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Ian Dury

Born on this date and it’s just over twenty years since his death. Here’s a decent enough write-up from ten years ago. Shortly before his death in March 2000, Paul McCartney paid him a visit. It was “like having the Queen Mother coming round for tea,” he told his wife. Ian Dury at the Dentist…

Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3

As usual AllMusic gets it. The deeply funky grooves are down to Chaz Jankel, quite possibly the UK’s greatest funkmeister. The Sly influence is palpable and as a consequence this is solid party music to ring in the new year. There is humor in this music in bushels. But all of that humor points to the heart…

Dead Sea Tapes

Chuffed to come across this recently broadcast (previously blocked) programme. Among the featured gems are The Dead Sea Tapes, Peter’s views on religion, his taste in reading and much more besides. I have a chum  who used to live around the corner from Perrin’s Walk in Ellerdale Road, near the convent (or was it a girls school) mentioned in…

Steely Dan: The Making of Aja

This documentary gets taken down/blocked from time to time (at least to me) so it’s worth checking out this Japanese subtitled version. Fascinating seeing these meticulous and obsessive musicians work with equally obsessive session musicians (and other amazing performers such as Wayne Shorter), without it ever becoming bloodless — infused with gospel, blues and some superb…