My Christmas Day choice: Sunnyvista by Richard and Linda Thompson, and Lindisfarne's Broon
December 25, 2023
Each Christmas, if I remember, I look around for something quirky to post, (the editor writes).
I've done the greetings, incorporated within the piece introducing Andrew Curry as Salut! Live’s new deputy editor. I’ve posted/reposted interpretations of Fairytale of New York by O’Toole and Tidow, Elizhy & Jon Biden here.
So how about something completely different?
Let’s go back to 1979 and what I thought then and still think is a clever satire of package hols.
So as you surf online or browse brochures in search of that dream holiday in 2024, have a listen to Richard and Linda Thompson with Sunnyvista.
Wikipedia tells us the critical and public response o the album of that name was “lukewarm”. I don’t care. I found it in my loft (vinyl) and still love its mischief and fun.
And a very happy Christmas to all ….
And if that doesn't fill you with joy, we can always drift back even further, to 1972, and sing along to Lindisfarne.
Not Fog on the Tyne, Meet Me on the Corner or even Run for Home but the band's rendition in New York of all places of the jingle adapted by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries from the old George Ridley song Cushie Butterfield to promote Newcastle Brown Ale.
The beer is a matter of taste - I loathe it - but the jingle is nice ...
Lindisfarne for me. But I can’t help thinking back (WAY back) to Johnny Handle rounding off a night at the Aclet with this. And Sybil Livesey seething behind the bar because the Aclet was a Cameron’s house.
As for the beer, I share your distaste. But I came across it once in the rooftop bar of a Holiday Inn in Chengdu, central China. I had one, just because it was there. A bit like climbing Everest.
Posted by: Bill Taylor | December 25, 2023 at 03:03 PM