Off The Record: Recent Episodes
Gary Davidson
On this week’s show we remembered when Motown was Chic, quite literally, and when the Lambrettas itched due to Poison Ivy. How Andy Williams could hold a note and how Brian Wilson could write a tune. How one hot summer’s day warped two of my 12” records. How Kate Bush influenced Neil Hannon. How How Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh gave the West Ham board the skunk eye and when Chrissie Hinde tore up some Gap jackets. Plus we remembered Joni Sledge and dear Keef. We guessed lyrics from Billy Idol and tested your chart knowledge on what year Goyte and Years & Years both enjoyed #1 records.
On this week’s show we continued our celebration of all things Chic and how Ska music had some Bad Manners. I relived my Saturday night with Soul to Souls Jazzie B and how West Ham fans march to the beat of their own drum. We remembered Johnny Cash, the Glam Rock drumming of Dave Mount, the walrus moustache of Glen Hughes and the OOOOOOOHHHHHYEEEEAAAAH!! Of Bobby Rogers. We guessed lyrics from Bill Lovelady and quizzed your chart knowledge on what year Blondie and Ben E. King both enjoyed #1 records.
On this week’s show we recalled how Chic knocked out one of the greatest grooves ever in one take. Just how Secret Affair stood out during the mod revival and just how much Charlie Sheen likes to party. I gave the West Ham board the skunk ey…again. We also enjoyed some Humble Pie and remembered the quiet Beatle and Mark Hollis. We guessed lyrics from 10cc and quizzed your chart knowledge on what year Blondie and George Harrison both enjoyed #1 records.
On this week’s show we recall when The Sugar Hill Gang er…borrowed a choon from Chic? How Steve Strange went from The Blitz to TOTP’s. That Michael Armstrong improved a Billy Joel’s Allentown. How The Commodores became a soundtrack to a pair of crack heads. We also praised Jarvis Cocker, who called out Michael Jackson, years ahead of anybody else. We remembered Otis Williams, shouted Oi! Oi! For Brian James and wished Randy Crawford a happy Birthday and gave credit to Yoko. We guessed lyrics from The Rats and quizzed your chart knowledge on what year the original Suzie Q and Steve Harley both enjoyed #1 records.
On this week’s show we asked if Chic were one of the greatest bands ever? Did Squeeze use the best euphemism ever for a song title? We declared that Michael Armstrong is one of the most generous artists ever. That Paul Weller wrote some of the best lyrics ever. The Mayor of M unchkinland sung on one of the best Nothern Soul songs ever and The Stranglers were one of the best punk bands ever. We also remembered Mr Fabulous, Sweet Gene Vincent, Tom Petty and Whitney Houston. We guessed the lyrics from the Human League and quizzed your chart knowledge on what year Sinead O’Connor and Marc Almond & Gene Pitney both enjoyed #1 records.
On this week’s show we celebrated Duran Duran’s debut. Paid our dues to Althia & Donna. Threw some talcum powder on the floor from Frank Wilson and raised a pint to the triumphant return Marc Almond. Gasped at Tim Booth turning sixty and remembered dear Karen Carpenter. We guessed the lyrics from Swindon band XTC and quizzed your chart knowledge on what year The Specials and Kraftwerk had #1 records.
On this week’s show we celebrated Spandau Ballet in kilts. Madness sung an ode to West Ham. How Candi Staton singing an Aretha Franklin record started her career. How Jah Wobble’s bass defined John Lydon’s Public Image and when Ian McCulloch threw a hissy fit. We remembered Gene McFadden, Fleetwood Mac selling the odd copy of Rumours and how I discovered John Martyn thanks to a two hour impromptu tribute from Danny Baker. We guessed the lyrics from Dexys and quizzed your chart knowledge on whay year Foreigner and Queen had #1 records. All in all, not a bad way to spend two hours.
On this week’s show we recalled the manager of Madness sleeping on a coach. We gave the West Ham board the skunk eye and asked what exactly was Edward Tudor Pole singing about? We cheered the return of George Benson and said phwoar to Kim Wilde. We also remembered Phill Lynott and the Dame on his birthday and when Hugh Cornwall got sent down for impersonating Zammo Maguire. Oh and guessed lyrics from The Associates quizzed your chart knowledge on when both Queen and James Arthur both had #1 records.
This was a labour of love for me. I hope you enjoy listening and have a very Merry Christmas.
On this week’s show we played a record for Harry Redknapp. I relived life imitating art about when a gang of skinheads chased me out of the cinema after watching Breaking Glass. We remembered Obi Wan Kenobi telling a little boy not to watch Star Wars ever again! We remembered Otis Redding and Joe Strummer writing London Calling, plus I risked getting whacked by The Sopranos. We guessed lyrics from that Joni Mitchell song that made Emma Thompson cry and tested your chart knowledge on what year The Police and Cher both enjoyed #1 records.
On this week’s show we remembered John Lennon. We also celebrated the impact a two tone record about Nelson Mandella had on the world and saw the force was strong with The Divine Comedy. Discovered how Lene Lovich turned down the lead in Breaking Glass. We remembered George Harrison and Ian McLagan and wished Ozzy Osbourne a happy cowing birthday. We guessed lyrics from a Double Fantasy track and tested your chart knowledge on what year Madonna and Lou Reed both enjoyed #1 records.
On this week’s show we chortle at a huge Mexican statue of the baby Phil Collins, celebrate Tina Turner turning 80 (Eighty!), remember Michael Hutchence, and the Sex Pistols only single release on EMI, and a Pink Floyd cassette tape being blasted into space. We guess lyrics from the Buzzcocks and test your chart knowledge on what year Rod Stewart and The Jam both enjoyed #1 records.
This week is a tribute to Freddie Mercury. With live tracks, live aid, Freddie reading the weather on the Kenny Everett show and Brian May remembering his last days in the recording studio. I remember being in a real life version of West Side Story with the Sele Farm Skinheads. Morrissey remembers getting his head kicked in by Manchester skinheads. We get down with the yoof by playing a 106 year old American folk song and an Andy Williams record. Plus we played five tracks with a common theme. Plus we guess lyrics from Madness and test your chart knowledge on what year The Dame & Queen and Uncle Ray both enjoy #1 records.
Hedley Lamarr introduces Jimi Hendrix and Sean Connery introduced The Selecter. We discover Steeve Coogan’s brother’s band and recalled when The Dame met Nina Simone. We celebrate Booker T and Arthur ‘Pooch’ Taveres’ birthday and remember Tom Robinson smoking a spliff, Joe Jackson releasing an album that wasn’t an album and simply remember dear John Walker. We also salute service men young and old and sing a song for peace with John and Yoko. Plus we guess lyrics from The Piranhas and test your chart knowledge on what year The Dame and Slade both enjoy #1 records
On this week’s show we make subtle references to Bonfire Night with our record titles and then summon up the spirit of Dolly Parton using a Springsteen album track. We go back to the tribal days of music and football with The Specials and celebrate John Lydon for being…well Johnny Rotten. We mourn the loss of Mike Score’s hair, admire Jonny Greenwood’s barnet, celebrate Art Garfunkel’s birthday and remember Nat King Cole and Link Wray. Plus we guess lyrics from Hot Chocolate and test your chart knowledge on what year did The Beautiful South and the beautiful David Cassidy both enjoy #1 records?
On this week’s show we give respect to Braintree Town FC for their mural of Keef and to the inspiration that was John Peel. I recall yet again how I kissed Pauline Black from The Selecter and how Hall & Oates wrote their greatest song off the cuff. We celebrate the anniversary of the release of the greatest punk album ever by the Sex Pistols and how Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon stayed on the album charts for a very, very, very, very, very, very, very long time. Plus we cheer tour news from Level 42 and guess lyrics from E.L.O and test your chart knowledge on what year did Rod the Mod and old hippies Matthews Southern Comfort all enjoy #1 records?
On this week’s show we ask the question what is Stevie Nicks actually singing about? Why do people only play The Pogues and Kirtsy McColl at Christmas? We celebrate classic recordings from Hendrix and Dylan. Bemoan poor exam results with The Specials and offer a belated hello to Blackberry Smoke. Quizz you on lyrics from Golden Earing and test your chart knowledge asking in what year did Bobby Darrin and Ken Boothe enjoy #1 records?
On this week’s show we get into the Christmas spirit with UB40. We remember dear Ranking Roger and cheer tour news from Soul to Soul, Midge Ure and John Shuttleworth. Oof! Plus we celebrate the birthday of rock icon David St Hubbins, doff our cap to Stevie Wonder’s lp Songs In The Key Of Life and quizz you on lyrics from Earth Wind and Fire. Plus our ‘what was the year?’ feature tests your chart knowledge asking in what year did John Denver and The Police get to #1?
On this week’s show, we are shaking our bits to the hits from Suede. We remember Barrie Masters, Ginger Baker, Brian Connolly and John Lennon and the Sex Pistols on the Bill Grundy’s Today show. We lament the loss of TOTP and stay on the road and keep off the moors with Bobby Vinton and Van Morrison. Plus our ‘what was the year?’ feature tests your #1 chart knowledge asking in what year did I wonder into Woolworths aged 7 years old and pay 45p to buy The Simon Park Orchestra’s record Eye Level?
On this weeks show we doff our pork pie hat to Rhoda Dakar and her work of art with The Special AKA on The Boiler. We dip our toe into the political sea on electioneering with Radiohead, The Jam and the Sex Pistols, before we return to frolic on insanity beach with the American Music Club. We also ask ‘how old?’ to Phil Oakey and shout ‘BELL BOY’ to Sting. Plus our ‘what was the year?’ feature will test your chart knowledge by asking when did David Essex and The Police both enjoy #1 records that coincide with West Ham winning the FA Cup. LLTB!
In this week’s show we share our very own fake news regarding copyright claims involving Nintendo and Johnny Marr of The Smiths. We recall The Specials warning of social unrest and look back at the release of Quadrophenia and enjoy a rare Lisa Stansfield vocal from her Rochdale trio Blue Zone. We remember with love dear Linda McCartney, Led Zep’s drummer Bonzo and soul sensation Jackie Wilson. Plus our ‘what was the year?’ feature asks when did the Gary Numan and Adam Ant both enjoy #1 records.
In this week’s show, we celebrated the life of Marc Bolan and his last television appearance with The Dame. We enjoyed the most tenuis links ever as an introduction to a punk record by The Damned. Told the story of how Queen once caused a commotion for a cycle hire company by combining Wimbledon Stadium with 65 cycles and 65 naked female professional models. We also remembered Keef and Hendrix. Plus our ‘what was the year?’ feature tested your chart knowledge by asking when did the Small Faces and Slade both enjoy #1 records.
In this week’s show, we celebrate Madness releasing their first single on 2 tone. We give the collective skunk eye to the news of a new Carry On film being made. We celebrate Richard Ashcroft’s birthday and extol the virtues of Slade. Remember New York and the Dames prayer for peace with Bing Crosby, and finally track down last week's elusive Susan Boyle cover of a Rolling Stone’s classic.
This week’s show featured tracks celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Gary Numan’s first ever UK tour and reminisced about my mates gate-crashing his party at his house in Esher. We bring the spirit of the Caister Soul Weekender back to one listener and collectively gave Martin Rossiter the skunk eye for ignoring his band mates. We also celebrated old punk Steve Jones birthday, discussed Ike Turner’s coke habit and remembered dear Walter Becker. Plus our ‘what was the year?’ feature tested your chart knowledge by asking when did The Beatles and John Leyton both enjoy #1 records? Plus we asked the question, were The Beatles as high as a kite when they wrote the lyrics?
On this week’s show we remembered The King and Phill Lynott. Celebrated Ralf Hutter, the founding member of Kraftwerk and wished rock god Robert Plant a happy cowing birthday.