So not a work day but my body clock wakes me at 06:15 with a determination that I will not go back to my fitful dreams. I scan social media for any meaning and give up quickly as the news is depressingly awful. Like this and this (I’m not polishing my toenails any more).
Downstairs for a couple of cups of joe brought straight back to bed. It’s too early to get up yet. The television in our room is seldom used, we prefer to read in bed, but this morning I’m drawn to it like a moth seeking the bright colours. I ignore the terrestrial channels in a search for something stimulating and power up our tiny Roku box. For those of you not familiar with the concept, the Roku is like Now TV on speed, snorting coke and mainlining absynthe. Basically anything broadcast anywhere in the world is available at the touch of the remote.
After scanning the myriad of new channels and selecting the NASA live streaming ISS channel for future viewing I head for YouTube with the intention of looking for some archery tips. But no, I’m seduced by the recommendations at the top of the screen. Eric Burdon fronts the Animals in the official badly dubbed rendition of ‘House of the Rising Sun‘.
Fun Fact #1: Burdon was a good friend of the Beatles‘ John Lennon and was mentioned in one of their songs, “I Am the Walrus” as “the eggman”
This is quickly followed by an ageing Gary Moore blasting out ‘Parisienne Walkways‘. We will miss Paris this year.
Fun Fact #2: A large statue of Moore was erected on a small island outside Skånevik, Norway, following his many performances at the Skånevik Blues Festival.
Then I become more selective, searching for our favourite Professor of Rock, Wim Roelants. We first met him at the Blue Cactus in Playa Colon partnering with Wim Martens to bring us acoustic rock guitars as the Acoustic Knights before turning at 9pm to heavy rock band Triple Trouble. Those nights (and those knights). They will live on in so many memories. Try his music here.
MBH wants ‘Smoke on the Water‘ so a quick search brings up Deep Purple and another fine memory. Then it’s back to the recommendations and I spot Gary Moore in a tribute to Phil Lynott singing ‘Whisky in the Jar‘ in Dublin.
I decide to surprise MBH by sneaking in the official video of Bryan Adams, Sting and Rod Stewart harmonising ‘All for Love‘. We sing along.
Fun Fact #3: Adams also did a live version in 1994 featuring Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Nancy Gustafson, and Giorgia Todrani.
Then I spot something truly remarkable, a live performance of the late, great, Sheffielder Joe Cocker singing ‘A Little Help from my Friends‘. Tears are rolling down my cheeks as we watch the archetypal rocker giving his all.
Fun Fact#4: Joe Cocker and the Grease Band played at the Woodstock Festival. The group had to be flown into the festival by helicopter due to the large crowds. They performed several songs, including “Feelin’ Alright?,” “Something’s Comin’ On,” “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” “I Shall Be Released” and “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Cocker would later say that the experience was “like an eclipse … it was a very special day.”
Sadly all too soon it’s time to get up and get going. This is how we spent our Saturday morning. How did you spend yours?
I hope you enjoy the links to some of our favourite music. Take care!
Paddling 