Top Of The Box

This ode to the legendary England and Middlesex cricketer Fred Titmus was written, recorded and performed by the brilliant Half Man Half Biscuit.

This is a live version of the song from Glasgow 1986.

Fred Titmus R.I.P

Half Man Half Biscuit – Fuckin’ ‘Ell It’s Fred Titmus

I never imagined that the reunion of Carl Barat and Pete Doherty fronting the Libertines would be this good, having almost forgotten just what an excellent band they had promised to be before their personal problems led to the band disbanding.

Here they are performing the top track What A Waster at Reading/Leeds festival in 2010.

You have to just love these guys!

The Libertines – What A Waster

Taken from the excellent album Broken English released by Marianne Faithfull in 1979, and also released as a single The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan became something of a cult classic.

Its use on the soundtrack of the movie Thelma & Louise only served to increase the songs cult status. Here is Marianne appearing on Top Of The Pops in 1979.

Marianne Faithfull – The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan

Jeff Beck - Rock 'n' Roll Party

By now everyone must have heard about the upcoming release from one guitar legend in the shape of Jeff Beck, paying homage to another, Les Paul.

The Celebration of Les Paul show was recorded in New York in June 2010 celebrating what would have been the pioneering guitarist’s 95th birthday by playing his friend and mentor’s music, along with classic tunes from the era, in the same Times Square nightclub that Paul played every Monday for 14 years before his death in August 2009.

Sponsored by Gibson Guitar, Beck was joined on stage by The Imelda May Band at the Iridium Jazz Club with other guest performers joining Beck onstage included Brian Setzer, Gary “U.S.” Bonds, and Trombone Shorty.

“Les was my inspiration,” says Beck. “For years I had always wanted to do something for Les to show him how much I respected and admired what he had done. Les used to play every week at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, so for me it was the obvious and fitting place for a ‘Salute’ to him.”

ATCO via Rhino Records UK will be offering a CD of this exclusive show, featuring 20 live tracks from the evening, on February 21^st entitled Rock & Roll Party.

Eagle Rock Entertainment will offer the Blu-Ray and DVD of this special one off show also on February 21st. They will include seven extra live performances as well as bonus footage and interviews.

Following these releases, Beck will take the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Party” on the road for a short U.S. tour. Beck will once again be backed by The Imelda May Band and its enchanting singer Imelda May, who joined Beck on stage at the 2010 Grammy Awards for a spot-on rendition of Paul’s “How High The Moon.”

Ahead of the official release on CD and DVD here is a clip in which Jeff Beck talks about the influence of Les Paul, along with clips from the show.

Jeff Beck – Rock n Roll Party Honouring Les Paul (Trailer)

Probably the most under rated UK band of all time, Blur perform the mental classic Song2 in record time, live at Wembley Arena in 1999.

Turn it up loud and clear your head!

Blur – Song 2 – Live at Wembley Arena 1999