MEDAL DETECTOR – NOBBY STILES (1942-2020):
There was more to Stiles than being combative – his excellent passing skills off either foot appreciated Matt Busby and Alf Ramsey.
RANTS & REFLECTIONS
WE HAD JOY, WE HAD FUN, WE HAD SEASONS IN THE 70s – the League Title 1970-79
It was an era when footballing bastions were built, rebuilt, received a temporary refurb or crumbled altogether.
THRILLS & STILLS – ‘STEPHEN STILLS’
‘STEPHEN STILLS’ (November 1970) shows him in such sparkling form it casts a shadow over every album he had yet been involved with.
THE TRAFFORD CENTRE – Denis Law ‘The King’ (documentary review)
Sir Alex Ferguson: ‘Pele said Denis Law was the only British player who would ever have got into a great Brazilian team.’
LENNON – The New York Years (documentary review):
Yoko Ono asks the question nobody can answer: ‘John was an artist. Why would anybody want to kill an artist?’
‘CUP GLORY’ – The FA Cup of 1971-72 (film review):
The 1972 Arsenal v Leeds FA Cup Final is described as ‘unrelenting’ – a euphemism for tasty fouls and ferocious tackling.
FEVER IN THE FUNK HOUSE – Twenty Great Albums of 1972……….
‘EXILE ON MAIN STREET’ – a sprawling, gutsy double-set and most remarkable album of the Stones illustrious career.
YOUNG MAN DUES – THE WHO: Bingley Hall, Stafford 3/10/1975
The roar greeting The Who was the loudest thing I’d ever heard – until Townshend sent the opening chords of ‘Substitute’ searing through the hall.
FAST & FLOWING: THE RIVER – Bruce Springsteen
One critic dismissed ‘The River’ as ‘more songs about spark plugs’ the remark remaining in my grudge bank for 40 years.
THE THIRD DEGREE – Crosby, Stills & Nash return in 77 with ‘CSN’
Given its smooth arrangements, slick production and album cover, the origins of yacht rock can be found on ‘CSN’