Time Is Tight...
Another frustrating night in the Get It On world with loads of your texts and e-mails that I didn't have time to mention. There were some quality suggestions tonight as well. We'll definitely return to instrumentals again and I will resume my daily mission to get us more time for the show.
In the meantime, I was particularly impressed by this e-mail from Martin Barton. It shows just how much effort our amazing listeners put into their suggestions.
"Instrumentals - what a great idea - but can you do it justice in one programme?
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the Shadows were the masters of the genre; so many quality hits, but if it came down to one I'd go for The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt. It has a 'powerful' feel, and some great drumming.
Two ex-members did rather well - Jet Harris and Tony Meehan with the melodic yet punchy Diamonds
This was the heyday of the instrumental, and other favourites of the period are:
The Cruel Sea by The Dakotas (Billy J Kramer's backing group)
Walk Don't Run by The Ventures
Hava Nagila (The Hora) by Joe Brown and the Bruvvers
I saw him play this live at the Worcester Gaumont in 1963. He didn't use his teeth, or set fire to his guitar, a la Hendrix, but he did play it behind his back.
It was also the time of the trad jazz men, and for me the pick of the bunch would be The Green Leaves of Summer by Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen
In later years The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band satirised all genres, and they did an hilarious send-up of trad with Jazz, Delicious Hot, Disgusting Cold
A couple of standout tracks from the surfers are two one hit wonders:
Pipeline by The Chantays
Wipe Out by The Surfaris
Very evocative of the pirate ships, the superb A Touch of Velvet a Sting of Brass by Mood Mosaic (please not the inferior Ron Grainer Orchestra version!)
Classical music has been the source for some of the best instrumentals, notably:
Nut Rocker by B Bumble and the Stingers
Sabre Dance by Love Sculpture
Toccata by Sky
I Will Return by Springwater
For something a little off-the-wall, you can always rely on The Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Inspired by a crossed line, they added instrumentation to a backing of 'equipment busy tone' and 'engaged tone' to produce Telephone and Rubber Band. They also did a version of Walk Don't Run.
For something with a Scottish connection, there's the brilliant Mark Knopfler's
Going Home (Theme of 'Local Hero').
On the blues front, John Mayall knew how to pick his lead guitarists, and with Peter Green gave us The Stumble, and with Eric Clapton Steppin' Out.
I was amazed to find that The Allman Brothers Band never charted in the UK with Jessica.
And finally, saving the best till last, the Mk I Fleetwood Mac, with Jigsaw Puzzle Blues
I look forward to Wednesday evening; it's a shame that instrumentals don't get much of an airing - please do another one soon.
Thanks for a great show Brian."
Martin Barton
Whether your comments are lengthy e-mails like Martins, or just a brief one line text, I always enjoy reading them so keep them coming...
