Author Archives: Paul

Always have done. Purely subjective but Morrissey to me is like an allergy. Just the sight of his face or the sound of his voice is enough to bring me out in hives. Had I even attempted to read his recent autobiography, I’d have ended up in A&E. That said, I’ve always thought Johnny Marr […]

He was headlining this Amnesty International gig and Aswad were the support. Like most people from North or West London, I’d seen Aswad before. They were a local band, so I knew how good they were and they were fantastic. When they did their version of this, even the proggiest Lamb Lies Down on Broadway […]

It is Dolly Parton but slowed down from 45 to 33. I used to play it and tell people it was the original version by an obscure male country singer, and was banned in Southern states because of its homosexual content. It’s Dolly Parton’s birthday today – 68 and still looking fabulous. Mind you, she’s […]

……for a radio slot I remember from the 80s. There was a DJ on Capital called Phil Allen whose late night soul show was essential listening on the way home every Saturday night. I used to see him in City Sounds in Holborn, stocking up on all the latest imports. After some serious funk, he’d […]

Ali, no question. Think about it. We can all punch far faster than we can kick, and Ali was used to dodging the fastest punchers in the world. Ali was twice Lee’s size and phenomenally quick and powerful. And, unlike Bruce Lee, he was an experienced professional fighter. He’d have had no trouble staying out […]

So many execrable examples. Elvis on Are You Lonesome Tonight? Diana Ross on Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and I can’t even bring myself to think about Charlene on I’ve Never Been to Me. Michael Jackson, however, was the worst offender. He did it on Ain’t No Sunshine. He did it again on The Girl […]

Great film, fantastic soundtrack. But given the glut of cocaine and hookers, I can’t believe this track didn’t feature. Actually, I can. Bit obvious and as the old saying goes “If you can see it, don’t say it”. Around the time the movie is set, I was DJ-ing in some big West End clubs where […]

It was once very popular because it espoused racial tolerance and inclusiveness. It speaks of one race – the human race – and a desire for us all to blend together in peace and harmony. However, I suppose it was that one line – “Curly Latin kinkies, mixed with yellow chinkies” which, not surprisingly, saw […]

I know already that in 2014, I will again fail to take up a musical instrument. I’d give anything (except clearly time and effort) to be able to play the guitar or piano but I really had intended to take up the ukelele. It’s supposed to be the easiest instrument to master but, I fear, […]

The Dave Clark Five found fame as resident band at the Tottenham Royal, at the time North London’s most famous dancehall. Dave Clark was very much the leader but unusually, he was the drummer and their thumping, percussive style became known as the “Tottenham Sound”. Yet for some reason, Crystal Palace immediately adopted Glad All […]