by Anura Guruge
on May 8, 2024
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I remember this. I was 16 — in school in London. Yes, I bought the boxed set. I thought I might still have it. Alas, NO. There was a time in the early 1980s when I owned upwards of 600 LPs. Now I have about 40 — which I never play, though I have a cheap record player.
Enjoy.
by Anura Guruge
on March 13, 2022
During my 4-day trip to the ‘Bold Coast‘ last week, with ‘Sirius XM’ on the radio, most of the time, I heard a number of plugs for ‘Steeleye Span‘. I was chuffed.
I first saw them, serendipitously, in 1970 or 1971, at the ‘Queen Elizabeth Hall’, in London. I, a teenager at the time, happened to be walking by and they were selling tickets to a concert that was just about to start. I had never heard of them but took a chance. Transformed my life.
I loved their music & Maddy Prior entranced me. She was 6 years older than I, but I was smitten. For the next 15 years I was an unashamed Steeleye Span/Maddy Prior groupie.
They played at Swansea at least once during my three years there as a student. I remember that well. I took so many pictures of Maddy Prior to the amusement of my girlfriend.
Later on, once employed, I was able to follow them around the country. I know that I saw them perform at Southampton & Portsmouth. In total, I am sure, I have seen them perform, live, at least a dozen times, if not more.
I still have most of their LPs in vinyl.
So, I can truly claim to be a fan.
I am delighted that Sirius XM have discovered them. They, i.e., Steeleye Span, are magic. Transcends time.
by Anura Guruge
on November 14, 2021
MY Queen from my post to mark the 2020 Remembrance Sunday.
Of course, her sad absence, is NOT an issue. We all understand. We know she planned to be there, she hoped to be there. Provided she was in the U.K. she has NOT missed a Remembrance Sunday other than the two times she was pregnant with her last two kids. She has been involved with this glorious & sacred British tradition for 69-years!
I can’t even imagine what it must be like to be 95. She is 27 years older than I, & folks call me old. We all, of course, wish her the best.
My only concern is whether she will be there next year. She will be 96. Does NOT matter if she can’t attend the ceremony. Provided that she is still around.
As is my wont let me please share some videos of our (i.e., London ‘Cenotaph’) Remembrance Sunday ceremony.
For those not familiar with our protocol let me explain why ‘Princess Anne‘ is NOT in one of the balconies. That is because she is at ground level, ready to lay a wreath. All of the senior members of the Royal Family lay wreaths, if they are not incapacitated. The Queen used to lay a wreath. Princess Anne walks in the second behind Prince Charles.
The Queen laying a wreath, on Remembrance Day 1953. The year she was coronated (i.e., received the crown) — though she became Queen a year earlier.
Don’t forget that I have a dedicated ‘Red Poppy‘ page on my old blog.