Underrated Bands: Georgia Satellites

Like many people I guess, I became aware of Georgia Satellites through 'Battleship Chains' (above) from the band's self-titled album in 1986.

First got to see Georgia Satellites at Reading Festival in 1987 when, if I remember correctly, they were due to be third or fourth from the top of the bill but ended up being second from the top on the Saturday night going on before Status Quo.  Here, it became clear that the band created a rousing atmosphere live, and somewhere back in my hometown of Bury I have a live radio recording of the Reading Festival performance.

If I had to say which was my favourite Georgia Satellites' tune, it would have to be 'Nights of Mystery':

After Reading 87, I got to see Georgia Satellites three more times in the late 1980s:  once at the International I and twice at the International II in Manchester.  Still recall me and some mates chatting with Dan Baird after the International I gig, and bassist Rick Price coming up and giving us all a can of Carlsberg Special Brew.

Had rather unwisely not given Dan Baird's Homemade Sin a proper spin until Youtube surfing last night, from which 'Younger Face' seems to be emerging as my favourite tune:

Cobh: Rob Roy Pub

Due mainly to the Titanic having stopped off on its ill-fated journey there, the Cork coastal town of Cobh is steeped in history, and the Rob Roy pub (above) seems to encapsulate a lot of this sense of history.

Not really interested in the Rob Roy being the Irish U2 fan club meeting place, to be honest (quite liked the first few U2 albums, but nothing really beyond):

But as we got more historical information, such as that about James Connolly (below) having taken refuge in the Rob Roy, the pub started to take on greater significance:

Moreover, according to the notice below, many of the 'American Wakes' of the 19th and early 20th centuries must've taken place at the Rob Roy, as relatives said goodbye to their family members crossing the Atlantic to live new lives:

And, of course, there's a small memorial to the Titanic on the side of the Rob Roy:

Was a bit of a pity that we visited Cobh too early in the day to go inside the Rob Roy, as it would've been nice to have had a couple of pints to soak in the atmosphere there.

Bantry Nativity Scene

Just a quick shot of the Bantry Nativity Scene here.  Of you look closely, you'll see my reflection in the picture.

Brosna Village: Strolling through the Rain

Here, we're back in Brosna village, County Kerry, starting with one of the four or five pubs (above) in the small village (perfectly designed for a pub crawl if thirsty).

Then there is the village church below:

Which has a beautiful high altar inside:

Next to the church, there is the cemetery:

Didn't hang around to find out the significance of the bell above, as it was absolutely bucketing it down.

Still, I walked up to the outskirts of the village where there was a welcome sign for visitors:

Up here, I had a quick look at the Brosna Gaelic Football Ground:

Actually ended up taking shelter in a small stand while walking round the ground:

It was just that kind of day (New Year's Day 2015).

UK: 'Danger Money' Album

Here I'm going back to 1979 and the 'Danger Money' album by prog supergroup UK.  First became aware of UK through seeing the band do 'Caesar's Palace Blues' on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test':

From here, I then became familiar with the 'Danger Money' album through an old mate of mine, Daz George, playing it to death on vinyl.  Thus, with this in mind, I had to go on Youtube recently to refamiliarise myself with the album after 30-35 years or so.

First, must say that I find both the title track and 'Nothing To Lose' incredibly melodic (not completely removed from what John Wetton went on to do on the first Asia album a couple of years later):

But my favourite tune now has to be 'Rendezvous 6.02':

Just love the layers (gentle tidal waves) of keyboards from Eddie Jobson at the beginning of this tune.

In contrast, the other two tracks from 'Danger Money', 'The Only Thing She Needs' and  'Carrying No Cross', I just, rightly or wrongly, find these a bit more 'laboured'.

Saw UK with a line-up including Wetton and Jobson (with Tony Levin guesting on bass) at Warsaw Palladium about five years ago, in 2009 if my memory serves me rightly, but I rather foolishly missed about a third of this due to arriving late after an EFL lesson (think that 'Caesar's Palace Blues' was the first encore).  Had only found out about this gig from a fly poster the day before and had, thus, got a ticket for the gig on the day.

Bantry: The Beicin Walk and Garryvurcha Church/Graveyard

The Beicin Walk starts off from near the old Railway Pier in Bantry.

And on a calm day provides a quite pleasant seaside stroll:

My travelling companion and guide, Dave Dealy, lead us round a short stretch of coastline for about 15 minutes, then took us into the back end of Bantry to look at the historic Garryvurcha Church and Graveyard:
 

It was a somewhat damp and dull day, but I found the old Garryvurcha Church remains and Graveyard quite photogenic:

UFO: My Favourite Schenker-Year Tunes

Absolutely love the UFO albums from the mid-to-late 1970s with Michael Schenker ('Phenomenon'; 'Force It'; 'No Heavy Petting'; 'Lights Out'; and 'Obsession'), especially the 1979 double live album 'Strangers in the Night' which (alongside Rush's 'All the World's a Stage') still remains one of my two favourite live albums.

However, two of my favourite Schenker-year UFO tunes are not from 'Strangers in the Night' starting with 'Space Child' from 'Phenomenon', the first UFO album with Schenker from 1974:

Remember my old friend Bruno playing this to death on audio-cassette when we, as teenagers still at school, had 'dens' in old houses in Bury, Lancashire in the late 70s/early 80s.

Also really like 'Love Lost Love' from the 1975 UFO album 'Force It' (the one with the great shower scene cover):

Remember another old friend from Bury, Gaz Mills, raving about this tune after he'd just bought the album, and he was right, it's a fantastic melodic Rock track.

And of course, the beauties from 'Strangers in the Night' (in reality, too many too mention) starting with most people's favourite, 'Love To Love':

Just love the changes of pace and emotion in this tune, and, of course, the "misty green and blue" image.

And probably the first UFO tune I ever heard 'Doctor Doctor':

But the one that's stayed at the forefront of my mental jukebox more than others, 'Out in the Street':