October 6, 2017

.

To hear Harriet Blackbury’s poems

For The Love Of Tom Petty 

and 

For The Love Of Glen Campbell

tune into the all new exciting

Tony’s Time Machine

on 

Tuesday 10th October

at 12pm

 

October 4, 2017

 

In 77, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

hit the UK Charts with ‘Anything That’s Rock ‘N’ Roll’.

Also in 77 their ‘American Girl’

made the Top 40 scroll.

 

In 81, joining with Stevie Nicks

came ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’,

and in 85 ‘Don’t Come Around Here No More’

entered  Top 50 ground.

 

Going solo in 89 – ‘I Won’t Back Down’

became his highest UK hit.

and ‘Runnin’ Down A Dream’ & ‘Free Fallin’

fans loved more than just a bit.

 

In 91 came ‘Learning To Fly’

and in 92 ‘Too Good To Be True’

Followed in 93 by ‘Something In The Air’

and in 94 ‘Mary Jane’s Last Dance’, on cue.

 

Florida’s ‘own’ Tom Petty –

So talented and versatile.

May your journey ‘Into The Great Wide Open’ 

be welcomed with a huge smile,

 

by those who have gone before you,

impatient to make their next song. –

Those ex Traveling Wilbury faces

with their guitars still strummin’ strong.

 

Keep doing what you do best –

‘Rock on in style Tom Petty.

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury

 

August 10, 2017

---

 

 

 

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

 

 

July 25, 2017

 

 

I am rescued

to a life of solitude;

I am king

of all I survey.

The loneliness

is immeasurable,

but I cope

living day to day.

 

I am rescued

from a cruel start to life,

where I was

chained up all day.

My bed was

my own faeces –

No other place

for me to lay.

 

I am rescued

by a kindly soul,

who gives me

food and water, it’s true.

But walks

are to a minimum,

for normal functions

that I must do.

 

I am rescued

to a far better place,

away from the

hellhole I knew.

And for that

I’m truly grateful,

but loneliness

still makes me blue.

 

I am rescued

but still imprisoned,

and boredom

has sent me insane.

After a three minute

walk each morning,

back indoors

is where I remain.

 

I am rescued

but still isolated,

withdrawn

and un-socialised.

I exist in a world

of make-believe.

My own thoughts

will be my demise.

 

I am rescued

to routine predictable.

Everyday at noon

I hear the door-key,

And along the road

we saunter,

for my usual

three minute wee.

 

I am rescued

but live in a bubble.

How much sleep

does one dog need?

Afternoons drag on

laboriously,

until five o clock

when I’m back on my lead.

 

I am rescued

but going off my mind.

For many years it’s

been this way.

These three minute

walks to freedom –

my lifestyle twice,

every single day.

 

I am rescued

to evenings of madness.

No lovely long

walks in the park.

Instead, my owner

sits endlessly listening,

to bloody repeats of

Beethoven and Bach.

 

I am rescued

but may as well be alone;

my owner not much company

asleep in the chair.

And though I sit at the door

asking for a late night wee,

most times my hinting

goes unaware.

 

I am rescued

and glad of the morning –

and another start to

Ground Dog Day,

But I have a roof over my head,

and food and water,

and for that,

I thankfully pray.

 

I am rescued

and serve a purpose.

My owner loves me,

I have to say.

And though at times

I could bolt to freedom,

I’m needed here –

It has to be this way.

 

 

June 22, 2017

 

 

The Book

Poems of Love Life & Loss

by Harriet Blackbury

can be found

in the ‘Adult Section’

of

The Poetry Library

at 

The Southbank Centre

London

 

 

 

 

I rescued a Fatsia Japonica today

that sat begging for help

on the clearance tray

of the Garden Centre

up Blackbury way.

 

Some of it’s leaves were withered

in hopelessness,

whilst others discoloured –

a brownish mess.

 

But I was drawn to it’s plight,

and it’s challenge to survive,

spotting three young branches

keeping it’s hopes alive.

 

The instructions on feeding

read ‘easy care’,

but of it’s limited life

I was quite aware.

 

So fooling myself,

it got put in my trolley –

praying it would last four days,

as friends coming for ‘a Jolly’.

 

And at the cost of £2

I thought ‘great value indeed-

I’ll take you to death

if you don’t succeed’.

 

And your final hours

will have been worthwhile,

because Fatsia Japonica,

you will have made us all smile.

 

 

 

 

Oh, how we’ve worried

about the unexplained,

that came to light

when hearts were drained.

 

Oh, how we’ve puzzled

and felt so much guilt,

since discovering your life

inside the fortress you built.

 

Oh, how did it happen –

the double life you knew?

So gradual the mountain

becoming normality to you.

 

Oh, how did you cope

and put on that fine show,

trapped and boxed in

to that hell down below,

 

Oh, how did you function

when madness on trial?

Was that your release valve –

a laugh and a smile?

 

Oh, how did we not see

your anguish and stress,

which now seems so obvious

when we think and address.

 

Oh, how you were supportive –

A firm friend and true,

as one by one we unburdened

our troubles onto you.

 

Oh, how did you not scream

and yell and blow your top,

and tell us our selfishness

just had to stop?

 

Oh, how could you listen

with such loyalty and trust?

Did it even the score seeing,

another mind going bust?

 

Oh how? we ask now

when too late we digest,

glaring signs that were missed –

now in peace may you rest.

 

Oh, how lessons too late

have surely been learnt.

What starts out as a favour,

can see fingers burnt.

 

Oh, how easy to be known

and yet not known at all.

We missed warning signals –

pride comes before a fall.

 

Oh, how we’ll see others differently

from this moment on.

There’s real pain under the surface

of just about everyone.

 

May 31, 2017

 

 

Tune in to Tony’s Time Machine today

31st May 2017

11am – 1pm

and enjoy

the final  action packed  show

from Gorse Hill Studios

 

Todays guests reading poems

written by

Harriet Blackbury

will include

Phil Sykes  (For The Love Of Music)

Rachel Rolph (The Fruit Rap)

Alison (For The Love Of Manchester)

Vikki Snowden  (For The Love Of Tony)

and

Tony will be reading his own great poem

in tribute to Chris Squire.

 

‘Sail on down the line –

Good times never felt so good’

(Commodores)

 

‘The Show Is Over Now’   (Petula Clark)

 

Well Done Tony & Vikki

and Good Luck in all you do next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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’.

 

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