June 22, 2017

 

 

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’.

 

May 9, 2017

 

Tune in to the

Grand Countdown Month

of

Tony’s Time Machine

On Wednesday  

10th, 17th, 24th & 31st May 2017

11am – 1pm

for

a feast of

Lively chat, Great music

and Magic moments

from Tony’s many shows.

 

The Final Guests will include

Joseph Brotherton (17th)

Steve Harrison (17th) 

Naomi (24th)

and

A very special Interview

by Tony

from Ramsbottom Cricket Club’s

own ‘Fielding Family’  (24th)

and 

Tony will be reading his great ‘Tribute’

poem to Chris Squire  (31st)

 

There will be clips from

The Heroes Infusion Ball at 

The Lowry (24th)

 

Also

listen to the last airing

of poems

written by Harriet Blackbury:

to include

For The Love Of Cilla

For the Love Of Manchester.

For The Love Of Bowie

For The Love Of The End

Fruit Rap

and maybe

For The Love Of James Bond

(RIP Sir Roger Moore ) 

 

 

Huge Thank you

to Tony & Vikki

 

Let The Music Play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

May 2, 2017

Beat those

‘post Bank Holiday blues

and

 

Tune in to

Tony’s Time Machine

LIVE

on Wednesday 3rd May

11am – 1pm

(with repeats all week)

 

This week Tony will be

welcoming

ARTHUR

back into the Studio,

for a lively chat and  great music.

and Vikki will be close by

keeping the boys under control.

 

Arthur will also be reading

For The Love Of Old Time Music Halls

written by

Harriet Blackbury.

 

 

April 28, 2017

 

 

Beyond the realms of madness

on a planet far away,

lies the devil waiting

in the hope one will go astray.

 

Beyond the realms of reason

testing out ones strength,

lies the old persuader

who will go to any length.

 

Beyond the realms of sadness

in a world of yesterday,

lies half dead, the subconscious

since love went away.

 

Beyond the realms of tomorrow

no future can there be,

where tears have formed an ocean

and one marooned for eternity.

 

 

 

 

The ghost of Abacus Bendy

lived at the bottom of the well

and only came out in the evenings

at the sound of the Trinity bell.

 

The soul of Abacus Bendy

stayed grounded after he died,

unlike other souls in the vicinity

that went on a mystery ride.

 

The ghost of Abacus Bendy –

quite harmless and full of play,

came up to dry out at twilight

after resting in the well all day.

 

The friends of Abacus Bendy –

pond-life who wouldn’t tell,

were undisturbed by the nightly rituals

at the sound of the Trinity bell.

 

 

 

« Older Posts — Newer Posts »