A tale of what might have been…

A mere fifty-two years ago as the crow flies, Dana’s masterwork, “All Kinds Of Everything” triumphed in the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest. Aficionados will recall the UK entry that year as being the Mary Hopkin ditty, “Knock, Knock, Who’s There?”, which came a paltry second.
 
It is nothing short of a tragedy that the song submitted by April Music as the UK entry for that year – one “Imagination” by Beau – was rejected in favour of Ms. Hopkin’s catastrophic failure.
 
When the sainted Dana was announced as the winner – with 32 points against Hopkins’ 26 – I found myself screaming at that flickering black and white image in the corner, “IT SHUDD’A BEEN ME!”
 
It all could have been so different. British pride could so easily have been cemented for all time (following Lulu’s momentous “Boom Bang-a-Bang” triumph the previous year); our country’s position in Europe would have been secured; and of course Brexit would never have happened. And André Rieu would never have achieved the position of influence he enjoys today!
 
Never has the expression “forgive them for they know not what they do!” been more appropriate!
 
Thank goodness I am of an understanding nature. It has taken time and much counselling, but I can truthfully say I have now come to terms with what can in hindsight only be regarded as a total, calamitous failure of judgement and abdication of our soft power.
 
And yet, I occasionally still weep when I recall how Britain’s position and future in the world was so cruelly compromised those fifty-two years ago.
 
This, then, is for old times’ sake…

Every little helps...

Here’s one of those things the internet sometimes throws up! 

Someone’s mocked up a spoof label for the Japanese release of “Creation”! Trouble is, they’ve used the wrong catalogue #. AIRAC-1456 is a Bridget St John release!
 
Still, as they say, all publicity is good publicity…

"Silence Returns" in "For The Wild" podcast...

It’s always fascinating to know where and how one’s songs are used!

Today I’ve been pointed to the Canadian “For The Wild” podcast, hosted by a lady called Ayana Young. 

This cast dates from 2018, and opens – after Ms Young’s opening remarks – with the vocal section of “Silence Returns” from the “Creation” album.

The meat of the podcast is an interview with activist author Adrienne Maree Brown.

Help required- "1917 Revolution" on CBS label?

Now here’s a thing – help required! DJ Chris Bent has been in touch with a query.

On his Radio Seagull and Carillon Radio 1476 shows, Chris plays all single releases from fifty years ago, week by week.

Four weeks ago, on 18th July, he played “1917 Revolution” on its official release-anniversary day. However, he’s now discovered that the single was also listed as being a CBS RELEASE ON 15th AUGUST and he’s asking if I ever came across a version on the old orange CBS label. And my answer is, no, I never did.

Can anyone help?

These weird things do occur, and “1917 Rev” did come out on the “CBS-orange” Dandelion label in the Netherlands. But that was a year later…

Anyway, bless ’im, Chris will be playing both “1917 Revolution” and first, the B-side “Sleeping Town”, on next Friday’s show. The podcast is already up online – do give it a listen. “Sleeping Town” is a real rarity for airplay (it starts at 24.36).

Any thoughts on this anomaly appreciated!

"Silence Returns" on "Uneasy Listening"...

Many thanks to Rachel C for featuring "Silence Returns" on her "Surprise Fuzz" edition of "Uneasy Listening" (WPRB Princeton) a couple of weeks back. 

AND, it opened the show (straight after her Bay City Rollers sig tune...!)

Beware the bootleg of "Creation"...

A quick heads-up. There’s a standalone CD of “Creation” still being sold on the PID label (mostly through eBay with an EAN no. 4571136374595). THIS IS A BOOTLEG, and it’s not even being sold cheap! Please be careful.

The only official standalone “Creation” CD is the on the Japanese Air Mail Archive label (AIRAC-1459) with the facsimile sleeve. 

The download “Creation Recreated” is still available from Cherry Red and, for vinyl fans, there is of course also the 2015 reissue LP from Guerssen/Sommor.

"Soldier In The Willow" video...

Just stumbled on this YouTube video of “Soldier In The Willow” from the first "Beau" album. 

Posted by a guy called Sean Shon, he’s used it as a backdrop to images of the Kent State atrocity back in 1970. Very atmospheric. 

Many thanks, Sean!

"Imagination" - memories...

On this great day of the Eurovision Song Contest, I’m always taken back to 1970 when my “Imagination” song had been vetoed as a potential UK entry by the powers-that-be. 

That was when Dana eventually won for Ireland with “All Kinds Of Everything”. 

I remember sitting there on the night in my black spandex, screaming at the telly, “IT SHOULD’VE BEEN ME!”…

Beau - "Soldier In The Willow" Kent State video...

I've just had flagged up to me this really affecting video of "Soldier In The Willow" from the original "Beau" album. 

Sean Shon - the guy who posted it - has used the song to underpin images from the Kent State shootings back in 1970. 

Unfortunately, he's disabled comments, so I can't thanks him. But Sean - if you get to read this, I really appreciate and like what you've done.

Beau - "Nine Minutes" live, with soundboard audio...

Just posted a soundboard-audio vid of "Nine Minutes" from a live set in Lichfield, Staffordshire back in 2012.

Might bring back a few memories!

"1917 Revolution" - 100 years to the day...

“Ten Days The Shook The World!” – it’s a cliché, but it’s true; and it all kicked off exactly 100 years ago today. 

Enjoy Kirbykat’s video of “1917 Revolution”…

Er, I think not...

At £446.81, may I humbly suggest you don't buy this...

"Creation" - high prices you've no need to pay...

If you're a vinylaholic, please don't pay these sort of prices for "Creation"! 

Sommor Records' 2015 re-issue with full notes and bonus tracks is available at all good record shops the world over, or simply at the click of a button.

Guardian readers' "Bravery" nomination - "1917 Revolution"...

Funny the things that come up! "1917 Revolution" nominated as a "bravery" song by Guardian Readers! 

Who'd have thunk it?

Uncle Lakis Presents "Forgotten Tales From the Old Albion Vol.12"...

Thanks for the inclusion, Uncle Lakis!

New video of "Silence Returns" on YouTube...

A rather moving video of "Silence Returns" from "Creation" has appeared on YouTube in the last couple of days. 

I don't know who made it, but if you're one of my Facebook friends or Google + followers under another name, many thanks!!

Beau - a missed career opportunity...

Quote from keresaspa's "Beau" review on rateyourmusic.com: 

"You suspect that if the erstwhile Christopher Midgely (sic) had died young he would now be praised to the moon but he's still going strong and as such nobody really cares, even if he is easily the equal of Nick Drake."

So, that's one more wrong career choice... :)

"Welcome" on Marmalade Radio...

Another great live extravaganza from Athens, Greece...

Hopefully everyone caught last night's really outstanding live show on Marmalade Radio? Do check out the playlist! 

If you missed it, or want to hear it again, it's up there as we speak playing on Mixcloud. 

Enjoy!

"Creation" on WMWM Salem 91.7's KMF show...

Many thanks to Doug Edwards at WMWM Salem 91.7 for including “Creation” in yesterday’s ever-excellent Kaleidoscope Moondrops Falling (KMF) show.

Appreciated, Doug!

New video of "Imagination" from the "Beau" album...

Sincere thanks to mokmin10 for creating a rather beautiful video of "Imagination" from the original "Beau" LP. 

This song was submitted by my music publishing company at the time for the 1970 Eurovision Contest. No contest!