Saturday 29 November 2014

Playlist:
James Keelaghan - Leave Town,
Jeana Leslie And Siobhan Miller - Mad Tom Of Bedlam,
Christina Stewart - Thig Am Bta,
Mike Donaghy - January Never Came This Year,
The Vagaband - Roll The Thunder,
James Frost - Pride,
Melanie - Mr. Tambourine Man,
Barbara Dickson - Another World,
Lynched - What Put The Blood?
Patsy Reid - Half Acre,
Sarah McQuaid - The Silver Lining,
Jennifer & Hazel Wrigley - The Dingshowe Dancers.

Thursday 27 November 2014

Playlist:
Engelbert Humperdinck - (Blue) Spanish Eyes,
Eric Clapton - Knockin' On Heaven's Door,
The Dooleys - The Chosen Few,
Pet Shop Boys - Alwats On My Mind,
Zoe - Sunshine On A Rainy Day,
Nanci Griffith - Tecumseh Valley,
Alexander Brothers - These Are My Mountains,
Racey - Some Girls,
Sam Brown - Valentine Moon,
Matchbox - Rockabilly Rebel,
Tom Jones - Delilah,
Simon Mayor - Taxi Horn Rag.

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Playlist:
Garth Brooks - If Tomorrow Never Comes,
Dion & The Belmonts - A Teenager In Love,
Edwyn Collins - A Girl Like You,
Robbie Williams - Let Love Be Your Energy,
Sam Cooke - Wonderful World,
Johnny Cash - I Still Miss Someone,
Tina Turner - Private Dancer,
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere,
Natasha Bedingfield - These Words,
Dionne Warwick - Do You Know The Way To San Jose,
Blondie - Denis.

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Playlist:
Love Sculpture - Sabre Dance,
Dr. Feelgood - Back In The Night,
Kirsty MacColl - A New England,
Lulu & The Luvvers - Shout,
Donovan - Why Do You Treat Me Like You Do,
Percy Sledge - Warm And Tender Love,
Amy Grant - Baby Baby,
The Lighthouse Family - Lifted,
Pixie Lott - It's All About Tonight,
Paloma Faith - Can't Rely On You.

Monday 24 November 2014

Playlist:
Big Bopper - Chantilly Lace,
Johnny Wakelin - Black Superman (Muhammed Ali),
Westlife & Diana Ross - When You Tell Me That You Love Me,
Ashanti - Only U,
Girls Aloud - Wake Me Up,
Amen Corner - Bend Me Shape Me,
Billy Connolly - D.I.V.O.R.C.E.
Electric Light Orchestra - Roll Over Beethoven,
Blondie - Picture This,
Ruby Winters - I Will,
Abba - Take A Chance On Me.

Saturday 22 November 2014

Playlist:
The Staves - Winter Trees (Live),
The Vagaband - Ten Bells Waltz,
James J Turner - Walk The Bridge,
Rowan Ross - Low Level Love,
Lynched - Lullaby,
James Frost - Visitors,
The Hut People - Karen's Birthday Tune,
Dolly Parton - Steady As The Rain,
Melanie - Close To It All,
Jeremy Taylor - Closing Time,
Hilary James - Seeds Of Love,
Sunjay - London Road.

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Playlist:
Anita Ward - Ring My Bell,
Elton John - Are You Ready For Love,
B. B. King - The Thrill is Gone,
Westlife - Queen Of My Heart,
Don Mclean - Vincent,
Billy Joel - Uptown Girl,
Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That),
Cher - Believe,
Madness - It Must be Love,
Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancing.

Kintyre Recycling AGM

The re-convened AGM of Kintyre Recycling Ltd. is taking place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 26th. November in the White Hart hotel, Campbeltown. Business Manager Amanda Card will report on KR's progress and on plans for the future. All users of the recycling service in Kintyre (kerbside collection or business users) are welcome to attend.

To vote at the meeting you will need to be a member (£1 per year). Members can join or renew at the meeting. This is a chance to select the directors who will guide the business for the next year.

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Playlist:
Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday,
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - The Onion Song,
The Carpenters - Solitaire,
Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Israelites,
Jerry Lee Lewis - Johnny B. Goode,
Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride,
Eagle-Eye Cherry - Break Tonight,
Kim Wilde - Kids In America,
S Club 7 - You,
Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays,
Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger.

Monday 17 November 2014

Playlist:
Avicci - Hey Brother,
The Beach Boys - Sloop John B,
Crazy Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers - Waitin' For My Baby,
Stray Cats - Runaway Boys,
The Animals - We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place,
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer,
The Four Seasons - Rag Doll,
Go West - We Close Our Eyes,
Hanson - Mmmbop,
Girls Aloud - No Good Advice,
Samantha Mumba - Gotta Tell You.

Wish List - not ALL manure!

What DO you want for Christmas, then? Well, Oxfam stuff, please ... . . .
Oxfam Unwrapped. "Charity gifts helping to transform the lives of people living in poverty."

Saturday 15 November 2014

Playlist:
Ewan McLennan - The Shearing,
Karine Polwart - Sorry,
Lynched - Cold Days Of February,
Rowan Ross - Fireflight,
The Vagaband - Black Sheep,
James Frost - Nomad,
Melanie - Bo Bo's Party,
The Hut People - Stor,
The Vagaband - Medicine For The Soul,
Sally Barker - The Farm.

Thursday 13 November 2014

Playlist:
Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand,
Beatles - With A Little Help From My Friends,
Blondie - Denis,
Marillion - Kayleigh,
Dana - All Kinds Of Everything,
Danny Wilson - The Second Summer Of Love,
Sweet - Wig Wam Bam,
Sam Brown - Valentine Moon,
Joe Brown - A Picture Of You,
The Bay City Rollers - Summer Love Sensation,
Patrick Hernandez - Born To Be Alive,
Suzi Quatro - Devil Gate Drive.

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Playlist:
Roy Orbison - You Got It,
Soul II Soul feat. Caron Wheeler - Keep On Movin',
Kylie Minogue - Tears On My Pillow,
Paul Simon - Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes,
Natalie Imbruglia - Shiver,
Brian Hyland - Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,
Neil Young - Harvest Moon,
Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing,
Bay City Rollers - Keep On Dancing,
Rock Steady Crew - (Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew,
The Killers - Human.

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Playlist:
Coast To Coast - (Do) The Hucklebuck,
Elvis Presley - Don't,
David Bowie - Modern Love,
K C & The Sunshine Band - That's The Way I Like It,
The Pretenders - Middle Of The Road,
The Brook Brothers - Warpaint,
The Yardbirds - Heart Full Of Soul,
Human League - Mirror Man,
Heaven 17 - Come Live With Me,
Erin Bolland - All I Want For Christmas Is You,
Eddi Reader - Mona Lisa.

I've been Lynched!

It was October 2014 before I heard music from self-styled 'Dublin Folk Miscreants', the four-piece folk group Lynched. Their album Cold Old Fire is full of the elemental traditional music that got me into folk music in the first place. From up-tempo pieces to slow ballads, the harmonies and musical arrangements are beguiling. The album is a must-have. Everyone should be Lynched !

Eddi Reader - Back The Dogs

Back The Dogs makes more appearances than most in the playlists of the Folk Show on Argyll FM. From Eddi Reader's album Vagabond, it also features on her later EP, Back The Dogs. It is one of those songs you carry around in your head for days after last hearing it played. The EP is a worthy addition to the collections of music lovers, particularly as it also boasts Eddi Reader's delightful interpretation and arrangement of the classic songs Moon River and Mona Lisa.

Monday 10 November 2014

Playlist:
Baccara - Yes Sir, I Can Boogie,
Paloma Faith - Can't Rely On You,
Lena Martell - One Day At A Time,
Eddie Reader - The Patience Of Angels,
Kevin Montgomery - Back In Baby's Arms,
The Rolling Stones - Take It Or Leave It,
Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman - Somethin' Stupid,
Huey Lewis And The News - The Power Of Love,
Julie Covington - Don't Cry For Me Argentina,
Na Seudan Ur - The Slave's Lament,
Tony Christie - Avenues And Alleyways,
Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart.

Saturday 08 November 2014

Playlist:
The Spinners - Haere Ra (Now Is The Hour),
Tom Paxton - The Marvellous Toy,
Tom Paxton - My Lady's A Wild Flying Dove,
Sally Barker - Haul Away,
Johnny Coppin - Mary From Dungloe,
Sarah McQuaid - I Am Grateful For What I Have,
Lynched - The Old Man From Over The Sea,
Mike Vass - Sphere Music,
James Frost - Nameless,
The Hut People - Latvian Tune,
Sunjay - A Folk Singer Earns Every Dime.

Smart meters, poor communication.

The link between smart electricity and gas meters, and poor mobile phone signal.

From the end of 2015 until 2020, the government is intending to roll out the installation of "smart" electricity and gas meters to all homes. The cost is currently estimated to be £10.9 billion, and will be born by consumers as part of their ongoing charges. Although the costing estimate expects there to be an average annual saving to households of £26, this will depend on whether the costs are accurate and whether suppliers will pass on their expected collective savings of £8 billion over 18 years.

Smart meters should obviate the need for estimated bills and most meter readings, but in rural areas like much of Arygll there is an additional problem, as information from the meters is sent back to suppliers via a "dedicated and secure nationwide wireless network". Yes, each meter has its own SIM card. This raises once again the whole spectre of poor coverage and the lack of a cohesive approach to the use of radio masts (where wireless network companies do not share masts but erect their own, resulting in both duplication of service and sparse coverage, not to mention inefficient use of financial resources).

One can easily see scenarios where meters are located at low height in cubby holes and partially or wholly shielded from radio reception by masonry or metallic objects. The signal from the meters could be so degraded as to be unuseable, so it's back to estimated and manual readings for those locations. Surely the issue of mobile telephony coverage needs resolving before smart meters that depend on it are installed?

Although 2020 is the target for every home to be fitted with a smart meter, consumers are not obliged to have one. Security is such a concern that the standards proposed by the government are very high, and review in the light of global security threats is to be ongoing. Although householders will be compelled to allow monthly energy consumption data to be provided by the system, they can withold permission for the use of their data over shorter periods such as hourly or half-hourly. In the interests of their own data protection, many people may choose not to have them.

Whose Marbles?

The return of other nation's treasure, like the Parthenon Marbles (a.k.a. Elgin Marbles) is controversial.

It was the subject of a good TV debate recently. There were persuasive arguments on both sides, centering around the questions "were the artefacts in question legally obtained?" and "where should they ultimately be located?". There was also the global issue of where would the greatest number of people benefit from them.

The best suggestion to me was that exact copies of the artefacts should be made, so that the originals could be returned to their place of origin, with the proviso that all reasonable steps to protect them be taken.

It is not only the legality of one country holding another's treasures that is the problem. As with so many things, it is the perception. Should the UK be seen as a country holding on to spoils from an imperial past? I suggest not.

Thursday 06 November 2014

Playlist:
Lobo - I'd Love You To Want Me,
Keane - Everybody's Changing,
Kylie Minogue - Step Back In Time,
Sherbet - Howzat,
Rod Stewart - Sailing,
Sam Brown - Valentine Moon,
Andy Stewart - A Scottish Soldier,
Erasure - Stop!
Billy Fury - Halway To Paradise,
Elvis Presley - Wooden Heart,
John Denver - Back Home Again,
Squeeze - Cool For Cats,
The Osmonds - The Proud One.

Meeting today

Had a great meeting with Zena Coffield, who is now Trust Manager at SKDT with Ishbel MacKinnon.

SKDT are moving forward with their biggest project to date. The Campbeltown Town Hall refurbishment should begin this month and take just under a year to complete. The project has its own distinctive logo and merchandise, launched this evening.

Wednesday 05 November 2014

Playlist:
Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Wake Me Up (Radio Edit),
Thin Lizzy - Whiskey In The Jar,
The Corrs - So Young,
The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon,
Ronan Keating - She Believes In Me,
Ike And Tina Turner - Nutbush City Limits,
Simon & Garfunkel - I Am A Rock,
The Steve Miller Band - The Joker,
Herman's Hermits - There's A Kind Of Hush,
Radiohead - No Surprises,
Steps - Stomp.

Tuesday 04 November 2014

Playlist:
Culture Club - Karma Chameleon,
Sheena Easton - 9 To 5,
Elvis Presley - A Big Hunk Of Love,
Bryan Ferry And Roxy Music - Angel Eyes,
Gladys Knight And The Pips - Midnight Train To Georgia,
Johnny Cash - Ring Of Fire,
Squeeze - Cool For Cats,
The Pretenders - Brass In Pocket,
Simply Red - The Air That I Breathe,
Donna Summer - State Of Independence,
Annie Lennox - Love Song For A Vampire.

Monday 03 November 2014

Playlist:
Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild,
Leo Sayer - Moonlighting,
Rod Stewart - Stay With Me,
Blue Cheer - Summertime Blues,
John Travolta & Olivia Newton - You're The One That I Want,
Donovan - Jennifer Juniper,
The Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now,
Lulu - Shout,
Adam And The Ants - Stand And Deliver,
Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely,
James Taylor - Sweet Baby James.

Saturday 01 November 2014

Playlist:
The Outside Track - Flash Company,
Archie McAllister - Tears,
Sarah McQuaid - The Silver Lining,
James Frost - Rolling Thunder,
Lynched - Henry My Son,
James J Turner - Forever No More,
Mike Vass - Heave And Roll,
The Wild Sarachs - Trees,
Kevin Macleod - Black Mount Forest Marches
The McCalmans - Highland Laddie + Roll The Woodpile Down + A Hundred Years Ago,
Cheyenne Brown & Seylan Baxter - The Bonnie Lad That Handles The Ploo,
Lynched - Salonika,
Mike Vass - The Lock Keeper.