I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Laramie, Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES— an exhibition entitled Matisse in the 1930’s— a creative restoration period after he received a commission from the noted art collector Albert Barnes — will be at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Museum of Art through January 29th.
YOUR WEEKEND READ #1 is this post by the intrepid Digby— where she cites numerous passages from an NYT essay saying, "of the congressional districts held by the House Republicans who voted to challenge Mr. Trump’s defeat: the portion of white residents dropped about 35% more over the last thirty years in those districts than in territory represented by other Republicans”.
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Rue the Cat— who was wary of a couple’s new baby at first … but warmed-up soon after, and now plays with baby Gia.
YOUR WEEKEND READ #2 is this short-yet-succinct essay by Harold Meyerson with a look at the disruptive caucus statement (then withdrawn) on Ukraine … yet also notes the much larger right-wing suspicion of the war effort.
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Gustophe the Cat— a Manitoba kitteh who went missing for two months (while the family was on a camping trip in the Alberta wilderness) yet — perhaps due to having survived as a stray (on the streets of Winnipeg) — he was in good shape upon being located.
LAST CHANCE THIS WEEKEND for radio DJ’s to declare this to be … Rock-tober.
BRAIN TEASER— try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC ...… and the usually easier, less UK-centered New York Times quiz.
SEPARATED at BIRTH— Dr. Tom Sherman, current gubernatorial candidate (D-NH) and the disgraced pizza chain founder “Papa John" Schnatter.
...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… only time for a quick profile of the re-forming of a British blues-rock outfit of the late 1960’s — early 1970’s …. after …. a forty-eight year hiatus. And while not all reunions come-off well …. for bands that I liked, I’m glad they made an effort and the results can be good.
Steamhammer began in 1968 as a pub-rock band in the southern coastal town of Worthing yet so impressed the visiting blues legend Freddie King that he asked them to be his backing band while touring the UK (not yet being able to afford to bring his own band; not unusual at the time). Guitarist Martin Pugh (along with vocalist Kieran White and fellow guitarist Martin Quittenton) were the bandleaders, leading to the release of their first self-titled album later that year.
Besides the single release (Junior’s Wailing) it also featured covers of songs by bluesmen B.B. King and Eddie Boyd. One of the guest musicians on the album (on piano) was Pete Sears, who went on to perform in the Jefferson Starship from 1974-1984.
The band’s personnel began to change from 1969-1973, which had the benefit of adding different influences (progressive rock, folk and jazz). Their second album (MK II) had some of those influences apparent (with the song Supposed to be Free) a highlight and their 1970 live album Mountains had an extensive cover of the Lionel Hampton song Riding on the L&N (my favorite of theirs). The downside? A revolving door band often has trouble sustaining interest.
And the band had one premature death: drummer Mick Bradley (leukemia in 1972). (Kieran White died in 1995 and Martin Quittenton in 2015, so that they were also unable to participate in the reunion). Other performers included saxophonist Steve Joliffe (later of Tangerine Dream), plus bassist Louis Cennamo and drummer John Lingwood (for their last year, with Lingwood joining Manfred Mann’s Earth Band afterward).
The band dissolved in 1973-74, with Martin Pugh and Louis Cennamo morphing into the band Armageddon (with former Yardbirds singer Keith Relf). Over time, the various members either went into studio work, retirement, other bands or other activities.
Now, Martin Pugh has re-formed the band — with Steamhammer former drummer John Lingwood, plus Pete Sears as a full-fledged member (on bass).
Their reunion album (semi-titled after their first UK hit Junior’s Wailing) also features this re-make of one of my favorite songs from the original band.
I wouldn't have thought that the morning Ever made me feel so sad I wanna go down and see Rosie She's the best friend that I ever hadProviding your own revolution Friends with you, when you call Not far away is a picture of shackled bars At the darkened wall
I don't wanna feel nostalgic Now that the time is so short I wanna just keep on growing and knowing That nothing is lost before we learn