resumed,
was danger waiting, by hatred consumed.
Impossible to know, what was in store!
Now so hard, going on, living as before,
when sand that filtered through their toes,
as the day began, for those who chose
to celebrate, as friends and family do.
Be sure Dear France, the world loves you.
June 17, 2016
Reality hit home
and stopped us in our tracks.
All flippancy now gone,
a real look at the facts.
A valued life taken;
a heart of pure gold.
One with good intentions,
destined never to grow old.
Another war of attrition,
once more, words could not solve.
We all must now reflect,
and somehow find resolve.
As one life too many
lost along the way.
Please God, let sense prevail,
on this planet where we stay.
April 23, 2016
A Legend’s Legend;
no greater respect,
bestowed on this artist,
who had such an effect
on the world of music;
far too early the pain,
as we mourn his loss –
on our lips – Purple Rain.
A musician, a singer.
A writer renown.
The artist formally known as Prince,
has now won the King’s crown.
Nothing compares 2 U, or ever will.