Review of This is Where I Came In - Autobiography of Brian Matthew

Matthew, Brian. This Is Where I Came in. London: Constable, 1991. Print.

As a science/engineering librarian I have reviewed many new technical books in my career. It seems very strange reviewing a book that is over 20 years old. For many years I have been an enthusiast of the popular music of the 1960s and am especially interested in specialty radio shows playing the music of that era. Too many radio station play the same burned out oldies over and over. About 8 years ago a poster on an oldies message board talked about Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew on BBC2. The show airs Saturday mornings from 8 AM - 10 AM in the UK which is 3 AM - 5 AM on the east coast of the USA. Fortunately for me each show is archived for a week.  You can find it at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2

I really feel in love with the show which is a good blend of British and American Oldies including rarities and the staples of oldies radio. I regularly listen to the archived version on Sunday mornings. On two occasions Brian played my requests. One was Niki Hoeky by P.J. Proby while the other was a dedication to my wife Karen I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love by Petula Clark. I wrote to Brian stating that I must be America’s most avid listener of his show.

I really wanted to find out more about Brian. His name sounded familiar, but I could never could place it until I heard Sounds of the 60s. Very recently I discovered a Facebook Group dedicated to the show. A poster briefly discussed the autobiography. I thought that if it wasn’t too expensive I would try to obtain a copy. I went to Amazon.com and ordered the book from a used book dealer for only $12 including the shipping. The dealer stated that book was mailed on February 2. When I reported that I hadn’t received the book on February 23, the dealer presumed the book was lost in the postal mail and gave me a refund. I then ordered the book from another dealer and received it in a short time. However, the other day the book came from the original dealer, so I have two copies. There are only two libraries in the USA (Library of Congress and Penn State University) that hold the book. It is possible that I have 2 of the 4 copies in the United States.

Many autobiographies are done by ghostwriters, but This is Where I Came in was written by Brian Matthew himself. I must admire Brian for his exceptional memory of so many events in his life. He was very sincere as his was not afraid to talk about the setbacks in his life. His first love was the theater as he was a student at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in the UK. His went to the Netherlands for his first job in radio. He later came to the BBC and spoke proudly of seeing the Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1965 and interviewing them. He spoke of his experiences with Saturday Club and Round Midnight. It is very hard to be successful in show business, but Brian made his mark as an actor and as a broadcaster.

The book ends somewhat abruptly when on page 223 he says he got the job in a theatrical production of Lynchville by Snoo Wilson. It’s difficult for the reader to ascertain if he enjoyed acting or the radio most.

Since the book was published in 1991, it didn’t discuss Sounds of the 60s, so I must refer my readers to the Wikipedia entry.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_of_the_60s ) . I am not aware of any other acting or radio gigs over the last 22 years. Perhaps readers of this blog entry can fill me in. I always admire radio personalities like Cousin Brucie, Bob Shannon, Bob Radil, and Pete Fornatale among many others who know the music and the recording artists. Brian Matthew seems to be a walking encyclopedia of British rock of the 1960s. I am sure that he gets help from his producer Phil “The Collector” Swern.

Brian Matthew is now 83 years old and does the show every week. I was concerned when Brian was ill between September 2006 and February 2007 as Johnnie Walker and others filled in. I wish Brian the best of health and to borrow a line from Bob Dylan, “May he stay forever young.”

Brian Matthew Will Not Return to Sounds of the Sixties on BBC2

I have reported several times that I am an avid listener of Sounds of the Sixties on BBC2 for several years.  The show is broadcast live in the UK only Saturday morning, but it is a ritual for me to listen to the podcast on Sunday mornings.  It was reported in late November that host Brian Matthew was out for health reasons while Tim Rice became the host at least temporarily.  The nature of the illness was not revealed.

It was announced today in Radio Today and the Telegraph, two British publications, that Brian will not be coming back to the show.  Brian who is 88 years old fell in his home and was taken to the hospital.  He returned home and wanted to return to hosting the show.  However, the BBC felt that it was the right time to leave the show.  It is presently unclear whether Tim Rice will become the permanent host or if someone else will take over the show.

This is really a shame since Brian has hosted Sounds of the Sixties since 1990 and has worked at the BBC since 1954.  It is sad that organizations just don't reward loyalty.  I certainly wish Brian all the best.

Statement by the BBC  - I still take this with a "grain of salt".  I really think that Brian wanted to continue as host of Sounds of the 60s.

I Can't Listen to Sounds of the 60s Online Any Longer on BBC Radio 2

 

Sounds of the 60s has been discussed many times in Bruce's Journal.  It is heard Saturday from 6 AM - 8 AM in the UK, which corresponds to 1 AM - 3 AM in NYC.  For many years, I listened to a podcast on Sundays. BBC Sounds is now only available to audiences in the UK.  Radio 2 can still be streamed, but it appears that podcasts of Sounds of the 60s are gone.

Over the years, the show was hosted by distinguished radio personalities including:

• Brian Matthew
• Tim Rice
• Johnny Walker
• Tony Blackburn

Oh, well.  I'll have to listen to something else on Sunday mornings.

My favorite Internet Radio

Since CBS radio flipped WCBS-FM to the Jack format I've had to look for oldies radio on the Internet.  REgular readers of this blog should hotice these on the header of each entry, but let me take this opportunity to summarize my favorites:

Breakfast with the Beatles http://www.bwtb.net - Dennis Mitchell plays Beatles songs not usually heard on the radio.

Sounds of the Sixties with Brian Matthew http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2  This show is played live on Saturday morning, but I listened to the archived version.  I only wish that I could have listened to Brian back in the 60s.  He plays a good mixture of British and American hits of that era.

WLNG http://www.wlng.com This station comes out of extreme Eastern Long Island.  Back in 1977-78 when I lived in New London CT I was able to pick it up over the air.  This is oldies radio the way it ought to be even though there are many announcements of lost pets.  Former WCBS-FM DJ Bob Shannon appears Tuesday from 11 AM - 3 PM.

Chicago's True Oldies Channel WZZN 94.7 FM http://www.947thezone.com/  If Chicago has an over the air oldies station on FM, why can't New York?  I like to listen to oldies legend Dick Biondi who can be heard for 10 PM - 1 PM EDT

WODS Boston http://www.oldies1033.com  The CBS radio jackasses who killed WCBS-FM kept the oldies station in Boston.  I especially like to listen to the Lost 45s on Sunday night with Barry Scott.  This show was syndicated for a while and was heard over the years on several stations.  This show features more 70s and 80s hits.

WOGL - Philadelphia http://www.wogl.com  Greater Media flipped their station in Philadelphia before Joel Hollander and the other CBS executives could kill WOGL.  I like the Elvis and Friends show heard on Sunday mornings.

WMTR - Morristown, NJ http://www.wmtram.com  I can pull in this station over the air from my GE Supperradio during the day.  Reception is poor overnight since the pattern changes after sunset.  Before WCBS-FM flipped, they played only pre-1964 hits.  Now they play oldies from 1955-72.

WNNJ-AM Newton, NJ which is in the Northwest corner of the state.  http://www.oldies1360.com  Former WCBS-FM personality Max Kinkel does the mornings there but he has been out since his automobile accident.

Breeze Radio Long Branch, NJ  http://breezeradio.com  Thie is an Adult Contemporary station which does play oldies.  Former WCBS-FM personality Mike Fitzgerald does morning drive while Bob Shannon has a weekend gig there.

WMGQ-FM - New Brunswick, NJ http://www.wmgqfm.com This too is an Adult Contmporary Station, but I listen mornings to hear former WABC and WCBS-FM personality Steve O'Brien.

XM radio - AOL subscribers can get 70 music stations.  I like the 60s on 6 especially on Friday evenings when they recreate a top 40 station of the 1960s.  I sample several other XM stations as well.

I am not counting Saturday Night Oldies with Mark Simone on WABC since I listen over the air.

 

 

 

Bruce, the Internet Radio Enthusiast

In my January 1 entry I discussed my hobby as an over the air radio enthusiast.  Over the past few years Internet radio has grown by leaps and bounds.  I wrote every message to this blog listening to an Internet radio station.  There are several types of Internet radio stations:

1.  Over the air station - in this way a station is no longer localized.  A person in Boston can listen to a station from Seattle for example.

2.  Internet only station.  Many radio enthusiasts who can not break into the radio business can broadcast their own stations on the web.

3. XM radio.  I had been thinking for over years about subscribing to XM radio.  I was reluctant to pay money for a satellite radio plus $13/month.  I can get the music stations form XM through my AOL subscription.

Below is a copy of an article I wrote in December 2004 for Decalcomania, a newsletter for radio enthusiasts.  Since that time I have discovered more Internet radio stations.  Right now I am listnening to WJMK.com which is also available in Chicago on HD radio.  When the CBS radio Jackasses took over oldies at WJMK they brought the oldies format including some personalities to the HD stations which is also available on the Internet at http://wjmk.com.  Likewise in New York City WCBS-FM is now available on HD radio and on WCBSFM.com.  It is just not the same without the radio personalities who graced the station for 33 years.

Music of Your Life – http://www.musicofyourlife.com  - There are many broadcast stations that carry this format, but none in New York City.  This a change of pace for me.

 

 WXPK – The Peak - http://www.1071thepeak.com/listen/index.php  This AAA station is in Westchester County about 30 miles north of  my home.  I can barely pick it up even on my car radio.  They play some classic rock with current album cuts.

 

WUSN - Chicago – America’s Country Station -  Since there is no country radio station in NYC, I need to go to web to get my weekly dosage of country.  I use Radio@AOL to access it.

 

WLNG – http://www.wlng.com  From Sag Harbor Long Island.  A good blend of oldies.  I don’t have to trade for airchecks of it any longer.

 

WLBU- Santa Fe New Mexico - http://www.blu1029.com/  I am listening to this while I am composing this article.  The music format on blu 102.9 FM has never before been heard as a full-time radio format in the US. Originating on the beaches in Café del Mar on the Spanish island of Ibiza, the musical genre we call blu, sometimes referred to as Chill, has been a European phenomenon in the adult club scene." blu has its roots in pop, dance, electronica, smooth jazz and world music.  I really hope this format grows.  It is very hard to turn it off.  WQCD (CD101.9) in New York plays some of this music.

 

WRLL – Chicago - http://realoldies1690.com/main.html  Plays mostly 1950s – 60s oldies.  There are move AM stations adopting this format.  WMTR – Morristown and WPEN – Philadelphia come to mind.  Mainstream FM oldies stations like WCBS-FM have deemphasized this era of music.

 

Superoldies - http://www.superoldies.com/main.html  . The  current library boasts approx. 12,000 songs from over 3600 artists.  The time frame is 1955 – 1969.  I have listened to oldies stations for many years and find songs here that I have never heard.  You will not hear burnouts like Happy Together", "I'm A Believer", "Baby Love",  "Sweet Caroline",  "Satisfaction", "Twist & Shout" & "Big Girls Don't Cry"

 

Capital Gold - http://www.capitalgold.com/  - This is a British oldies station with an American accent.  It is similar in scope to WCBS-FM

 

My Generation - http://www.my-generation.org.uk/  Gary Jackson is the DJ.  I remember back in 1966 the late Scott Muni played British hits on WOR-FM that did not chart in the USA.  Gary plays those on http://www.live365.com/stations/278851  He knows his British 60s oldies.

 

Mr. Aircheck Radio - http://www.live365.com/stations/mraircheck4159  Russ Horton, I believe a former Decalcomaniac, plays classic airchecks.  Other sources for airchecks on the web include http://www.reelradio.com , http://mp3airchecks.com , http://www.airchexx.com , http://northeastairchecks.com/, and http://www.bigappleairchecks.com

 

BBC Radio 2 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/  - It is online live, but I listen to the archived show Sounds of the Sixties that changes weekly. Brian Matthew is the host. Many shows are archived.

 

Blue Beat – http://www.bluebeat.com  - This service has absolutely everything and the quality is excellent.  They have streams playing, blues, classical, country, folk, oldies.  You name it and they’ve got it.  They claim they offer 400,000 tracks and 320 channels of pure listening pleasure.

 

Boomerradio – http://www.boomerradio.com  This service appeals to baby boomers as its name implies.  There are four channels;  Acoustic Café, Smooth Jazz, Sweet Soul Music, and ClassicMix.

 

WFUV – 90.7 FM in NYC or http://wfuv.org -  Fordham University’s station has a Folk Music/Americana format.  I can get it over the air from my home, but I like the web stream to hear archived shows like Pete Fornatale’s Mixed Bag..

 

WBGO – 88.3 FM from Newark, NJ – Traditional Jazz station.  The reception of this station is fuzzy at home, so I like to access the web stream.

 

 

Tony Blackburn Takes Over As Host of Sounds of the 60s on BBC2

I am listening to the podcast of Sounds of the 60s as I usually do on Sunday mornings.  Tony Blackburn has become the permanent host of the show after a 3 month stint by Tim Rice.  There is a good biography of him in the Wikipedia.

I am disappointed that Brian Matthew will not return after recovering from an injury.  He is certainly an icon in British broadcasting and deserved to return to the show.  Sadly, ageism has reared its ugly head.  Brian will do specials for the BBC in the future.

Radio Notes for Saturday and Sunday

I have publically stated that I refuse to be a prisoner of my apartment every Saturday night to listen to the entire 4 hours of Saturday Night Oldies. As stated in my previous entry I took the family to see Queens College basketball. I was able to listen to the beginning and end of it. I reviewed the official message board and noticed that Mark Simone played a parody of the Patty Duke Show theme by Bob Dylan. There is a very devoted listener who uses the anonymous handle Medium Wave Dx and posts an MP3 of the show. I listened to it and knew right off the bat that is was an imposter imitating Dylan singing that theme song.

Every Sunday morning I like to hear the archived version of Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew on BBC2. For some reason the show was not yet posted. I'll look for it tonight or later in the week. Right now I am listening to American Top 40 of January 25, 1971 on the 70s channel from XM Radio. I used to enjoy listening to Casey Kasem's countdown which was heard on various radio stations in NYC over the years. Right now I am listening to the lower part of the survey which includes records that are rarely heard on oldies radio today.

Thank You Tim Rice for a Job Well Done on Sounds of the 60s

Sir Tim Rice, best known a lyricist and librettist in the UK has admirably filled in for Brian Matthew on Sounds of the Sixties for the last 3 months.  There is a lengthy biography of him in the Internet Movie Database.  Brian had fallen at his home and Tim was selected to fill in.  It seems that Brian wanted to return, but the powers that be at the BBC didn't want him back.  He will come back for one more show on Saturday, February 27.  It will be a compilation of his favorite moments of hosting the show.

He did play two requests of mine:

• Nikki Hoeky - PJ Proby
• I Couldn't Live Without Your Love - Petula Clark

The show is heard live on BBC2 very early Saturday mornings, but I hear the podcast on Sunday.  I believe the podcast is archived for 28 days.

Check it out at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08fw43f

Brian Matthew Does His Last Sounds of the 60s Show for BBC2

Brian Matthew has certainly been a legend in British Broadcasting since the 1960s.  On yesterday's Breakfast with the Beatles  Dennis Mitchell featured his interviewing George Harrison.  For 27 years Brian has hosted Sounds of the 60s on BBC2.  Over the past 7 years or so I have listened to the podcast every Sunday morning.

About 3 months ago Brian suffered a fall at home and could not narrate the show.  This weekend he is doing his last show as he presents a compilation of his favorite moments from his time behind the mike.  From what I have read Brian wanted to continue, but the "powers that be" at BBC felt he should retire.  Brian will return for special shows in the future.

I suggest everyone listen to his final regular show which will be archived for 28 days.

2012 the movie - a little far fetched for me

We took a walk over to the local multiplex this afternoon to see the movie 2012. As I have said before in this journal most of the movies these days are suited for a young audience. Most of the people in the theater for Pirate Radio last week were baby boomers like myself who grew up with the sounds of the 60s. The audience for 2012 were mostly kids.

It is my opinion that science fiction books and films be based on speculative science, not blind fantasy. Here a scientist states in 2009 that there is excessive neutrino activity in the sun and 3 years later there are earthquakes all over. The protagonists in the movie have way of getting out of harms way by car or plane within seconds of death. In one scene they are submerged under water for several minutes and survive without any ill effects.

The movie gets an A++ for special effects. Maybe in a bad economy people may feel that they are just out of work, while most of civilization in this movie perishes.

April 21, 2019 - A Milestone Birthday With a Special Song

Where did all of these years go?  Now I am really an old fart.  There is a song performed by Simon and Garfunkel that is quite appropriate for this occasion. Bob Radil played it last night on the 60s 70s show.

The title is actually Old Friends/Bookends

Old friends
Old friends
Sat on their park bench
Like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
On the high shoes
Of the old friends

Old friends
Winter companions
The old men
Lost in their overcoats
Waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city
Sifting through trees
Settle like dust
On the shoulders
Of the old friends

Can you imagine us
Years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange
To be seventy

Old friends
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fear

Time it was,
And what a time it was
It was . . .
A time of innocence
A time of confidences

Long ago . . . it must be . . .
I have a photograph
Preserve your memories
They’re all that’s left you

Random Thoughts on a Cold Sunday

I asked Lee this morning if he wantd to go outside and play basketball with me even though it was 15 degrees outside. He agreed to, but I told him if he felt cold we would return home. We drove out to Cunningham Park and was able to play and take our normal two laps around the park. There wasn't much wind, so the weather was bearable.

When I got home I downloaded two apps for the iPhone:

• Who Wants to be a Millionaire - I played the game three times. On the third time, I won the Million Dollars. There was a cute feature. When you chose your "phone a friend" lifeline (which was eliminated on the TV version) 3 of your contacts from the phone appear.
• Soduku - this is one of Karen's favorites. Now she can use the iPhone instead of pencil and paper.

Speaking of apps, there was and interesting article in todays New York Times Styles section titled "When Phones Are Just Too Smart". It states that people have downloaded many apps for their phones, but regularly use only a few. It is similar to a family's use of cable tv channels. We may have a few hundred at our disposal, but watch only a few.

In the early afternoon we walked over to the local multiplex to see The Book of Eli. The only comment that I will make was that it was a good movie, but Denzel Washington has appeared in much better films.

Today's radio log:

• WINS - news
• WCBS-FM
• WAXQ
• Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew
• WLTW-HD2 Country Music
• WWFS-HD2 Last-FM discovery
• Acoustic Blues - AOL Radio
• Sirius/XM 60s on 6 with Cousin Brucie
• WODS - Boston - Lost 45s with Barry Scott

Random Thoughts on a cold Sunday

I found out that John Strauss, the composer of the Car 54 Where are You theme, recently died at age 90.  This show which aired from 1961-63 was one of my favorites as a kid.  Facebook friend Jet Screamer is also an enthusiasts of the misadventures of Patrolmen Gunther Toody and Francis Muldoon.  Even people who never watched the show know the theme song.



We saw the highly acclaimed move The King's Speech in Douglaston this afernoon. It seemed strange watching a movie aimed at an older audience. There was a story on tonight's 60 Minutes about the hidden letters behind the King's Speech.

I haven't done a radio log for a while so here it is for today:

WINS - News
WCBS-FM - Sue O'Neal
WAXQ - Breakfast with the Beatles with Ken Dashow
Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew on BBC2
WCBS-FM - Pat St. John
WCBS-FM - Steve O'Brien
Sirius/XM 50s on 5 with Norm N Nite
Dylanradio.com
Sirius/XM 60s on 6 with Cousin Brucie
WODS- Boston - Lost 45s with Barry Scott

How Many Roads: Black America Sings Bob Dylan

When I listen to the radio, I try to be play close attention to what the DJ says.  This morning as I was listening to my favorite show Sounds of the 60s on BBC2 Brian Matthew played Maggies Farm by Solomon Burke who recently passed away.  Brian said that this cut was from a compilation CD titled How Many Roads: Black America Sings Bob Dylan.  I have several CDs of Bob Dylan covers in different genres of music.  I did some quick research and found it on Amazon.com.  I ordered it right away after I saw the track listing:

1. BLOWING IN THE WIND - O.V. Wright
2. GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY - Howard Tate
3. I PITY THE POOR IMMIGRANT - Marion Williams
4. MAGGIE'S FARM - Solomon Burke
5. DON'T THINK TWICE, IT'S ALRIGHT - Brook Benton
6. FROM A BUICK 6 - Gary US Bonds
7. THE MAN IN ME - The Persuasions
8. LIKE A ROLLING STONE - Major Harris
9. WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE - The Neville Brothers
10. MR TAMBOURINE MAN - Con Funk Shun
11. MASTERS OF WAR - The Staple Singers
12. I'LL BE YOUR BABY TONIGHT - Bill Brandon
13. MOST LIKELY YOU GO YOUR WAY AND I'LL GO MINE - Patti La Belle
14. KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR - Booker T Jones
15. ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER - Bobby Womack
16. JUST LIKE A WOMAN - Nina Simone
17. I SHALL BE RELEASED - Freddie Scott
18. LAY LADY LAY - The Isley Brothers
19. TONIGHT I'LL BE STAYING HERE WITH YOU -Esther Phillips
20. EMOTIONALLY YOURS - The O'Jays

I am familiar with only a few of these versions of Dylan songs.  I greatly anticipate my package from Amazon.com this week.  Thank you Brian Matthew for bringing this compilation CD to the attention of your loyal listeners.  You are truly a "Radio Mensch".

Congratulations to Brian Matthew on His 25th Anniversary as Host of Sounds of the 60s on BBC Radio 2

Since 2005 I have regularly listened to Sounds of the 60s hosted by British radio legend  Brian Matthew.  It is heard on BBC Saturday mornings at 8 (GMT).  Thanks to internet technology I listen to the podcast every Sunday morning.  It provides a good mix of British and American hits and rarities.  Congratulations Brian for a job well done and I hope you will host the show for many more years.

Back in April 2008 Brian played a dedication I mad to Karen on our mutual birthdays.  I invite my readers to listen to it.

British Oldie of the Day - Foot Tapper by The Shadows

There were so many artists including Cliff Richard, Helen Shapiro, and the Move among many others who were big stars in the UK, but were almost unknown in the USA.  At the end of Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew he always plays Foot Tapper by the Shadows.  I always listen till the end of the show to hear this #1 hit which never charted in the USA.  Here it is from Youtube.  Enjoy!

Thank You BBC Radio for the Bob Dylan Special

Regular readers of Bruce's Journal know that I am an avid listener of Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew on BBC2.  It is heard live at 8 AM on Saturday mornings which is 3 AM in NYC.  Thus I must listen to the archived version.  In honor of Bob's 70th birthday there are airing a 9 part special.  Due to the timing of the shows I must listen to the archived version which is only archived for one week.  Apparently there must be a regulation in the UK similar to the Digital Millenium Copyright Act that limits playing radio shows on the internet.

The narrator of these shows is Kris Kristofferson who has been a good friend to Dylan for many years.

Brian Wilson Pet Sounds at the Radio City Music Hall

Several months ago I bought tickets in the third balcony of the Radio City Music Hall.  After I climbed the steps to the top level I was greeted by a pleasant surprise as we were offered a free upgrade to the orchestra.  Apparently, the show was not sold out so they moved people down.  Our seats were in the 15th row on the left side.

Of course, Brian Wilson was there and was joined by original Beach Boy Al Jardine with his son Matthew.  The 10 or so backup musicians were absolutely terrific.  In the first set, the group played many of the Beach Boy hits from the 60s.  After the intermission, the group played the songs from the Pet Sounds album in sequence.  God Only Knows got the biggest reaction from the audience who were mostly old farts like me.  Likely these people grew up with the Beach Boys in the 1960s.

The encore set was more 1960s hits including Help Me Rhonda and I Get Around.

Random Thoughts of the Day

My output on Bruce's Journal has declined.  I guess it is getting more difficult to write original posts after keeping this journal for for 8 1/2 years.  I don't like to let more than 2 days go by without posting.  It is frustrating not know who my regular readers are after viewing the statistics on Google Analytics.  I have two other journals which now average only one post a month.

Commuting journal  - I started this journal about a year ago to learn how to use the Wordpress software as I used to use Bruce's Journal to vent when I had significant travel delays.  I have my right to criticize various transportation agencies.

Librarian journal - I have to be careful not to be critical of professional situations.

There have been 8 consecutive one time winners on Jeopardy after Arthur Chu won 11 straight games.

Back in the mid 1960s there was a song Cheryl's Going Home on the album Projections by the Blues Project sometimes known as the Jewish Beatles.  The songwriter was listed as Bob Lind.  For the first time today I heard Bob's version on Sounds of the 60s.  It was the B side of his his hit Elusive Butterfly.

Wednesday Afternoon at the Paley Center for Media

We try to go to the Paley Center on West 52nd Street at least a few times a year.  We even have an annual membership to this fine organization that preserves radio and television history.  It was previously known as the Museum of Television and Radio.

In the Spelberg Gallery there was an exhibit called  This Boy.....John Lennon in Liverpool.  The exhibit featured a 20 minute film about the Quarrymen and photographs of John's growing up in Liverpool in the 1950s and early 60s.

From there we went to the library where impulsively I wanted to see what they had on Shindig and Hullabaloo.  Facebook friend Jet Screamer would be in 7th heaven as we viewed shows originally aired in 1964 and 65, his favorite years.  We saw a show from October 1964 which featured the Beatles and other British acts including Cilla Black, Sounds Incroporated, PJ Proby, and others who were popular in the UK but not in the USA.  This episode featured the premier of I'm a Loser which was not released in the United States until a month later when it was a cut on the Beatles 65 LP.  I remember how WMCA taped the audio from the TV and played it on the station before its offical release.  The episode of Hullabaloo that we saw featured the Lovin' Spoonful.

While I was there I searched the database for any Clay Cole shows.  When we met him last year Clay said that none of his shows were preserved.  I thought perhaps something was there, but Clay (may he rest in peace) was correct.

The video below include both I'm a Loser and Boys that were shown on that episode of Shindig.