Jimmy Miller

Yesterday, for the first time in a while I was playing Spooky Tooth's 'Spooky Two' in the car. I played it in the car again today. This and their first album are two of my favourite albums. Tonight I was sitting in a pub in Richmond, with my dear friend Steve Hyams, talking about Spooky Tooth. The last few times Steve and I have met Jimmy Miller seems to come up a lot in our conversations. One of the most important influences on the way rock music sounded in the early 70s, it's a privilege to be able to hear about Jimmy Miller from somebody who knew him. More about Jimmy Miller later, when Steve tells some stories.

Mister You're a better man than I

This came up on random play again tonight. I can never hear it too often. My favourite version is Oxford Circle's. I can't recall any other versions but the Yardbirds.  Suggestions for other versions to hear would be appreciated.

Jigsaw Puzzle

Last night on the way home from the Prometheon session I was playing 'Beggars Banquet' and It occured to me of all the Stones songs (I'm a big fan of everything they did up to when Mick Taylor left the band) 'Jigsaw Puzzle' is probably my favourite.

B S Johnson and Jonathan Coe

I just finished Jonathan Coe's biography of B S Johnson, 'Like a Fiery Elephant'. It's a remarkable book about a fascinating short life.  The last novel that was published in Johnson's lifetime, 'Christie Malry's Own Double Entry' is one of the great English novels and one of my favuourite books. I looked forward to a biography of the writer and was not disappointed, a great book about a great writer

Who do you love

'Who do you love' is a song I've heard countless times by many artists. I never tire of it.  I thought of it today, reading that Bo Diddley had died. A sad day for music and a sad day for the world.

To Live and Die in LA

I bought the DVD of 'To Live and Die in LA' from FOPP today. FOPP is my favourite record shop of the few that remain today, but that's another story. I first saw William Friedkin's great dark thriller 23 years ago, not far from where I bought the DVD today at a cinema, which I seem to recall was in Shaftsbury Avenue. I remember being excited when I saw the poster for this film all those years ago and being very impressed by what I saw in the cinema. I was no less impressed this evening. The film is one of Friedkin's best and possibly his darkest. There are some startling moments and if you like car chases, films with action and very clever writing, this is a film you should know.  Be warned that it is violent and not a film you will not walk away from smiling, but it is a film that will make an impact on you.

One More Heartache

I've been playing this over and over and over in the car today. If you want to hear it, you'll find it on 'the Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw' by the Butterfield Blues Band.