Led Zeppelin BBC Broadcast 1971

Well "Hello" World's !!

I hope you are all warm & happy this morning - it's turned from being a really hot week, into what it should be at this time of year in England..... cold & overcast  !!  Never mind - I'm not going any place today - just stay in the house & keep 'warm'.

B has just gone into town - mainly to buy some food for over the weekend - but, also to go to the gym & maybe buy some petrol.  If you live overseas, you might have seen the 'panic buying' of fuel over the last couple of days, on your TV.  It has been totally crazy - it really has !!

One of illustrious Government called for people to keep their fuel tanks topped up & to store petrol.  "Why ?"
Well, there is a small chance some truck drivers will go on strike & cause a shortage at the fill in stations.  So - idiots around the country have been queueing up & causing a shortage !!

There is no strike - but, all around the country, people have been going crazy - just in case they run out of fuel - it's been total madness, just because somebody has said the 'wrong' thing.

One woman, in Yorkshire, has been badly burnt - because she followed his advice - when she was pouring petrol from one container, into another.... in her kitchen, next to a lit gas cooker !!

Would these people jump off a high bridge if a Government 'spokesperson' said they would enjoy the view as they fell to their death ?!  Anyhoo - enough of my moaning.... but, if B can not get any fuel today, just because of the mad idiots going crazy - well, I won't be going to the hospital on Monday - because we will run out of petrol trying to get there !!  We will see how she gets on !!

I mentioned B is going to the gym - bit by bit, she is getting over her recent 'bug'.  She and J spent quite a bit of time in the garden yesterday, doing this, that & the other.... so, she must be feeling better !!  ME joined them for a little while, when she got home...... not to help, but just to sit in the Sun really !!

As for J - he is here keeping an eye on me.  ME is at work (7am-2pm) & will be staying the night at her boyfriends later.  I think she'll be home first - tho' I've lost track of what she is doing really !!

As for me - I'm doing "Ok".... I had to go back to my local Dr yesterday, which I hadn't meant to do.  I have had a problem with some of the stitches (as mentioned before - I hate the blooming things) and now it has put me on some more pills to try & ease the problem !!  Hopefully - if we get to the hospital on Monday, the Consultant can help.... we will see !!

I can report tho' - the implant is starting to work !!

"Yipppppeeeeeee !!".  It's not completely back to normal, but - for me - any improvement is worth a cheer !!  Even it's taken 3 surgeries, in total, over 18 months to get this far..... it's all good folks !!

Today marks the end of my second complete year writing my 'blog'.  I thank you all for reading.  Including a new reader who logged in earlier from a little country in Europe.  I can't tell exactly where you are - but I'm thinking Latvia ????  If I'm wrong, I'm sorry - but it's hard to work out, from my little map thingy.  Anyhoo - where ever you are, when you read these words, I thank you !!

As I type, the music of the moment is Kate Bush's '50 Words For Snow' Cd.  It's a lot better than I thought it would be & worth a place in the collection !!  Check it out, if you can - but don't expect it to be anything like her early albums.... for me, it's much better !!

I don't have any Led Zeppelin shows from today - but, as I won't be writing tomorrow - April 1st - I have decided to skip a day & write about one of the most bootlegged shows that Zeppelin ever did..... the 1971 BBC in concert recording..... the tracks are:

CD 1

1) Introduction
2) Immigrant Song
3) Heartbreaker
4) Since I've Been Loving You
5) Black Dog
6) Dazed & Confused
7) Stairway To Heaven

CD 2

1) Going To California
2) That's The Way
3) What Is & What Should Never Be
4) Whole Lotta Love
5) Thank You
6) Communication Breakdown

As a 'boy' (Hee-hee) I recorded this show - as it was broadcast... first on Sunday April 4th 1971 & then later the same week, on the Wednesday evening.  The first broadcast went over the hour time spot set for the show & gave the impression it was being broadcast 'live' - which it wasn't of course....... having been recorded 4 days earlier !!

I've been told that (the first show) was only an hour long - but, my old spool tape of the show - proves otherwise.  I get that a lot - something - (mostly recordings) - don't exist, or didn't happen !! But, I find there are a few collectors who (wrongly) think, that - just because they don't have a copy, or have not heard a copy - some tapes don't exist !!  Boy - are they ever wrong !!

This is probably the most released bootleg tape of the band - due to it's easy access broadcast, on the BBC.  I don't normally name 'bootlegs' - but... there are soooooo many of them !!  On Lp - 'Stairway To Heaven' - 'BBC Broadcast' - 'Ballcrusher'. to name three - all (probably) taken from 'BBC Transcription Discs' & edited to fit on 12 inches of vinyl.

On the bootleg' Cd front - well, 'Classics Of Air Vol. 1' & Classic Off Air Vol. 2' are two of the earliest I heard of..... but, look out for some class frauds !!  One I always laugh at is 'Live From LA 1972 - With John Lennon' !!  I kid you not - it exists folks.  Someone decided that John Peel - who introduced the show - sounded enough like Lennon to use it as a selling point !!  Others - such as - 'Live USA' & 'Whole Lotta Love' use the BBC tapes, with other soundboard recordings to claim concert dates that simply didn't happen.

I have one in front of me... It starts with 'Communication Breakdown' - from the BBC & then goes on thru' other tracks ('Kashmir' & 'Achilles Last Stand') to make up a 70+ minute Cd.......  it's all music & in some cases, very cleverly done, but....... don't get cheated out of your money !!

As I always say - don't buy bootlegs.... a great selection of this BBC 1971 show is available officially on 'BBC Sessions' that came out in 1997 - buy that instead - it's not the whole show & some of the tracks are edited down - but, it's available & worth your money !!  I'm playing the 'BBC Sessions' Cd now - Kate Bush ran out.... it's worth buying.........

Ok - enough of Led Zeppelin for today !!

This weekend is our 'General Conference' weekend & I'll watch some of that 'live' as it's broadcast & then record the later broadcast, as it will finish well after my bed time !!  With 3 different 'boxes' & 2 'satellite'  dishes, I sometimes get my mind all fuddled, trying to work out which broadcast is on which channel !!  I think I have it sorted now - if not, I'll record something completely unexpected & wonder what the heck I did wrong !!  It doesn't start for several hours yet - so, I have time to get myself together !!

I think, last year, two of the Elders came & watch the early broadcast with us..... they are great lads & need feeding from time to time.  Not having been well enough to go to Church these past weeks, I'm not 100% sure who the Elders are now.  the last time we went, one of them was due to go home.  We will see the next time we go - maybe next weekend.

So - that's my plans for tonight - this afternoon... well, as normal, I don't actually have any thing major to do.  I might watch some TV - I'll certainly play some more music... & maybe have a sleep..... that sounds like a plan to me !!

Until next time - thank you for reading !!

Bye Bye

"Hi" T & R - I hope Your Kitchen Has Been Fitted !!

Greetings Worlds - How are you are turning tonight ?!

It's been another warm & sunny day here in England - it's blue skies & blue sea (off in the distance) - and its only March 29th !!  ME was out in the garden, on Tuesday, doing some Uni work on her laptop & she has really gone red !!  She was going around, saying "look at me" type of stuff & I pointed out to her what the month was & at this rate she would be well burnt by the end of the summer !!  Never mind - I'm sure it'll rain soon - after all, it is England after all folks !!

Right onwards.....

I've had a good day today - B took me into town this morning, my first "enjoyable" trip out in a number of weeks....  We didn't do very much - there ain't a great deal to do in our neck of the wilds !!  I did go into the library for a quick look around & then B headed to ASDA to pick up some food & the such like..... me, I just waited in the car !!  I'm still feeling a little pain from the last surgeries, so I needed to just sit & wait for
her !!

I'm glad I did - it was very crowded in there & I would of struggled to cope with "wall to wall" people !!  I did see one of my ex-college friends there (in town) & even he made note of the fact he hadn't seen me about for a few weeks - it's nice to be missed I guess !!

What I did find kind of scary (second time today I've used that word !) he thought how poorly I looked, compared to the last time I saw him.  For me, that was kind of weird, because last night my mate, G, came around to see me & he said exactly the same !!  I guess - looking at my face in the mirror everyday, I hadn't noticed - but G hadn't seen me in a few months & it shook him a little !!

Maybe on my gravestone I should put "I was better than I looked" - which would be hard, as I'm being buried at sea !!  I'm not sure where the stone would be placed !!  Never mind - we had a good evening, just talking & catching up on gossip.  G was my best man at our wedding & is the guy's Godfather (well one of them).... anyhoo, it was good to catch up !!  He always leaves me smiling, that's a good friend for you !!

Also today - I had some idiot come to the door, trying to convince me to have our hedge cut down.  He just parked his van up - knocked on the door & just wouldn't take "no" for an answer !!  I don't know who he was, where he came from, or anything... he just showed up & wouldn't go away !!  In the end, I had to be bloody minded & more or less shut the door in his face !!  If I wanted the hedge cut back, I would either call someone in to do it or - get B to set fire to it (old joke)... I certainly don't want people coming in uninvited !!

Any way - onwards.... it has been a good day !!  Lady V, in America has been in contact - which is always great - and, apart from not having a bit of "beauty sleep" this afternoon, I've had fun !!  Thanks !!  The bad news is, Gregg Allman had to have an MRI during this years run at the Beacon, in New York - get well soon,  Mr Allman, we have you in our prayers !!

As I type, the music of the moment is Deep Purple's 'The BBC Sessions 1968-1970' and to be honest, it's been pretty bad on the ears......The first Cd is from the early days & the sound quality is not the best I've heard - this coming from a guy who likes Zeppelin bootlegs !!  But - the second disc is a little better - mainly because the sound quality has improved quite a bit.  Some of my tapes, here, are really bad, but this Cd set really should be labelled "For Collectors Only"....

Just with music - I'm not listing any Zeppelin tonight... mainly as I don't think I have anything from March 29th (except the Houston show I mentioned yesterday) and also, because I can't be bothered to look for any thing.   There will be more as the year goes on - but, not tonight folks !!

Enough of the music... the family !!  J is here looking after me tonight, ME is out with her boyfriend's family (I think it's his dad's birthday) and My Wife & Dearest Friend, B is out at a Thursday night gym class.  She is trying to catch up a bit - having missed a few sessions, due to looking after me & then coming down with a bit of a cold bug !!  I think ME will be home later, not sure if she is out all night or not, where as B's class finishes at 8pm - so, she'll be here by 9pm, I guess !!  It's going to be a quiet night really - there is very little on TV, that I want to watch, so..... it'll be music & then off to bed for your's truly !!  Not yet tho'.....

As I type - on the TV (silent in the corner) is the 3rd part of 'Lord Of The Rings'.... I was thinking it was a little strange, for it to be on this time of night... then I worked out, it's on an old tape !!  What was on, has finished & the 'Rings' thing must of been on there as well !!  I really couldn't work out why it was on !!  I must thro' away this old video tapes - maybe keep some of them, to transfer to disc.... but... too many video's !!

It's the bit where the guy's get swamped in skulls !!  It's quite good really - all these skulls falling down & Deep Purple's 'Child In Time' playing loudly over the top -  very apt !!  Ho-hum.......

Something I was going to mention.... this past month has seen the 2nd largest number of 'log ins' for my blog, since I started it 2 years ago, on Saturday !!  I remember starting it on March 31st 2010 - because I didn't want to start it on April 1st (All Fools day) ....... I wanted to give it a good start & I'm over the moon that soooooo many of you have logged on over the last 2 years !!

I would like to thank my Russian friend(s) for logging today & all the rest of you around the World for your time & kind thoughts !!  I never thought that in under 2 years I would be looking at just shy of 2000 readers !!  It's blooming amazing really & I thank you all !!  I'm either writing something you like reading or - well, you might need to go out more !!  No, really - I thank you all !!

Deep Purple have just finished & now some 1974 Canned Heat has taken over the Cd players....Interestingly enough - well, for me at least, given who we are & how long ago this was recorded - the track,s called  Utah' !!  I didn't plan it - it's just the first track on this disc !!

"Hi" T & R !!  I hope your kitchen has been fitted & you're not still using the bathtub !!  Take care, the pair of you !!

Ok - I must be on my way.... it's a little after 7pm & I need to sort a few things out - before I fall asleep at the keyboard.  thank you for reading - I will be back another time.... until then...

Bye Bye

Greetings !!

Greetings Worlds Of Internet Space - How are you all doing this fine day ?!

Better than me I hope !!  I've got some kind of bug & it's really getting to me now !!  I slept in yesterday, which was fine - but that meant I wasn't tired last night & just seem to be awake for hours on end !!  Never mind - I'm still flapping these old arms of mine & hanging in there !!

If you read yesterday's posting - I didn't write very much !!  Just a few lines about 'Tour De Force' a really good Zeppelin show from '75.  I didn't want to miss March 27th & that show - so......

The music of the moment is Chicken Shacks 'Blue Horizon' collection that I picked up - almost - 2 weeks ago.  I'm just playing disc 3, as it's the only one I hadn't listened too !!  So far, so good - like very early Canned Heat - with-out The Bear's vocals !!

Right.  As I type, J is upstairs in his room, ME is on Uni placement (home about lunchtime) and B is at a meeting, here in the village.  She is on a panel of various people, who put forward ideas for our local Dr's surgery.  As I spend a lot of time down there, she puts in her 2 pennyworth.

Today - for example - she is mentioning the fact that the disabled parking bay is designed for drivers only.  By that I mean, it's for disabled drivers.  When someone - like me- get's out of the car - I have to walk on the (now muddy) grass to get to the surgery door.  It's little things like that, that the panel can bring to the practice manager & hopefully have some influence on what is done.

I was at the surgery last night - well, late afternoon - to see my GP..... mainly to let him know how I got on last Monday, about my eye.  He will let me know when he hears from the hospital & then put me on the right medication.

I also had a bonus - when he took out one of the blooming stitches, from my last surgery.  It should of devolved by itself - but..... leaving me wanting to scratch it all the time !!  Being as it was the wound in my back - I couldn't reach it & needed him to do the honours !!  There is still one left to come out - but he wants to leave that one alone for now.... hopefully it will improve on it's own....SOON !!  Oh well... I hate the blooming things - but.... life goes on.

This weekend is our General Conference.  So - the recorder will be set up to watch that - mainly as the later ones come on, long after I've gone to bed !!  It's good to have copies of them to play back anyway.  It will mean there is no Church this weekend, but...... I am unlikely to be well enough to go anyhoo !!

A friend was coming over last night, to visit - but... as it was getting late, he phoned to say he would be here tonight, instead.  That will be nice, to meet up with him again - I think it has shocked him a little bit, just how "downhill" I've gone over the last 6 months or so !!  Oh well - it will be interesting to meet up again.

Just back to Zeppelin.  I have a good show from March 28th 1970....  The Cd has 2 tracks from a concert that was held on the 29th March as well, so - I'll list the whole thing:

CD 1

1) We're Gonna Groove

2) Dazed & Confused

3) Heartbreaker

4) Bring It On Home

5) White Summer/Black Mountain Side

6) Since I've Been Loving You

7) Organ Solo - Thank You

CD 2

1) What Is & What Should Never be

2) Moby Dick

3) White Summer/Black Mountain Side

4) How Many More Times

It was recorded in Dallas & (the last 2 tracks) Houston, Texas and is not too bad a recording.  As always, don't buy bootlegs !!  More another time.....

Right - my plans for today... well, kick back & rest up a bit I guess.  We might go into town later, but I'm not sure about that. I'll see what B wants to do later - we might need some shopping or something.....

Oh, I forgot - my Jehovah's Witness friend called around yesterday & invited us to attend a 'meeting' on April 5th...... he knows we won't be there, but he thought he would invite us any ways.  Bless him - I'm not well enough to attend our own Church - I can't see myself going to another one, even if a friend does invite us !!

B had a phone call, from a friend in Church... asking her to go teaching.  B has often said she doesn't want to do it, but (for some reason) agreed to go any way !!  I'm quite surprised she agreed - probably didn't want to upset things !!  Never mind....... it's only once every other month.  We'll see how things go I guess.

Oh well - I better be on my way - I thank you all for reading my words, where ever you might be.  Until next time.......

Bye Bye

Tour De Force - LA 27-3-1975

Hi,

One of the best Led Zeppelin bootlegs:

CD 1

1) Rock & Roll
2) Sick Again
3) Over The Hills & far Away
4) In My Time Of Dying
5) The Song Remains The Same
6) The Rain Song
7) Kashmir
8) Since I've Been Loving You

CD 2

1) No Quarter
2) Trampled Underfoot
3) Moby Dick

CD 3

1) Dazed & Confused
2) Stairway To Heaven
3) Whole Lotta Love
4) Black Dog

From the introduction, by Linda Lovelace.... thru' a 40+ minute 'Dazed & Confused' - the last night of the 1975 American tour was & is worth having in anybodies collection !!  Don't buy bootlegs - it's just a shame the band never released this officially  !!  More another time - I'm going back to bed !!

Bye Bye

A Wasted Trip......

Well Hello Worlds - How are you all ding this fine day ?!

The weather forecast guy made me smile earlier.  It seems that today is going to set some kind of record, for being the warmest March 26th in years & yet - tonight - we're going to have a frost !!  How mad is that ?!  It is a nice afternoon out there tho'........

As I type, B is in the back garden (or side garden - not sure which) trying to tidy up a bit & "get a bit of air" in the hope of clearing her cold bug away, a bit at least !!  It was either that, or go to the gym.... I suggested the latter might be a little too much, considering she had spent most of the day in bed yesterday !!  Anyhoo - she's happy & that's the main thing !!

ME is out at Uni placement & will be home a little later on.... while J is upstairs in his room, doing whatever it is he is doing on his computer, towards - hopefully - landing some kind of a job.  Again - as long as they are happy !!

As for me - well, I've had another visit to the hospital this morning.  I had to see a guy about my right eye... Long time readers will know it has been giving me a problem or two over the last few weeks or so.  It seems there is little to be done, for now and I have to go onto some kind of eye drops & lotion to ease things a bit.  Then in 6 weeks, I have to go back & see how things are going.......

The guy I saw, well - he wasn't too forthcoming on how things were going to pan out.  I asked if there was some kind of surgery that would help & - he says - there isn't.... so - I guess I have to put up with it !!  Bring on the "pirate patch" I guess !!  We will have to wait & see how things go in 6 weeks !!

I felt it was a bit of a wasted trip really - we came home, more or less, none the wiser than when we went in.  I could of told him there was a problem with the eye - I didn't need some fancy equipment to tell me that !!  I hope, in 6 weeks, things will have improved - as always - time will tell !!

The music of the moment is an 'old' Cd by Chicken Shack.  By old - I mean it is old recordings... just re-done for the Cd age, I guess.  A friend of mine from years back, had some of there stuff on Lp - this seems to be the same stuff, just - as I say - re-done....remastered or whatever it's called.  Good stuff tho' !!

As for Led Zeppelin - well, I have one show from this date... well, a part of a show at least.  It's 3 tracks recorded in Lyon, France in 1973:

1) Dazed & Confused

2) Whole Lotta Love

3) Heartbreaker

I'm not sure why I've managed to just get these few tracks - but, it all adds to the collection I guess.  As always - don't buy bootlegs - get the official stuff instead.  More another time....

As for my plans for today - I'm just going to 'kick back' & relax.... going into town again today + the hospital visit, has knocked me sideways a bit..... I need to rest up just a little this afternoon.  It's a hard life - but, somebody has to do it !!  Thanks for reading - I will be back  another time... until then....

Bye Bye

The Allman Brothers Band A & R Studios 26-8-71

Hi Worlds - How are you all doing this fine Sunday ?!

Yep - it's a Sunday & usually I don't do much on the computer on Sundays.... but,  I can't make it to Church today.... so, instead I'm sat here writing a few words about the past few days.

As mentioned last time - I really wasn't feeling very well.... felt like c**p really !!  Well, things just went down hill from there & I've not been feeling like doing anything at all over these past days.  It seems like I've picked up some kind of 'bug' & it's hit me sideways !!

Having said that - poor B is in bed as I write, she has caught a cold & it has hit her really hard !!  Thankfully she is taking a bit of advice, from me, today & is staying in bed for a few hours to try & sleep it off !!  I hope by tonight she will be on the mend - she really has been under the weather these past few days !!

ME - our Daughter - is out working this morning.  She started her new HCA job last weekend & is back to Wellington today.  She worked quite late last night - but will finish at 2pm today, so that's not so bad for her.

Our Son J is outside cutting the front & side lawns.  The back lawn needs a cut as well, but B wants the flowers to go over a bit first.  It's nice to see him outside for a change - tho' he has been working via his computer for quite a few weeks now.... trying to land a job.

So - that just leaves me.  I'm here typing these words while listening to the music of the moment, which is the latest Allman Brothers 'live' Cd from 1971.  It wasn't due out until tomorrow, but my copy came yesterday.

It's an old radio concert from New York (26-8-71) and it's well good.  It's been out on bootleg for years, so it's great to have a official version of the show.......well, I hope it's official ?!

Staying with music - I have a good Led Zeppelin show from March 25th 1975.  It was recorded in Los Angeles & is one of the better tapes of the '75 American tour.  The track are:

CD 1

1) Rock & Roll

2) Sick Again

3) Over The Hills & Far Away

4) In My Time Of Dying

5) The Song Remains The Same

6) The Rain Song

7) Kashmir

CD 2

1) No Quarter

2) Trampled Underfoot

3) Moby Dick

CD 3

1) Dazed & Confused

2) Stairway To Heaven

3) Whole Lotta Love

4) Black Dog

It's the standard 1975 set - but, it's a good recording & that helps a lot !!  As always - do not buy bootlegs !!

Right - my plans for today ?  I don't really have any..... again !!  I'm still under 'house arrest' resting up from the surgery - which is still hurting, thank's Doc !!  There are at least 2 stitches giving me all kinds of problems - but hopefully they will ease as the week goes along.

B took me into ASDA yesterday - to give me a trip outside (my only one this week) - anyhoo... it wasn't a lot of fun, as I couldn't use my wheelchair properly !!  I have no strength in my right side at the moment & it kind of hurt a little bit !!

Talking of my wheelchair - I mentioned about a guy coming out to service the thing.  Well, the day after he came - a second guy showed up from the same company, to do the same job !!  So - not only is there one guy making a living out of it - there is a second one, following him around !!  They work for the same company - which kind of makes it worse, as I would of thought they would of known what each one was doing !!  Oh well........

Tomorrow I am back into hospital - this time to have my eye looked at again !!  I hope we will have some idea on what treatment, if any, they can do to try & fix it - or if I have to just live with it.  It's a bit of a pain in the butt, not being able to focus properly, but - I'll see what tomorrow's visit turns up.

If he just says I've a bad eye - well, we know that already.... I would just like to know what can be done about it, or if it will get better - or worse over time.  I will let you know - I think ME's 'pirate patch' idea is the best !!  Ho-hum....

J has just had to go across to our neighbours.... something has broken & the young lad there (on his own) doesn't really know what to do with the mess...... I would of thought "clear it up" would of been a simple answer, but he's only 12, so...... he needs help any ways !!

Oh well, I must away for now......... the time is going on & I need to do a few things.  Until next time, I thank you for reading folks !!

Bye Bye 

Mudslide 1970 !!

Well "Hello Worlds" - I hope you are all well & happy this fine
evening ?!

It's been a very quiet day for me - I felt like sleeping for most of it - but, instead, sat here listening to various Cd's & watching 'junk' TV programmes !!  Tonight will be an early night.... if nothing else to try & shake off feeling like c**p all day !!  Never mind - I'm just generally feeling low at the moment... it will pass, I'm sure !!

I wasn't thinking about writing tonight - but, I realised it's March 21st..... what does that mean ?  Well, it's a special date in the Zeppelin concert collection !!  So - skip the next bit if you want.....

But, on March 21st 1970, Led Zeppelin were in Vancouver & somebody managed to get a soundboard recording of the show.... it became the first Zeppelin bootleg album !!  It came out as 'Pb' to start with - but, more commonly known as 'Mudslide'.  It was the same recording - just a different label..... it was the latter that I picked up back in the early 1970's.  It was on a red vinyl pressing & was well good !!  The tracks are:

1) Heartbreaker

2) Thank You

3) What Is & What Should Never Be

4) Communication Breakdown

5) We're Gonna Grove

6) Since I've Been Loving You

7) Whole Lotta Love

There was a lot of rubbish talked about this being a FM radio broadcast - but, the truth of the matter is - somebody got hold of a s/b recording & edited it to fit 2 sides of vinyl !!  Maybe one day, somebody will release the rest of the tape - but, for now - it's a really good tape of a 1970's show !!  Certainly one for the collection.....  As always, do not pay for bootlegs - or sell them, for that matter !!  There are good recordings of the early shows on official recordings, soooooooo stick with them !!  More another night.......

I wasn't - as I've said already - going to write anything tonight..... B has gone out to the gym, ME is sat here with me in the living room & J is upstairs - where I plan on being soon.... I need my beauty sleep !!  But, I couldn't let 'Mudslide' go by, without making a reference to it !!  So - here I am again !!

The music of the moment is Kate Bush's '50 Words For Snow' Cd.... I've been pestering B with it most of the afternoon !! It's been a good listen tho' - well, I think so at least.... I think B would disagree with me on that !!  Oh well.  She will be even more upset with me, next week...... there is a 'new' Allman Brothers Cd in the pipeline & on it's way to me !!  It's not due out until Monday - but, that will get a lot of laser time !!

I was going to have a visitor tonight - our friend (my best man from our wedding) was coming over to see me. But B cancelled the visit earlier, as I was really feeling under the weather & not really in the mood to have a visit tonight !!  That might sound harsh - but, this way, I can go to bed when I want & not have to be up to all hours 'entertaining' !!  Bed - ah lovely bed !!

We did have a visitor earlier - the guy came to 'service' my wheelchair.  Honestly - I couldn't believe there was/is such a person - who's sole job is to go around to service the things.... but, there is !!  Anyhoo, he came - decided I needed 2 new rims for my wheels & is coming back with the replacements some time later this week.  It seems that the screws holding the things on, are not long enough - so, over the last year (since I've first had it) they have worn away & are now a problem !!  I'm not 100% how much the replacements will cost - but, if it makes it a better ride for my old butt - well, it will be worth it !!  It (my chair) has been rattling quite a bit lately - but, I thought that was just normal....or me....... turns out I was wrong !!

The music has just changed to the Metallica/Lou Reed Cd 'Lulu' which I picked up earlier - well, last week I think.... the days all tend to merge into each other these days !!  It's better than I thought it was going to be !!

My thanks to my friend in Germany who logged in today - or yesterday...... not sure exactly when - but, as always, I thank you for reading my words !!  I've had a lot of 'new' readers recently - it's kind of weird to know someone in Chile is reading my thoughts... but, I will not complain !!  Thank you again !!

Do you remember 'the neighbour from hell' ?  Well, she got her planning permission for the (massive) extension to the house & now the other neighbours are starting to moan about it !!  Honestly - when it went to the planners, only B & I + one other neighbour moaned about it - in fact, only B & I went to the meeting to air our views !!  But, now, the rest of the people, who live in our little close, are starting to complain !!

It's a bit late now folks - you should of complained at the beginning - maybe then it wouldn't of got this far !!  I hate to think what it will be like when the work actually starts & there are trucks & stuff coming & going !!  We will see who moans then - it will be far too late, but we will see how things go !!  Oh well - what sort of post would it be, if I didn't moan about something !!

B & I have talked about our going to Church.... we haven't been able to go over the last few weeks... well, we both agree, it's a shame only 2 people (from the congregation) have asked if we're "Ok".  I'm still upset by how little help has been offered (to B) while I've been poorly this last few months.  It would of been 'nice' if someone had just phoned to see if she needed any help !!  Oh well..... maybe one day, just one day, somebody will think about her !!  I doubt it - but, I can always dream......... Hee-hee.

If all goes well, this next few days - we are going on a 'Tea' hunt !!  We are putting together a small package , for one of friends in America.  In which, we are putting various English 'Tea' packets !!  We have been looking around & - as non Tea drinkers - have been gob-smacked by how many different brands of tea there are on the shelves !!  So - this week - if I can get out - we are getting some for the parcel.... that will be fun.  I had to check the US Embassy (in London) to check what was allowed via the post - as long as it's wrapped & not just loose in the box, it will be fine.

I've never really liked the stuff - but B was a avid Tea drinker, up to about 5 years ago...... but, it's been fun looking at the stuff.... so, Lady V, the parcel is coming together & I will let you know when it's on it's way to you !!  I hope it reaches you in 'one' piece !!  Ho-hum..... another day, another bit of madness !!

Oh well - I must away for tonight.... ME's favourite soap is coming on soon, so - I better turn the music off.  So, until next time, I will away & thank you for reading.

Bye Bye

A Peaceful Evening.....

Greetings Worlds - How are you all doing tonight ?!

We're all 'sort of' Ok.....  B has just gone out to 'weight-watchers', the guys are behind me cooking some burgers for their supper, leaving me here to type these words to you, my dear readers around the World.  I thank you all for reading !!

I have been poorly over the last few days - some kind of infection has/is working it's evil spell on my system.  I actually went down to my GP - a few minutes before writing - and he wants me to stay as I am, pills and potions wise and hope things improve.  I can't imagine it's going to get much worse - I feel really washed out at the
moment !!

Never mind - we have had a hectic few days.... two trips to the hospital last week (Thursday & Friday)... a quiet weekend and then - yet another trip to the hospital yesterday !!  By the time I got home last night, I was completely out of it !!  All I really wanted was my bed.... when I got there, well.... I slept like a log, I really did !!

We skipped Church on Sunday - by the time I came to, it was really late into the morning, sooooo... we missed it again this week.

The good news.... my implant has been switched on !!  "Yippee !!".....  As yet, we don't know if it's going to be a success - it's too early to tell yet - but, I hope over the coming days we will have an answer.  Will it work ?  Only time will tell.... I really hope so, I really do !!

Right.... it's been a very quiet day for me.  B has been out, ME has been at placement & J has been up in his room for most of it - so, that has left me here playing music and watching some rubbish TV......  What do I mean by rubbish ?  Well - it was episode 175 of the 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'... so, I'm not sure if I'm "sad" for watching it... or knowing which episode it was !!  I can tell you that the seventh season comes to an end on Friday - so, if I want to be really sad, I could watch it all again from Tuesday of next week !!  Sad I am - that sad, I'm not !!  Onwards..... ever onwards....... !!

At the moment the TV is on - the guys are watching 'Pointless' - so, there is no music playing.... that will be soon corrected !!  I was playing Sting's 'The Best Of 25 Years'... so, I'm thinking I will play the rest of that in a while.  It's in the Cd player - and I can't be bothered to look out anything else !!

It's a bit of a change from some of the rock tracks I do play !!  He is not my favourite "artiste" by a long way - but.... it's music and I'm quite happy to give it a listen !!  'Pointless' has just come to an end, so, it's Sting time.

I had chance today, to write a couple of e-mails to friends around the World... it was good to finally catch up  a bit on my mail !!  I really am all behind at the moment !!  So - if I owe you an e-mail, I will be on it as soon as time and health permits !!

I have no plans for anything exciting tonight, or tomorrow come to think about it.... so, it's going to be a very slow couple of days !!  I think we have to go into town, either tomorrow or Thursday, to pick up some shopping and pay some bills !!  That's one thing that never seems to change - well, that's not true.... the bills don't change much - but, the shopping does seem to go up every week !!  Never mind - it has to be done... I can imagine just how the guys would be if they went to the pantry and found it empty !!  There would be revolution in the homestead !!  Maybe we should try it and see how long they take to notice !!

Right - I've no led Zeppelin shows to write about tonight - I did that last time (I think) !!  So - I will away for now and hope you all have a peaceful evening !!  Until next time....

Bye Bye

Greetings - Saturday, Oh Saturday !!

Saturday, Oh Saturday....... How we used to look forward to the end of the week - many moons ago !!

Hi Worlds - how are you all turning today, is the gravity just about right ?  Hope so - it would be a shame to go floating off into space, rather than keeping your feet on the ground !!  Talking of which - I see, on the news, that the guy made a practice "jump" from his space platform (for want of a better name)..... I've not seen any film of the jump - just a great photo of him, with the Earth curving off in the background !!

My understanding of the jump, was just to try it out - from high altitude.  He's going to work up to the record - set in 1960-ish - which is kind of strange, if you think about it.  The guy is going to jump from so high up, it really doesn't matter if you do a practice jump or not !!

Heck - a fall of 500 feet could/will kill him... so why waste time doing a jump from below the record height ? If you're going to fall from the 'edge of space' - why worry about a practice !!  It will either work, or it won't.... just go for it....  It will be a great ride if nothing else !!

Ok - I'm here alone, at the moment.  J hasn't got up yet & the ladies have gone off, into Taunton, to look at some more cars !!  ME is certain she is going to get one & I'm glad to say she is 'shopping around' different dealerships - seeing what she can find.  It will all work out for her......

Tomorrow is the first day at her new job !!  Yesterday, she had to hand in her keys - from the shop where she was working.  If all goes well, this new job will give her more money & experience... towards her final career in nursing.  

It's funny - she will go to different places to work & tomorrow she is going to where I was born - not, the building, just the town !!  So I was able to show her, on a map, exactly where it was & what have you.

Right - so, that's the family.... the music of the moment is the Leslie West album, that I picked up in the week. It's called 'Unusual Suspects' & rocks along quite nicely thank you !!  I'm hoping to listen to quite a few of the new things today.... I'll probably run out of time tho' !!

Just with music - I decided to group a bunch of Led Zeppelin concert recordings together..... mainly as they all came about between March 17th 1975 & March 21st 1975.  It's - for the most part - the standard 1975 set list, for each show.... but... they're all pretty special.  So, tracks first:

1) Rock & Roll

2) Sick Again

3) Over The Hills & far Away

4) In My Time Of Dying

5) The Song Remains The Same

6) The Rain Song

7) Kashmir

8) No Quarter

9) Trampled Underfoot

10) Moby Dick

11) Dazed & Confused

12) Stairway To Heaven

11) Whole Lotta Love

12) Black Dog

That's the set list - well, the 'standard' set list.... but, these shows stand out.  They first came out on bootleg vinyl, usually badly edited down to make them fit onto 20-25 minutes a side of a disc.  But, with Cd's - the shows came into their own.... not just because they contained 'complete' tracks, but over the years, the quality of the recording got better & better, to the point there are now soundboard recordings of most of the shows, if you know where to look !!

The shows were recorded at Seattle 17-3-75 & 21-3-75 and Vancouver 19-3-75 & 20-3-75. There were some extra tracks thrown in as well,  'Heartbreaker' was in the second Vancouver show - but, it's the last show, in Seattle that stands out.  As well as 'Heartbreaker'... there is a great version of 'Since I've Been Loving You'.

But - the highlight of the last show is 'Dazed & Confused'.  As the tour went on, thru' America, it got longer & longer...... on the last night, in Seattle, it clocked in at about the 40 minute mark & it really is brilliant !!  It's certainly one for the collection...... I certainly never get fed up of listening to it !!

The only problem - with Led Zeppelin shows, at the time - you more or less knew what they were going to play !!  B can never understand why I collect the shows - but.... I started long before I met her & it's become a bit of a personal crusade for me !!

I still recommend the Allman Brother's shows that are available..... at least you get value for money !!  The shows are all well recorded, the set list changes from show to show & I love listening to them !!

As always - don't buy bootlegs... buy the official stuff instead !!  Enough of music - other to say, the music of the moment is Lou Reed's 'The Essential'  2 Cd set......  From Led Zeppelin, thru' Leslie West, the Allman Brothers & on to Lou Reed - it's all music folks !!

I've just looked out of the window... the sea is really bright out there today !!  I'm guessing the tide must be in... it looks pretty much all the way up...... it's hard to really see - unless I go upstairs & look out across.  It looks good tho' !!

Oh yes - I was going to tell you about yesterday's trip to the hospital... to see the eye specialist.  My appointment was at 12 noon & - for once - things were on time !!  It's not unusual to be held up for a hour, because this person or that person is running late & everything.  But, the guy was on time & by 12.30 we were on our way home.....

........ knowing exactly what we knew before !!  That is to say, I'm losing my sight in the right eye !!  Heck - we knew this already - that's why I was sent in there, to see the guy, by my optician !!  

I did get to have a fancy picture taken of my eyes tho'.  It was a really weird - almost 3D - image & the guy explained what the pictures showed.  My left eye has this "thing" (I can't remember what he called it) that limits my vision... making me short sighted - as I have been for too many years - & the image of the right eye showed (more or less) the same thing... but on the massive scale !!

The picture was really good & I wish I had asked him for a copy.... it would of made a great picture, blown up & framed !!  Yep - I know, I'm sick.... but... it would of looked good !!  I have to go back - the week after next, to see a Consultant of some sort & I hope we will have an idea what - if anything - they can do to 'fix' it a little bit !!  We will have to wait & see what happens I guess....... it's all good !!

I have always said - given the choice - I would much rather lose my sight, than...... given my love of music... lose my hearing.  But, now..... with my vision going from bad, to worse.... well, I'm not so sure any more !!

Never mind, I'm sure they can sort something out for me.... as I've said many times - there are people far worse off than me..... !!  Anyhoo, that was yesterday's visit to the hospital - on Monday, I have to go back to see the implant Consultant & hopefully he can programme the settings & get the thing working for me !!  That would be good & that's for sure........ I could do without the hassle of going back & forward to see the different people tho' !!  Onwards... ever onwards.......

I'm not sure what our plans are for the rest of the weekend.  Tomorrow is 'Mother's Day' & I will be up & getting B breakfast in bed !!  It's no point waiting for the 'kids' to do it.... she would die of hunger before they would think about doing anything !!

Having said that - B will probably be awake before any of us...... oh well.... the thought was there !!

As for any other plans - I don't think we will be at Church (again) tomorrow.  I'm really meant to be 'resting up' & letting things heal - but, we will see how things go in the morning !!

I'm still a little p**s*d with the Church.  Apart from the usual moans I have about it - only one person has bothered to 'phone - to check up on how I am or - which I feel is more important - no one has 'phoned to see if B needs anything... any help or anything !!  That really gets me mad - if people don't want to contact me, that's fine - I can live with it.... but, B has gone thru' a lot this past couple of weeks & I would of thought someone could of asked if she needed anything !!  I'm ranting..... sorry about that !!

I best think about stopping soon.... So, with no plans for a hectic afternoon... I think music will win the day over watching TV & that's a plan, for sure !!  I thank you all for reading... until next time !!

Bye Bye

So, Why Support The Hobbit Pub ?!

Hi everybody - how are you all doing this fine day ?!

It's been a bummer of a day for me... it's really been tiring & all in all, a bit of a waste of time & effort !!  I will try & explain.....
 read on !!

I had to go back to the hospital, to have my implant "turned on"... so, we got up (kind of) early & made the trip over to Taunton.  So far so good - but.... (there is always a "but") ... the Dr couldn't turn the thing on, because the gizmo's they use to set it up had "gone walkabout" !!  I kid you not - they couldn't find the thing needed to set the programmes & so.... I have to go back on Monday of next week... to try again !!

So - not only did we waste a trip today... I have to go back tomorrow to see the eye specialist & then a 3rd trip on Monday !!  Honestly - 3 trips in 5 days is a little bit over the top, even for me !!

This thing, in me, cost £10,000 + the cost of putting it in wrong (first time around) and then doing it all over last Wednesday... and now they can't find the thing that sets it all up !!  It's crazy.... it really is !!  Oh well...

... one good thing did come out of it !!  B did a big cake, for the ladies who looked after me, on the ward... so - to see the smiles on their faces kind of made up for all the disappointment !!  I hope they enjoyed it - B makes great cakes !!

So - back to the hospital tomorrow & then a weekend of resting up.... just to go back again, on Monday !!  Ain't life grand...... thankfully we're well stocked up on pain medications, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem !!

Oh - I forgot... the quote of the day !!  When I asked the Dr why I had been sooooo poorly after the surgery, with the whole 4 breaths a minute & everything - his reply:

"You had enough sedation to euthanize a small horse"....... that's why I didn't wake up sooooo quickly !!  I'm fast getting concerned about the health of my Dr's.......... Here's to the next one I guess - whenever that is !!

Oh well - it's all great fun here in the homestead folks !!

B has gone out to her Thursday gym class, J is upstairs along with ME - so, that leaves me here typing alone.  Well, not quite alone - Mr Neil Young's 'Cow Palace 1986' 2 Cd set came today... so, that's the music of the moment ... just one of several new things I picked up today.  The rest include:

'The Essential Lou Reed' - 'Lulu' (Lou Reed & Metallica) - '50 Words For Snow' (Kate Bush) - 'The Best Of 25 Years' (Sting) - 'The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions' (Chicken Shack) & 'Unusual Suspects' (Leslie West).... 

I think that was all of them - tho' I might have missed the odd one !?!  So much music & so few brain cells to cope with it all - I can think of worse ways to go !!

Ok - so "Why Support The Hobbit Pub ?!  Honestly..... There is a pub, somewhere here in England, that the people who own the rights to 'Lord Of The Rings' stuff want to stop using that name - "The Hobbit"  !!  I kid you not.... it's been called the same name for about 20 years & now somebody somewhere wants to shut off the name... how bad is that !!  You can check it out via the BBC web site... it's crazy..........

Enough moaning.... back to Led Zeppelin.  They did 2 shows on March 15th 1969....... one of which is the 'famous' TV show that came out on the official DVD.  I have several Cd's with these shows on & have picked one with 4 of the tracks on:

1) The Train Kept A Rollin'

2) I Can't Quit You

3) Dazed & Confused

4) You Shook Me

Because it's only 4 tracks - the Cd is made up with other stuff from that period........  it's all good - I just picked this one at random really !!  As always - Don't pay for bootlegs... especially as this is out officially on the DVD anyhoo !!  More another time..........

Right - as I have to be up & out of bed early (again) tomorrow, I'm having an early night !!  I really could do with-out another trip to the hospital, but.... "what will be, will be" as they say !!  So - my plans for tonight are very limited..... Play some more music, get myself - as best I can - ready for bed & then (hopefully) have a good sleep !!  Sounds like a plan to me !!

Talking of going out - today was my first trip out side of the house, for the whole week - since I came home last Thursday !!  I think I'm growing cob-webs here in this old home of ours..... I must try & get out a bit more.  Not much chance of that I guess !!

Oh well - I will away... I'm enjoying this Neil Young set - I knew I would, as soon as I read a bad review of the show !!  I always seem to like stuff that gets a bad press.... Ho-hum, until next time, thanks for  reading !!

I did forget one of the things we picked up today.... 'The Essential "Weird Al" Yankovic !!  Honestly - the stuff I make my family listen to..... it's all great fun tho' !!

Bye Bye

Support 'The Hobbit' Pub !!

Greetings Worlds - How you all doing this fine evening ?!

It's a warm & clear Wednesday here in England..... the fog of the last few days has cleared & the Sun has come out, to make it dry, but just a little cold - as I wished last night (I think)....  I haven't been outside all day - but, it's been good to look out over the fields to the beach !!

As I type, ME & her boyfriend (M) are upstairs - in her room - having a good tidy up....... her stuff was starting to creep out into the landing area, so it needed it !!  J is upstairs as well, on his computer - judging by how slow the Internet is tonight - so, that leaves me here alone, in the living room..... B has gone out to a gym class & won't be back for over an hour or so, by which time, I will be in bed !!

I had a good sleep this afternoon - but, I'm still feeling poorly from the surgery & needed to get some beauty sleep !!  I will feel better in a day or two - once the wounds have healed up a little bit more..... it all takes time, I know, but - it's still a little bit of a pain...... especially the stitches & glue stuff they use !!

Never mind - tomorrow B is taking me back to the hospital, to see my Consultant & hopefully have the implant turned back on.  We had to turn it off a week before the surgery.. so, tomorrow will be an interesting day !!  I won't know for a few days, if the thing is working this time around, but... after the last mess up, here's hoping they put it in the right place this time !!  I will let you know how things go.....

Then - on Friday - the day after tomorrow, I have to go back to the hospital to have my eye looked at by a specialist guy/lady (I'm not 100% who I'm seeing) to see if my right eye has gone completely "Kup-put" or if they can do anything about improving my sight.......

If you have no idea what I'm on about - a few weeks back, B took me to see the optician, as I was having problems with my (said) right eye.  I can't remember the whole thing, but I have a problem with the cornea & that was giving me blurred vision, something like that any ways.. so, that's Friday.  Why I can't time it, to go to the hospital & see both people on the same day, I don't know... but !!  That's the way of the World & our health service I guess !!  No big deal - I will, again, keep you posted !!

Right - if you remember (if you've read my words before) last November, the river wall in town collapsed & closed a load of shops along the whole street.  Well, I'm glad to say - the little record shop along there has finally been allowed to re-open !!  It's a "one man band" of a shop, selling old stuff & what have you...... I don't use it very often, but - as I like the guy who owns it - I will be going in & checking out some of his stock..... maybe buy a few things, to get him back up & running !!  I hope that will be in the next few days or so.... we will have to wait & see how things go I guess !!

Staying with music..... I've been playing Neil Young's 'Living With War' album most of the afternoon.... but, the music of the moment is 'In The Present - Live In Lyon' by "Yes".  It's not really - for me - a true Yes album, with a stand in vocalist & Rick Wakeman's Son on keyboards - more a sort of Yes "tribute band" !!

That's a point - when does a band,stop being a band ?!  I mean this recording had a guy on vocals, from a Yes tribute band, so..... does that count - even if there is only one original member of the band in the line up.

I wonder........ any thoughts anyone ?!

The best Led Zeppelin tribute band was Page & Plant's 1998 World tour......... all they seemed to play were Zeppelin songs - so, why not call it Led Zeppelin ?!  The Who get away with it..... so - why not !!  Comments welcome on the back of a £10 not please to your favourite charity !!

I think Yes (or what ever you call them) have sacked this singer now..... such is life - thank's Ned !!  Onwards !!

Just with Led Zeppelin - tonight's - March 14th show is from  Nuremberg, Germany 1973.  It's a two Cd set & features the tracks:

CD 1

1) Rock & Roll

2) Over The Hills & Far Away

3) Black Dog

4) Misty Mountain Hop

5) Since I've Been Loving You

6) Dancing Days

7) Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

8) The Song Remains The Same

9) The Rain Song

CD 2

1) Dazed & Confused

2) Stairway To Heaven

3) Whole Lotta Love

4) Heartbreaker

I had two other shows - from this day - but decided to go for the 1973 European tour this time around.  As always - don't buy bootlegs - buy the original stuff !!  Support the bands - not the crooks ripping the bands off !!  Some more another night...... especially some 1975 shows that really are great !!  Onwards......

I hope - tomorrow - I will have Neil Young's 'Cow Palace' Cd set in the post.  I'm not sure if it's out yet - but, I think it was due to be released on Monday this week..... I do like Mr Young's live stuff, check out his soundtrack music to Jim Jarmusch's 'Dead Man' film !!  Better still - watch the film, it's one of my favourites !! I hope the 'Cow Palace' show will be good - the music 'mag' I read about it in, well... they called it some very impolite names !!  Which probably means I will love it...... when a reviewer calls some thing rubbish, that usually means we will love to death !!

I also hoping some more of B's birthday presents will be here soon........ I'm buying her all 15 seasons of the American show 'E.R.' - a season a time, so.... by the time of her birthday, she should have all of them !!

B is still a little freaked by who I was last week... when I was kept in hospital, due to my lack of breathing !!  Bless her, she was really upset, that last Christmas (2011) was going to be my last & then all this c**p happens... not breathing & what have you.  She really does have the worse part of this deal !!

She is my Wife & Dearest Friend & I love her soooooo much, I hate it when she gets worried !!  But - that's the way things are - all I can do is keep flapping my arms !!

Right - plans for tonight.  There were going to be some friends from Church visiting tonight, but B called that off - mainly as I'm not really "with-it" yet & couldn't face a house full of people here about's.  They know they are always welcome - tonight tho' - I just needed a break, an early night & then bed !!  Besides - I'm still a little bit pissed of with The Church at the moment - so, having visitors around tonight would probably been the best thing not to happen tonight !!

So - with a hectic couple of days ahead of us - I will away..... my thanks to my Russian friend for logging in tonight - it's always great to know my words are been read, even if I don't know who you are !!  I thank you.

Until next time

Bye Bye

Greetings - It's Still Foggy !!

Well "Hello" Everybody - How are your Worlds treating you today ?!

It's another Tuesday here in England & it's still foggy outside !!  Ok - I know it's a little warmer (with the fog) but - I would settle for cold & dry..... at the moment, I can hardly see across the street, let alone over to the beach !!  Oh well...... at least I've stayed in the house all day, so.........

Right - as I type, J is behind me doing some dishes, ME has just come home from Uni placement & B has just gone out to her 'Weight-Watchers' meeting...... so, apart from the cats - who I think are upstairs on the beds - that's the family taken care of.

The music of the moment was Miles Davis's 'Kind Of Blue' album.  I was reading 'Skydog' by Randy Poe - about Duane Allman & as it mentioned Miles Davis.... well, I decided to give it a play !!  I've turned it off for a little while, mainly as 'Pointless' has just started on the BBC.  Older readers will know that it's one of my families favourite TV quiz shows & - nearly - everything stops so they can watch it !!  Sad I know - but, it's all good fun !!

Just staying with ME - she has got the new job she went for !!  It's working in the caring sector & will help for when she graduates as a nurse.  She has handed in her notice at the shop - where she has worked for most of the last 3 years - and starts her new place this weekend.  So - good for her I say !!  It's more money for less hours - so, that can't be bad.... plus she gets fuel money on top !!
Great stuff !!

Yesterday afternoon, my Jehovah's Witness came for a visit.  He didn't stay very long, as - I quote - I looked "knackered".... which wasn't far from the truth, but it was nice of him to call around.  For once, he didn't try to convert me - it was just a friendly visit, by a friend... I liked that !!  I must of looked bad tho' - for him to say that..... oh well.......

I'm doing quite well at the moment... health wise.  I'm still hurting from last weeks surgery, but.... nothing a few hours in bed today helped !!  I'm just worn out by it all really & the quicker I can "heal" the better I will feel.  I've told ME I'm willing to share the stitches & what have you, but, she is happy to leave them with me !

I have to go back to the hospital on Thursday - I think - and from there things should move on..... we will see how it goes, I guess !!

On wards.......  I was checking the Zeppelin collection earlier & I couldn't find one at all from March 13th !!  So I will skip that tonight..... there will be more, just not tonight !!

On the news earlier - there was something about a guy being sent to America, for running a web site that told people how to get onto other sites, that allowed you to download films.  It was pretty dumb, what he was doing, but - I'm not sure he needed to be extradited to America about it ?!

As far as I can see - he had nothing illegal on his actual web site, but..... I think it's a bit of "overkill" going all thru' the legal system.  I write about my concert collection - but............ I think it's a bit OTT !!  All to do with money I guess !!

Last week - or the week before - there was a guy extradited for selling stuff, used in the guidance systems of missiles (I think that's what it was) & I can see how wrong that was - especially in today's World...... but, he made a load of money out of what he was doing.... I don't think the film guy is in the same league !!  Oh well........

I see my reader in Germany has logged in again today - "Hi".... I hope you are well ?!  It's great to know the same people keep coming back to read more of my words - I thank you for your time folks !!

Right - my plans for tonight.... get into bed & go to sleep.... how is that for a plan ?!  No - I know it's not very exciting, but it's all I've got !!  I could stay here & watch 'Star Trek' on TV - but..... I've already seen today's episode... many, many, many times before - so I'll skip that one tonight !!  I think, bed & sleep is the best plan....as for tomorrow - well, that (as they say) is another day...... so, until next time........

Bye Bye

A Foggy Day & A Quite Life !!

Hi Everybody - I hope you are all well !!

It's a Monday lunch time, here in England.... it's very misty outside - not toooooo cold, just a little horrid !! Oh well...... onwards...

I wasn't thinking about posting today... I was thinking about staying warm in my bed !!  But that will be later - for now, I'm sat here typing these words to you & listening to Pink Floyd's 'A Momentary Lapse Of Reason' Cd.  I know, there are millions of people who feel anything after 'The Final Cut' is not really a Pink Floyd album...... I'm not one of them !!  I enjoyed this album & 'The Division Bell' & all the live stuff they did from the tours that went with them !!  That's just me...... I like a good live album, I really do.... as my long time readers will know !!

Anyhoo, I'm sat here in the living room.... J is upstairs, ME is somewhere between Bristol & Taunton & my lovely Wife is out at a gym class....... she will be home in about an hour I guess.  Which will fine by me, mainly as some guy keeps phoning for her & won't leave me with a message !!  When she gets here, she can call him back....

Earlier - about an hour or so - a guy came to service the boiler, which runs our central heating system.  I wasn't expecting him & when J answered the door, I said he couldn't come in !!  I wasn't being mean or anything - I just felt like c**p & he hadn't made an appointment to visit, so I felt like he should just go away.  It turned out to be a guy I know.... so, I gave in & he did what he had to do.

I explained I had just come out of the hospital & wasn't feeling too special or expecting him... so, he kind of understood my feelings on the subject.  He was lucky anybody was here to let him in at all !!  Maybe next year he'll plan ahead a little & give us a call first !!

I'm still feeling 'poorly' from the surgery last week..... I actually went to bed really early last night - about 6pm,

I just needed to sleep !!  M was here, that's ME's boyfriend & I hope he felt I wasn't being rude... but... I had to sleep for a while !!  It worked anyway - I slept like a log for most of the night !!

I was looking for a Led Zeppelin show from today (March 12th) & found 2 !!  The best of them is from Long Beach 1975.  It's a soundboard recording of the full show & rocks along quite nicely thank you !!  The tracks are:

CD 1

1) Rock & Roll

2) Sick Again

3) Over The Hills & Far Away

4) In My Time Of Dying

5) The Song Remains The Same

6) The Rain Song

7) Kashmir

CD 2

1) No Quarter

2) Trampled Underfoot

3) Moby Dick

CD 3

1) Dazed & Confused

2) Stairway To Heaven

3) Whole Lotta Love

4) Heatbreaker

I really like this show..... even tho' I had it a long time before I ever played it !!  I didn't realise just how good it was - until I found it on the shelf, several months after I picked it up from a record fair !!  It's the standard 1975 show... but.... I like it anyhoo !!  Remember, don't buy bootlegs.... buy the official stuff !!

Right... my plans for the rest of the day... well, no surprises there, I don't have any !!  I am heading back upstairs for a short sleep, but - apart from that - it's going to be a very quiet afternoon really.  It's such a hectic life I have, I can hardly keep pace with everything that is going on around me !!  Until next time...

Bye Bye

King William III & 4 Breaths A Minute !!

Hello Everybody - I hope you're all turning nicely on your Internet Wolds ?!

Well, it's a Saturday & I'm sat here on my own some.  The "ladies" of the household have gone out looking at cars  (again) & J is upstairs some place...... leaving me here in the living room, typing these words & listening to UFO's 'Chrysalis Years 1973-1979'.  For a change, I'm blasting it thru' my headphones...... I can play it louder & I hardly use them, so...... may as well give them a blasting !!

Just on the UFO thing - I've put in an order for the second part of their 'Chrysalis Years' collection.... it's not out yet, but it will be good to replace some of the old Lp's while I have the chance !!  Onwards.....

So - how has your week been ?  I learnt 2 things over the last few day.... (1) 310 years ago this week, King William 3rd died & was followed by Queen Anne. (2) If you only breathe at 4 beats a minute, doctors tend to get very excited & concerned !!  I will try & explain......

I went into hospital on Wednesday, for another surgery - this time to try & sort out the blooming implant.  Having been fitted in November, it refused to work & needed to be looked at.  So far, so good......

Now, if you've read my words before, you will know that B & I have this little 'ritual' thing, where she comes up to the theatre with me & we say our "good byes" at the entrance.  Well, that didn't happen this time.  I wasn't due in (theatre) until 4pm - so B went into the town to pay some bills - unfortunately, I was put ahead on the list & it meant B wasn't there... "Boo-Hoo" !!  Never mind - I missed her, but all went well & I had a laugh & joke with the 'pit-crew' - they sent me off to sleep & that was it....... from there it went down hill !!

I came around, about 90 minutes later, in the recovery suite & boy oh boy, did I ever hurt !!  So much so that R (the lady who looks after me, after surgeries) gave me some pain killers....... after that, I don't remember very much at all !!

However, from what I've learnt since, my breathing went all to pot - down to 4 breaths a minute at one time - and various Dr's & staff, went into "panic mode" trying to pull me around.......  B said afterwards, it was the worse I have ever been following surgery & she was really worried, bless her !!

I don't remember anything of it really - the first thing I can bring to mind, was B sat next to me, talking to me ! Oh well - trust me to stir it up a bit !!  I'm seeing the Consultant again, next Thursday, so we'll see how things have gone then !!  The main thing is, I'm home again !!  At least here I can relax, in my own way - even if it means staying in bed for a few days - I would much rather be home !!  Onwards....... ever onwards !!

Just back on music for a little while - I found a Led Zeppelin show from March 10th 1970.  It was recorded in Hamburg, Germany & I have it as a 2 Cd set:

CD 1

1) We're Gonna Groove

2) I Can't Quit You

3) Dazed & Confused

4) Heartbreaker

5) White Summer/Black Mountain Side

6) Since I've Been Loving You

7) Thank You

CD 2

1) What Is & What Should Never Be

2) Moby Dick

3) How Many More Times

4) Whole Lotta Love

As with a lot of these shows, I've had them a very long time....... but, as always - do not buy bootlegs !!  More another time........

In the corner, as I type, the TV is on quiet.... it has the DVD of 'Kingdom Of Heaven' playing to it's self.  It's the Ridley Scott film, mostly about the Crusades & what have you.  It's one of those films I can watch over & over...... Check it out - especially the 'extended' version, it makes a little more sense than the general release version !!

Right, my plans for today - and the weekend - are really to rest up & let the new 'wounds' heal a little bit !!  That will mean I miss Church tomorrow, but...... I'm home on condition I rest, so.... that beats being in hospital, even if I do miss Church !!  I know The Lord will be with me here....... as I told a nurse in the hospital, I believe in 2 things.  My Wife & Dearest Friend + The Lord above.

When I said that, she was surprised - mainly, as she put it "it's nice to know someone else believes in God"....it also turned out that she knows one our Church members !!  It's a small World folks !!  Oh well - I must be on my way - I need some beauty sleep !!

Thank's for reading folks.... until next time.....

Bye Bye

I'm getting up early tomorrow !! Ho hum !!

Hi Everybody... How have your days been..... Good I hope !!

Well, it's another Tuesday here in England & I'm completely blown away by the numbers of you who have logged on this past week !!  From America, thru' Europe & Russia... right over as far as Japan & beyond !!  It's amazing... well, to me it is at least & I'm not that easily "blown away" - I'm really not !!  I thank you all for your time & for reading my words !!

Right - it's a Tuesday evening here in England... the Sun has been out all day & it has been a very hectic day all around for your's truly !!  Starting with last evening.... I finished the post off quite quickly yesterday & that was mainly down to a phone call I had reach me.

I had been into the hospital, last Thursday - and I had hoped to have surgery on Friday.  That didn't happen, which we didn't worry to much about......... but, yesterday, I had a call to see if I could go in tomorrow.  So, today - B drove me into Taunton for a quick check up & tomorrow (Wednesday) I'm back in !!  "Yippee" !!

Now, I'm not that excited about having another surgery - but, I hope that - this time - they will get it right & sort out the blooming implant !!  The thing has been in since November (check old posts) & it still isn't working - so, if all goes well it will be fixed in the morning !!  Here's hoping !!

I have to go in at 8am - meaning I have to leave home about 7am - and if all goes well, I will be allowed home tomorrow night !!  Again - here' hoping !!  Anyhooooo - it will be good to get it over with... B thought I would be waiting months !!  I will keep you up to date on how things go !!  I hope all will go well... I'm not looking forward to the pain & the blooming stitches, but.....!!  Onwards.......... ever onwards !!

As I type - J is behind me doing the dishes, ME is sat a little ways away, watching 'Pointless' (her favourite TV programme at the moment)... B has gone out to 'weight-watchers' & will be home in a couple of hours, which leaves me here typing !!  I'm going to have a quiet evening.... just resting up & - as soon as the TV is switched off - the music will be blasting it's way around the homestead !!  That will be in about 40 minutes or so....... again "Yippeeee" !!

I was playing the soundtrack to some of the 'Woodstock' DVD's this afternoon.... that was good, as I had forgotten most of them !!  It wasn't the movie soundtrack, just the 'extra' tracks from the DVD that came out 3 years or so ago..... as I do, I had transferred them over to Cd & that's what I was playing.  There is a good Grateful Dead track on there - 'Turn On Your Love Light' - and it bops along nicely for about 30 minutes !!  I will never get to see any of the band play live, but I really like their live recordings !!  Talking of live recordings.....

..... on this day, March 6th 1973, Led Zeppelin did a show in Stockholm.  I've had a copy of it for soooo long, I can't remember when I picked it up - but, anyhow.. the tracks are:

CD 1
1) Rock & Roll
2) Over The Hills & Far Away
3) Black Dog
4) Misty Mountain Hop
5) Since I've Been Loving You
6) Dancing Days
7) Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
8) The Song Remains The Same
9) The Rain Song

CD 2
1) Dazed & Confused
2) Stairway To Heaven

Cd 3
1) Whole Lotta Love
2) Heartbreaker
3) The Ocean

I like this show... I always have !!  It still amazes me how people were able to sneak recording gear into the shows & then get an almost complete recording of the entire set !!  Having been to Zeppelin shows, the 'security' was always tight, so...... 2 things about the show.... it was (I think) the 3rd show of the 1973 European tour + it was the first time, I've heard the 5th album called 'Houses Of The Holy'.  Up until then, it was always called 'Led Zeppelin 5'  As always - don't buy bootlegs !!  Onwards & onwards........

Right, my plans tonight.... none at all !!  I have to tidy up this stupid table of mine.... I can hardly see it under the piles of junk !!  I did a 2 Cd set for B, for our anniversary, yesterday & I've not put the various source Cd's away yet !!  I won't have time tonight, but I can put them neatly to one side, if nothing else !!  I won't be doing anything with them tomorrow & that's for sure !!

I used to enjoy doing 'mix-tapes'..... now, it's fun to do Cd's instead !!  I will have to tidy them tho'........

But - even doing that, I will have a bit of an early night........ getting up sooooo early tomorrow, well - I will need my beauty sleep & that's for sure !!  I think B will be getting me out of bed about 6am & I'm not looking forward to that wake up call !!  Oh well....... what will be , will be !!  I'm going to be sleeping well tomorrow & I can't argue about that...........

So - that's about it for now.  I'm not sure when I'll be posting again... but.... I will be back !!  Until next time... as the Allman's 'In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed' plays quietly in the background............

Bye Bye

Greetings !!

Well Hello Everybody - How has your day been so far ?!

Our's has been well good !!  As I type, we are all here & that's unusual in it's self.... but, add to that it's been a bright Spring day + it's our wedding anniversary !!  So all is well with the World !!  Well, our little bit of it at 

least !!

Having said we're all here - B has just gone out for a walk down to the village shops !!  She'll be back soon..... so, ME is here beside me, doing some Uni stuff (B & ME had to go up to Bristol this morning) & J is up in his Hobbit hole of a room !!

More by luck than any plan I made - a book I had ordered, for B, came this morning.... so that's her anniversary pressy !!  It's another cook book... so, the kitchen will be smelling good in a day or 2 as she tries out new recipes !!  Also, by luck - my gift came today as well - the new Bruce Springsteen 'Wrecking Ball' album...... which is the music of the moment !!  Onwards......

A little later, ME is heading into the hospital, to check out a ringing in her ears !!  M, her boyfriend is driving her in - so we're all hopeful that goes off Ok !!  We'll see how she gets on, a little later, I guess !!

Right..... it's March 5th.... so - it has to be a Led Zeppelin show from this day & there is only one that I can pick !!  Why ?  Well - it's from this day in 1971 & the band were in Belfast, for the first & only visit to Northern Ireland..... the tracks are:

CD 1

1) Immigrant Song

2) Heartbreaker

3) Since I've Been Loving You

4) Black Dog

5) Dazed & Confused

6) Stairway To Heaven

7) Going To California

8) What Is & What Should Never Be

CD 2

1) Moby Dick

2) Whole Lotta Love

3) Communication Breakdown

4) Rock & Roll

5) Bring It On Home

So - it was recorded by a guy (I guess) in the audience & little did he know at the time, but the tape captured the first ever 'live' performance of 'Stairway To Heaven' !!  Unfortunately, the whole song is  not on this tape of the show - but it's still worth having in the collection !!  As always - don't buy bootlegs !!  More from another day, another time.........

Right - our plans today... well, we're going to have a quiet day at home !!  It might be our anniversary, but..... I want a day at home & I think that is what we are going to do !!  Unless B comes up with another idea !!

I see from the 'stats' today - I've had a whole bunch of new readers, from new countries around the World !! I thank you all for logging in !!  I hope you will come back again & enjoy my words......  I'l keep writing as long as I can - so..... enjoy !!

This Springsteen album is well good..... there is a nice tribute to 'The Big Man' !!  "Clarence doesn't leave The E Street Band, when he dies.  He leaves when we die"  I thought that was a nice way to go !!  I must away....... I'm sorry this has been a short post,  thanks for reading folks, until next time...

Bye Bye