Miracle Legion

A six track EP/LP on the Making Waves label from 1985. I remember Andy Kershaw playing The Backyard on his BBC radio show back then and loving it and a short time after found a copy in Brick Lane market on a stall that sold deletions. This is what Trouser Press said of them-

"Criticized for their uncanny resemblance to R.E.M., Connecticut's Miracle Legion cannot be so easily dismissed as rote imitators. There's no denying the obvious similarities (vocals and guitar); thanks to musical creativity, however, Miracle Legion manages to stake out their own territory.

Savvy production techniques and aggressive playing make The Backyard a landmark. Mark Mulcahy's vocals can grate, but not enough to sully the sheer brilliance of the title track, "Stephen Are You There," "Closer to the Wall" and "Butterflies." Surprise Surprise Surprise lacks the honest abandon of The Backyard, an essential ingredient to Miracle Legion's appeal. In spite of improved musicianship and vocals, it's a disappointment."

If only REM sounded as good as this.

Miracle Legion - The Backyard

Miracle Legion - Butterflies

These You Send It files are avaible for seven days or until exhausted.

Otis Williams & The Charms

Doo-wop at it's best found at Brick Lane flea market back in the 80's. The sleeve notes tell us - " Otis Williams was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 3rd. 1936, and when he was sixteen , he successfully auditioned with four companions for Henry Stone who at the time owned the Rockin' label( Stone now owns TK Records). In 1953 Rockin' released the Charms first single "Heaven Only Knows". Later that year King picked up the label and used the Charms record to reactivate the Deluxe label which had been dormant since 1949. The original Charms were Donald Peak, Roland Bradley, Joseph Penn and Richard Parker.
In 1955 the Charms left to join Henry Stone's Chart label where they had two releases ( A third record featuring and Otis Williams master from Rockin' was also released). In 1960 three of the four original Charms returned to Federal as the Escos.

A three man group recorded with Otis during the later part of 1955, but by 1956 the Charms were reorganised into a five man backup group again. The group maintained a distinctive sound however due to Otis' distictive voice.

Downbeat Magazine voted the Charms R & B group of the year for 1955."

Discover more about Otis Williams HERE.

Otis Williams & the Charms - Ling Ting Tong

Otis Williams & the Charms - Gum Drop

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

The Standells

"The Standells were formed in 1962 by guitarist Tony Valentino and organist Larry Tamblyn. The early line-up included Gary Lane on bass and drummer Gary Leeds, who would later find more success with the Walker Brothers. Leeds was eventually replaced by former Mousketeer Dick Dodd. As for the name the band chose, they would later tell Dick Clark on American Bandstand, they were just "standing around" one day, trying to think up a name for the band. The quartet became a leading attraction in Los Angeles night-spots and recorded some weak selling albums and singles for Liberty, MGM, and Vee Jay. As a popular local band, they also found themselves appearing in the movie "Get Yourself a College Girl", and getting a lot of television work (most notably, a guest appearance on 'The Munsters').

The band managed to hit the upper regions of the U.S. Top 100 with tunes like "Big Boss Man" and "Someday You'll Cry", but they didn't really hit their stride until teaming up with producer Ed Cobb, formerly of the vocal group the Four Preps. Cobb wrote a song called "Dirty Water", which marked quite a change of direction from their previous clean-cut image. At first the group didn't even like the song, but six months after it was released, "Dirty Water" was the number 11 song in the nation.

With their image now considerably toughened, the group issued four albums in quick succession in 1966 and 1967, as well as appearing in (and contributing the theme song to) the psychedelic exploitation movie "Riot on Sunset Strip". Cobb, in addition to writing "Dirty Water," also penned their other singles, including "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White", "Why Pick on Me" and 'Try It" (the last of which was widely banned for its suggestive delivery). The group did write some decent material of their own, such as "All Fall Down", which bears an interesting similarity to some of Pink Floyd's early work.

Tower Records, as was the case with most of its artists, didn't apply intelligent long-range planning to the band's career, releasing too many albums at once. The group didn't help their own cause by issuing an awful vaudeville-rock single, "Don't Tell Me What to Do", under the transparent pseudonym of the Sllednats (Standells spelled backwards). It would be their last recording."

This, their second album on Tower Records, incuded some great songs and some not so good. Their version of Bacharach & David's "Little Red Book" comes quite close to equaling the excellent version by Arthur Lee and Love. They toured with the Stones and even covered "Paint It Black", also on this LP.

Discover more about The Standells HERE.

The Standells - Little Red Book

The Standells - Mainline

The Standells - Have You Ever Spent The Night In Jail

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

Billy Merson

More tape findings while the boot sales take a rest. Billy merson had a long career in the music hall, the circus and short films as this British Film Institute blurb describes-

"Billy Merson, a popular British performer and songwriter has been described as one of the greats of the music hall era. He gained considerable fame on the variety, pantomime and musical comedy stage and in 1915 started making two and three-reel comedies for Homeland Productions, shooting over a boathouse in Kew. Merson realised how much his act - even the slapstick routines - depended on comic patter and this is evident in the way he embraced the experiments in film sound. Using Lee De Forest’s 1926 Phonofilm, 'Billy Merson singing Desdemona', has been described as Britain’s first sound film. The reproduction for the film’s sound required an attachment to the projector and electric amplifiers, but the problems of synchronisation were made easier with De Forest’s system because the film carried space for a soundtrack running at the side of the picture, twenty frames behind the picture. Unfortunately, De Forest and Merson’s luck didn’t last. In 1928 one of De Forest’s principal staff, Theodore Case left to work at 20th Century Fox. In an example of the ruthless competition over sound at the time, De Forest’s system was rendered useless as Fox decided to put the sound twenty frames in front of the picture, meaning projectors equipped for De Forest were completely out of synch. Merson eventually went bust after he tried to get a credit from Al Jolson who plagiarised his song 'The Spaniard that Blighted My Life'."

See a short clip of film at the BFI HERE

Billy Merson - Medley/Senora etc.

Billy Merson - The Photo Of The Girl I Left Behind

Billy Merson - The Spaniard That Blighted My Life

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

Max Bacon

"Max was the larger-than-life drummer with the Ambrose Orchestra for many years, who also had a unique Jewish-style humour. Prior to joining Ambrose in late 1927, he had been with Leon van Straten's band in 1926 and also was briefly with Fred Elizalde's band (which seems to be made up of Ambrose musicians) and Al Starita's Kit-Cat band (probably a temporary substitute for Eric Little). He was a regular member of Ronnie Munro's band which recorded for Parlophone and Imperial from 1926 to 1929, and also with Arthur Lally's band at Decca in the early 1930s. His stint with Ambrose lasted until 1940 and his wry comments may be heard on a number of comedy titles, including the famous number "Cohen the Crooner (The Crosby of Mile-End)" which is extant on film. On leaving Ambrose, Max went into variety, and also acting, taking small parts in films and television shows."

These two tracks were sent on a cassette from a chap who dubbed them from old 78's using the "oil" method, whatever that means. He said it made for smooth running of the needle through the grooves of scratchy old wax discs. This style of crazy jewish humour reminds me of Stanley Unwin and his nonsense language.

Max Bacon - Little Red Hooding Ride

Max Bacon - William T. Hell

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

Joe "Fingers" Carr

"While heavily influenced by Art Tatum, this performer was hardly considered a heavyweight pianist during his career. Born Louis F. Bush, or Busch depending on the source, the keyboard maestro who would also make heavy use of the stage name of Joe "Fingers" Carr managed to make it into Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz, but with the following disclaimer: "A novelty performer rather than a jazz artist." The novelty itself was a kind of heavily sexed-up ragtime piano style that caught on in the very dawn of the hi-fi era. The invention was in sharp contrast to lounge music and would most likely have the opposite effect than a seduction if played in a bachelor pad. Carr began driving his piano this way while working as an A&R man for Capitol. In a brainstorm based on a sharp analysis of current trends, he decided to sign himself up as the mysterious "Fingers."

Discover more about Joe "Fingers" Carr HERE.

Joe "Fingers" Carr - Stars & Stripes Forever

Joe "Fingers" Carr - Entrance of the Gladiators

These You Send It files are available for one week or until exhausted.

Cuates Castilla

Again, not much info on the net about the Mexican Twins "Cuates Castilla". This 10' LP was found with two other latin flavoured records today. The recording was made during a visit to England in the 50's I would guess. The songs have a short explanation attached-

Viva Chile (Queca from Chile) - The Chilian compares the beauty of Chile with that of other countries, saying that although their grass may be greener, the Chilian grass is the best nevertheless. Though the country may be narrow, see how long it is, and they may not have brandy or whisky to drink but they have their local drink, Chicha, which is as good as any.

El limiabotas ( Mambo) - "The shoe-shine boy". The boy learns to dance the mambo to the rythyms of the shoe-shine.

Cuates Castilla - Viva Chile

Cuates Castilla - El limpiabotas

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

Rodriquez and His Orchestra

A sale at the Help The Aged shop today- all records and tapes were 49p. I was attracted more by the colourful sleeves than the music I must admit but listening to them they do exude a certain charm. Not much to be found out about Rodriguez and His Orchestra and the sleeve notes merely state that-

"Rodriguez and His Orchestra present the authentic Latin rhythms with all their native flash and fire. The golden tone high fidelity recording gives this album realistic sound as if the boys were performing right in your home."

Discover more about Rodriguez HERE.

Rodriguez & His Orch. - Las Suegras

Rodriguez & His Orch. - Mambo No.5

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

Downliner's Sect

"Don Craine (real name Don O'Donnell) and Sutton had previously been in a Twickenham band called the Downliners. The name came from a Jerry Lee Lewis b-side that had been written by Roy Orbison. Following the end of this band, Grant (real name Keith Evans) and Gibson were recruited and the band renamed the Downliners Sect. The band soon gained a following at Eel Pie Island in Twickenham and made an EP called A Nite In Newport Street. The R&B direction of the band had been decided after seeing the Rolling Stones at the Station hotel in Richmond. Previously, the group played more rock & roll classics. The EP was recorded live and featured four R&B classics including Booker T's Green Onions. This EP is available on the See for Miles collection called The Definitive Downliners Sect Singles As and Bs. This contained the band's interpretations of R&B classics such as Green Onions and helped the Downliners Sect to secure a recording deal with EMI.

The group had initial success in Sweden where they toured and had a number one record. However, this may have meant that they neglected the UK.

Ray Sone joined the group on harmonica, apparently beating Rod Stewart and Steve Marriott for the role. The group signed to Colombia Records and, shortly after this, the first single, Baby What's Wrong was released. This failed to make the chart but did receive some attention in Europe. The group also toured with the writer of the single, Jimmy Reed. The follow-up single was a cover version of the Coasters' Little Egypt. This showed the humorous, irreverent side of the Downliners. This was also captured on the debut album which was released in 1963. The Sect is a superb collection of British R&B which, nevertheless, did not endear the band to many fans of the music as it was seen to deviate from the pure R&B. The album consisted mostly of covers but with a few original tracks written by members of the Sect. Don Craine had become quite distinctive with his trademark deerstalker hat. He had worn the hat at a gig at Studio 51 and it subsequently become part of his and the band's image."

Discover more about the Downliners Sect and other beat groups of the 60's HERE.

Downliners Sect - May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose

Downliners Sect - He Was A Square

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

Gerard Hoffnung

"Gerard Hoffnung was born in Berlin in 1925 and went to London in 1939 as a schoolboy refugee. Although he died at the early age of 34 years, he achieved in his short life enough to fill a whole series of lifetimes. Artist, teacher, cartoonist, caricaturist, musician and tuba player, broadcaster and raconteur, a much sought after speaker at the Oxford and Cambridge Unions and prison visitor, a Quaker - these were all facets of a creative personality.

In 1956 his talents combined when Hoffnung devised a concert of hilarious symphonic caricature at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Foremost composers were commissioned to write some of their wittiest and most humorous compositions, while conductors, soloists and artists submitted whole-heartedly to the unprecendented demands made upon them. Throughout the years since those performances nearly forty years ago, internationally famous orchestras have delighted in presenting gems from the Hoffnung repertoire to packed audiences. Since then, uninhibited laughter has constantly echoed as visitors file through exhibitions of the hundreds and hundreds of ingenious and absurd ideas, mostly on a musical theme, that Hoffnung illustrated with such superb artistry. His work offers no barrier to age, race or background. Success was immediate and has endured."

Discover more about Gerard Hoffnung HERE.

Gerard Hoffnung - Lochinvar Pt.1

Gerard Hoffnung - Lochinvar Pt.2

These You Send It files are available for one week or until exhausted.

That'll Be The Day

In 1972 David Essex/Ringo Starr made the film "That'll Be The Day" on the Isle of Wight. Billy Fury made a cameo appearance in the movie as "Stormy Tempest", a 50's holiday camp ballroom singer, more or less reflecting his own image from the early days. The movie premiered in West End in April 12th 1973 and was a huge success, as was it's soundtrack album which spent 7 weeks as No. 1 on the charts. The album contained a mixture of oldies together with some specially-recorded material, including 5 tracks by Billy.
This wonky cassette is just half the double LP and has been chewed all down one side hence the poor sound quality. the Viv Stanshall track"Real Leather Jacket" I hoped to upload was completely spoiled. Stanshall is actually credited with the writing of What In The World (Shoop) that Billy Fury (Stormy Tempest) sings here and I've no Idea who Dante and the Evergreens are? They could even be Billy Fury in a different guise.

Here's a segment from a site about Steve Winwood who does some work on the soundtrack along with many others.

"An article in New Musical Express 10/28/72 described the project: "The film features the music of the times (before the Beatles). The Everly Brothers are seen in the picture, as are Viv Stanshall and Bill Fury who fronts a mythical band of the period. It is this band, known as the Stormy Tempest and the Typhoons, that is creating particular interest because of its star-studded line-up. The personnel is of a flexible nature and Keith Moon, Pete Townshend, Ron Wood, Graham Bond and John Hawkins have already been featured in soundtrack recordings. The NME learns this week that Stevie Winwood and Jack Bruce have now joined this array of musical talents."

The 2-LP soundtrack features three sides of oldies, ironically including Bobby Vee And The Crickets' version of "Well All Right", and one side of new material. The new tracks are credited to David Essex ("Rock On"), Billy Fury ("A Thousand Stars", "Long Live Rock", "That's All Right Mama", "Get Yourself Together", "What Did I Say"), Viv Stanshall ("Real Leather Jacket"), Stormy Tempest ("What In The World (Shoop)"), Eugene Wallace ("Slow Down"), and Wishfull Thinking ("It'll Be Me"). Steve did not appear in the film. To date, the album has only been re-issued on an incomplete bootleg CD. Our assessment is that Steve probably played organ on "That's All Right Mama" and "Get Yourself Together", and possibly piano on Ray Charles' "What Did I Say"."

Discover more about Billy Fury HERE.

Dante & The Evergreen - Ally Oop

Stormy Tempest - What In The World (Shoop)

Billy Fury - That's Alright Mama

Billy Fury - Get Yourself Together

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

Oh, What A Carry On!

Here's almost a whole side of this album which features several of the gang who took part in the many "Carry On" films of the 50's and 60's. None of these were culled from the soundtracks of the films which sadly didnt include much music despite many of the stars producing novelty songs, some of which reached the lower reaches of the "hit parade".
Heres a segment of the blurb on the back of this Music For Pleasure release from the early 70's-

" In 1958, a Bristish comedy film starrinf among others William Hartnell and Bob Monkhouse and titled "Carry On Sergeant" unobtrusively started off a whole chain of box-office smashes....On this album we have gathered together 8 of the successful list of comedians and comediennes who have contributed to this series..... When "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" came to the West End stage, Frankie Howard was given the leading role. His very individual form of comedy patter has become a landmark in British entertainment, most recently in the BBC TV series "Up Pompeii".

Surprisingly, 1971 had found Kenneth Willimas starring on the London stage opposite that great actress Ingrid Bergman. The tracks included here feature him in his acclaimed role of Rambling Syd Rumpo, a character from the radio series "Round The Horne"."

Find out more about the Carry On films HERE.

Jim Dale - Be My Girl

Bernard Bresslaw - You Need Feet

Frankie Howard - It's Alright With Me

Kenneth Williams - Green Grow My Nadgers Oh

Joan Simms - Spring Song

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

The Polynesians

"The term "Polynesia" was first coined by Charles de Brosses in 1756, and originally applied to all the islands of the Pacific. Jules Dumont d'Urville in an 1831 lecture to the Geographical Society of Paris proposed a restriction on its use, and also introduced the terms Micronesia and Melanesia. This division into three distinct Pacific subregions remains in widespread use today.
Geographically, Polynesia may be described as a triangle with its three corners at Hawai'i, New Zealand, and Easter Island. The other main island groups located within the Polynesian triangle are Samoa, Tonga, and the various island chains that form French Polynesia.
However, in essence it is an anthropological term referring to one of the three parts of Oceania (the others being Micronesia and Melanesia) whose pre-colonial population generally belongs to one ethno-cultural family as a result of centuries of maritime migrations. Then westerners came (more maritime migrations) and alternately abused and enslaved and intermingled with the population."

This record on the Crown label in California features Harry Baty, Sam Kaapuni, Bob Nichols and Joe Keava.

The Polynesians - Utere Utere

The Polynesians - Te Manu Pukarua

These You Send It files are available for a week or limited number of downloads.

Ray Stevens

"One of the most popular novelty artists of all time, Ray Stevens enjoyed a remarkably long career, with a stretch of charting singles -- some of them major hits -- that spanned four decades. Unlike parody king Weird Al Yankovic, Stevens made most of his impact with original material, often based on cultural trends of the day. Yet his knack for sheer silliness translated across generations, not to mention countless compilations and special TV offers. Stevens was a legitimately skilled singer and producer who also performed straight country and pop, scoring the occasional serious hit. But in general, comic novelty songs were his bread and butter, and his brand of humor somehow managed to endure seismic shifts in popular taste and style.Stevens was born Harold Ray Ragsdale on January 24, 1939, in the small town of Clarkdale, GA. He started piano lessons at age six and formed a band at 15 called the Barons, which played at local venues and social events. At 17, he moved to Atlanta and caught on with radioman Bill Lowery's music publishing company; one of his songs, "Silver Bracelet," got him a shot at recording for Capitol subsidiary Prep, but the single never hit outside of Atlanta. Stevens enrolled at Georgia State University to study classical piano and music theory and in the meantime continued to record for Lowery's NRC label. One of his earliest novelty songs, 1960's "Sgt. Preston of the Yukon," was building a national buzz until a copyright infringement suit took it off the racks. Stevens began performing regularly on a radio show called The Georgia Jubilee, which helped lead to a job with Mercury Records as a session musician, arranger, and A&R assistant. Meanwhile, in 1961, he landed his first Top 40 hit with the novelty (obviously) song "Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green and Purple Pills."

I found this LP today in a charity shop in Chester for a pound. Recorded I imagine in the 60's it has a few standards that have been given the "merseybeat" treatment and are pretty awful compared with his other hits of that time. I do like the strange Coasters influenced song though called " Cholly-Wolly-Chang" which is much more in the vein of "Bridget The Midget" and "The Streak" and other novelty songs he did so well.

Discover more about Ray Stevens HERE.

Ray Stevens - Cholly-Wolly-Chang

Ray Stevens - Bill Bailey

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

Ted Chippington

"After a series of low-key UK school bands, Robert Lloyd (b. 1959, Cannock, Staffordshire, England) formed the Prefects - one of the earliest punk bands - who toured with the Clash. They split up in 1979 and Lloyd assembled the Nightingales using the best of the musicians who had passed through the ranks of the Prefects. The first of many subsequent line-ups comprised Lloyd, Alan and Paul Apperley, Joe Crow and Eamonn Duffy. They were ably championed by BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel, for whom Lloyd recorded more sessions under various guises than any other artist. The Nightingales' debut single, "Idiot Strength", was released in 1981 on the band's own Vindaloo label in association with Rough Trade Records. Joe Crow then departed and his replacements, Nick Beales and Andy Lloyd, brought a totally different sound to the band. Cherry Red Records picked them up and the band's career began in earnest. Lloyd soon established himself as one of the more interesting lyricists on the independent chart. Most of his tirades were draped in humour: "I'm too tired to do anything today, but tomorrow I'll start my diet, and answer some of my fan mail ('Elvis: The Last Ten Days'). The lack of success of subsequent releases led Lloyd and friends to the new Red Flame label started by Dave Kitson, the promoter of the Moonlight Club in London's Hampstead. Still unhappy with the way record companies were handling his band's career, Lloyd decided to reactivate the Vindaloo label. Ironically, this led to the demise of the Nightingales as Lloyd needed to spend more time as songwriter, producer and label boss for his relatively successful roster of artists such as We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It and comedian Ted Chippington. When Fuzzbox toured America, taking the Nightingales' keyboard player with them, Lloyd dissolved the band and concentrated on a solo career. The Nightingales" legacy was wrapped up in 1991 with a compilation album for Mau Mau Records with sleeve-notes written by a still devoted John Peel."

A cassette from 1986 that I found down Brick Lane market I think. The Nightingales, Fuzzbox etc. help Ted out on the first rendition of "Rocking With Rita" and the second version is by Ted on his own. I used to have a wonderful version of him doing Dion's "The Wanderer" but I can't find it.

Find out more about The Nightingales HERE.

Find out more about Ted Chippington HERE.

Vindaloo Summer Special - Rocking With Rita

Ted Chippington - Rockin' With Rita

Ted Chippington - She Loves You

These You Send It files are available for seven days or a limited number of downloads.

Kursaal Flyers

"The Kursaal Flyers bridged the gap between pub rock and power pop, turning out a handful of fine albums and great singles in their brief two-year career. Comprised of Paul Shuttleworth (vocals), Graeme Douglas (guitar), Vic Collins (guitar, steel guitar, vocals), Riche Bull (bass, vocals), and Will Birch (drums), the band released their first album, Chocs Away, in 1975; it was followed soon afterward by The Great Artiste. Both records showed a grasp of country and roots rock, as well as pure pop. They would begin to emphasize their pop elements with 1976's Golden Mile, released by CBS Records. The union with the major label helped the single "Little Does She Know" reach the British Top 20. Douglas left to join Eddie & the Hot Rods before the recording of their final album, Five Live Kursaals (1977); he was replaced by Barry Martin. The band broke up after the release of punk- and power pop-injected Five Live Kursaals. Out of the members, only Will Birch and John Wicks stayed active -- they formed the Records immediately after the Kursaal Flyers' disbandment. The Kursaal Flyers reunited in 1988, recording A Former Tour de Force Is Forced to Tour, which picks up right where they left off in 1977."

Find out more about the Kursaal Flyers HERE.

Kursaal Flyers - Little Does She Know

Kursaal Flyers - Palais De Danse

These You Send It files are available for seven days or limited downloads.

Spike Milligan

"Terence Milligan was in fact born on 16th April 1918 and was educated at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Poona, where his father was serving in the British Army. In 1933 the family moved to England and young Milligan attended London Polytechnic in Lewisham. Within months of the outbreak of World War ll Spike volunteered for active service and joined the 56 Heavy Artillery. He survived the successful campaign in North Africa but was wounded at Salerno in Italy during an assault on Monte Cassino in January 1944, and also suffered severe shellshock. No longer suitable for active service, Milligan, on his recovery was transferred to the Army Welfare's General Pool of Artists. He was a musician and played in the Bill Hall Trio and it was here that he met Leading Bombardier Harry Secombe who at that time was doing a comedy act, and the two became firm friends.

After the war Milligan decided to go solo but apart from getting the occasional engagement he was unable to make a major breakthrough as a jazz musician. In order to support himself Milligan worked behind the bar at Jimmy Grafton's pub in Victoria, London. The Grafton Arms has often been described as a 'hotbed of eager ex-Forces writing and performing talent' and Grafton himself was employed as a scriptwriter for comedian Derek Roy's radio show. Milligan began to contribute bits and pieces for the show including a number of sketches that he himself described as "way out things which were consistently cut out." However, the rejected items appealed to Harry Secombe and he in turn brought them to the attention of two other Grafton Arms frequenters, Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine. Together with Milligan they wrote a series of sketches which they offered to the BBC. On May 28th 1951 they broadcast their first series of shows under the title of The Crazy People."

Find out more about Spike Milligna ( the famous typing error) HERE.

Spike Milligan - Wiry Twerp

Spike Milligan - I'm Going Out With A Mountain

These You Send It files are available for a week or 25 downloads, whichever comes sooner.

Music of Colombia

" As a country, Colombia encompasses many physically different regions --- there are the islands of San Andrés, Providencia, the Islas del Rosario and San Bernado in the Caribbean and Gorgona and Malpelo in the Pacific; the western part of the country is mountainous, with the three Andeans chains --- the Cordillera Occidental, Cordillera Central and Codillera Oriental --- running roughly parallel north-south across the entire country, making for arduous travel; the eastern country is divided into the rolling savannahs of Los Llanos in the north and the rainforest of the Amazon in the south. This geography had made Colombia look like a collection of city-states rather than a single nation until recently.

As a result, there came to be many forms of music that were popular in specific regions. These regional musical forms evolve out of the local cultural traditions, which represent a synthesis of the cultural heritages of descendants of the local Indian inhabitants, the Spanish settlers, the black slaves and even some English-speaking smugglers, who exist in different proportions by region. Here, we describe some of these forms:

The music that is most commonly identified with Colombia is the cumbia. The cumbia song "La Pollera Colora" is practically a national anthem for Colombia. In its original form, the cumbia ensemble consists of percussion and vocals only. Inevitably, modern wind instruments have been brought in --- the conjunto de cumbia includes a clarinet called the pito, the conjunto de gaitas has two flutes made from the cardón plant as well as maracas and the commercialized cumbia bands have saxophones, trumpets and trombones. According to the myth, the fast rhythm of the cumbia was developed by black slaves to dance in quick shuffle steps while being fettered in leg irons. "

A rather battered copy of an LP on the Fuentes label from the 60's I would guess. A compilation of the varied musical styles from that part of the world throbbing with the authentic latin rythyms that one expects. I particularly love the mad laughing in A Lo Loco!

Orquesta Solera De Espana - A Lo Loco!

Orquesta Emisoras Fuentes - Gaita Sabanera

These You Send It files are available for seven days or 25 downloads.

Jack Hylton & his Orchestra

"The last time the Hylton band appeared on stage , was at the Royal Command Performance held at the London Palladium on Nov. 13th 1950. The orchestra had been specially reformed for the occasion, an orchestra that had thrilled thousands throughout the continent and Britain, from it's inception in the early twenties, until it's untimely demise early in 1940.
The human dynamo who directed the orchestra was Jack Hylton born in Great Lever, a district of Bolton on July 2nd, 1894. Jack began his career as a boy soprano singing in a public house "The Round Croft", which was run by his father. From the beginning Jack became known as the "Singing Mill Boy"."
In 1905 he obtained his first professional engagement with a pierrot troupe in Rhyl, and by the time he was seventeen, Jack was conducting the orchestra of a touring pantomime for the princely sum of 45 shillings a week!"

One of my favourite novelty numbers "Rhymes" ,is sung here by Leslie Sarony who also wrote many others and he sang with the Hylton band during the 30's. A vocal trio take over for the second song from 1929.

Jack Hylton - Rhymes

Jack Hylton - Me And Jane In A Plane

These You Send It files will last only seven days or 25 downloads.

Slip Fingers O'Reilly

Not much found about Mr O'Reilly. This E.P. was found at Brick Lane a few years back I think. Again it was the amusing sleeve that made me buy it. The curious renditions of classical works fused with cockney knees-up pub piano and honking saxaphone would make most lovers of Brahms and Lizst reach for the ear-plugs! A good reason to end the year with them then. Happy New Year to all and I look forward to continuing in the same vein in 2006. Cheers!

Slip Fingers O'Reilly - Swan Lake

Slip Fingers O'Reilly - Bizet's Carmen

These You Send It files are available only for a short time.