Ideal for Christmas

I had the pleasure of “negotiating” with Chic when he signed for Dumbarton in 1995, which is a story in itself, it may even be in the book!

It is safe to say that Chic came with a bit of a reputation but I have to say that in all the time he was with us he was brilliant, on and off the park, he was without doubt a character and was always looking to make people laugh.

During his spell with us the only time his “dark” side surfaced was during the Dick Jackson Testimonial Match against Rangers when he and Craig Moore had a “bit of a disagreement” resulting in both managers being asked to substitute them before they were sent off.

Buy the book as I’m sure it will raise a smile.

Chic

“Good Times” -Chic

For more information on Chic Charnley click HERE

To buy the music of Chic click HERE

Chic Murray

Chic Murray turned the Celtic tradition of story-telling into an art form. His oblique, often perverse look at life was underpinned by an original sense of timing which likely originated from his accomplished but little known musicianship. A talented actor as well as a groundbreaking comedian, he appeared in various roles on British television and film notably Casino Royale, Gregory s Girl and memorably portrayed Liverpool Football Club manager Bill Shankly in You ll Never Walk Alone, receiving rave reviews. In 2005, Chic was named in The Comedian’s Comedian, a poll where comedians chose their own favourite or most influential comedian.

Fans of the great Chic Murray could be in for a treat this Christmas with the release of several DVD’s and books.

“Just Daft” arrives in both DVD and Book formats

The term alternative humour had not been heard of when Chic Murray first bestrode the stage. He was unique, a one-off, a comedic pioneer ranked in the highest echelons of his art in the last century. Chic s comic genius was all too rarely captured on film. This DVD includes rare footage of Chic s classic routines recorded whilst he was at the peak of his career as well as e specially recorded feature with Maidie Murray, Chic s wife and stage partner of many years. Just Daft: The Comic Genius of Chic Murray gathers together the off-beat comic genius s finest sketches and clips onto one hilarious DVD compendium.

My boss is so narrow minded that when he has an idea, it comes out folded.

 I use to write her love letters in the sand, but it was an incredible hassle trying to get sand into the pillar box

 ’Do you know the piano’s resting on my foot?’. ‘No, but hum it and I’ll play it’.

Chic Murray is a cult figure of alternative humour, a comedic pioneer ranked in the highest echelons of his art in the last century and admired around the world. “Funnyosities” features a huge number of Chic’s funniest one-liners – some well known and others taken from material newly found by the great man’s family. This collection is the perfect distillation of Chic’s gloriously off-beat humour.

For the first time on DVD Alba home vision present ‘The Best Of Chic Murray’. Described as the originator of Scottish standup comedy, his influence has been enormous north of the border. Billy Connolly is a huge fan and was drawn towards stand up because of Chic.

This programme features rare and unseen footage including a live show from the early 70’s, a full length documentary on his life, with contributions from stars of Scottish stage and screen.

 

To buy Chic Murray goodies click HERE

 

Ronnie Wood

It has been lying around the house for ages but on the back of my recent posting on Rod Stewart I have finally started to read Ronnie Wood’s autobiography “Ronnie” and what a jolly good read it is.

His early years are covered quickly and you are soon drawn into his world as a guitar slinger, finally breaking through with mod group The Birds,

thereafter going on to learn and play bass with The Jeff Beck Group where he started a long term partnership with Rod Stewart

 which progressed to The Faces and the early Rod Stewart solo albums.

After The Faces collapsed, in part due to Rod Stewart’s chasing the dollar sign with a solo career which provided commercial success if not quality product, he finally ended up as Keith Richard’s guitar weaving aide in The Rolling Stones.

Here is The Birds take on The Who’s “Run Run Run”

“Run Run Run” – The Birds

To buy the music of The Birds click HERE

 

Finally here is one of Ronnie’s favourite songs “I’m Walkin’” by Fats Domino famous as being one of, if not the, first songs to be “faded out” on vinyl.

“I’m Walkin’” – Fats Domino

Humble Pie…………..Eat It

I have just finished reading the Steve Marriott biography “All Too Beautiful” written by the brilliant Paulo Hewitt and John Hellier.

It was therefore no surprise that I picked up one of my favourite albums from the past at Sunday’s Record fair “Eat It”

Humble Pie were one of my early seventies introduction to “rock music” via their legendary album “Performance – Rockin’ The Fillmore”

Despite Humble Pie’s success in the US as a rock act, both with and without Peter Frampton as a guitarist, Marriott never strayed far from his R&B roots which acted as such an influence for him and the rest of the Small Faces.

The album title Eat It means ‘dig it’. Each side of this double album is different: Side 1 features Steve Marriott penned rock and roll; Side 2 has classic R&B covers; Side 3 is a collection of acoustic Steve Marriott songs; finally Side 4 features Humble Pie live in concert.

This album showcases the dynamic diversity and talent of Steve Marriott’s gritty bluesy vocals with some funky soul mixed in throughout along with straight ahead blistering rockers. The band is right on and they deliver an extremely energetic powerhouse combination on this double album that overall ranks with their best along with Smokin’ and Performance Rockin’ The Fillmore.

Eat It was the band’s seventh official album release and their fifth for A&M Records. [This was also their 3rd double LP (2-record set) within 18 months, the other 2 being 1972's Performance Rockin' The Fillmore and the late 1972 A&M compilation - Lost & Found.]

Steve Marriott produced this album and it was the first album recorded in Marriott’s newly-built home recording studio he titled Clear Sounds, in a converted barn at Beehive Cottage, Moreton, Essex.

Ray Charles was his all time favourite with “Drown In My Own Tears being played at his funeral after his life was cut short by an accidental fire in his home in 1991.

“Eat It” featured Humble Pie’s version of Ray Charles’ “I Believe To My Soul”

“I Believe To My Soul” – Humble Pie

One of these days and it won’t be long,
You’re gonna look for me and I’ll be gone
‘Cause I believe (I believe, yes I believe)
I say I believe right now (I believe, yes I believe)
Well I believe to my soul now,
Tryin’ to make a fool of me (I believe it, I believe it)

Well you’re goin’ ’round here with your head so hard,
I think I’m gonna have to use my rod
‘Cause I believe (I believe, yes I believe)
I say I believe right now (I believe, yes I believe)
Well I believe to my soul now
Tryin’ to make a fool of me (I believe it, I believe it)

Last night you were dreaming and I heard you say
“Oh, Johnny” when you know my name is Ray
That’s why I believe right now (I believe, yes I believe)
I say I believe right now (I believe, yes I believe)
Whoa I believe to my soul now
Tryin’ to make a fool of me (I believe it)

Here is a highlight from the Fillmore the brilliant “I Don’t Need No Doctor”

Finally you can find this cover of “Drown In My Own Tears” on the compilation “Natural Born Bugie – The Immediate Anthology”

“Drown In My Own Tears” – Humble Pie

To buy the music of Humble Pie click HERE