Of course, he would have been embarrassed at the sentiment, however...

...I'd have been itching to leave my seat from the off. Anyway, for all who need a bit of cheer this Saturday night...

Melanie and The Edwin Hawkins Singers - Lay Down

I may be guilty of posting this clip before, though it has never had it's own blog entry to my knowledge. This is George H. moonlighting with his friend Gary Wright and Wonderwheel on the Dick Cavett show in 1971 (elsewhere on the programme he's interviewed alongside Ravi Shankar - it's well worth seeing). I must have watched this performance dozens (and dozens) of times since it was first repeated on VH-1 in the mid-'90s, but I remain in awe of what George is up to back there. A great song, lifted by slide guitar that's from another universe. Anyone agree?

I saw Liane for the second time at the Highgate Jazz and Soul Festival at the weekend. A few years after first encountering her on TV coverage of the Brecon Jazz fest, I'm still at a loss as to why she is relatively unknown beyond jazz circles and the confines of bar residencies in her hometown of Hastings. Not only a naturally gifted pianist, she inhabits a song like Amy Winehouse, with the vocal range and soul of Joni Mitchell in her mid-'70s prime.

If she's at a small venue round your way, check her out. She may be a contented forty-something grandmother without the requisite back story for super-stardom, but she's special.

Liane Carroll - Dublin Morning

Just heard the sad news that he has passed away. I got to meet him once and he was charm personified. RIP.

A nice bit of post-AHDN interview footage of the Fabs has turned up on Youtube. The visuals freeze a few times but worth it to see Paul and John flirting with/taking the mick out of the blonde host...

... on BBC 4. Documentary 'Out On His Own'at 8.50pm followed by a 'Sight and Sound In Concert' (with Chris de Burgh... hmm) from 1978.

Perhaps like many of the Massive, I own an Uncle Ray best of CD which on the face of it seems to be as much as anyone needs (taken in isolation, mostly wonderful, sometimes melancholy but expertly-crafted songs), but have long wondered does a stash of gems lurk in his lesser-known (and undoubtedly vast) back catalogue? I sneakily suspect so... Any aficionados out there?

This one from 1976 apparently didn't chart in the UK, but is up there with his best IMHO:

To Each His Own - Gilbert O'Sullivan

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Heard this on the radio earlier today and was thrown for a minute. Sounds like McCartney... no it doesn't... yes it does... cue debate with my dad as to whether Paul would release such a delicate ballad with banjo picking and beautiful string arrangement to the fore (of course he would, I hear you say). Turns out he guested on Steve Martin's last album, and it completely passed me by (ahem). I think it's lovely.

Steve Martin feat. Paul McCartney - Best Love

Not sure why, but reading the thread on whether bands 'clod-hop' or 'swing' brought this youtube clip to mind. Not a 'pro' tribute band as such, just a bunch of mates (albeit good musicians) playing Beatles for fun. But it swings. And you rarely hear '...Party' done well (if at all). And it makes me smile :-).

Jacqui and Bert in conversation yesterday:

Someone has posted some home movie footage on Youtube (go to 3:42 for JL appearance).

Another pivotal rawk moment made flesh :-).

Very sad to have read of his death from pancreatic cancer. My favourite film ever would have been the poorer without him. RIP.

The Christmas tree's up, the snow is on the ground... and it's not even December. A bit of festive fun for a Sunday afternoon.