APRIL - There's No Fool Like.....

Hello Brummies,
Here we are then, April and the onset of the British Springtime. Lambs cavorting in the meadows, young folk having it away in bus shelters and sparrows and larks coughing up their lungs whilst flying over the Aston expressway. Ah..... the beauty of Brum.

TUXEDO JUNCTION
As reported in Jan, the re-formed Tuxedo Junction Blues Band played their first gig at The Irish Centre, Leamington Spa with the proceeds going to charity. The night was a great success with all 400 tickets pre sold before the gig. There was an enthusiastic crowd and the band raised over 1500 Pounds. Brilliant guys - I dont think there were that many people at The Move's first re-formed performance, perhaps TJ were playing more gritty licks. A couple of piccies below of the band in action. They have several gigs upcoming in the Leamington and Warwick area so if you get a chance go along and support live music.

THE GREAT DEBATE, JUST WHO'S ENTITLED? Tom Lane, skin thumper for Tuxedo has also raised the discussion point I alluded to in last months blog when talking about The Sorrows being a band from outside of Brum that deserve to be included within the Brumbeat community. He said to remind those purist diehards that although he and TJ come from the Leamington area he has also played with many Brum bands too. It is a part of the controversy about who should be included on the site, for instance should cabaret groups be included? I mean, were they Brumbeat? - I dont really think so. What about groups who are included who didn't come along till after the Brumbeat period? Shouldn't they be on a separate site of those Brumbeat wannabees who WISHED they had been about then - its a quandary for sure.

PHIL MYATT. Nice to hear from Lee Stevens (ex Lee Stevens and the Satellites) who has some fond memories of Phil and like many of us, was upset to hear of his passing. Lee now lives in Canada but informs me that before emigrating in 68 he and his band performed regularly at The Carlton. Phil Myatt threw a surprise champagne party for him which was attended by many groups of the day as a way of saying farewell. Can you really imagine any of the other promoters doing that sort of thing........either then or today, no chance!! He was one of a kind.

Its short and sweet this month guys, take care and keep music live.............Oops, Happy Easter for those of you with a religious outlook.

Bob

copyright: Bullsheadbob Comments to: Bobsbullocks@gmail.com

MARCH - Left, Right, Left, Right........

Hiya Brummies and assorted Muso's, Brits Overseas, etc etc......


Well thank goodness that soddin' snow has gone. Takes me back to 1963, digging our way out of the house. Lucy said it was good thing because it has kept me from going to the Bulls Head to sort out the worlds problems with the Gang of Four, that is me, Nobber, Mick the Plumber and Crazy Malcolm. It was great to return to my drinking haunt however and after catching up on each others business, outside of drinking, we got down to the serious business of talking about music and specifically about bands that had a lasting impact on each of us.....I remembered these guys:


NOT REALLY BRUMBEAT BUT........... I want to ramble on about a 60's band from Coventry that some of you may not have come across but I had the pleasure of seeing, when we were on the same bill a couple of times, once at Yardley Technical College and the other occasion at The Rainbow Suite, in the city centre. You may say, "Come off it Bob, Coventry isn't Brumbeat", well I could extend that argument about bands from Walsall and Stafford etc that feature on the site already and this band definitely deserves to be mentioned several times on any site that is about good music. I am talking about The Sorrows.


I am not going to go into depth about them but they were a group that I have always been impressed by and was surprised when they failed to make it as big as they should have.

The Sorrows, for me, were like the midlands equivalent of The Yardbirds. Hard, resonating Rythmn and Blues delivered brilliantly. They had a few 'single' releases during the mid-sixties with the most memorable being 'Take a Heart' which was also the name of their subsequent LP released in 66.
Fronted by vocalist Don Maughn (who went on to have a solo hit with "Indian Reservation" as 'Don Fardon' in 67 following the inevitable band fracture) the band blasted through their high energy set with some very nice guitar breaks from Pip Whitcher, a guitarist whose style I embraced alongside my own. They played several times in Brum so I can't be the only one who remembers them. Following Fardons departure, the band moved, for some inexplicable reason to Italy where they had a couple more releases but effectively took themselves out of the UK music market which was the most important at the time? Their album is highly recommended to everyone and although you may have to fork out a considerable amount for the vynil original. It has been re-released on CD.
For lovers of actual Brumbeat (that is Beat Groups) this is a must for your collection and receives the Bulls Head Bob Seal of Approval.

COLLECTABLE CD.
If you are a Brumbeat fan and were wise enough to purchase The Uglys CD you have done yourself a favour. Everything that this band recorded has since become a collectable item and their 2004 CD is now changing hands on Amazon.com for 75 pounds a throw. I know I should have bought two!!!

On that note of potential investment profit I shall bid you a fond farewell for this month. Don't forget to buy your Easter Eggs......

See Ya Next Time

Bob

Copyright BullsheadBob. Contributions or contact at Bobsbullocks@GMail.com

FEB - BURNS NIGHT

Well Hello There......

There's not much of interest going on around the city that has any relevance to Brumbeat for this month so I thought I would take a trip down "Guitar Memory Lane" and look at Burns Guitars. (I have not included all models and I am not a guitar 'Nerd' so please don't pick me up on small points like the amount of screw heads on the scratchplate etc).
So many of the early bands were equipped with this make of instrument so, let's start with: THE VIBRASONIC, a budget guitar of great quality though it was as ugly as sin!! I could never comprehend what the designers were thinking of when they started work on this guitar, its awful appearance however, was more than made up for by its technical specs and its range of sounds.

(Selmer Amps,Watkins Copycat, Framus Star Bass and (centre) Burns Vibrasonic) - Johny Shane and the Cadillacs.
This guitar had a sister in the shape of THE VIBRA-ARTIST that was equipped with fewer knobs to twiddle about with. It was a popular choice for those starting out on the rocky road to constant misery. It had a kind of Telecaster headstock but the rest of the guitar seems to have been designed by a committee. The small body looks incongruous fitted with a Bigsby type Tremelo with its arm covering the whole length of its podgy body.

THE VISTA SONIC.

OK, so Burns had grown up a bit and produced a really good guitar for the time. The Vista Sonic was produced as a 6 string and Bass guitar and had remarkably good pick ups and less twiddly knobs.

The headstock of this guitar looked as though a giant had taken a bite out of it with its serated edge. Someone must have said something about the body of the earlier models being small because all of a sudden the bodies became massive. One large bodied model that caught my eye and which I tried out for a week was the Burns TR2, a semi solid with controls cleverly hidden beneath its scratch plate and a smaller Tremelo arm.

THE BLACK BISON
The Black Bison was a monster of a guitar (here shown in the expert hands of Leigh Higginson, The Yamps). The sheer size of this thing was incredible and though it produced a good sound it soon lost its popularity with guitarists developing weak shoulders because of its unwieldly weight.

The model range was augmented by the Baby Bison, a smaller and more manageable variant for those who didn't need as much Horn!!



BURNS SHORT SCALE

A big piccie of this model. This was a very, very nice guitar to play. For once Burns got it right with the right size, right amount of controls and a fast neck. This was really the Spitfire of the range, it looked like a good guitar should and played just as well. If you own one of these beauties look after it. This model was also available as a Bass.

Burns guitars must have thought they had cracked it when The Shadows changed from Fender Stratocasters to the Burns Marvin.

The company should have seen what was on the musical horizon though with the emergence of The Beatles. Guitars that had been designed to play instumentals were becoming a thing of the past. Far too clean in its sound and far too prissy to be cool,(that awful looking headstock) the model sold in small numbers only. The model was reintroduced in the Nineties for those who wished to reminisce but I can't really think that it was a good idea. This is the sort of guitar for groups who played working mens clubs whilst doing the Shadow Stroll but outside of that not much use to anyone.

For lovers of this instrument, you probably think I'm talking out of my arse but at the end of the day its only my point of view.

Anyway Brummies thats it for now, except to say its Valentines Day this month so remember the one you love.

See Yer Ar Kid

Bob

copyright: BullsHeadBob

Comments: BobsBullocks@GMail.com

JAN 09 - CRAPPY CRISIS AND A BROKE NEW YEAR

Hiya Brummies and a Happy New Year to you All,

Well Christmas has gone, the New Year is here and it's now been two years since I first started doing this blog, so Happy Birthday to me! Owing to this world economic crisis and my own economic crisis, I won't be inviting any guests to the surprise party I'm holding for myself at a secret location. I would like however, to thank all of those kind folks who have spared their time to contact me, your efforts keep sites like this and the memories of those great Brumbeat days alive. I hope you continue to add more chapters to that story throughout this year too, along with my inane ramblings.

Its been a strange 12 months, seeing some of my old mates disappear off the face of the earth but inevitability comes knocking relentlessly and will continue to do so. If there's someone you have always wanted to aplogise to for being an asshole but your ego never let you get around to it...do it now before you peg out, I'm sure you'll feel all the better for it and so will the recipient.

SOME FACES
Thought I'd highlight a couple of the Brumbeat faces that are still around 'doing their thing'.

MALCOLM PALMER.
Multi-instrumentalist, Malcolm Palmer has a great past. One of the founder members of The Yamps,Traction,The Fashion and 14 years with The Garage Band - where he was also accompanied on vocals by his son. He famously turned down an offer from Chicken Shack who were in the process of forming (he went to art school with Christine Perfect) because he preferred to stay playing with his freinds. Malcolm has seen more than his fair share of gigs and has also worked in New Orleans looking for his musical roots. I could have probably saved him a journey (they're in a bag under the stairs next to your 'How to Keep Calm" book?).

These days he can be found 'Blowin' his sax, tickling the ivories and playing occasional guitar with his band 'Bourbon St' - a good little 'all round' outfit. The band is playing at The Red Lion, Shirley on 11 Jan 09. So "A splendid time is guaranteed for all" and you boppers can go and boogie the night away.

As well as being a dedicated musician, Malcolm's stage craft, and motivation, particularly during his high energy days with The Yamps was outstanding and his output was something to be seen. Bourbon St have a web site you may like to check out. If so, Click below:

http://www.bourbonstband.com/

TUXEDO JUNCTION.

The Tuxedo Junction blues band have recently re-formed and are performing a charity gig at The Leamington Irish Club, Leamington Spa on 30 January 09. So, if like me, you are into the Blues and are in the Leamington area, get yourselves along there, have a rockin' good night and help raise a few quid for a good cause. Good luck guys, - I imagine there was a lot more hair about during their earlier incarnation.

GERMAN SENSE OF HUMOUR?? - Those of us who believe that the Germans have no sense of humour will, no doubt, be impressed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's attempts to cheer up her fellow countrymen during these grey days, politically speaking. She has recently taken up a semi-pro position in Music Hall and is doing the round of German Working Mens Clubs, you know - sauerkraut mit bockwurst in a basket. Her latest publicity photos show her during her act, performing her much loved 'Nose Balancing Routine' which has her fellow countrymen rolling about with laughter. Now, if only we could get Gordon Brown to team up with David Blaine and do the famous disappearing trick? - in fact, why not both of them together? it would save the world from boredom.

Happy New Year to everyone out there and please take care of each other.

Bob
comments/contact: Bobsbullocks@GMail.com

Copyright: Bullsheadbob

DECEMBER - ANOTHER TICK OF THE CLOCK

Hi Brummies,

PHIL MYATT - PHIL MYATT - PHIL MYATT

It is with an extremely sad heart that I pass on to you the news of the demise of Phil Myatt. For those of you who possibly have NOT heard of him?? he was the promoter who was really responsible for the rise of MOTHERS (formerly The Carlton at Erdington). Under his great management, Birmingham was lucky enough to have every major group of the late sixties play there on several occassions from Traffic (making their first public appearance), Led Zeppelin, Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Who (performing Tommy), Elton John, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Deep Purple......the list is endless but suffice to say that during its existence every band with anything to say played there. It was also a home from home for early Black Sabbath who were practically the Wednesday night resident group. Pink Floyd recorded most of Ummagumma 'live' there....Also of course, John Peel did a lot of the DJ-ing.
Phil was 'one of the guys' and if you were in his company you would be roaring with laughter listening to some of his stories. He took The Carlton Club and gradually changed its whole perspective (and name) as music and fashion changed from a twice a week Dance Hall where girls danced around their handbags to become the most popular music club outside of London. Prior to the name change he had already started to book acts like John Mayalls Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton, Zoot Money, Graham Bond, The Artwoods etc etc and later as 'Mothers' it eclipsed the London scene with acts pleading to play there. Furthermore, the club was voted by US Billboard Magazine as the Best Gig in the World during its heyday and this sentiment was shared by many of the acts that performed there and who also admired Phil's style as a promoter. I can't think of many venues that have had books written about it, there are at least two dedicated to the place that I know of. Phil was a partner in Carlton Johns Entertainment Agency along with John Singer and Gary Surman (who were also my agents and Managers). I was fortunate to have played at both The Carlton and Mothers several times and feel the more richer for having known Phil like a freind.

Phil's funeral was held at Redditch Crematorium on 25 November and was attended by many of his freinds. It was a service full of laughter, which he would have loved and the eulogy seemed to centre on Phils love of "the purest Green" and his 'hip' attitude. The vicars comments at the end were something along the lines of "Well I hope there are no Police here!!!"

John Singer, now living in Spain, could not attend but I spoke with him recently about Phil and he passed on this story:

"Phil and I spent many hours in the offices on Wake Green road Moseley. This was the main hub of Carlton Johns agency. We booked many famous and infamous bands and dealt with all the major London agents. One occasion I will always remember was the day we had a visit from a very ominous looking Don Arden, he was a very menacing character and I think he was visiting us over an unpaid debt for one of his groups. Needless to say Phil & I couldn't escape through the only window as we were three stories up. Don received his dough and we spent the rest of the day with nervous laughter and sighs of relief!!! Phil was my partner for more years than I can remember and he is sadly missed". John Singer.

Now I dont know if you have watched the film The Langoliers? It's a bit like seeing Time being eaten away around you as all the memories and loved personalities disappear in front of your eyes. God Bless you Phil....roll a fattie for me........ Bob.

PS. Happy Christmas everyone, wishing you a year of peace, good health and prosperity.

Copyright: BullsHeadBob

Comments/Contributions to: Bobsbullocks@GMail.com

NOVEMBER - GUY FAWKES OFF!!

Awlright Our Kid,

Enough about me!! There's always an interesting story out there to be shared amongst us who remember the Brumbeat days. This month I thought I'd pass on someone else's mailbag memory of what could have been a life changing event for them. In a new thread that I shall be calling:
MY CLAIM TO FAME!!
KEN REEVES
ALMOST A MOODY BLUE!!! For those of us lucky enough to have attained teenager status and lived through the early to mid sixties as an aspiring musician, your heads will be full of memories when there were live bands playing every night in pubs, clubs, casinos etc..... constantly changing their names, with members who would be enrolled into another band before changing their minds and re-joining their previous group. I can't remember who, but one group featured on the site states that Tony Iommi was in their band (but only for one gig - somehow I dont think that constitutes full membership status?). We would all rub shoulders with each other either at the Pie Stand, one of the nightclubs or more likely, inside one of the several music shops that were spread around the City Centre. Ken Reeves from Solihull was no exception:

"As a 15 year old, a school pal, John Parish dragged me along to see a singer who sounded just like Elvis and who was playing at Solihull Civic Hall on the coming Monday. The Elvis sound-a-like in question was the late Nicky James and he was then the featured vocalist with Denny Laine and The Diplomats.
I had never seen the Diplomats before either and I was very impressed on both counts. During their performance that night Denny Laine broke a string and had no spares (not really uncommon in those days), I dashed off to another locals house and acquired him a replacement. After the gig we struck up a conversation mostly about guitars/music of course and then for next couple of years John and I would go and see the Diplomats regularly which promoted a casual freindship".

"My normal Saturday daytime activity (like many aspiring musicians)was to go into the city centre and do the round of music shops, Jones and Crossland, Yardleys, Kay Westworths, Ringway Music etc... trying out different guitars and generally chatting and playing with other musicians who regularly came in, including Denny and the gang often they would give me a lift back home to Solihull in their Transit on occasion. During this time I had played with a number of groups including a line up of The Victors with Dez Anthony who had been formed essentially as a backing band for Nicky. As was the norm we did the normal round of pubs/clubs including some gigs backing Tanya Day - she was really something! I think at one time, she was dressed in a towel or something very similar? Hot stuff for a young muso.

One day whilst walking down the street at the back of New Street Station a Ford Cortina, driven by Denny with Mike Pinder in the passenger seat pulled up, Denny called me over and said "We're looking for a bass player, do you fancy joining up with us? I was stunned that he should ask me but was then put firmly on my back foot when he said that they were thinking of playing Gospel and Soul influenced music. No decision was made and he called me at home a few nights later, here he set out their plans to go down to London. A combination of things including a tour that had gone pear shaped soured my enthusiasm. The genre of music sounded a bit wierd particularly as The Beatles and The Stones were the acts that were directing the musical trends and it sounded like a really bad proposition to me. I'm not sure whether I directly said No or that I'd think about it but the upshot was that I didn't acccept the offer.

Six months later - The Moody Blues were No 1 in the charts with 'Go Now' and I was still playing the pubs in the City. If that didn't make me feel bad enough, some time after I went to spend a holiday with a pal in the USA and in one of the major stores came face to face with a whole wall decked out with the Moodies declaring them as the new British sensation. They had made it in America.

"I guess it is just one of those consequences of being in the right place at the right time and having the choice of whether to go in one direction or another. Sometimes you choose the wrong route or did I? I met up again with Denny about 8 years ago, when he was gigging at The Red Lion, Kings Heath and some months after when he played The Green Room, London. My girlfreind and went to see him with his new group, although he was good he had lost that 'sparkle' though. We kept in touch for a short while again and then I think he disappeared to the States"

GIZ A JOB........These days Ken still keeps his Bass hand 'in' and is interested in playing folk rock so, if you are in the market for a bass player just give me a nod and I'll pass on your e mail address to him...... By the look of Ken's photo he appears to have grown two extra arms ........ he must be up and down that neck like a greasy weasel. Are you reading this Denny?????

Thanks Ken........I'm sure there are many more stories out there waiting to be told. Bob.

LEVI STUBBS - THE FOUR TOPS
I once played on the same bill as The Four Tops when they had "Reach Out I'll be There" at No 1 in the British charts and although I was always never that keen about soul music I couldn't help but be mightily impressed at their slick performance, brilliant harmonies and their dance moves on stage.
The towering vocal strength of lead singer Levi Stubbs was quite stunning. He filled the stage with his presence and they brought the house down, deservedly. It is sad therefore to report his recent death at the age of 72. He had been suffering from illness for some time. (Levi Stubbs far left)


BOBBY ASH. The Ex Brumbeats vocalist who currently resides in California has just had his new self-penned recording "Hula in the Sky" broadcast across the Hawaian Islands this weekend.

Bobby sent me a copy and I can tell you now that it is a very warm recording and his voice is as good as it ever was. We here at Brumbeat hope it goes well for you mate.


JIMMY POWELL INTERVIEW. If you haven't looked already, check out John's recently published interview with the great vocal powerhouse, Jimmy Powell on the Features page.

Another Brumbeat exclusive. Another Brumbeat Great!

Until next time, Take Care

Bob.

Copyright: BullsHeadBob. Contributions/comments to BobsBullocks@GMail.com

.

October....Winter misery is upon us.

Hello Folks,

GOD BLESS YOU WALLY.
Over the past few weeks there have been many deaths of 60's musicians whose contributions went a long way to influence the advancement and aspirations of those who followed. From a Brumbeat aspect, none more so than that of Terry Wallace of The Vikings. When I was learning to play the guitar I used to take a note book with me to dance halls to copy down chords that proper guitarists used, Terry was amongst those whose skill contributed to my learning. See the Pie Stand page for John's tribute to the great man.

Internationally:
JERRY REED
The announcement of Jerry Reed's death on 4 September heralds a real loss to the music world. Next to the incredible Chet Atkins he was the best country picker ever - allegedly he taught Atkins how to pick 'Yakety Axe' fingerstyle. Elvis Presley recorded three of Reeds' songs, most notably the fabulous "Guitar Man" with Jerry Reed himself supplying those brilliant guitar breaks and solo. For all you Rock n' Roll fans, he also wrote Gene Vincents's 'Crazy Legs' and a further hit for Brenda Lee in 1960.

''Thats all very well'' you say but does he have a Brumbeat relevance? - "Yes Siree Bob" is the answer.......after scoring a hit with Chuck Berry's 'Tulane',
The Steve Gibbons Band released the Jerry Reed composition 'Tupelo Mississippi Flash', a song dedicated to Elvis which, unfortunately for Steve didn't chart but nonetheless was a good choice of cover. As well as Reed's musical deeds, he appeared in several films including the three 'Smokey and the Bandit' films alongside Burt Reynolds. Above all, this guy was a true guitar genius, much overlooked in the great scope of things. A quick visit to You Tube will show the quality of his musicianship.

RICK WRIGHT - PINK FLOYD

Rick Wright sadly passed away on 16 Sep. Not a Brummie, nor Brumbeat but the groundbreaking music of Pink Floyd was the backdrop to the psychedelic years of the late sixties with the songs 'Arnold Layne' and 'See Emily Play' that spawned a host of Brummie groups. Floyd brought a whole new concept to music and stage performance. Rick Wright wrote 'Us and Them' and 'Great gig in the Sky' for Dark Side of the Moon, his beautiful chord changes remain to remind us of what a loss to music he truly is.

EARL PALMER. Died in Sep aged 84. Drummer for the great Little Richard, he also gave the beat to Ike and Tina Turners, River Deep Mountain High and the Righteous Brothers - You've Lost that Lovin Feelin. He further worked with Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Sinatra and a host of others.

ANOTHER 'ESSENTIAL' SURVEY (Who Pays for these things?)
A survey conducted by some Scottish professor or other has concluded that peoples musical tastes are an indicator of their personality and that those who, for example, like the Blues are: "Gentle and at ease, creative, have high self-esteem and are outgoing". Has he/she ever been to a Blues club or festival? The professor obviously didn't survey anyone like my mate Nobber. Nobber sells novelty slippers from a stall and lists as his pastimes: The Blues, sweating, drinking, belching, tackle adjustment, pizza, comics, intimidating 'folkies', Oh and did I mention Drinking. He is a real life Gimli of Gloin with a grudge, who lounges about in his distressed? Calvin Klein pants and claims to have 'had' Penelope Cruze.

Probably the people he surveyed are all members of knitting circles or Country Dancing Societies in places like Fife or the Shetlands. For those who wish to check out your own personality rating click on the link below:
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7598549.stm >

VODAPHONE AWARDS

Well, flabbergasted is a long word but not as long as the Spice Girls phone bills will be after them scooping the Award for 'Best Live Return'. "It means something special when its the public who phone in for you" is the normal acceptance phrase that's bandied about at these bashes but -"Thank goodness for speed dial" is probably more appropriate.

Not much current good news on the 'survivors of Brumbeat' front this month (or perhaps you know something I don't?) but keep tuned in for more ground breaking, earth shattering news from yer man on the street........I'll just leave you with this......My Grandad said to me "Bob, now I know you like a beer or two but if you ever find yourself enjoying a pint of Ansell's bitter - you know you're an alcoholic........"

Bob

Contact/Contributions: Bobsbullocks@GMail.com . Copyright BullsHeadBob.