Absolute Beginner

Those shoes with the pink laces would have been considered very much in-crowd only back in 67, a mod wouldn’t be seen dead in Clarks t-bar sandals at pre school.

For me?

Mine was the short lived, but memorable Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Dibble and Grub. IYKYK.

They’re not as good as this lot.

Mine seeded and is everywhere now… it’s a losing battle if you don’t keep it in pots.

Do you think the owner told the spray shop ‘I want it themed around English Rose’ and they misheard?

Emma Noble - Woman of the World (Animation) YouTube video by Emma Noble

International Women’s Day - putting this up here for my daughter. youtu.be/_wcHkiPDfZE?...

Here’s to Starmer giving it some serious thought then going ‘Nah mate, I’m going to invite the Spanish PM over for drinks instead’.

🎶They say this cat’s raft is a bad mother (shut your mouth)… 🎶

I finally found an affordable repress on vinyl last year after having had the cd for a long while. Rarely far away from the turntable.

Nice glass, but an essential record!

And the same jukebox in an Italian bar circa 1959 - the stories…

Always!

Thanks - not as many as I’d like, but it is a. My pride and joy and, b. A very good excuse to keep buying singles.

Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich - Please YouTube video by flatop47

Have had this for decades and unaccountably have no memory of the b-side, which I just played. Not half bad, actually very good by DDBM&T standards. youtu.be/PqCbe3irEk8?...

And a few of the books too…

A ridiculous pile of records.

Had to empty the shelves for some damp proofing to take place. Where did all these come from - no recollection of spending all my wages on them at all…

Atomic cocktail shaker and a very dirty martini

The weekend starts here.

Sound of Birmingham

The Birmingham 81
open.spotify.com/playlist/18A...

Carnaby Cavern as I recall. They just sewed one of their skinny ties down the side of one of their nasty cheap suits. Yes I bought one. In my defence I only wore it once. Sorry. I still feel dirty.

Small Fakers - Leaving Here with Ali McKenzie from The Birds - Mod R&B 100 Club 11th November 2009. YouTube video by THFCMOD

Not sure this is the same night - but here’s a taste. youtu.be/l7QRSF1717s?...

I saw Ali McKenzie fronting the Small Fakers at the 100 club about 15 years ago as they ran through the Birds back catalogue - the man still had one hell of a voice.

Now might be the time for a bit of entryism.

La Cabina anyone?

Their owners certainly were - and the names of their beers alone made me not want to taste them. Always wondered if any of the artists that they traded off the back of ever got any payback - suspect not.

Ohhh Judy!

Ise at The Social - London best little venue

UCL looking gorgeous against the night sky

Excellent gig at the Social watching Ise - worth seeing next time she’s in town. Now winding my way back through Fitzrovia. If only it weren’t under Shari Lewis law.

Mark Rothko - Guggenheim museum, Bilbao, Spain.

Y Viva Espana.

Wow, the orange gibbon in the White House is actually giving me a grudging respect for Starmer right now.

No, he’s not Churchill - Trump is probably closer given his fondness for setting up concentration camps.

Anyone in that there London tonight fancy this tonight? I have a (free) spare ticket up for grabs.