Progressive Rock Favourites: Yes, ‘Survival’

Progressive rock, classic rock, art rock… whatever you want to call it, this is one of my favourite pieces from the early song catalogue of British band Yes — captured live from 1969.

This line up shows Peter Banks on guitar and vocals and Tony Kaye on keyboards, a year before they were replaced by Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman, forming what some still regard as the ‘classic’ Yes lineup — there have been many changes since.

Eclectic rock might be the better word for this style of music. Yes went on to be one of the very best exponents of this genre, in my opinion.

Copyright Francis Barker 2020

Tim Buckley – Goodbye And Hello (1967) — The Ultimate Music Library (Reblog)

A review of the solo album by legendary artist Tim Buckley – Goodbye And Hello.

Tim Buckley – Goodbye And Hello (1967) — The Ultimate Music Library

Poem ‘Girl with a Cello’

Girl with a Cello

In a diamond city night we’re
taxied through floodlit streets

angled snow alabasters old facades
medieval histories beyond all guessing

Flanders is frozen outside this misted glass
the two of us sitting nose to nose

our tongues loosening aperitif smiles
white burgundy cutting through brie

making heads light and cheeks flush
and toe touch toe

Our eyes meet when bare soul strokes calf
kissing slim fingers one by one

plied each day to taut cello strings
sneak previews to plots and suites of night

© copyright francis barker 2012

The Faith Mercury – A Music Gem

My Faith Mercury

I posted a piece about my Faith Mercury last year but it bears repeating because it still brings me so much pleasure to play.

We have all been spending more time at home and may continue to do so, so it’s a good time to learn something new — like playing guitar.

This is an all solid wood parlour guitar, spruce top, trembesi back and sides, so it’s a bit more expensive. Mercurys, like all the Faith models, come in a variety of versions. The cheapest is the ‘naked‘ version, with solid mahogany back and sides and matt finish solid spruce top.

Mercurys are easy to hold and play, perfect for kids, or for anyone to learn the guitar. It’s also great for doodling on the settee, all thanks to its smaller size, scale and 12th fret neck join.

Ideal for women especially, in my opinion, because historically this is pretty much exactly like the kind of guitar ladies used to play in their parlours!

Copyright Francis Barker 2020

BILLBOARD #1 HITS: #189: “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE”- THE BEATLES. AUGUST 19, 1967 — slicethelife (Reblog)

Billboard #1 Hits: #189: “All You Need Is Love” -The Beatles. August 19, 1967. #1 for 1 week. Single: “All You Need Is Love” – The Beatles Record Company- Capitol Genre: Pop Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney Time: 3:57 B-side:”Baby, You’re A Rich Man” Album- Magical Mystery Tour Grade:A Peaked at #1 1 […]

BILLBOARD #1 HITS: #189: “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE”- THE BEATLES. AUGUST 19, 1967 — slicethelife

*** Great post. These were very heady times indeed, unfortunately I wasn’t old enough to appreciate the sentiment.