“ALPHABETICALLY YOURS” SERIES 11. (K) – Des Kelly Born on the 8th day of January 1937, Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey, better known for obvious reasons as “the chassis” was a powerful Welsh Vocalist, born of an English Mother & Nigerian father & raised in Wales. She was one of those entertainers who started at an early age, singing to anyone who would listen and yes, some who did not want to, and even told her to “shut-up”, such was the power of her voice. Personally, I loved not only her voice & style, as did the original James Bond, whose movies “Goldfinger” and also “Diamonds are forever” featured the “theme songs” of this superb singer who is still very active at 81 years of age. I remember watching her “doing her thing” on the television show bearing her famous name, and was never ever disappointed. In “Alphabetically Yours”, I ...
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“ALPHABETICALLY YOURS” SERIES 10 (J) – By Des Kelly Undoubtedly, the BEST Lead/Rhythm Guitarist in the World, of his era, Chester (Chet) Atkins, born June 20 1924, died on June 30th 2001, of cancer, was not known as the ” “guitar-man” for nothing. Guitars in his hand were like putty in the hands of a master craftsman, and the masterpieces that Chet wove have been the sometimes envious aims of guitarists all over the Planet. Chet Atkins was also a “Producer” who could pick any natural talent obvious in other entertainers, in the blink of an eye, and, one fine day he made it a point to watch this young guy named Mark Knopfler, was suitably impressed with him (Mark was also a singer), so they got together to record, among other songs, a beauty, simply called “Just one time”, which ultimately became the favourite song of thousands of ...
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“ALPHABETICALLY YOURS” SERIES 9. (I) – By Des Kelly Yet another lengthy song “title”. When I first heard it, I couldn’t believe my ears. “If I had a clean shirt, I might”, a duet/video/story to do with mateship, gambling, cheating & song by both Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson, two names that will be instantly recognized, but what this “mini-drama” had to do with a clean shirt, I’m not too sure. It doesn’t matter folks, Waylon has now gone onto the “old-opry” stage (R.I.P.Waylon), but old Willie keeps on, keeping on I do not have to go into too many more details, the video tells the story. This will be followed by another earlier duet by these two great performers sending the same message to the loves of their life at the time. “I can get off on you” say these two buddies, musically complimenting still another great “Country-song. ...
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“ALPHABETICALLY YOURS” SERIES 8 (H) – By Des Kelly Extremely clever lyrics, if one listens closely, and how can you not listen when Vern Gosdin (the “Voice”) is singing the song?, “How can I believe in you”(when you’ll be leavin me)?, he questions. Ample proof that, not only do Country Songs sound so good when sung by “Stars” like Gosdin, born 5th August 1954, died on the 28th of April, 2009, aged 74, but they teach us about life in general. A magnificent singer/songwriter & guitarist, he had many “hits” that charted, and three that went to number one in America, so this is why he is now on the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. While his song “Chiseled In Stone” remains one that will be on my mind forever, Vern Gosdin, “Alphabetically Yours” ends with “He must be lovn’ you right”, answering his own previous question “How can I believe ...
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“ALPHABETICALLY YOURS” SERIES 7. (G) – By Des Kelly He was reputed to be the BEST accompanist on guitar, to many top American Stars, on professional recordings during the 60’s & 70’s. Born on the 22nd of April, 1936, Glen Travis Campbell himself, was a professional Singer, Songwriter, lead & rhythm guitarist, television host and movie Actor who lived for for the public he entertained in so many ways, until he died of Alzheimer’s on the 8th of August, 2017, a cruel decease that he had bravely fought for a few years since his retirement from the stage. He was popularly known as ” The rhinestone cowboy”, one of his own biggest hits, but because this series is particularly a alphabetical one for all my many readers of eLanka, the youtube clip I feature today, is definitely one of my favourites, and doubtlessly the favourite of thousands of other ...
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ALPHABETICALLY YOURS” SERIES 6. (F)– By Des Kelly Songs often remind us of times in our own lives, that we recall, especially as we grow older. Times before the arrival of Internet, Instagram, e’mail, facebook, etc., times that, although they were much slower, much simpler, & basic, were still times that we remember with much fondness, reminiscence, and pride. Ray Price, one of my favourite Country Stars, sings exactly what I am talking about. His version of “For the good times” is one of the best on offer, while, following him is my pick of the BEST AUSTRALIAN Country duet, especially for my readers of eLanka to enjoy. Obviously in love, Donna Fisk & Michael Christian sing about the “fear of falling” telling us that although vertigo is not such a nice “feeling”, it is not so bad when you fall in love. Both these songs are only a ...
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“ALPHABETICALLY YOURS” SERIES 5 (E)-– By Des Kelly James Travis (Jim) Reeves, born on the 20th of August, 1923- 31st of July, 1964, was an American Country and Popular Singer/Songwriter. With records “charting” from the 1950’s to the 1980’s, he became known World-wide as a practitioner of what became known as the “Nashville Sound”, (a mixture of older style Country music with elements of Popular music thrown in for good measure). Famously known as Gentleman Jim, his songs continued to chart for years, after his death, courtesy of his wife, Mary.Jim Reeves died tragically at the young age of 40, in the crash of his private airplane (together with his Manager Dean Manuel, who was also the pianist of the “Blue Boys”, Jim’s backing band). In “Alphabetically Yours” Series 5 (E), Jim Reeves sings”Each time you leave”(I die a little), followed by another great Irish Country Singer named Daniel O ...
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“ALPHABETICALLY YOURS” SERIES 4 (D) – By Des Kelly “Don’t you ever get tired, of hurting me”?, a common question asked by dozens of “Country Artistes”, the World over, in dozens of different ways, in dozens of different songs, especially the “Country” ones. Today, I have chosen the version by a guy named Gene Watson who, I think, would have to be one of the very best “voices” in Country music, that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Many top “Country Stars” have done these beautiful songs, but G.W. has his own particular style which is very hard to live up to. He has been inducted into both the inaugaralTexas Texas and Houston Country Halls of Fame, but, believe me or not, still does not have a place on the MAIN COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME.!! A man whose voice absolutely enhances ANY song he sings. ...
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“RE-EMERGENCE OF IMMIGRATION” – By Des Kelly The subject is very much in the news again. When the Kellys’ & various other Burgher-buggers’ first started arriving in Australia en-masse, we had to emigrate from a Sinhala-Only “stupid policy” into a “White-Australia-policy” which was just as stupid. 75% “European” blood had to be running through our veins before we could be admitted into the Land which was actually taken-over by the “Whites” from the “Blacks”, but black or white, what does it matter ?!, one is born “pink” & ends up, “grey”. Now, Sri Lanka has just about the same population as Australia. About 25 million or thereabouts. Lanka, however, has the most “Pollies” in the World, for such a tiny Country. Turn around on a crowded Street in the Fort or Pettah, and you will bump into a Politician, whose Lamborghini-driver has parked his boss’s car anywhere he feels like ...
“MAXIE’S MEMORIES” – By Des Kelly I take this chance to introduce Maxwell (Maxie) Gerreyn to our eLanka website, with great pride. I doubt that no-one in Ceylon during the 1950’s could say that they were unaware of the fact that the name Gerreyn was immediately associated with “Newspaper Cartoons”, political & otherwise. Everyone who could read, generally got themselves “The Daily News”, scanned the headlines, and then would quickly leaf through the pages of the newspaper to have a look at what the cartoonist had in store for them. First, it was Aubrey Collette, a name synonymous with cartoons, then came Mark Gerreyn, brother of Max, who was to become, not only another superb cartoonist, but also one of the best loved journalists in the Ceylon Newspaper industry of the time. He was suddenly lost to this industry, and, a personal eulogy to Mark was emailed to me by ...
