Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Namesakes #208: The Bluetones


Are you feeling Blue, Tone? Shouldn't have lied about those WMDs, I guess.

("Hey, Rol - 2003 is calling. They want their joke back.)

Here are some more Blue Tones...


THE BLUETONES #1

We start today in the mid-50s with four very clean cut young men who made up the Seattle Bluetones, led by one Joey Gee.

To Canada next, in 1957, for some Blue (gap) Tones, with added Fred Coupland.
THE BLUE TONES #3

And a couple of years later, we were asked to mind the gap again by New Yorker Blue Tones… 

THE BLUETONES #4

Also known as The Royal Teens, these Bluetones were doing and wopping in the mid-60s… and till the end of time.

The Bluetones - I'll Love You (Till The End Of Time)


THE BLUETONES #5
 

Bluesy Bluetones from Rhode Island circa 1989, led by one Raymond Alan Norcia – Sugar Ray to his mates. Still in the go, it seems.

THE BLUETONES #6
 

Seen as Britpop also-rans by people who still think Oasis have any value beyond their comedy Viz Northern lunkhead stereotypes… although they were the band that knocked (What’s The Story) Morning Glory off the top of the album chart, so history should thank them for that. (Though their biggest hit, Slight Return, was denied a Number One on the singles chart by… Babylon Zoo.) 
I always like Mark Morris and his Hounslow Bluetones. A lot. Saw them live quite a few times back in my gigging heyday and they always put on a good show. More than can be said for the Millionaire Manchester Muppets.


ZE BLUETONES #7
 

French Bluetones, active about 20 years ago. Or between 2003 and 2009 for those of us who still think the 80s were about 20 years ago.

THE BLUE TONES #8
 

And we finish today in Akron, Pennsylvania, with brothers Brian & Chris Harris… two pictures of each of them, I’m guessing to make them look like a four-piece band.

Which ones enhance your audio experience... and which ones just leave you blue?

Sunday, 27 September 2026

Snapshots #467: Financial Songs

Brother, can you spare a tune...?


15. Could you Be Ethel Snout?

"Be Ethel Snout" was an anagram... for a band who will be featured on Namesakes this week.

The Bluetones - Slight Return

14. Black Sparrow atop Girl In Ring.

Jack Black and Jack Sparrow / Brown Girl In The Ring... Jacks On Brown.

Jackson Browne - Call It A Loan

13. No doubt she had a Woody.

Gwen Stephanie was in No Doubt. And Woody Guthrie.

Gwen Guthrie – Ain't Nothing Goin' On But The Rent

You gotta have a J-O-B if you want to be with me.

12. Sounds like I’m asking my Mum if I should do something.

Shall I, ma?

Shalamar - Take That To The Bank 

...or...

Shalamar - I Owe You One

11. This whole world’s… and weird on top.

"This whole world’s Wild At Heart and weird on top."

THE WiLDHEARTS - If Life Is Like A Lovebank, I Want An Overdraft

10. Found confused in a Belfast salon.

"Belfast salon" was an anagram.

Fontella Bass - Recovery

9. They could have been big, as usual, but it was risky.

The Business - Mortgage Mentality

8. A key ingredient of ambrosia.

AmBROSia.

Bros - I Owe You Nothing

7. Today, we will have a slideshow of mist rolling in from the sea, followed by tea and cakes.

The Mull Historical Society - The Final Arrears

6. Fate’s anklebiter.

Destiny’s Child – Bills Bills Bills

5. Cupid & Eros.

The Valentine Brothers - Money's Too Tight (To Mention)

Simply Who?

4. Protect your chips.

A Flock Of Seagulls - Transfer Affection

3. All kinds of dizzy.

Dana sang All Kinds Of Everything. Dizzy was Gillespie.

Dana Gillespie - Pay You Back With Interest 

2. Kinky Plastic Ape and Traffic Paper.

The Kinks sang about Plastic Man and Ape Man. Traffic sang about a Paper Sun.

Mansun - Taxloss

Interesting story behind the video for that one, if you give it a watch.

1. It’s Sneers Week… don’t scoff.

"Sneers Week" was an anagram.

New Seekers - Beg Steal Or Borrow



Start saving up - there'll be more Snapshots to pay for next Saturday.


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