Record of the month...Moanin' & Screamin'

As some of you know I have become slightly obsessed with this record lately! 

Listening to this record actually gives me goose bumps, the soul and sadness in his voice is just incredible. It almost hurts to listen to this song, there is so much pain that is conveyed in a 5 mins 46 sec track.

My baby left me, she didn't even say Goodbye
My baby left me, all I could do was cry
When that little girl left me, I had to hang my head in shame
.....
My baby left me, I got me something that I want to moan about 




Another track to check out by Diamond Joe is Gossip Gossip, it's a fantastic track for all you funk fans out there! 

Most under rated band of the 60's

I love a lot of music from the 60's from rock too blues, soul and even a bit of pop! I'm a sucker for a British band, the usual such as; The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who (weirdly loads of bands with The in front of the name) but I do love a band called The Pretty things. 

Unfortunately for them they were around in an era where there was some of the best music ever, that influenced the bands we have around today. The Pretty Things are probably the most under rated band of this era, sounding a little like early Rolling Stones after being fully influenced by Rhythm & Blues and black American music. Although not as well non as other British bands in the 60's, other artists were aware of their talents, David Bowie covered two of their songs on his pin up album. The Pretty Things most successful period was in the mid 60's where they had three singles in the UK singles chart but they never had a hit in the US.
Once the 60's were over The Pretty Things, like every band expanded on their music sound and their early 70's music is your more psychedelic and rockier stuff, which is good if your a fan of Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin. By the late 70's the group had gone their separate ways due to commercial failures.

If you are a fan of 60's British bands then I highly recommend taking the time to listen to this band and spending your pennies on purchasing a CD or Vinyl of theirs.

The album below is the one I purchased, it has 2 discs of their fantastic early Rhythm & Blues years - If you are looking at purchasing a studio album then I would suggest getting yourself a copy of S.F Sorrow, their most popular and recognised album of their career.  

Birthday fun

So it was my birthday yesterday....one year older but a lady never reveals her age, well not when she's past 21. I got some great bits and bobs, from work vouchers for all my favourite things; a local record store called Adrian's (Wickford), H&M and Atlantis Spa (Tiptree). I have been very much spoilt, as well as that I have got a ticket to see The Who in December from my parents and True Detective box set from my room mate. I still have more to come too which is very exciting! 

The reason why I am writing this post is because I went to the cutest tea room called The Loft - Tea by the sea (Tollesbury, Essex). Its a vintage style tea room with quirky interior, hand picked pictures, plates and bunting hanging up to give it a very 50's homey feel. This fantastic looking tea room is set in the working marina of Tollesbury but watch out for the high tide as you might have to paddle back to car like we found out but its all part of the fun.

You receive very friendly service and there is also a board up warning you of high tides, just in case you have left your car in a difficult place. The Loft has a really good lunch menu; penni, sandwiches, soup, lunch platters and cream tea's.

I mean what else do you need from your perfectly situated vintage esque tea room?

I would recommend The Loft to anyone who lives or is visiting Essex, you get a nice feel of rural Essex as well as a good long walk down the sea wall with some fantastic scenery. I will be at Colchester Aqua Springs spa on Sunday, I will hopefully be able to give you a nice little review of there to. 

Return of the Rude Boy

Somerset House recently had a photography exhibition on the 'Return of the Rude Boy', the pictures in the exhibition looked amazing and made me think about Rude boy fashion now....there are still Rude Boy's out there, they are just few and far between. 

Jamaicans introduced rude boy music and fashion to the UK in the 60's, which influence the Mod and Skinhead scene. Rudy's were generally working class (like most subcultures at this time) and big followers of the Ska and Rock-steady scene. Once the scene reached the 70's and 80's it influenced bands like The 2 Tones, The Specials and Madness, the more popular Rudy's you know and love today. 

Like everything this scene is starting to make a come back, get suited and booted and join the Return of the Rude Boy!!

Images used are from the exhibition by Dean Chalkley & Harris Elliott