Music from Blues to Pop

Many British groups in the 1960s started off as blues bands then moved over to pop music under pressure from record labels wanting to make more money (for the band, too, to be fair).

In the mid-60s, Amen Corner had minor hits with Gin House Blues and World of Broken Hearts but their big break came with their third single - Bend Me, Shape Me - a pop song.

Earlier than that, though, Manfred Mann was a blues band. Original lead singer, Paul Jones left on good terms with his former band mates and his friend Mike d'Abo stepped in as front man. This marked the change from blues to pop.

Remember hits like My Name is Jack, Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James, The Mighty Quinn, Fox on the Run and Ragamuffin Man? All great songs; here's one: 

Paul still has a blues band and also toured with The Manfreds, including Mike but, amusingly, the line-up didn't include Manfred Mann whose Earthband was famous for covering Bruce Springsteen's Blinded by the Light. Tom McGuinness also formed a band - McGuiness-Flint - biggest hit When I'm Dead and Gone.

The band ccovered many Bob Dylan compositions but many of them also wrote songs, e.g. Mike d'Abo wrote Handbags and Gladrags for Chris Farlowe and covered by Rod Stewart. 

Beebopalula

Film Review: Nobody

Nobody is a 2021 movie with Christopher Lloyd, whose character is the dad of the lead actor, Bob Odenkirk. It begins by showing the dull repetitive life of a family man which is disrupted by a break-in. The man, Hutch, does nothing (explained later in the film) but soon regrets his inaction and decides to track down the perpetrators. During his search, hints of his past life start to creep into the story.

When he finds the couple who broke in, he discovers that they acted out of desperation as they couldn't afford medicines for their sick baby. Hutch leaves, angry and frustrated, and catches a bus. During the journey, some drunks crash their car and catch the bus, still drinking, then begin to harass a young lady travelling alone. Hutch starts a fight.

Afterwards, he learns that the younger brother of a notorious 'baddie' died following that fight - and the elder brother's endless supply of thugs and assassins was sent to hunt down Hutch.

How does it end? You'll have to watch it yourself - it's worth it. Here's a clip:

This will appeal to those who enjoyed John Wick, Seven Psychopaths or In Bruges. Even if you aren't keen on fight scenes and gun battles, it's a good film with humour so it's quite fun!