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Showing posts with label Have Music Will Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Have Music Will Travel. Show all posts

Tuesday, 14 July 2015

Mercury Rev - Holes

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

BOGOTA

VIEW FROM THE HOTEL


 
MERCURY REV - HOLES (1998)

Would I go over to Bogota for a week and then go to Miami for several days and do a training course for ULD management. I did not have to be asked twice as I had been to neither before. 

I was to be met a Bogota Airport on arrival by my contact over there and would be brought to my Hotel. It was a very early arrival about 02:30 in the morning. I arrived and waited for about 30mins or so but no one was there to meet me. 

Several dubious characters approached me offering to take me on my journey. I waited another 30 mins but still no one came. I looked around for a 'proper taxi' but there was none. Mine was the last flight of the night. 

This was getting a bit scary as I had to make the decision to take a lift from these dubious characters who were eyeing me up like vultures. After all this was Bogota, the kidnap capital of the world. I decided to go with a youngish guy who looked the most reasonable. I struck a deal (I did not know if the price was good or bad) I followed him on foot down a dark alley way and reached his car, an old ramshackle affair. What have I let myself in for?. Would he take me to my Hotel or would sell me off to some gang for ransom. Or even worse. My mind was racing.

The journey was about 30 mins and not one word was spoken between us. Where were we going? Suddenly in the distance I saw the familiar green sign of a Holiday Inn, we arrived and I don't think I have ever felt so relieved as I did then. 

More next week
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Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Jesus and Mary Chain - Darklands/Morrissey - Suedehead

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

THE SUDAN PT 2

The White Nile meets the Blue Nile

 
MORRISSEY - Suedehead (1988)

I think it was about the third day I was there when there appeared to be a bit of a commotion outside of the work office which faced the main runway at Khartoum Airport. I joined everyone heading outside. There was a convoy of limousines heading in our direction. When they eventually passed I could see very clearly, only a few metres away Colonel Gaddafi in full uniform, He was on a state visit to the Sudan. 

It was the Friday, my last day and as we finished early Ali said he would show me around after work.  He took me on a tour of Khartoum. We passed the place where the Blue Nile met the White Nile. Now that that was an impressive sight.

He drove quite a way and eventually we were in the dessert, he continued to drive what seemed like a very long time. In the distance I could see what could only be described as a crude stadium. We entered and I believe I was the only European there. I clutched my little bag which contained my passport and other important documents. I dared not leave anything in my hotel room.

Tribal Wrestling
What was happening was a wrestling match between two local tribes. Every now and again two guys met in the middle of the stadium and the noise levels rose as the two guys continued to fight. I did not really understand what was happening and this continued for over an hour. Suddenly out of the blue rifles appeared and were pointed into the air and all fired at once . The sound was deafening. Ali informed me that one of the tribes had won the contest. It certainly was an exciting experience and one I will never forget.

On the way back Ali showed me the Hilton Hotel where all my colleagues who previously visited Khartoum stayed. It was $100 per night and there was a nice view of the Nile and I am sure the doors of the rooms had locks.

The whole trip had cost me $5 dollars, I tried to give Ali $50 for the whiskey and all the help he gave me but he would not take a cent. Top man was Ali.

When I returned to Jeddah I went Immediately and bought a new separates Kenwood stereo System and matching cabinet with the money I had saved. It was worth the sacrifice and what the hell it was a great experience.
 
THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN - Darklands (1988)
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Tuesday, 12 August 2014

Brian Wilson - Love and Mercy/Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

THE SUDAN PT 1


 
BRIAN WILSON - Love and Mercy (1988)

I was sent over to the Sudan to support the Cargo Section for Saudia Airlines  cut over to an Automated Cargo System.

I had asked the local guys to find me a cheap Hotel as I hoped to make some money out of the trip as I needed a new stereo System. I knew there would be not a lot to do as it was now a strict Muslim country and they had public floggings for the terrible sin of drinking alcohol. It was 1988.

I was a bit surprised landing in Khartoum at how dark it was compared to landing in Jeddah where it looked like a fourth of July fire work display.

I was picked up by Ali and taken to a Hotel or what looked like a Hotel. It looked very run down and all I remember seeing was the white of eyes of several tall black men giving me the stare. I was ushered to a room and Ali said he would pick me up first thing the next morning and then he was gone. The room was basic there was no lock on the door. I went to what was supposed to be the bathroom and again there was no lock. There was running water, just. It wasn't very clean.

I thought what have I let myself in for here. I wanted cheap. But this. This was down right scary. I did not even have any local Currency. It was pretty late so I tried to get some sleep and I would sort it out tomorrow. I was experiencing the aptly named African Hotel.

I told Ali the next day that really this was not suitable and I wanted something a bit better. He would not hear of it. After all it was his brother's Hotel and he would arrange the best room. He had arranged a good price of $5 US dollars for the weeks. At that price I would suffer it and get that great looking Kenwood stereo I had been after for some time. I had my trusty portable cassette player (all the tracks played on this and the next post featured on this cassette play list I had made especially for the trip) . I was stacked up with Pot noodles, chocolate and nuts. During the day I ate at the Airport Canteen.

The new room was slightly better, there was no window just a shutter tied with wire and it looked on to a small court yard. Locking doors in this Hotel just did not exist. Think Kenwood was the order of the day.

Ali dropped me of the next night and ask do I like a drink. I answered well I have been know to have a little tipple.He said he would pick me up later and we will look for some alcohol.

He came back later and quickly handed me a brown bag and said he would pick me up tomorrow at the same time. In the bag was a bottle of Johnny Walker Scotch. I drank the bottle that night and had some pot noodles and a great music session. I was worried however what to do with the empty bottle and had visions of an International incident and a public flogging.

Part 2 next week
 
NENEH CHERRY - Buffalo Stance (1988)
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Saturday, 14 June 2014

The Beach Boys - 'Sloop John B'

Saturday Night Jukebox....
Everyone has a guilty pleasure 

The Welsh Contingent


The Beach Boys - 'Sloop John B' (1966)

Part 2.....

The storm soon subsided and we were again on our way, but this guy was relentless. The fishermen on board caught a load of live lobsters and had put them into barrels on board. This guy pulled one out of the barrel by it's antennae and started trying to chase the squeamish women around, shoving it in their faces. It was then I noticed the Welsh contingent. Surely I'd seen their flags earlier? A couple of the guys were noticeably scowling but did nothing...yet.

In the meantime, we had a little bit of reprise in the form of stopping at a small deserted island. Pure white sand, beautiful green palm trees swaying in the now calm wind. Everyone piled into the water and oooeh and aaaahed about the picturesque beach whilst practically fighting to get a space. It wasn't even five minutes when all you could hear was shrieking and saw holiday makers scattering the beach in panic! The rain storm had awoken a sleeping giant on the island.....a huge swarm of mosquitoes! We all ran as fast as we could back to the boat. I never pictured paradise full of mossies!!

On approach of the dock, the second German guy in the group was staggering along and didn't gauge where the toilet door was, bearing in mind on the catamaran it's on the floor! He fell so awkwardly through it with legs sticking up in the air, we thought he'd broken a few bones!

Everyone got off the boat with this German guy and his mates still singing and shouting their heads off and walked to the coach. I was already inside looking down in perfect timing to see one of the welsh lads punch him square in the nose and shout, 'your walking home boyo!' Everyone on the bus cheered! We didn't see any of these German guys again for the rest of the holiday, until we were on our flight home. The main guy sat a couple rows in front of us very subdued and very quiet!

Have a listen to my guilty pleasures playlist or catch up on more
 SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX posts!
 

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Saturday, 7 June 2014

The Doors - 'Riders On The Storm'

Saturday Night Jukebox....
Everyone has a guilty pleasure

Cuba Libres all round!!
 


The Doors - 'Riders On The Storm' (1971)


Part 1...

Old Ma, Old Pa and I went to Cuba on our first real holiday after moving back from Saudi. I remember it so well, it was my first experience of an all inclusive. I was just 16 but no one ever questioned my age when I ordered the drinks. Cuba is a fantastic place, one I'd love to visit again. Havana was full of old school charm and real life. The beach in Varadero was probably one of the most picturesque I've seen, powder white sand and beautiful cool turquoise water. As we all love being on the water, we decided on a Jolly Roger catamaran tour, which is pretty much a booze cruise with other holiday makers but it ticked all the boxes for us! When you bought that, you got the sunset cruise free which could be taken at a later date. We enjoyed the day tour but were looking forward to the next instalment. When we arrived there were already a few revellers on the boat, who had decided to take their freebie immediately after the day cruise. Wow, they're hard core I thought! We soon worked out they were 3 German blokes and saw that they had a couple of empty rum bottles rolling around them. Hmm I smell trouble.....

The tour began and we were soon enjoying the spray on our faces and a few Cuba libres. Suddenly the sky went dark and it became dramatically cold. The waves turned rough and the heavens opened! We had sailed into one of the daily thunderstorms we encountered there! The group of holiday makers ran undercover and were all huddled under the only shelter available in the middle of the boat and reminded me of a busy hen coup. Old pa and I remained where we were, unperturbed by the dramatic change in weather. The skipper managed to guide us into a sheltered bay in between a couple of small deserted islands where we waited for the swell and enormous thunder claps to subside. In the meantime, one of the 3 drunken Germans was just getting into his stride and stood at the highest point he could clamber up to, and shouted as loud as he could: 'I've seen the lightning of the world!' and 'I am Jesus Christ'. It was all very theatrical with the storm above us. He had been getting into everyone's faces during the trip, barging into a large elderly lady and even old pa at one point. The group were almost at breaking point. I remember now I thought the guy looked like the lead singer from Wheatus with his odd specs.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week....


I've seen the lighning of the world......!!

Have a listen to my guilty pleasures playlist or catch up on more
 SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX posts!
 

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Tuesday, 22 April 2014

Blue Aeroplanes - Aeroplane Blues

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS PLEASE 
TALES OF FLYING PT1
We shared a Cabin, Trampas et Moi!

 
BLUE AEROPLANES - Aeroplane Blues (1991)

I have worked in the airline business since 1971 until I retired in 2009. As you can imagine I have flown literally hundreds of times. In this little feature I will recount to you some of my most memorable flights.

AIR FRANCE - First Class - Nice to London Heathrow - the early seventies.

When I worked for BEA before they merged with BOAC,  I used to fly every few months to Nice where Old Ma came from. I paid 10% of the full fare but was on standby. If there was a seat available I would get it, but if the flight was full, tough luck. Mostly I made it on, but lots of times it was touch and go.

There was one time Old Ma and I were trying to get back from Nice and the flight was full. Old Ma had a friend who worked for Air France and she managed to get us on the flight and upgraded to First Class. We were pretty excited as this would be our first experience of travelling with the rich and the famous. In the first class cabin.  I noticed Doug McClure,  Trampas in the popular western of the time The Virginian, he was actually there in the same cabin as Moi!
 
I had arrived.

It was superb, champagne immediately you sat down. The meal was immaculate, proper forks,  knives, china plates and cloth napkins. Not like all theses peasants in cattle class with their plastic forks and plastic food.

I took everything on offer, champangne, gin and tonics to start, wine with the meal, brandies after the meal, extra brandies, more brandies, cigars, free matches, free pens, free blow up doll,  I took the lot. I had miniature bottles everywhere, extra cigar behind my ear.

It then hit me

There was this woman in view a few rows ahead of us, she had two seats to herself, she politely refused everything on offer. She only accepted a glass of sparkling water with a slice of lemon the whole trip.

I realised that I acted exactly how someone who had never flown First Class before would act. I was a peasant and acted like a peasant. I may as well had peasant written across my forehead.

That woman showed  'class'.

I learned a lot from that flight. 

The Track is from The Blue Aeroplanes's Album Beat Songs (1991). A great album from a group not wildly know.
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Tuesday, 15 April 2014

TWO FOR THE MONEY - Gram Parsons - Streets of Baltimore/We'll Sweep out the Ashes


OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

VACATION XTRA
A loaded Shell Hunter and London Scouser, a hidden Old Pa!

 
GRAM PARSONS - Streets of Baltimore

Last week of my Thailand adventure with Shell Hunter and London Scouser. I hope there will be some stories to tell and will be dissapointed if there are not. I am sure it will be great to return and get things back  to normal and catch up with all the music I have missed when a way.

I will also see my 3 dogs and two parrots. I hope they have not forgotton about me. I bet they have. It is funny how they rush to Old Ma all the time... 

I don't exist..

even in a dogs world!.

I must be more calm and  assertive

Here are two great tracks from Gram Parson's first solo album GP. This is some of the best country I have ever heard and this album is up there with Kris Kristoffersons first two albums.  Oh! what a shame that Gram was taken from us so young.

You must recognise the backing singer.  Of course it is a very young  Emmylou Harris, who went onto change her hair style a few times and turned out some pretty good stuff on the way,
 
GRAM PARSONS - We'll Sweep out The Ashes in the Morning 

FOOTNOTE : 

You all must be getting fed up of all these bloody footnotes. I am!

'You did not go on Holiday. Deal with it and move on'  I hear you all say!.

'Slow down!  I moved on 3 weeks ago, where have you been?.'

Not going on Holiday I could loose about £1,300 if I get all back what is promised to me. If the Insurance Company pay up, I will get it all back. I am not holding my breath as I do not trust any Insurance Company, as they will find a way out of not paying. To be honest I have written it off and if I do get it well I will celebrate then.

It is a bit like Deal or no Deal.(what's Deal or no Deal).  You have all these people who come on the show with big dreams and are full of what they will do with 'their winnings'. They start of smiling and happy, fully expecting their dreams to come true. If they loose they break down. They don't understand!  Oh! I do love that part.

Don't they realise the game is like life or a game of cards. You can only play with what is dealt to you or however the game pans out.

You have to play with what you get and make the most of that. If it is your day you win. If it is not you loose. Be prepared to take your best option.

Ask me Noel! what I will do with the money after I win. 

If I loose, well there is always box 23.

Ooooh! I think I have been spanked by the Banker!

I am an OHO! I am an OHO! I am an OHO!

By for now Pilgrims.   
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Tuesday, 8 April 2014

TWO FOR THE MONEY - Led Zeppelin - Your Time Is Gonna Come/D'Yer Ma'ker

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

VACATION XTRA
can you smell the flavours?

 

LED ZEPPELIN - Your Time is Gonna Come

It is my 3rd week on vacation in Thailand with Shell Hunter and London Scouser. I am a big fan of the place and have been probably about 10 times over the past 30 years. When I worked in Saudi Arabia during the eighties we used to go quite often go for a spot of R&R. In these days I could write my own tickets with Saudia Arabian Airlines. 'These were the Days my friend'. And as Mary Hopkins said.. 'I wish I stayed in the fookin' valleys!'

I first heard Led Zeppelin on an Atlantic Sampler  from 1970,  what a brilliant album that was, check it out.

Your time is Gonna Come is from their first album and has always been a favourites of mine. The second track from Houses of the Holy and is a nice little bit of Reggae-ish. Not their finest hour, but what the 'ell I'm on holiday and  I like it.

 
LED ZEPPLIN - D'Yer Ma'ker 

FOOTNOTE:

On Holiday, On Holiday My arse! see previous Posts. 

Never mind it has not been all bad, the weather has been in the twenties with blue skies.  We had a nice meal by the sea last week. I should have not had that third brandy, I should not have stopped of at that new bar on the way home! I should not have gone to Pat's Bar!

Waking up the next morning was one of 'those',  Oh God! what happened, did I upset Old Ma, did I kill anybody, how did I get home?.

I can't take my drink anymore. Normally I do not drink much these days but when I do get the opportunity I tend to go for it. I really should know better. I did find a Pop Corn wrapper, so I must have given a large bowl a hammering as there was little evidence left apart from a few kernels that did not pop. But I don't like Pop Corn!

I had the hungers all bloody day and still felt a bit off the day after. So the moral of the story is, if you can't handle your Pop Corn, then stay out of Pat's Bar! 

A final Footnote next week
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Tuesday, 1 April 2014

TWO FOR THE MONEY - Bruce Springsteen - The Price you Pay/A Man's Job

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

VACATION XTRA
Old Pa on Phi Phi Island

 
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN  - The Price You Pay
It is my second week on vacation with Shell Hunter and London Scouser. I should be in Thailand by now enjoying the Thai town atmosphere of  hustle buzzle noise of all the bars and the smell of garlic and coriander mixed with a faint hint of sewerage. Everybody has a smile, even when they are ripping you of for a few bahts. I love it all, especially the food.

Next week we will go away to Phi Phi Island. I was first there over 30 years ago when it only had one small hotel and beach huts. Now there are many hotels and it is pretty commercial. 

We have found a hotel far from the noise where there are only a couple of small beach restaurants run by the local sea gypsies. Fabulous.

It is one of my favourite spots in the world.  (from my limited experience)

Two great tracks from the Boss. The first is from his follow up album to my favourite Bruce album Darkness at the Edge of Town.  Its from the Double album The River and is absolutely brilliant. You could say it is his White Album.

The second selection is Bruce doing his  Big O Tribute. He trys to get the Roy Orbison feel and it is spot on as far as I am concerned. 

'A real Brucie Bonus I say!'   

 
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Man's Job 

FOOTNOTE :

Second week my Arse...see last weeks post!

Just found out that my big toe is not infected and it should heal OK, so I suppose that is a bit of a bonus. Here is the first Pic of Shellhunter and London Scouser (self taken) at the Rock Bar in Karon Beach. SH has a  firm hand on her Chang.


'How I wish you were here with me now' 

What song please, the first person will get a case of Chang and a racy thong in the post. 

Looking on the bright side I can get back on my diet....every cloud and all that!

More Footnotes next week!
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Tuesday, 25 March 2014

TWO FOR THE MONEY - T.REX - Mambo Sun/Ride a White Swan

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

VACATION XTRA
New friends to be made!

 
 T.REX - Mambo Sun
 
Hey! I am on vacation for 3 weeks, 1 week in the UK on either side of two weeks in Thailand. If you do not hear from me, don't dispair, at least you know where I am. To keep you going here are two track from T.REX.

The second one in particular means a lot to me. I was leaving from East Kilbride in Scotland to go and live in London as young strippling of a lad, I was 21. I received a little collection from work and bought All Things Must Pass by George Harrison and Elton John's first album. With the change I bought Ride a White Swan which was the break through single before they hit the 'stratocastor'. Brilliant single. Briiliant memory.

The second choice is Mambo Sun from the Electric Warrior album. Not only is it one of my favourite T.REX songs, it is when my new girl friend (now Old Ma) and I, had a meeting of musical minds (it does not happen very often) she bought the album. (saved me doing it) T.REX at their very very best.

'I got stars in my beard
and I feel real weird'

Now thats poetry!  Englands greatest dead poet!  'I said that!' 

Lucky Old Pa I hear you say!
 
T.REX - Ride a White Swan 

FOOTNOTE :

'Lucky Old Pa!  My Arse'  you would have heard me say!

I have had to cancel my Holiday due to a possible infection on my toe, a day and a half to go before departure. (case already packed). I wont go into the gory, but as I have diabetes (controlled) I was given a course of strong Antibiotics and have to see the Doctor after the course. A date after we were sheduled to depart for Thailand.

Can't take any chances with theses things...so here I am stuck in Sunny Spain. I am going to loose most of what I paid out. Oh! and with Old Ma's mini costing 700 euros last week. Well you can't win 'em all.

But in all reality,  I am better off than a pig on its way to the abattoir or a brave squaddy about to step on an IED or a child in India abducted and torn from her parents and put into prostituton...or....or....

What have I got to worry about??? 

Seriously folks, no big deal...Over there I might have contacted HIV (immaculate conception) or imbola virus...or liver failure....or complete freak out!!! 

but that's not me!

Have a great time Shellhunter and London Scouser. I wish I was there with you to share a family bucket of Chang. 
There is only 4 left, get another family bucket in!

More Footnotes next week!! 
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Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done to Deserve This Ft. Dusty Springfield

Old Pa's Wednesday Club

...SANDY LYLE - THE MASTERS 3/3
Raffles Hotel


 
PET SHOP BOYS FT. DUSTY SPRINGFIELD - What have I done to deserve This (1988)

(Cont. from last week)

We found a hotel in downtown Singapore it had the dubious name of the Cockpit Inn, but it seemed pretty good. (That reminded me of the Gay Pub in Staines, called the 'Cock Inn', simply brilliant).

We decided to just enjoy ourselves as we were here and decided to have a few drink and a nice meal somewhere and start to worry tomorrow. I remember well being in a piano bar and their theme was, we play any request. Joy Division's Atrocity Exhibition sorted that one out very sharpish.

I made contacted with my Bosses in Saudi and they were not best pleased, but they did say they would arrange that I would get a seat on Monday's plane.

'I'm in trouble'

We switched the TV on the room and I was delighted to see the Masters was on and my man Sandy Lyle was in contention. I would be able to watch the last round on Sunday night, I was beginning to relax, in fact enjoy myself.
We planned next day to visit Raffles, the famous Hotel and then visit the world famous Food courts. A great day out was planned and to top it all we had the final round of the Masters to watch.

It was striking how clean Singapore was, but it was very hot and the humidly was as bad as I have ever experienced.

We had an excellent day that Sunday, the shopping was fabulous and I remember buying a Sony Walkman at a superb price. The food Courts were busy and bustling, the food was sensational and like Hong Kong, the Chinese influenced food was nothing like the bland U.K versions.

We returned to the Hotel exhausted but satisfied, it was a great but unexpected day. We switched on the TV, Sandy was still in there, it was all very tense. He got a late birdie to bring him level, there was one hole to go.

Sandy required a birdie to win or a par for a playoff.

He drove the ball, disaster it went straight into the bunker, Sandy had blown it, I thought.

Sandy squared up took a swing  and the ball sailed to the middle of the green, it stopped and started to move again and got closer to the hole. Sandy had quite a long putt for the win. The putt rolled to the hole, I was silent the crowd were silent, the ball turned at the last few inches and into the hole and dropped.

'Sandy has won the Masters I screamed'

I jumped up on the bed, up and down screaming and then fell off onto the bedside table smashing it to several pieces. I didn't care, Sandy was the Masters Champion and I had a great time in Singapore.

Sand Lyle posts
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Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Keith Richards - Locked Away

Old Pa's Wednesday Club

...Sandy Lyle - The Masters 2 of 3
That classic shot

 

KEITH RICHARDS - Locked Away (1988) 

 It was 1988, we were on our way to Bangkok from Jeddah, for a few days R and R. Both Shellhunter and Flycasual were being looked after by friends. Arriving in Bangkok, I bumped into a a guy, 'Ken the Limp', who I played football with. He suggested we share a cab and head for Pattaya as he was going to meet his 'wife' there.

Before you know it we were on our way to the Holiday resort of Pattaya. This started a long love affair with Thailand which still remains to this day.

We eventually found a hotel and the view from the hotel room was stunning (as you can almost see from the pic)


A Singha/Moet experience
That evening we hit town, we could not believe what was going on. There was Go Go shows, loud music, snake shows, Thai Boxing all happening for the price of a Singha Beer. It was exciting loud, brash and all the senses were going into overload.

The smell of sewers, mingled with the smell of garlic and coriander, beautiful!

The food of course was cheap and fabulous. The Thai people were friendly and always had a smile, even when they were ripping you off. You did not care, it was all worth it.

The clothes and suitcases were all cheap, so we were able to get plenty of the latest shorts and T-shirts for the kids and all the latest Louis Vuitton bags etc.

We had a fabulous time and many a sore head and it was over all too soon, but we planned to come back in the summer for 3 weeks.

When we got to the airport, the flight back to Jeddah was overbooked. I found out there was a flight out of Singapore later that day. I was luckily able to write my own tickets, so I hastily arranged a flight from Bangkok to Singapore to make the connection. We flew down by Lufthansa.

When we arrived at Singapore, disaster, the flight had filled up with workers from Indonesia. We were stuck in Singapore and the next flight out was not until Monday and it was full. It was Saturday evening and I was meant to be at work on Sunday.

To be Continued :

P.S. You will see the significance of Sandy Lyle next week.
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Thursday, 20 June 2013

Underworld - 'Jumbo'

Musical Medicine.....electronic dance heavyweights, Underworld give me some sugar.....



Underworld - 'Jumbo' (1999)

In April my wife, four year old son and I went to Haven Holiday Park Littlesea, on the Jurassic coast, for some 'luxurious' trailer living, dino hunting and more importantly, early spring sunshine. It's usually quite nice in April right? Wrong, it was probably one of the coldest Aprils on record and was as freezing inside as it was outside, I can usually tolerate the cold but the first night in these Arctic conditions was ridiculous. I awoke to see my breath, my exposed face and one arm completely numb with my extremities particularly raw (stop it!). To avoid a repeat of a Scott of the Antarctic style adventure and my grumblings about the weather my wife suggested I get a wooly hat to sleep in. There seemed to be a shortage of hats in Weymouth as we scoured the area but my wife was beaming when she eventually found me a cheap 'Arsenal' hat from one of those 'always closing down sport shops', I like Arsene Wenger's style of play but I certainly wouldn't display the team colours on my fat head. It hardly mattered really as wooly hats make me look like a buffoon anyway and this was survival, we had a week of this, the park was full and therefore were unable to move us to a trailer with heating. 
Caravan 420 is complaining about the cold....

I was laughing at the face of frostbite, armed with three quilts,  in full track suit with the socks tucked in and my Arsenal wooly hat, I was ready for bed. My wife in a hideous leopard print onesy and a white wooly hat, with the cold on her face, it ensured I'd wake up to some sort of freaky Smurf. Who said romance was dead!? My son was ok though, as a horrific evening being wound up into a frenzy of excitement by the kids entertainers, he was far too tired to notice the cold and with all the layers we put on him, he looked like a mini Michelin man anyway. The critter was enjoying himself and if he was happy then his parents were happy....brrrr.

There are usually one or two notable songs you listen to which remind you of a trip, for me Jumbo is one, huddled around a gas fire in a freezing cold caravan, this track comes on random and suddenly everything warms up (well certainly for me anyway). Taken from the 1999 album, Beaucoup Fish, 'Jumbo' is my favourite Underworld track, it's pure musical bliss and a track that, despite the cold, reminds me of memorable holiday.


Karl Hyde - 'The Boy With The Jigsaw Puzzle Fingers' (2013)

Apart from smashing it up at the London Olympics with Danny Boyle, Underworld's main vocalist, Karl Hyde, released a debut solo album entitled Edgeland earlier this year and the bleak but gorgeous, 'The Boy With The Jigsaw Puzzle Fingers' is the first single from it. 
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Wednesday, 5 June 2013

Friendly Fires - 'Paris'

Recollection Collection......musical memories recalled with affection!

 a chance to share some of my favourite songs, memories and B&B's. 


Friendly Fire - 'Paris' (2008) Great performance, great Ian Curtis style dancing!

There's nothing quite like springtime in Paris, that is unless you go when it's cold, grey and wet like I did in April. But that hardly mattered as it was for my wife's 40th (I know, what a guy!) - a rare foray away, the joys of parenthood shelved for two nights. I was also hoping to take in some of the sights and sounds of Jazz Age Paris al la movie, 'Midnight in Paris', Woody Allen's love letter to France's capital and a firm favourite of mine. It was a semi-surprise, as I ended up telling her a few weeks early and that was for two reasons:

Firstly, on the advice of fellow blogger Sfw, who wisely stated that a woman needs time to prepare and that I should probably give my wife the heads up in case she turns up, to one of the most stylish cities in the world, in a tracksuit (highly unlikely but I couldn’t take the risk).

Secondly, as my wife has never forgiven me for the last time I booked a surprise trip and as a result now takes on all the responsibility for booking breaks to make sure the family doesn't get traumatised, I needed to double-check that I was on the right track.


Better than Blackpool Tower? 
The aforementioned event was on the occasion of a friend's wedding when I decided to take the initiative and book a Bed and Breakfast. The website said that it was an idyllic cottage with a great breakfast, 5 minutes from the reception venue but more importantly it was cheap. It was also called 'Trade Winds'. I loved the name as it evoked the swashbuckling and romantic spirit of adventure, especially staying in a seaside town. Well, it was a crap adventure and it couldn't have been further from the truth. There were 2 single beds (romantic) with stains on the bed-sheets, a thick layer of dust covering the chintzy furniture with spiders ,dead and alive, lurking in the corners and quite clearly peeved that they now had to share their space with us. To top it all there was mould all over the (communal) bathroom. It made student digs look like the Ritz and, as everywhere else was full, it felt like we were well and truly shipwrecked. Furthermore, on reluctantly returning from a bizarre wedding reception (the groom ended up accusing his new bride of adultery), we were greeted by the B&B's owner, half naked in a dressing gown, gazing at us disapprovingly. It was like being in a creepy slasher movie. My wife was not happy! 

My SEAL team 6 style logistical planning paid off, and despite not hearing Cole Porter or having a drink with Scott Fitzgerald, we had a fantastic time. A beautiful boutique hotel, immaculately decorated (no mould or spiders to speak of) with a bath in the room! (All above board I can assure you). In an area where we could take in the most spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower I have ever seen (Palais de la Chaiilot) and strolling along the vibrant La Marais (so many vintage record shops too). Memories of my first ill fated surprise expedition well and truly exorcised! I can't wait for my 40th now!


Got the moves like Curtis, oooh oooh oooh....

Friendly Fires' 'Paris' was one of my favourite songs of 2008, probably due to the fact it's about Paris, it's romantic and has some good lines in it. An amorous guy promises his girl, they'll move to Paris as soon as he has enough cash and that's his goal, "just hold on a little more". And when they get there they'll watch the stars and city lights, "they'll be out for us", ahhh it's so nice. "I'll find you that French Boy, you'll find me that French Girl"....ehrm, hang on a minute, swapsies? That's not very romantic. Oh well, I suppose the French are at it, so when in Rome and all that (or Paris for that matter). 

The St Albans trio released their second album of 'Hawaiian shirt funk' in 2011, called Pala and have also released a Late Night Tales compilation. Check out their website here...... 


Have a listen to some of my favourite tracks on my Spotify playlist below or click here to read some more posts.


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Monday, 22 April 2013

TUESDAY BLUES!! Pale Seas - Something or Nothing

Do you like Singer/Songwriters, or do you have a unhealthy affection to the sadness, if so you may have a case of the Tuesday Blues!




Pale Seas - Something or Nothing (2012)

Musical discovery is a good thing.  Take Pale Seas, how I managed to let it pass me by I'll never know.  Pale Seas are a four-piece from Southampton who used to record under the name ‘Netherlands’.  There is certainly something about "Something or Nothing", whether it is its Waltz like tempo, its gorgeous harmonies, swirling guitar or just the xylophone that twinkles under the surface.  Its the sort of song that will feature in your next favourite Indie Movie and fans of Elliott Smith, Pink Floyd and Beach House will be enraptured.

Pale Seas? In my early twenties I went to Turkey and to be a little adventurous, I went on a days sailing trip.  The idea was to stop off at secluded bays, eat, swim, get some rays and to try not to look like Simon Le Bon in the Save a Prayer video.  The locals however, had other things on their minds and always wanted the customers to keep busy.  We slowly drifted into a shallow bay and they came up with the not-so-original game of getting the holiday makers to drop their things into the sea (snorkels, fins, etcs) and encouraged them to dive in, collect the item and come back to the surface.  At the time I considered myself a strong swimmer and I said that "I'd do it".

One of the boat hands, who was probably about 14 years old, jumped in, quickly swam to the bottom, collected the item and brought it back to the surface.  It looked so easy.

The first Brit tried but failed miserably, the second, who was Dutch, looked like he was going to drown and had to be rescued.  After a few more failed attempts it was finally my turn to go.

I was still fairly confident and I climbed on top of the platform, took a couple of deep breaths and prepared to dive in like a fat Tom Daley.

I pierced the water like a kingfisher hunting a fish, but I soon realised that the water was far deeper than I expected.  I kept on kicking my way down down but the pressure was starting to get to me.  Using my last breath I kicked a little further, grabbed the snorkel and started to exhale.  Halfway up I started thinking that this wasn't a good place to be and at that time my ear popped....and I dropped the mask. With no air left I struggled to the surface and emerged spluttering.  My ear was in agony, I didn't have the mask and the local boy was the only one to succeed.  Now everytime I see pale clear seas, I can still see my pride, and the mask at the bottom of the sea!

Subscribe to the Spotify playlist and read more Tuesday Blues here!
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Monday, 8 April 2013

TUESDAY BLUES!! Andrew Bird - Lusitania

Do you like Singer/Songwriters, or do you have a unhealthy affection to the sadness, if so you may have a case of the Tuesday Blues!




Andrew Bird - Lusitania (featuring Annie Clarke)
This track on Andrew Birds excellent album, Break it Yourself, features St Vincent's Annie Clarke. The Lusitania was a British ocean liner and this got me reminiscing about my own ocean going adventures which thankfully didn't involve any sinking, apart from a few pints.

A few years ago we took our parents on a cruise to Caribbean.  A family holiday can be a testing time for relationships and even more so when you have two sets of parents and even more so again when they've never really met.  "But what if they don't get on?" "Don't worry it's a big ship, we can separate them if need be"

As it turned out they got on really well and were pretty inseparable all holiday.  They'd meet for meals, drinks and port walks, often forgetting to include us.  We'd been concerned that me & the wife wouldn't get any time alone, but by the end of the holiday were feeling a little left out, especially when we discovered that they'd been enjoying an additional meal sitting each day which my wife and I didn't know about - there was an early evening sitting in addition to the main evening meals - and our parents had been going to both!

Overall, a great holiday was had by all and cruise stories are still exchanged at any family gatherings, some of which the wife & I are only now discovering - gambling in casinos, smuggling booze on board, making friends with the locals, Gun shots in Caracas and almost missing the ship!



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Saturday, 16 March 2013

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - The Beatles - 'And I Love Her'



The Beatles - 'And I Love Her' (1964)

I'm a big fan of the "All Inclusive" holiday once in a while. You don't need to worry about carrying cash around and you have have everything you could ever need for a complete holiday in one place: restaurants, pools, pool bars (especially swim up ones), private beaches, evening entertainment and lots of activities. The thing is, with everyone staying in the one place, you begin to recognise poeple and even, God forbid, socialise with them! This is not usually my choice and I prefer to keep myself to myself but when London Scouser, Old Pa & Ma and I get together on holidays namely at the swim up bar, we seem to attract people. Probably because we are quite obviously enjoying ourselves drinking and taking the piss out of people amongst ourselves. We end up getting involved and get to know a handful of misfits whose real names we cant remember but are given better names. 

Hey Paul, aren't those the same trunks as yours?
The last lot who we are still talking about were Scholesy (a fat but very nice northerner who we saw wearing a Scholes football shirt the first day), Previous Previous (a rather annoying woman on holiday with her new beau with a couple of kids from previous relationships) and Elvis & Elvis (an extremely odd looking couple with his and hers Elvis quiffs. I think only one was intentional though). These are people who we would never normally talk to and will never keep in touch with but keep us amused and can contribute to making a memorable holiday.

In the evenings (if you can make it that far), it is the best opportunity for people watching. This is like the cat-walk of Primark and Matalan and damn it, there is someone with the same shirt or dress as you! We sit at the main bar, watching people and discussing what they are probably like and guessing their stories. "Oh they are probably on a wife swapping holiday....that lot look like they've used their injury benefit payout on this 4 star holiday but they are the ones doing paragliding and rock climbing....look at those two, they are not even talking to each other..." I would hate to ever find out what people would be saying about us but at the same time, if it contributes to them having as good a holiday as I normally have doing it, so be it!
I reckon he's having an affair with his brother's wife....

I'm not a huge fan of The Beatles but I like a lot of their stuff and appreciate how massive an impact they made on music. Strangely this is one of my favourite tracks because it always reminds me of All Inclusive holidays. I remember the heat of the evening just after it goes dark when all the hotel ground lights ping on. I love the almost weekend buzz feeling as everyone has their shower and gets dolled up after a day in the sun. In the main bar area you either get music playing over the speakers or an inoffensive band with keyboard etc playing a handful of well known songs sang in Spanish accents. This is one of the songs I remember hearing and singing along to whilst we discussed a few chavs at the other side of the room over cocktails. God, I could do with a holiday like that now!

More tasty pinacoladas from me? Click for more SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX here or listen to the Spotify Playlist below!

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Saturday, 17 November 2012

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - Aqualung - 'Strange And Beautiful (I'll Put A Spell On You)'



Aqualung - 'Strange And Beautiful (I'll put A Spell On You)' (2002)

I fell in love with this song which was used for the new shape VW Beetle launch adverts because I had a classic 1974 bright red VW bug as my first car. I felt it really captured the hypnotic trance I fall under when I see these beautiful vintage cars. It's a shame I wasn't really a fan of the new design though.

Now this song has a completely new meaning to me. It started when I was putting on my BCD jacket (Buoyancy control device) during the Open Water Divers course I took whilst in Thailand last month. The brand of jacket was Aqualung and I chuckled to myself thinking everything in my life is connected to music! The first day of the course was spent in the pool learning skills and experiencing the feel of breathing under water, but I was looking forward to getting into the real underwater world! It was then that the first line of the lyrics had significance, "I've been watching your world from afar, I've been trying to be where you are". I felt like I was saying this to the sea. Having grown up in Jeddah which is by the Red Sea, I spent a lot of time snorkeling there and on holidays. I've always been in awe of what was under the surface but never got close enough to be in amongst it. Scuba diving by a gorgeous island called Racha Yai for me, was like being awake for the first time. I felt weightless and free and was surrounded by a whole new undiscovered world. It was as if I belonged there, gliding in between schools of fish and this song with it's beautiful but delicate piano is what I thought of. It really was an awesome experience and I have truly fallen under the sea's strange and beautiful spell.

Breathtaking
Aqualung (who is Matt Hales) is still actively recording although his last album Magnetic North, was released a couple of years ago. For those of you who who are Twilight fans (I am!) he co-wrote and sang a duet with Lucy Schwartz, a beautifully haunting track from Breaking Dawn part 1 called 'Cold' which was very poignant during certain scenes. Well worth checking out! Sign up to his mailing list on his site www.aqualung.net and read his blog.

He'll put a spell on you
More SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX posts from Shell Hunter here!



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Saturday, 10 November 2012

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX! - Belly - 'Low Red Moon'



Belly - 'Low Red Moon' (1993)

Seeing the sunset always evokes memories and thoughts of great songs, but how many of you have seen the full moon rise out of the sea? I did for the very first time during my recent trip to Phi Phi Island, Thailand. We knew it was going to be a full moon on 30th October so my mum was adamant we were going to sit on the beach and watch it. After sitting there with a couple of beers for over an hour with no moon in sight, Old pa and London Scouser were getting a bit fidgety. The mosquitoes were also beginning to think it was a great idea to come to the beach and a huge cloud of them began to congregate over my head. That was the last straw for Old pa who chickened out and threw in the towel thinking the moon was never gonna show.

Strange moon...

Sure enough, about 5 minutes after they left (typical) I saw a red glow slowly coming from behind an island on the horizon. I shrieked to old ma that the moment we had been waiting for was here! Then there she was in her full red glowing perfect circledness! All I could hear in my mind was Belly's Low Red Moon, the grungy, off key guitar hook and dark chorus would have been perfect for watching the eerie glow growing from the sky. Its the sort of song that should've featured on the Twilight soundtrack but never was. We sat and watched the full moon rise out of the sea changing colour from a searing hot red to a warm golden orange, a first for me and something I won't forget in a long time.

Belly's gonna get you!!


Sadly Belly were only together for a couple of albums, but the lead singer Tanya Donelly continued with a solo career and you can check out her website here www.tanyadonelly.com. I can't believe I didn't even realise that she was part of two other bands that I liked, Throwing Muses and The Breeders!

More SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX posts from Shell Hunter here or subscribe to my Spotify playlist below!

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Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Zero 7 - 'In the Waiting Line' / 'I Have Seen'


Recollection Collection......musical memories recalled with affection!

 with a smoke and a pancake!


Zero 7 - 'In the Waiting Line' (2001)

My girlfriend and I hadn't been going out long and were still checking each other out (yes still, read my Cuban post here)! when we booked a romantic weekend trip to the 'Venice of the North', Amsterdam. It was perfect, spring was in the air, the tulips were in full bloom, a leisurely stroll along a canal before taking in the Van Gogh museum. I had Post Impressionist facts about ears and stuff at the ready should they be needed to impress. Then back to our hotel, a typical classic Amsterdam townhouse in a quiet part of town for a nap before dinner, table booked for 2030. Bliss....ahhh new love!

I suggested that since we were in Amsterdam we should experience a 'coffee shop' - when in Rome and all that. In order to impress my girlfriend I wanted to make out like I knew what I was talking about so told her to follow my lead. We went to a chilled and cosy looking coffee shop away from the main drag with JJ Cale playing in the background - it was the perfect vibe. I ordered a coffee for me, a hot chocolate for my hot date and like a connoisseur, I asked the fine gentlemen behind the bar for the 'menu'. Without a clue, I decided on a ready made joint of which they had only one kind, ominously called 'Super Skunk,' obviously not a good idea but oh, what the hell, yes please!


A shmoke and Pancake alstublieft!

With the conversation flowing, the drinks going down nicely and the J being passed back and forth, all was going well. I was having most of the joint so I began to realise I might have a problem on my hands. I was already righting the world's wrongs in my head when my girlfriend piped up and to my horror said "Hey should we get another one?" Lord only knows why I agreed and even the barman looked at me with that sort of look that says, "you sure you know what you’re doing pal?" I returned to the table with drinks and with a doobie that even Jim Morrison would have refused. A few drags in, the conversation went dead, paranoia set in as I thought I had said something to upset her. Is that really the lizard king shaking his head at me in the corner? What were we talking about? The silence grew increasingly uncomfortable, I broke out in a cold sweat as I squirmed in my comfy armchair but was it really comfy? I realised I was having the dreaded 'whitey', blood drained from my face, features all slack....I had to get out so I bolted.


Dam Square, perfect recovery area..

My girlfriend chased me through the streets of Amsterdam asking what was the matter, with the bicycles dodging me thinking ‘bloody tourist!’, until I made my way to a crowded Dam Square. I tried to find the most comfortable position which was lying down besides the monument, half on - half off some steps, in the middle of the most famous square in town. Not really a good look for me and certainly not quite the impression I was hoping to make after the wonderful day we had had. We should have gone to a nice bar to have a couple of sophisticated cocktails as an aperitif before dinner. Instead what I did was probably the equivalent of downing two pints of Carlsberg Special Brew - classy. Dinner was now ruined, as it took me at least an hour or so to recover enough to get moving again. I don't remember her being that mad at me, (I definitely would have broken up with me) and besides, she is still with me 10 years on so my charm and irresistible good looks must have won the day!

Zero 7's debut album 'When it Falls' reminds me of that weekend. I had bought it prior to our trip and it was the ideal accompaniment as it was the perfect mood setter. Two of my favourite tracks here, with stunning keyboard work on the Fender Rhodes on the gorgeous 'In the Waiting Line' and 'I Have Seen'.

Please note, that both my now wife and I did not inhale!!


Zero 7 - 'I Have Seen' (2001)

Zero 7 official site here and check out RCRDLBL.com for some free Zero & downloads including their latest offering for the Talk Talk tribute album, 'Spirit of Talk Talk'

Why not subscribe to my playlist....it's a little bit crap!




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