A song that cures all ills and is made by bees – the artist has to begin with B
Manuka Honey Songs
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Musings on the byways of popular culture
Musings on the byways of popular culture
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A song that cures all ills and is made by bees – the artist has to begin with B
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I went to Leeds University this year for a display of garden books.
There was a medieval book about bee keeping which had a four part song in it about bees. It was printed so that four people could stand two each side and sing their parts.
Unfortunately my photo didn’t come out well but it may fit your b bill.
I suppose Bees Make Honey would also fit your bill or maybe that’s a tad too literal.
Quite possibly. Where is it then?
I just meant that the name would fit your bill Tiggs , now I shall have to listen to them.
But to bee really obvious here’s the Bee tles with joy in the sunny weather.
After all the flowers need the sun and the flowers need the bees.
Perfect!
I hope that the hivemind will contribute!
Here are some reggae bees.
Bim Sherman
Burning Spear
Brown, Dennis
Reggae certainly soothes the burning streaks of erosions in my stomach, but Marcus Garvey is full of wailing and moaning rather than joy and Dennis can’t get no love. A mixed effect there, KFD.
Bees? Someone say bees?
Good God! That’s terrifying. I now have an irresistible urge to empty my bowels. Thanks.
Black sodding Lace and Aggadoo. Kill or cure.
No. No non no non NOOOO!
That belongs on the Marmite or Vegemite thread.
By Bairto Boreira, btw
I’d like to be a busy busy bee
By Barthur Baskey
I’m not sure it’s a healing balm but it certainly raised a smile chez Tig.
Well, I like it
(even if no sod has ever heard it!)
This man appeared on the James Whale Radio Show – how much more “mass media” can you get?
(Un)intersting fact: I bought this album on the same day as Richard Thompson’s Rumour and Sigh
(why do I remember sh*t like that?)
Steve Booker – This Side Of Heaven
I have that album, too. Boo Hewerdine co-wrote a song on his previous (self-released) album.
Booker went to Nashville and became a writer for hire, and co-wrote a novelty hit for Tony Hawks. Why do I remember this shit?
Because it’s important.
This. It’s boogieoogietastik.
Ooooooooh! That just gave me a shiver up the spine and made me wiggle my pelvis.
Back on the loo again, then, Tiggs?
Kissing cures many ills.
Lovely! However, sharing affections means sharing infections. We all live in a cess pool full of nasty little organisms.
Especially so since Enrico quit in such a huff.
A bit literal, perhaps?
It can heal the sick
Black Celebration introduced us to this fine Kiwi combo.
Fear not Tigs!
Everything’s gonna be alright.
Thanks KFD. Still a great song.
It certainly is, Black!
Here is another , given a heartfelt performance by Beth Orton and Terry Callier.
Tasteful guitar chops by Jim Mullen
RIP Terry Callier
Blue Mink – Good Morning Freedom
Very much of its time. Nice keyboard. Probably a child’s. Gives good uplift.
The Band – Up On Cripple Creek
The Basement Tapes are full of great jokes. What happened?
Bad Company – Can’t Get Enough
A song of swagger and bluster. Until the end when it’s on its knees begging in desperation. I wonder what ill this is curing.
Healing. Bees can be blurry.
Fortunately, the sound doesn’t appear to be working. Normally three minutes of Blur is more than enough for me, let alone nine!
They put this set on immediately before Bowie’s. Some kind of joke, considering how awful Albarn’s voice is.
Badfinger – No Matter What
With a name like Badfinger, they clearly have an ill to soothe. And I think the song works!
Puff out that chest with National Pride (although not in a Tommy Robinson type way)
Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band – Cool Britannia
The Bonzos are capable of curing anything, I think. There is no-one like them.
This fits the bill, I think, from an indisputably great “B” composer.
The Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No.1 in G major
Yo-Yo is a lockdown hero in my book and Bach suits him perfectly. He is capable of both great intensity and delicacy of touch. An amazing cellist.
Have these Bees, and, indeed, Gees.
Shouldn’t that be Hive Talkin’
Let’s have a polka party.
Superb! Hits the spot perfectly.
This fits the bill, I think…
No idea why it’s so big.
Often described as girls from next door. None of my neighbours look like that and I have never heard them sing.
Ageless and cool
There were too many, so, in reverse order:
Hip Hug Her – Booker T & The MGs (when you need the hug of a Hammond organ)
Milkman Of Human Kindness – Billy Bragg (some abrasive guitar playing and soulful words of balm for the lonely)
A Swinging Safari – Bert Kaempfert (a world of light, playful pleasure)
Medicine Show – Big Audio Dynamite (Uncle Mick mixes a sampletastic tonic for all that ails you – if you ain’t ill, it’ll fix your car)
All The Small Things – Blink 182 (a short, sharp shock of hooks and a chorus of na-nas – what could be more of a pickmeup?)
Blackberry Blossom – Bill Frisell (be charmed and calmed by his bucolic guitar licks)
Jollity Farm – The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (there can only be one song that really puts a spring in your step, a smile on your lips and joy in your heart)
As always, a very judicious selection from you, sal. I’ll be digesting the details more later but Blackberry Blossom is wonderful.
There is one B that will see me on the dancefloor all night. Sod social distancing; I want me old normal back.
The crowd need you, cat. They need a good leader to really get them going. Someone unafraid of making a complete arse of themselves.
I can’t think of any artists beginning with a B.
You aren’t trying hard enough. Or you are losing your mind.
Firstly.
Boys from Brazil. That’s 2 Bees.
Almost overlooked your contribution snuck in the middle of a Mike_H stream of consciousness. Love early Simple Minds (up to the point their bass player left). The song begins with B but I don’t think the band do (I know I’ve tolerated this mistake elsewhere but those are songs about honey).
How about “Bombastic Simple Minds”?
Although I loved them from Empires & Dance up to Sparkle in the Rain.
As opposed to Supple Simple Minds?
Secondly.
And furthermore.
But there again.
And I suppose.
But.
Great sequence of choices, Mike, topped off with the godfather of soul’s most joyful track. Thanks.
@Tiggerlion – is manuka honey a thing up your way too?
Absolutely! New Zealand bees are magic. Allegedly. The thing I don’t understand is the different grades. How can one lot of honey from the same bee be ‘stronger’ than another?
Irish bees are far more magical than New Zealand bees, especially if their hive is upon a ley line, or ideally a node. The honey they produce can be used as a delicious condiment, an unguent to induce shape-shifting, or as a flying ointment. I know this from personal experience, scoff as ye may.
If you know of a cheaper honey than Manuka (fiendishly expensive in England) with the same alleged healing properties, my mother is all ears.
I know a wise old crone in Kerry who keeps said bees and provides such honey. When this pandemic is over, I’ll sort you out a few jars, in return for a professional ‘favour’.
How does this work? Manuka honey is actually made by European bees, the same as live in Ireland, but using nectar from the Manuka tree that grows in Australia and New Zealand.
Plus, I’m wondering what profession you think I’m in. I do routinely carry around KY jelly, disposable gloves, aprons and masks, if that helps.
They are not the same. Irish Bees have specific antennae that are especially attuned to higher cosmic ray vibrations, green in particular, being the colour of Archangel Michael, the Heart Charkra, shamrocks, and Birds Eye Frozen Garden Peas.
*I want you to whack Ainsely Harriott. Only 3 sachets at 299ml each per box of Spicy Lentl was not the deal. I repeat. IT WAS NOT THE DEAL. Make sure you tell him that after you’ve attached the electrodes to his dental fillings*.
One of the concerns in last year’s bushfires was the welfare of the only pure-bred Ligurian bees left in the world, on Kangaroo Island…apparently exporting queens as well as the honey has been a nice little earner for the local economy for some years.
It’s a little know fact that all Bumble bees are called Norman and they like to be greeted with a hearty ‘Good Morning \Afternoon \Evening Norman whenever you meet then.
Anyway here’s Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers (featuring Asa Brebner … for the B)
Jonathan Richman always warms the cockles of my heart. What a beautiful human being.
And there’s
He did more than just the one song. Who knew?
In old enough to remember “teddy boys” hanging around listening to their ridiculous outdated music from 25 years before. Idiots. Glad we’re not like that, eh readers?
You can’t beat a bit of rockabilly to get the juices flowing!
As tempted as I was to suggest Barry Manilow Weekend in New England which works for me, I have doubts it will do the same for you so I will go for Bill Fay, The Healing Day and Be At Peace With Yourself. The latter has a gospel choir too which may appeal too!
Bill Fay is fabulous but I would have taken a punt on Barry, I have catholic taste.
Just swings from the get go.
Some Afterworders, on another thread, were suggesting Graham Parker’s music doesn’t stand the test of time. What do they know, eh?
Something old, something new.
Beautiful music, bringing to mind the resplendent wonder of a bed of flowers in full bloom – catnip for bees.
I’m Falling was on my long list. Majestic. It’s a great song anyway, and then that last part where they start singing a different melody on top is just the icing on the cake. It’s almost a descant.
Other songs missed off were ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ and ‘Sunset Coming On’, the former because it’s a cliche, the latter because I know Tig is allergic to Damon Albarn.
Thanks for the consideration.
There are times when, if you’re in the mood for a good old singalong, you only need half a bee…
Magnificent.
Probably not really what you’re after but it reminds me of happy times in Germany in the 80’s.
b-movie : Remembrance Day
Is that actually Remembrance Day? In any case, whatever works for you is fine.
Blooming heck. Silly me, it’s Nowhere Girl.
The whole album’s good, but ‘Heart of Gold’ would have been my choice.
Bowlly begins with a B.
Sublime.
Now that is a lovely, lovely thing. Like melted chocolate floating on a river of molten toffee. Yes, just like Manuka honey.
Psychedelic spaghetti western drone, anyone? I dearly love this album from the artwork inwards – sit back and space out (slowly)
Thank you for the intriguing suggestion. I might find time in my busy schedule some time next year.
June 1992. Aged 26.
Driving back in to San Francisco with my best mate having done a few touristy things on a road trip into California and Nevada – tried to fry an egg on the bonnet of a car in Death Valley etc.
As we get into the city driving over the Golden Gate Bridge this comes on the radio. I am in the passenger seat and thus able to air guitar to my hearts content with the window open and my feet on the dashboard…Happy Days!
Great memories…I’m sure we’ve all got similar ones if not quite so cosmopolitan!
A long way from our shared experiences at East Norfolk Sixth Form College in 1982/3 I’m sure!
Yep, but I loved that song then and I love that song still!
Every hive needs a Queen….
Goodness me! She gives me the urge to perform the waggle dance all night.
John Belushi singing I’m A King Bee comes to mind but I can’t find it on the interweb.
Can do you half a bee:
Would you like to hear my bee joke?
I’ve decided to become a beekeeper.
Really? Are you going to set up an apiary?
No! I’m going to keep BEES.
I don’t have a bee joke but I have a doctor joke, which I may have picked up from here but hey-ho, let’s go.
Doctor, doctor I have a problem with my hearing?
Can you describe the symptoms?
Yes. Homer is fat and bald and Marge has big blue hair.
The world’s leading expert on Vespula germanica walks into a record shop.
He asks the assistant “Do you have European Vespidae Acoustics Volume 2? I believe it was released this week and is said to be the best recording of European wasps ever collected!”
“Certainly,” replies the assistant. “Would you like to listen before you buy it?”
“That would be wonderful,” says the expert, and puts on a pair of headphones.
He listens for a few moments and says to the assistant, “I’m terribly sorry, but I am the world’s leading expert on European wasps and this is not accurate at all. I don’t recognize any of those sounds. Are you sure this is the correct recording?”
The assistant checks the turntable, and confirms that it is indeed the correct recording, European Vespidae Acoustics Volume 2. “Let’s try the next track,” the assistant says, and moves te needle.
Again the expert listens for a moment and then says to the assistant, “No, this just can’t be right! I’ve been an expert in this field for 43 years and I still don’t recognize any of these sounds.”
The assistant apologizes again and lifts the needle to the next track.
The expert throws off the headphones as soon as it starts playing and is fuming with rage.
“This is outrageous false advertising! No specimen of Vespula germanica or any wasp that I know of has ever made a sound like the ones on this record!”
The manager of the shop overhears the commotion and walks over.
“What seems to be the problem, sir?”
“This is an outrage! I’m the world’s leading expert on European wasps. Nobody knows more about them than I do. There is simply no way that the sounds on that record were made by European wasps!”
The manager glances down and notices the problem instantly.
“I’m terribly sorry, sir. It appears we’ve been playing you the bee side.”
Bravo! I’ll definitely steal that one.
Give some room for a microorganism.
I have to say the band name and song title bother me. Don’t micro-organisms cause illness?
Not all of ’em Tiggs, without microorganisms no brewing etc.
Their name is taken from the murder ballad ‘The Twa Sisters’ where one sister is boiled in lead.
It can also refer to molybdomancy the art of foretelling the future by melting lead and pouring it into cold water and from the shape cast, tell what the future may be.
Excellent! I love a bit of background info, especially when artists use quality science to shape their work!
I’m surprised that no one has posted this yet…….
Kate Bush / Sunset – an artist starting with B, from the side of the album subtitled “A Sky Of Honey” and, as with everything Ms Bush, certainly cures all ills……. Perfect match for the OP.
Absolutely. 10/10.
Ooh. That’s a good shout.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce normally gets me pretty worked up, in a good way. I’m not sure that’s good for me blood pressure.
Colin Blunstone has a voice that could be compared to Manuka Honey, smooth and superior to most others. He has many songs that would be a fine example but this was always my favourite:
Absolutely. Colin Blunstone deserved greater success than he enjoyed.
I’m interested to know, @Tiggerlion, why you didn’t go for Wild Honey as the opening track – wouldn’t that have been more apt?
I love that album more than any other Beach Boys. I simply adore it. Wild Honey is raw and emotional, a magnificent song, but I was looking for something smoothe and gorgeous.
You make a great point, though.
There’s a good reason why everyone loves you on here, Tig. You are a real sweetie.
Aw shucks 🙂
“Out of the strong (lion) came forth sweetness”
That’s written on Tate & Lyle golden syrup cans isn’t it?
The logo is a dead lion seemingly consumed by a swarm of bees – hence the motto there.
But…but…bees are more interested in nectar from flowers, aren’t they? Out of all the dead lions I have seen, I have never seen bees feed on one.
From Samson’s riddle in
Judges 14:14: “Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.”
He kills the lion and later finds bees have made a hive and honey in its corpse.
Odd.
I suppose you can build a hive anywhere and a dead lion is a good a place as any. Makes more sense than bees being attracted to it. Thanks!