Saturday Gigs - A Tribute to Dale 'Buffin' Griffin

At one time, and it may still be the case, Dale Griffin held the honour of having produced the most Peel sessions for Radio 1. Or did I make that up? Well, he certainly produced in excess of 2,000 sessions for that influential and must-listen-to show presented by John Peel. Acts, bands and artists whose sessions – many of which would’ve been their gateway to a wider audience – included the Pixies, Nirvana, the Smiths, Ride, Primal Scream, Jesus & Mary Chain, Pulp, OMD and so many, many more.

Sir Dale, as he surely should’ve become, produced a couple of hit records too: ‘Is Vic There’ by Department S probably the biggest and most famous-est (and included on this tribute mix).

But before all of that he was known to the world as the drummer of Mott the Hoople. After paying dues and learning his trade with the usual school bands and sixties beat groups, he was a founding member in 1969 of a band that would have several hit records, get rock music acts banned from the Royal Albert Hall, become the first band to play live on Broadway but, maybe more importantly once the final history of rock n roll is told, they became extremely influential.

That influence goes beyond the music as well. Their attitude, swagger, honesty and normal-ness just oozed and immersed so many of us listeners. A lot of whom would go on to become drummers, singers, guitarists and so on in bands around the world. Some would make it to the local pub scene, others would hit the big time. And in many ways, Buffin was responsible for so much of this.

Once the band folded it was he that cajoled record companies to part with tapes to be re-mixed and re-packaged, ensuring the music was preserved and that anecdotes and tales were told in the sleeve notes in such an entertaining, amusing and informative way. Amongst all this backward glancing and historical cataloguing was the bio from Campbell Devine and the 3 CD Box set from CBS., a project Dale was heavily involved with.

That cajoling started with the single ‘Saturday Gigs’. Legend has it Buffin was keen that, IF Mott the Hoople were going to fold, then they ought to sign off with something more appropriate than ‘Foxy, Foxy’. If all that is true I am so glad he did, as the bands last single was a fine finale. Although not a (big) hit, John Peel (him again) did name it ‘Record of the Week’ in Sounds (a music paper of the day) and it did well in the Capital Radio daily requests charts.

The version that ends this collection is taken from the re-mastered 3-CD box-set collection mentioned above, as are the other two MTH tracks provided. I hope you enjoy it and, if you’re not familar with the bands’ work beyond the hits, that it might encourage you to investigate them further.

Finally, although I didn’t know Dale personally, I did have the pleasure and privilege of some email correspondence with him. During which he revealed himself to be a warm, friendly, engaging, amusing, informative, honest and generous bloke.

And he’s still my most favourite-est drummer. Ever.

Track Listing and Details:
1. Shame, Shame, Shame by The Silence.

Taken from the album Shotgun Eyes.
Recorded in 1990, the sleeve notes reveal that Dale Griffin was the driving force behind getting this record made. Of course, he plays drums and is involved in production too!
Available from Angel Air Records.
Read a review here >

2. Rock and Roll Queen by Mott the Hoople.
From the album All The Young Dudes - The Anthology: Disc 1 The Twilight of Pain Through Doubt.

Originally found on the bands Island debut 'Mott the Hoople' in 1969, this track survived and appeared on the last live set-lists. It highlights the energetic, frantic yet melodic drumming of Buffin wonderfully I feel.

3. Lounge Lizard by Mott the Hoople.
From the album All The Young Dudes - The Anthology: Disc 3 Blistered Psalms.

This is a demo essentially. Luther Grosvenor (Ariel Bender) had just left Mott the Hoople and appeared to signal the end of the band. However, Mick Ronson was signed-up as a replacement, a tour was on the horizon and some tracks were recorded. This was one of them and originally slated as B-side to 'Saturday Gigs'. It just shows us how fantastic this line-up would have been and you can see the smile on Buffin's face as he smashes out the beats to this one. Of course, the tour didn't happen and this track eventually found its way onto Ian Hunters debut album the following year.

4. Is Vic There? by Department S.

A hit single from 1981 (although originally released in 1980). Produced by Dale Griffin and Pete Watts, this is included in this collection as a tribute to Dale's production achievements as this is a track that most people around at the time would still re-call if you jogged their memory. I have no proof but wouldn't be at all surprised if Dale also produced their 3rd December Peel Session too?

5. It Takes One To Know One by Mott.
From the album Drive On.

Following the departure of Hunter and Ronson, the remaining members of Mott the Hoople reformed as Mott and, to fulfil contracts and so on, recorded another couple of albums. Drive On was the first. This album features some great drumming from Buffin (particularly on The Great White Wail). This track is included as its from the pen of our hero. Some great, witty lyrics too (a pointer to those later sleeve notes)!

6. Saturday Gigs by Mott the Hoople.
From the album All The Young Dudes - The Anthology: Disc 2 Temptations of the Flash.

We have this wonderful track thanks to the prompting of Dale Griffin. He felt, rightly as it turns out, that 'Foxy Foxy' really shouldn't be seen by history as the final testament to Mott the Hoople. That whatever happened with the band as a unit, something better should be put out there. Hunter duly delivered this wonderful ode to the whole affair. Ronson delivers some marvellous guitar work too. Despite John Peel making it his Record of the Week in Sounds it didn't quite make THE Top 40 (reached 41 in fact!). Brilliant, brilliant song and recording and, as Dale Griffin wished, a fitting finale to a wonderful band.

"...thanks for the great trip..."

The 1972 Silver Machine Show -- Mix of the Month

The 1972 Silver Machine Show by Rock N Rail on Mixcloud

When I put this mix together a couple of weeks ago, I topped and tailed it with two tracks that would act as tributes to artistes that passed away in 2015: Silver Machine from Hawkwind featuring Lemmy on Bass and Vocals and Siberian Khartru by Yes featuring Chris Squire on Bass.

Hawkwind’s Silver Machine is such a strong, timeless track that, in tribute to it as well as Lemmy’s performance, I felt this collection should be great rock tracks from 1972, the year of its release.

And I had no idea then, that the third and tenth tracks chosen would also act as tributes. Tributes to David Bowie and Terence Dale 'Buffin' Griffin.

Like Silver Machine, everything Bowie has done sounds as good today as it did when first released. In some cases, they sound even better.

And, I am SO pleased I chose Jean Genie as, for me, it is the track that takes me back to listening to Radio Luxembourg through a naff one-piece ear-phone, listening to it in Tony Collins’s front room. It is just a perfect record in so many ways, rocking its way to the sky, filling every room and dream with electric guitar driven swagger. Fantastic. Fabulous and marvellous.

And ’72 was the big breakthrough year for Bowie. From Starman to producing and elevating the status of both Mott the Hoople and Lou Reed via Jean Genie, John I’m Only Dancing and everything Ziggy Stardust and those Spiders from Mars.

Ah. Mott the Hoople. Touched by the hand of Bowie, without which these ears would’t have heard the band that became one of my all time favourites. And Buffin, or Dale Griffin as he became known to us from ‘The Hoople’ onwards, was a stand-out member of the band. Apart from being a great drummer, he went on to ensure the bands’ legacy was preserved in print, movie and audio awesomeness. A true gent who’s passing didn’t go without a tear from me.

Back to this ‘mix’ and the final tribute track closes the collection. 'Siberian Khartru' from the classic ‘Close to the Edge’ by Yes, and another 1972 landmark. Some say the finest prog-rock album ever. Chris Squire’s imaginative, almost lead-bass work driving along this collections’ closing track with rock gusto that brings Roger Deans poster to life.

The rest of the tracks on this collection now pale into insignificance to an extent, but they also act as a reminder of how strong and exciting the music scene was in the early seventies. The fact that 40 years later these records and these artists are - in most part - still relevant tells us just how strong the industry was then. Great days. Great records. Great memories:

1. Silver Machine by Hawkwind.
2. Run, Run, Run by Jo Jo Gunne.
3. The Jean Geneie by David Bowie.
4. Don’t Waste My Time by Status Quo.
5. Hold Your Head Up by Argent.
6. School's Out by Alice Cooper.
7. Reelin' In The Years by Steely Dan.
8. Sylvia by Focus.
9. Burlesque by Family.
10. Sucker by Mott the Hoople.
11. Time Was by Wishbone Ash.
12. Siberian Khatru by Yes.

Walking With The San by Charlie Simpson & San Bushmen -- Record of the Week!

Earlier this week notjustmum stumbled upon a telly programme that has become a 'must watch' in our house and provided some very heartwarming entertainment.

And none more so than the episode we saw on Wednesday when 'Singing in the Rainforest' on Watch took us to Namibia to meet the San people along with Busted's Charlie Simpson and his mate Alex Davies.

Now, apart from the Thunderbirds movie theme, Busted mean absolutely nothing to me. At all. But from the start of the programme, Charlie made an immediate impression.

And this continued throughout the programme. He really had compassion, care and concern for the San people. We learnt how they have had to change their traditional way of life -- hunter gatherers -- as conservation restricts hunting and that they survive on deliveries of grain. Compared to the Panamanian tribe we saw in the previous episode enjoying a session with the Happy Mondays (seriously), these people looked poor and hungry. They are small and slight and their diet poor. But... what happy, lovely people.

The former Busted frontman tapped into all this with great skill. The climax of each episode of 'Singing in the Rainforest' sees the UK band or artist collaborate with the indigenous tribe they spend a week with and Charlie's effort is the best of the series. By a mile, really.

Charlie was accompanied on the trip by his old school-chum and post-Busted bandmate Alex Davies, and the pair really endeared themselves to the San as well as prove very, very accomplished writers, players and performers.

We were told that, as well as the song being able to highlight the changes and threats the San face, proceeds from sales of the song would be given to aid the San. Needless to say we have purchased from iTunes. But not just because of the aid it provides: it's a really good song on so many levels.

I will not dismiss Charlie Simpson quite so readily in the future and, in fact, am about to listen to his second solo LP 'Long Road Home'.

Buy and download 'Walking with the San' from iTunes.

I Hate Christmas by Three Litre - Record of the Week!

It's that time of year again... the week when we can have more than one record of the week! And, where we can indulge ourselves and pick tunes and songs chosen previously. So, to kick it all off we bring you an Indie classic that should have been a smash back in 2002.

Now, don't be fooled by the title, it's not quite as throwaway as it at first appears to be given the title...

But I won't spoil it too much for you; you have a listen and see what you think for yourselves.

This is one of my all time festive favourites. It combines melancholy, humbug, longing, hopes, dreams, a wry smile here and there along with all the trimmings of sleigh-bells, church-bells and a choir. Yet it starts so simply with that acoustic intro that gets stung by that chiming electric guitar after the first line.

Very merry stuff. And don't you get me started on New Year!

You can buy this on CD at amazon...
Or on eBay...

Find out more about Three Litre...
Drowned in Sound review of this single...
A Guardian (yes, the Guardian) review of the single...
Track featured in this Christmas Mixcloud mix...

Roundabout (Live) by Yes -- Record of the Week

We read a little while ago that Yes bass player and founder-memeber Chris Quire had been diagnosed with a rare and virulent form of lukemia... but were shocked and very sad to read news of his passing so soon afterwards.

So, by way of tribute to him we offer this live recording of 'Roundabout' as our Record of the Week.

Some will say that this captures the band in their heyday: at maximum pomp and circumstance. Many see the album that this tour promoted -- 'Close to the Edge' -- as one of THE classic Prog Rock albums. Ever. Certainly one of my favourites and played constantly to this day here at Not Just Towers, although I no longer have the Roger Dean poster on the wall.

With one change to the line-up that recorded the album -- Bill Bruford being replaced by Alan White on drums -- we see and hear the band play 'Roundabout' from the bands' earlier 'Fragile' album.

This video concentrates visually on guitarist Steve Howe and vocalist Jon Anderson, but Chris Squire gets to make an appearance here and there... but you can't fail to notice that deep, vibrating almost lead-guitar-esque bass driving things along frantically. We see him leap into action a couple of minutes into the performance and from then on that bass is providing a bedrock of rhythm and, at times, melody.

Fantastic band and, with some changes here and there, still playing this song and other classics around the world to this day.

Chris Squire was an almost ever-present member of the band over these past 45-plus years(!) and we were fortunate enough to see him along with this same classic line-up play in Braintree, Essex back in 2004. And the quality, beauty and perfection of the performance brought tears of wonderment to my eyes. So, yes (if you'll pardon the pun) they are and always have been that good.

Buy and download 'Fragile from amazon...
Buy the CD of 'Fragile from amazon...
Buy and download 'Fragile' from iTunes.

New Precision by Be Bop Deluxe - Record of the Week

Am so pleased to have found this on the web.

When this music was released, Be Bop were my favourite band of the moment and Bill Nelson was becoming a musical hero. Naturally, I went to see them on the tour to promote this and it was a real highlight.

A bit of history. Prior to 'Drastic Plastic', Be Bop Deluxe were seen as a prog-ish rock guitar band and, when your first album is called 'Axe Victim' you get an idea of the kind of thing we're talking about. But Bill Nelson always had this melodic and jazz-esque edge: it wasn't just noise or runs and riffs. No there was always something more to it as 'Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape', amongst others, clearly demonstrates. So, for me, it was no real surprise when this track arrived in 1978 on their final studio album.

But the music press were confused and didn't quite know what to make of it, declaring that it wasn't a guitar album and that Bill was creating a vastly different sound and we'd all be disappointed. Well, this fan wasn't.

As you can clearly see and hear on this rendition of 'New Precision', Bills' guitar playing is very much to the fore and, if anything, has moved into another dimension. It's no longer the tried and tested blistering rock riffs and runs. Here we have a new wave, classy, intricate, melodic, complementary guitar brilliantly played (of course). On this record, Bill used a new guitar synthesiser (with a Yamaha SG2000) as well as the standard set-ups -- as seen here with that white Stratocaster. Or was it the other way round?
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For me, this album is their best offering. I loved it then and I adore it now. A wonderful piece of work. And its partly down to that new guitar sound. Quite stunning.

A live version (may even be this same recording) of this can be found on the album 'Radioland -- BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert'...
Get the CD of Radioland from amazon...
or download Radioland from iTunes.

The studio version is on the album 'Drastic Plastic'...
Download 'Drastic Plastic' from amazon...
or download 'Drastic Plastic' from iTunes.

Billions and Billions by Stellardrone - Record Of The Week

Its all thanks to Ben Mynott and his Fluidnation sessions on chill.dab that we heard this… and then we investigated more.

All the way from Lithuania, Stellardrone provide the perfect aural wallpaper for working to… chilling-out, cooling down, eating, getting ready to sleep… in fact, the perfect soundtrack to just about anything you can think of!

This particular track has all those lovely synth beds behind all the billions and billions of notes dancing about in a cool, calm and collected manner. It builds and builds, again gently, never causing you any anxiety at all.

Quite perfect. Quite uplifting.

Buy and download the album direct from Stellardrone

Pride Before a Fall by The Church - Record of the Week

I really have been meaning to post this for ages… well, the waiting stops here.

We heard this haunting, chilled-out piece of wonderfulness some months ago now. It arrived on the scene as the signpost for a new Church studio album, 'Further Deeper'.

That too has now arrived and is one of my picks for Album of the Year for 2014. But back to 'Pride…'

We have, to some degree, the trademark chiming 12 string-esque guitar sound, we have Kilbey's gentle and ethereal tones. But the whole effect is somehow fresher and brighter, in a melancholy way. All quite beautiful. I find that with each new release from this band that they do become my Favourite Band of All time. I am loathe to give the title to anyone because I just like so much stuff and so much of what I like is different but, I can reasonably safely say they are one of the few acts that I would ensure I purchased the latest offering from.

The aforementioned album -- Further Deeper -- that this is from is one of their best. Up here with 'Starfish', 'Heyday', 'After Everything Now This', the new record maintains the freshness we can feel and hear on 'Pride…' and in 'Laurel Canyon', 'Volkano' and 'Miami' they give us some stellar musical moments to treasure.

I hope you enjoy this track as much as I do and, if you are not familiar with the bands back-catalogue then I urge you to investigate further.

Buy and download album from the Church Shop

Record of the Week

Fooled Around and Fell in Love
by Elvin Bishop

Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around & Fell In Love

Hi Pop Pickers, and a welcome to the return of our Record of the Week feature after an absence of several months. And thanks, once again, go to our NotJustMum for getting this into my head, into our iTunes library and on these pages...

When she played this to me the other day I couldn't remember it at all! But in the intervening couple of days it's found its way into my head and under my skin in such a way that I tell myself I must have heard it back in '76, when this was a hit. In fact, a BIG hit in the USA.

Anyway, it really is a very, very good rock/pop song. Catchy, sing-a-long stuff with a wonderful guitar solo in the middle from Mr Bishop himself. Vocals are more than admirably handled by Mickey Thomas who, despite what you all think didn't play ion the wing for Manchester United, Wrexham or Chelsea, but went on to sing in Jefferson Starship. In fact, he still does.

This video will have you wondering just which one is Jeff Lynn, although I am reliably informed that not one of the players here is the aforementioned King of Brummie Beat.

Buy the track from amazon...
Buy the track from iTunes...

Record of the Week

Blue Guitar
by Justin Hayward and John Lodge


Thanks go to our NotJustMum for getting this both into my head and into our iTunes library...

Although this is a record I do remember from those heady seventies, its not one that can claim to have ever had a special place anywhere close to my musical heart.

But just recently, I have been able look past any 'those boring Moody lies' prejudices I may have had and heard this track for the beautiful piece it is. Yet another Record of the Week who's joy is partly delivered by simplicity and brevity: its so short and sweet that you immediately want to play it again.

The strings are heavenly and breathtaking. The lyric is well crafted and deftly delivered. And, as well as the guitar-solo intro, we then have the outro. This creeps up on you under the guise of being the middle eight, but there is SO much going on here that its so hard to take it all in in one listen… so, you just have to play the track again!

Further investigation of the track reveals that its not Justin Hayward and John Lodge, but 10cc with Justin Hayward. And the classic, original 10cc at that. Which makes sense of the sound of those guitars in the middle with/outro… compare the sound (not the delivery necessarily) to that of the guitar sounds on Sheet Music, for example. Mind you, its always reminded me of Mike Oldfield's "…two slightly distorted guitars…" on Tubular Bells. Whatever, its a sound I've always enjoyed listening to.

Download track from amazon...
Buy the CD from amazon...

Festive Record of the Week

I Hate Christmas
Three Litre





OK. Yes... I DID choose this last year as well. Probably will again next year too. But its one of my festive faves, hasn't been heard enough and is very worthy of a place on the nations's endless Christmas playlist we get assaulted with from the end of October each year in the shops...

Anyway...

Don't be fooled by the title, it's not quite as throwaway as it at first appears to be...

But I won't spoil it too much for you; you have a listen and see what you think for yourselves.

This is one of my all time festive favourites. It combines melancholy, humbug, longing, hopes, dreams, a wry smile here and there along with all the trimmings of sleigh-bells, church-bells and a choir. Yet it starts so simply with that acoustic intro that gets stung by that chiming electric guitar after the first line.

Very merry stuff. And don't you get me started on New Year!

You can buy this on CD at amazon...
Or on eBay...

Find out more about Three Litre...
Drowned in Sound review of this single...
A review of their gig with The Darkness...
Velocity Recordings Three Litre page...

Record of the Week

Little Jody
by Blue


This was something that, once heard, I tried to track down and buy for what seemed like ages...

And it still remains one of my all time favourite tracks of all time. The guitar work is just sublime: the sound from it is deep, dirty and basic. Beautiful. Add to that a simple, succinct song structure of near-perfect proportions -- not too short and not too long -- and you have a potential classic on your hands.

John Peel thought so when he reviewed it in Sounds and made it his Record of the Week. And RSO Records probably thought so too. And why not? The band were formed and fronted by ex-Marmalade hit-writer Hughie Nicholson and, it has to be said 'Little Jody' should have been another top-ten certainty.

But we all know by now that it wasn't and remains one of life's great mystery's.

I did manage to get hold of this record: I found the debut album 'Blue' in a rack of a record shop the year following release. It remains one of my favourite and most played albums to this day (it's on the iPhone as we speak!)

Peel loved them more than just voting this record of the week as records show the band recorded a number of sessions for his Radio 1 programmes in the seventies.

Buy the album at amazon...

Record of the Week

It All Feels Right
by Washed Out


It certainly does all feel right when listening to this track from the brand and spanking new Washed Out LP 'Paracosm'.

We here at NotJust Towers are fans of Ernest Green, the man behind Washed Out, and he hasn't let us down with his new release. Its warmly familiar to Washed Out fans' ears, an aural delight with so many textures and layers of sound that are both uplifting and calming. Great music while you work.

There are reminders here and there of the Faming Lips... but that's no bad thing at all. This all builds solidly on the debut 'Within and Without'

And the rest of the new albums's pretty good too!

Download the album from iTunes...
Get the new album at amazon...

Record of the Week

Big Blue Moon
by Ben Onono


Well, its the weather for it and have been listening to several Café del Mar collections. And on Vol. 18 is this gem of a slice of balmy, evening sun.

I find myself breaking into 'Big blue moon...' when making coffee, washing-up, feeding the birds in the garden. Its so delightful, catchy, melodic, soulful, enchanting...

Starts off with that Satie-esque intro and then that lovely, silky vocal. A great find. A great song and piece of music.

Download the album featuring this track from iTunes...
Download Café del Mar vol. 18 featuring this track from iTunes...

Record of the Week

The Magic Words!
by Dave Dark & the Sharks



This weeks Record of the Week marries some of my favourite music with one of my favourite films: the sounds of Dave Dark & the Sharks with the comedy genius of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore in the original and brilliant 'Bedazzled'.

Take a look on any modern device here at NotJust Towers and the aforementioned Mr Dark and his Sharks feature strongly in playlist scores and the CD of the album this is taken from - The Gazebo Effect - is permanently inserted in the CD player of our lovely little Peugeot.

This track is incredibly entertaining: fun, clever, hypnotic, electronic sampling genius. "It's not going to hurt, is it?" enquires Moore. "Not a bit" replies Peter Cooks' devil. And it doesn't. Quite the opposite.

Download the album from Amazon...
Download the album from iTunes...
Buy the DVD of Bedazzled at Amazon...

Record of the Week

Hang on to Yourself
by David Bowie


While listening to The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Startdust & the Spiders From Mars the other day I was struck by the bass guitar on this track. Maybe it was because somewhere towards the front-end of my memory is the recent and sad news of the passing of Trevor Bolder.

And it is his stellar work that gives this track such an edge and extra dimension. Listen to it drive the song along and provide harmony to the main melody. Its more than just plodding bass work to assist the rhythm, although it does that too, giving you something to furiously shake your head to. And listen to it ascend the scales behind Ronson's mini solos.

Frantically fantastic and sounding as good today as it ever did. I don't think I've done his work justice. Rest in peace Trevor.

Buy the CD or vinyl from Amazon...
Download from Amazon...
Download from iTunes...

Record of the Week

Delphonic
by Broken Glass Heroes



This really IS the Record of the Week or month here at NotJust Towers. Frantic web searching was employed following the second episode of ITV's new-ish comedy 'Off Their Rockers' to find out more about the song used over the closing title.

And this is it. Belgian duo Broken Glass Heroes's 2010 single 'Delphonic'.

It's a lovely piece of short, simple, sweet, downtempo-esque, lazy guitar driven music paradise. The soft vocal harmonies overlay it all with a tinge of sadness yet a realisation and acceptance of life and time's continual march.

Lovely stuff.

Buy the album on CD from Amazon...

Record of the Week

Sedated
by Choir of Young Believers

We, along with many others I am sure, were introduced to this band courtesy of someone's brilliant decision to use their 'Hollow Talk' as the theme tune to Danish crime-thriller The Bridge and seen in the UK on BBC4.

Didn't take us here at NotJust Towers long to add a copy of the album it was from to the collection. And as excellent as the aforementioned track it all was --and is -- too. Another one of those records that is able to take multiple plays. So, when the follow up to 'This Is For The Whites In Your Eyes' made an appearance that too was obtained.

And if '...Whites...' was extremely enjoyable then 'Rhine Gold' was just... stunning. Some of the bass on here is just breathtaking, the sounds haunting, edgy yet with a downtempo, chill-esque enough feel for them to be great work accompaniment.

This track is one of those in which that bass guitar stars, but listen to the piano in there too.

I do hope you like this. A band worthy of a much wider audience (aren't they all?)... but really, they are.

The record company don't want any of us to embed this video in a blog so follow the links to listen. Hope you enjoy it...



Buy on the CD from Amazon...
Download now from iTunes...

Record of the Week

Stroh 80
by Casual Sex



The Only Way is Essex crowd attempted an 80s theme-night at a roller-skate park recently but we go back a bit further with this weeks' Record of the Week.

Some people say Bowie, some say Roxie. Let me tell you there is nothing wrong with sounding like either. This record gives a hint of some of those early seventies guitar driven affairs, but it has its head firmly in the 21st century via a definite taste of Pulp thrown in for good measure.

But don't let that, or the bands name (hopefully a tribute to Ken and Duane Bishops famous duo Raw Sex?), put you off having a listen.

Buy on 7" vinyl from Amazon...
Download now from iTunes...

Giving the gold away… (Rail)

I have just read the news that air-sea rescue services in the UK have been contracted out. Apart from the apparent lunacy of sub-contracting yet another service, this news is accompanied by the revelation that the said contract has been awarded to an American company.

Further details reveal that the new helicopters to be used during the contract will be built in the UK (in Yoevil), but the ownership is in the USA, so, any profits will go to America.

And it's yet another example of the UK governments constant short-termist policies. And when I say government I don't just mean Mr Cameron's lot. No, I include Brown, Blair and Major in the indictment. Thatcher knew what she was doing when she destroyed British industry, the rest of those that followed that I have just mentioned have either not been clever enough, visionary enough or only interested in their 5 year terms to not worry too much about the state of British industry in years to come.

Also, it has to be said and in fairness to those mentioned earlier I suppose, that for a while it did seem that there was something in the notion that Britain would be able to earn a bob or two by maintaining service industries.

Trouble is, an awful lot of those have gone abroad to the lowest bidder... Sorry, highest bidder!

And now it's air-sea rescue. With the armed services being pared back to the barest of bones, they are no longer in any fit state to afford new helicopters or assign staff to fly them, so it's all being privatised.

The American thing really grates with this correspondent. There's nothing left in UK now. Trains are built and bought from Spain, Germany, Japan and USA. Rail operators are Dutch and German. Our motor manufacturers are owned by Germans and Indians.

All the money, all the profit is going out of the country. Can any one in government please explain to me how we are ever again going to make any money here in the UK?

Don't know if any of you ever watch Great British Railway Journeys with Michael Portilo? It really is a very good TV program and takes us into some of Britains past. A past where whole towns and cities grew and prospered by manufacturing goods that were exported around the world.

We now live in an age where those same goods are imported. It's a sad truth, but Britain doesn't work anymore because it can't. And awarding yet more contracts overseas does not improve that situation at all.

BBC News: Bristow Group to take over UK search and rescue from RAF...