We're not singing anymore: Recent Episodes
Geoff Barnsley
As Covid 19 brings isolation and lockdown three friends from across the UK share stories of football (Sheffield United, Sunderland) and popular music, each episode driven by a different theme. This is not about detailed analysis or statistics but memorable stories and laughs along the way.
This week we explore the crazy world of goalkeepers via the haircuts of David James. We look at the million pounds ‘crap transfers’ industry and after a brief look at Niall Quinn’s disco pants we review a few football autobiographies. Of course, we cannot ignore the romance of Hollywood coming to Wrexham.
This week we reflect on how the music business is coping with the pandemic, how we consume music and how much music is such a part of social history. Social history is very much a part of a couple of very stylish documentaries that we review this week. Programmes about music can be hit and miss but one about Ronnie Scott and another about the Style Council make for compelling viewing.
The associated playlist for this week’s natter can be found here
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2DvzdM24AzhP8WRyCtMzuX?si=XNj-VSM6SdWiEXtfN-E1Iw
Another week in lockdown and no football to go. We dig deep to find alternative stories in football including the danger of bald heads when streaming football games, remarkable nicknames and innovative ways to keep footballers on their feet. We find out who the first club in the world actually played against and sadly ask where the magic of the FA cup has gone.
As we hit lockdown mark 2 we pull our finger out and start up the podcast once more. We're not singing anymore but we celebrate songs with brackets and the joy of a real live gig before lockdown. We share music you may have missed like the wonderful Mable John, the Beatles and recommend David Hepworths latest book on how british bands broke into America.
Playlist to match the podcast is here
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/72DRusMHtrdzRQQ4ATtDSF?si=PIEMn7BfSle-QLAQOZs8rg
In this episode we look for examples of milk and cream amongst the music world. So much good stuff but were they merely good or really great. We feature, Dire Straits, Steely Dan, The Kinks, Corrine Bailey Rae, Frankie Lymon and Little Willie John. But who was the milk and who were the cream. You will find our opinions here.
A spotify playlist of the featured artists can be found here
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0LkPF3apRxoqWVYMa5xZja?si=KYjpGPANQaCd6YQIJBroBg
In this edition we explore the concept of milk and cream in footbqallers. Confused? Our theory is that many start by looking if they may become real greats but don’t quite get there (Milk?) whereas one or two really make it to be true greats (Cream!). This is a tale of two Kyles and a TC, a pair of England internationals and some outrageous punning with a pair of Sunderland players. One of them ended up at Bramall Lane! Enjoy.
As we slowly but surely return to something like normal we reflect on the experience of watching football in lockdown. Do we need crowds anymore, who is pushing Sky’s ‘ooh and aah’ button and a forensic dismantling of VAR and why it simply doesn’t and won’t ever work properly. Its a bit of a long one as there is a lot of ranting! The music version will be recorded shortly.
The Four Tops, Les Dawson and Mike Yarwood all get a mention in this episode as well as rubber chicken in a basket. A local gig with smoke, no mirrors and a set of dustbin lids and finally a legendary singer who is still going at a ripe old age. A playlist to match our ramblings can be found here.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/52q4qFFn41niveaO4X3Jxd?si=R9RoHomnQHesLGOkBZAOxA
We are showing our age on this one as we explore the start and finish of ‘old big heads’ amazing career, look at brutality and sublime finishing at Bramall Lane and one of us reflects on his 92-club experience, visiting every one of the original league grounds. Impressive stuff.
So many hidden gems in the music business but here we unearth some real talent that are worth searching for. Our chat covers a virtually unknown Chicago soul duo whose vocals really hit the spot, the Irish John Prine and a gorgeous song that truly shows that less is more.
By clicking below you can download a 3 track Spotify playlist covered in this episode.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6bYKGPUug0nCsCeCtWZhED?si=HS9wBeMERFqEMp9h2L2-oA
In this week’s episode we go looking for hidden gems. We look at a single trio (?) from Sunderland, a manager’s favourite despite what the fans thought and a tribute to one of the Premiership’s new boys who is truly ‘arriving’.
In this week’s episode we turn the concept of room 101 on its head and choose musical things that we absolutely must preserve and keep for all time. We pay tribute to the wonderful Little Richard before identifying our personal favourites for preserving. This includes one of the earliest digital recordings, people who make the stars look good and a tribute to a gun toting squeeze box experience.
By clicking below you can download a 4 track Spotify playlist covered in this episode.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3JlGwILxSDCCmwcirWRoJa?si=elfoYfxISgWmnsUftQb7aA
In the week in which Little Richard passed away, we look at the things to put in room 101. In this episode we banish supporters who don’t know who they support, unnamed ‘sources’, pundits spouting nonsense and an absolute catalogue of Blades memories.
We explore how one of us fell for an Australian one man band, another got very, very close to the Rolling Stones and a sexy blond who wasn't anyones idea of fun. We also pay tribute to the passing of Millie Small.
The 4 track playlist for this episode can be found here.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/26wrLKunDYe3cIMdf42Cgi?si=WEt7bLxrTCuTT7RtOG-e8A
In this episode we reflect on a hard working footballer who put someone else back into it, a virtual re-run of a classic Likely Lads episode and the appalling spectacle of home fans applauding the away team. Whatever next.
In this episode we look at local folks who have done well. A local musician who also loves his football, a guitar player who is not a superstar but has played with loads of them and a 'hot' musician who supports the biggest team in the North East.... Gateshead!
Spotify playlist for this week can be found here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3rlXDcmsr2YlaSmbrUx0QS?si=L8IvTkcvSty0UD__qH1HkA
As Boris gets his money's worth from the NHS we look at local lads who have done well. We review Alex Fergusson's cantering carthorse, a singing winger who is not Chris Waddle and an outrageous imposter.
In this episode we reflect on funeral music going wrong, find superstars in odd places before we take the outbound train to Mashville. That's Mashville not Nashville!
Playlist for this week can be found here...
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4SAaQQfTx8cf8GhBUg9v7U?si=pZdUDWofQ2GE_JCvctEikg
In this episode, we explore a managerial decision so bad surely it couldn't be as bad as it seemed. It wasn't - it was worse! A mistaken identity in the transfer market and a supporter social distancing from his ticket brings a wry smile all round.
In this episode one of us has the night sweats, one is sweating that the gig tickets are actually legitimate and the other suffers from perspiration issues in a van on the way to Hyde Park. All memorable gigs in very different ways.
The playlist for this week can be found here
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2r1U8bL8LvpV7PPl181xJq?si=NwfN_x1RRzuxbhTaueRCpw
In this episode we look at our most memorable games. A long, long silent journey back from Wembley (amazingly not with the Blades), the battle of Bramall Lane and a coach fulls of referees in the North East.
We discuss a whole album full of collaborations by one the worlds finest female blues guitar players, a brief reflection on a 22 hit, UK duo, a rip roaring soul duo who couldn't stand each other and of course yet another prediction of the next Lennon and McCartney. We also pay tribute to Bill Withers and John Prine.
3 song spotify playlist here...
https://open.spotify.com/user/geoffb.consultancy/playlist/0UXm0EpGKwWioCYDxVKMSx?si=30A-hIm9QCeitVuXhbXUFA
Today we talked about great partnerships, goal scoring machines at Bramall Lane, a blades hero who formed a great partnership at Elland Road (surely not) and a reflection on a cup final win...... clearly not a Blades story!
Here we talk about the first game we ever went to, and for all of us this was a long time ago! What were those first impressions, how different was the experience then to the match day experience now. Memories of Bramall Lane and Roker Park, cigarette smoke, pies and a chocolate tobacconist set.
In this episode we put the spotlight on 3 artists who never quite got the credit they deserved. The man who wrote the A side to Rods (B side) Maggie May, someone who went into the bathroom with Aretha to write a classic and one of most prolific writers of americana.
A 3 track spotify playlist cn be found by copying this link into your browser.
https://open.spotify.com/user/geoffb.consultancy/playlist/2tBTyWE0XS6dQe1vpdD4kY?si=bNYeBmudQL2LVyX4D0PMIw
In this episode we find some unsung heroes from Bramall Lane and Roker Park. So many modern day examples from todays Chris Wilder team but one player comes above the rest. A very controversial choice at Roker Park gets everyone moaning and we go back to the time when away game results came via an old bloke and a wooden scoreboard.
In this episode we remember the first gig we ever went to. How having a pint with the band led to being a roadie for a week, a disappointing date with a girl from Detroit and balancing drinks on Elton Johns piano. A 3 track Spotify playlist accompanies this episode.
https://open.spotify.com/user/geoffb.consultancy/playlist/3xL81JPVtTV9PQaMenXuIt?si=AOJFP1iYT5SJqb3UzaUL3Q