Roger Hawkins – Muscle Shoals drummer – has died at 75. One of the Swampers he played with almost anyone you could think of. Whenever he was asked his secret he would say that he was a better listener than he was a player. That’s not a bad way for anyone to be!

I’ve never taken much notice of conspiracy theories but ………

I had my first Covid vaccination yesterday afternoon.

This morning I got an email from

Gates.Bill@microsoft.com

I haven’t bought any gates so I was a bit puzzled

It read:

Congratulations on having your first Covid vaccination and participating in our VACC-TRAK programme.

Here is your first monitoring report.

1. You should get up earlier

2. The roast lamb you had yesterday was very popular with your taste receptors. Please send us the recipe.

3. These are trying times for everyone but there is no need for that sort of language.

Yours observantly VACC-TRAK

Should I be worried?

Jim Weatherly has died. The man who wrote the best song ever. If you have any doubts about that claim have a proper listen to his words and then put them in the context of:- That drum fill intro; the riff with the horns underneath; the sultry way that Gladys sings ‘L.A.’ And that’s just the first 15 seconds. It continues with the incisive interjections of the Pips, sumptuous string arrangements and delightful dynamics. There’s also the guessing game of where exactly the “Woo Woo” comes in and finally a properly funky outdo. Of course it’s all about the production and the performance but without Jim Weatherly there wouldn’t have been the best song ever. Well done Jim. R.I.P.

Don Bryant has a new album. Buy it! This is from a year ago. I think he’s about 77 or 78. The band (The Bo-Keys) are tremendous. It is a thing of joy and wonder. Only one question – how do I get there?

Bit of a long shot but does anyone know of a musical instrument repairer who is operating during the lockdown? Specifically I’m looking for someone who repairs keyboards. Mine is damaged – I think beyond repair – and I can’t make an insurance claim without a repair estimate or something to say it cant be done. I’m hoping someone can do that from photographs of the damage. I know you’ll want to know the sad story. I arranged a ‘street band’s to play and sing a couple of uplifting songs after the clapping for carers last night. It was a great success with almost everyone in the street joining in. While I was packing everything away the keyboard fell of its stand on to the kerb. Quite a lot of keys are smashed and there are other dents and deformities. For those of you who know about these things it’s a Nord Stage. I am bereft! Any help in finding a repairer would be much appreciated.

I hope you’re doing what I’m doing now. Watching Aretha’s funeral streaming on YouTube. It’s been going on for hours It’s emotionally powerful It’s religiously powerful It’s politically powerful Extraordinary people celebrating an extraordinary woman.

Jon Cleary’s new album. Can’t manage to compose a review or post clips. Just buy it. It’s rhythm-tastic.