Ben Finlay
@benfinlay74.bsky.social
MA Cultural History, BA (hons) History. Former history and politics lecturer at University of Chichester.
Historian, writer, reader, musician, talker, blues and jazz obsessive.
https://bsky.app/profile/lionunicorn.bsky.social
Historian, writer, reader, musician, talker, blues and jazz obsessive.
https://bsky.app/profile/lionunicorn.bsky.social
“Everybody looked up to Davy, because he’d gone into it in such detail...he was just incredibly adventurous for the time. He knocked everybody out.” - Martin Carthy
Remembering the most influential British folk guitar player, Davy Graham, born OTD 1940
#musicsky #folksky #guitar
Remembering the most influential British folk guitar player, Davy Graham, born OTD 1940
#musicsky #folksky #guitar
November 26, 2025 at 6:53 PM
A little early, but it's cold and the evenings go on forever, so I'm putting the Christmas lights up; in this case, Oxford Street, Christmas Eve 1965, now set as my seasonal cover photo.
November 26, 2025 at 9:35 AM
A little early, but it's cold and the evenings go on forever, so I'm putting the Christmas lights up; in this case, Oxford Street, Christmas Eve 1965, now set as my seasonal cover photo.
"We were trying to get a sound that was purely Traffic and couldn't be mistaken for anyone else..."
Released OTD in 1971, Traffic's fifth studio album, the classic 'Low Spark of High Heeled Boys'
#musicsky #classicalbums #vinylcommunity #nowplaying #traffic #stevewinwood
Released OTD in 1971, Traffic's fifth studio album, the classic 'Low Spark of High Heeled Boys'
#musicsky #classicalbums #vinylcommunity #nowplaying #traffic #stevewinwood
November 26, 2025 at 9:08 AM
"We were trying to get a sound that was purely Traffic and couldn't be mistaken for anyone else..."
Released OTD in 1971, Traffic's fifth studio album, the classic 'Low Spark of High Heeled Boys'
#musicsky #classicalbums #vinylcommunity #nowplaying #traffic #stevewinwood
Released OTD in 1971, Traffic's fifth studio album, the classic 'Low Spark of High Heeled Boys'
#musicsky #classicalbums #vinylcommunity #nowplaying #traffic #stevewinwood
"I never heard of a Jazz musician who retired. You love what you do, so what are you going to do… play for the walls?"
Remembering Nat Adderley, born OTD 1931 in Tampa, Florida.
#nowplaying the classic 'Work Song' from 1960...
#jazzsky #musicsky #vinylcommunity
Remembering Nat Adderley, born OTD 1931 in Tampa, Florida.
#nowplaying the classic 'Work Song' from 1960...
#jazzsky #musicsky #vinylcommunity
November 25, 2025 at 9:29 AM
"I never heard of a Jazz musician who retired. You love what you do, so what are you going to do… play for the walls?"
Remembering Nat Adderley, born OTD 1931 in Tampa, Florida.
#nowplaying the classic 'Work Song' from 1960...
#jazzsky #musicsky #vinylcommunity
Remembering Nat Adderley, born OTD 1931 in Tampa, Florida.
#nowplaying the classic 'Work Song' from 1960...
#jazzsky #musicsky #vinylcommunity
"Seldom does a group of musicians click on all levels and rise into the stratosphere, but this is one such record..." - All About Jazz Review
Released OTD in 1971, the classic 'Sugar' by Stanley Turrentine. One of my favourite records, and I'm a proud owner of an original copy.
#jazzsky #musicsky
Released OTD in 1971, the classic 'Sugar' by Stanley Turrentine. One of my favourite records, and I'm a proud owner of an original copy.
#jazzsky #musicsky
November 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
"I honestly can't characterize my style in words. It seems that whatever comes to me naturally, I play..."
Remember one of the greats, Coleman Hawkins, born on this day 1904 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
#jazzsky #musicsky #tenorsaxophone
Remember one of the greats, Coleman Hawkins, born on this day 1904 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
#jazzsky #musicsky #tenorsaxophone
November 21, 2025 at 6:17 AM
"I honestly can't characterize my style in words. It seems that whatever comes to me naturally, I play..."
Remember one of the greats, Coleman Hawkins, born on this day 1904 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
#jazzsky #musicsky #tenorsaxophone
Remember one of the greats, Coleman Hawkins, born on this day 1904 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
#jazzsky #musicsky #tenorsaxophone
"There's a lot of different forms of communication, but music is absolutely the purest one..."
Remembering one of the great guitarists, Duane Allman, born on this day 1946 in Nashville and gone far too soon.
#musicsky #allmanbrothers #blues #guitar #georgia
Remembering one of the great guitarists, Duane Allman, born on this day 1946 in Nashville and gone far too soon.
#musicsky #allmanbrothers #blues #guitar #georgia
November 20, 2025 at 7:24 AM
"There's a lot of different forms of communication, but music is absolutely the purest one..."
Remembering one of the great guitarists, Duane Allman, born on this day 1946 in Nashville and gone far too soon.
#musicsky #allmanbrothers #blues #guitar #georgia
Remembering one of the great guitarists, Duane Allman, born on this day 1946 in Nashville and gone far too soon.
#musicsky #allmanbrothers #blues #guitar #georgia
Remembering New Orleans legend Dr John, born on this day in 1941. I saw him play live many times over the years (first time on a double bill with BB King in 1990) and am a proud owner of an original copy of his 1972 classic 'Gumbo'
Gris gris gumbo ya ya good doctor.
#musicsky #neworleans
Gris gris gumbo ya ya good doctor.
#musicsky #neworleans
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Remembering New Orleans legend Dr John, born on this day in 1941. I saw him play live many times over the years (first time on a double bill with BB King in 1990) and am a proud owner of an original copy of his 1972 classic 'Gumbo'
Gris gris gumbo ya ya good doctor.
#musicsky #neworleans
Gris gris gumbo ya ya good doctor.
#musicsky #neworleans
Frank Muir upon hearing the news that I've dispatched a new article to @lionunicorn.bsky.social about the joys of BBC Four that may include my deep appreciation of Call My Bluff...
November 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Frank Muir upon hearing the news that I've dispatched a new article to @lionunicorn.bsky.social about the joys of BBC Four that may include my deep appreciation of Call My Bluff...
Coming soon on @lionunicorn.bsky.social , yours truly on the quiet treasure trove that is BBC4....
#bbc #writingcommunity #drama #documentary #film #history #art
#bbc #writingcommunity #drama #documentary #film #history #art
November 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Coming soon on @lionunicorn.bsky.social , yours truly on the quiet treasure trove that is BBC4....
#bbc #writingcommunity #drama #documentary #film #history #art
#bbc #writingcommunity #drama #documentary #film #history #art
12 November 1971 is a notable day in British progressive rock history, with 'Nursery Cryme' by Genesis, 'Fragile' by Yes and 'Pawn Hearts' by Van der Graaf Generator all released on that same date...
#musicsky #progrock #classicalbums
#musicsky #progrock #classicalbums
November 12, 2025 at 8:20 AM
12 November 1971 is a notable day in British progressive rock history, with 'Nursery Cryme' by Genesis, 'Fragile' by Yes and 'Pawn Hearts' by Van der Graaf Generator all released on that same date...
#musicsky #progrock #classicalbums
#musicsky #progrock #classicalbums
Now Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night have passed, it's only right that I start work on the @lionunicorn.bsky.social top ten Yuletide albums for next month...
#topten #christmas #yuletide #writingcommunity #vinylcommunity
#topten #christmas #yuletide #writingcommunity #vinylcommunity
November 6, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Now Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night have passed, it's only right that I start work on the @lionunicorn.bsky.social top ten Yuletide albums for next month...
#topten #christmas #yuletide #writingcommunity #vinylcommunity
#topten #christmas #yuletide #writingcommunity #vinylcommunity
Recorded at Atlantic Studios OTD in 1961, 'Oh Yeah' by Charles Mingus. The record finds Mingus playing piano rather than bass, features Roland Kirk and includes great blues such as 'Devil Woman' and 'Oh Lord Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb on Me.' Classic.
#jazzsky #mingus #classicalbum
#jazzsky #mingus #classicalbum
November 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Recorded at Atlantic Studios OTD in 1961, 'Oh Yeah' by Charles Mingus. The record finds Mingus playing piano rather than bass, features Roland Kirk and includes great blues such as 'Devil Woman' and 'Oh Lord Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb on Me.' Classic.
#jazzsky #mingus #classicalbum
#jazzsky #mingus #classicalbum
Remembering the great tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin, born OTD 1930 in Denison, Texas. He had a wonderful blues/gospel tone, and notably played with Charles Mingus between 1959 and 63, appearing on such classics as 'Mingus Ah Um' and 'Blues & Roots'.
#mingus #jasszky #musicsky #vinylcommunity
#mingus #jasszky #musicsky #vinylcommunity
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Remembering the great tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin, born OTD 1930 in Denison, Texas. He had a wonderful blues/gospel tone, and notably played with Charles Mingus between 1959 and 63, appearing on such classics as 'Mingus Ah Um' and 'Blues & Roots'.
#mingus #jasszky #musicsky #vinylcommunity
#mingus #jasszky #musicsky #vinylcommunity
'Photographs of Clifford reveal some of his inner self; the shots in which he is depicted in a playing attitude show his intensity, utter concentration and total connection with his instrument'- Ira Gitler
Remembering the great Clifford Brown, born OTD in 1930 and gone too soon..
#jazzsky #musicsky
Remembering the great Clifford Brown, born OTD in 1930 and gone too soon..
#jazzsky #musicsky
October 30, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Electric Miles! Released OTD 1970, 'Miles Davis at Fillmore', a live album recorded at the Fillmore East in June 1970, featuring Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, bassist Dave Holland and the great Jack DeJohnette who passed away on Sunday.
#MilesDavis #JackDeJohnette#jazzsky #musicsky #classicalbums
#MilesDavis #JackDeJohnette#jazzsky #musicsky #classicalbums
October 28, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Electric Miles! Released OTD 1970, 'Miles Davis at Fillmore', a live album recorded at the Fillmore East in June 1970, featuring Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, bassist Dave Holland and the great Jack DeJohnette who passed away on Sunday.
#MilesDavis #JackDeJohnette#jazzsky #musicsky #classicalbums
#MilesDavis #JackDeJohnette#jazzsky #musicsky #classicalbums
Farewell Jack DeJohnette, one of the greatest ever drummers. I was lucky enough to see him in the early 90s and he was absolutely phenomenal. We won't see his like again.
#jazzsky #jackdejohnette #RIP #musicsky
#jazzsky #jackdejohnette #RIP #musicsky
October 27, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Farewell Jack DeJohnette, one of the greatest ever drummers. I was lucky enough to see him in the early 90s and he was absolutely phenomenal. We won't see his like again.
#jazzsky #jackdejohnette #RIP #musicsky
#jazzsky #jackdejohnette #RIP #musicsky
"And come the moonrise when the dew falls
Don't be the sun that fades away
Don't leave me darkness, she's no lover, she hides the day"
Remembering Brent Mydland of the Grateful Dead
Born OTD 1952 and gone far too soon...
Don't be the sun that fades away
Don't leave me darkness, she's no lover, she hides the day"
Remembering Brent Mydland of the Grateful Dead
Born OTD 1952 and gone far too soon...
October 21, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"And come the moonrise when the dew falls
Don't be the sun that fades away
Don't leave me darkness, she's no lover, she hides the day"
Remembering Brent Mydland of the Grateful Dead
Born OTD 1952 and gone far too soon...
Don't be the sun that fades away
Don't leave me darkness, she's no lover, she hides the day"
Remembering Brent Mydland of the Grateful Dead
Born OTD 1952 and gone far too soon...
#nowplaying 'To Swing or Not to Swing' (Barney Kessel Volume 3) from 1956. A few years ago I picked up an original UK copy from 1958 for a good price, so I'm revisiting it this morning...
#jazzsky #vinylcommunity #musicsky #classicalbums
#jazzsky #vinylcommunity #musicsky #classicalbums
October 17, 2025 at 7:08 AM
#nowplaying 'To Swing or Not to Swing' (Barney Kessel Volume 3) from 1956. A few years ago I picked up an original UK copy from 1958 for a good price, so I'm revisiting it this morning...
#jazzsky #vinylcommunity #musicsky #classicalbums
#jazzsky #vinylcommunity #musicsky #classicalbums
"I'm not interested in a marketable product: I'm interested in what I know from my life experience to be standards of excellence"
Remembering the great Barney Kessel, born OTD in 1923 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
#jazzsky #jazzguitar #musicsky #barneykessel
Remembering the great Barney Kessel, born OTD in 1923 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
#jazzsky #jazzguitar #musicsky #barneykessel
October 17, 2025 at 6:34 AM
"I'm not interested in a marketable product: I'm interested in what I know from my life experience to be standards of excellence"
Remembering the great Barney Kessel, born OTD in 1923 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
#jazzsky #jazzguitar #musicsky #barneykessel
Remembering the great Barney Kessel, born OTD in 1923 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
#jazzsky #jazzguitar #musicsky #barneykessel
2) The total effect of this incredible apparatus produced the most buzzing, sizzling, African-sounding music I have ever heard..." - Barry Lee Pearson.
Remembering Big Joe Williams born OTD 1903 in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi-I still have my mums copy of 'Blues on Highway 49'
#oktibbehacounty
Remembering Big Joe Williams born OTD 1903 in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi-I still have my mums copy of 'Blues on Highway 49'
#oktibbehacounty
October 16, 2025 at 7:21 AM
2) The total effect of this incredible apparatus produced the most buzzing, sizzling, African-sounding music I have ever heard..." - Barry Lee Pearson.
Remembering Big Joe Williams born OTD 1903 in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi-I still have my mums copy of 'Blues on Highway 49'
#oktibbehacounty
Remembering Big Joe Williams born OTD 1903 in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi-I still have my mums copy of 'Blues on Highway 49'
#oktibbehacounty
1) "Williams was playing an electric nine-string guitar through a small ramshackle amp with a pie plate nailed to it and a beer can dangling against that. When he played, everything rattled but Big Joe himself...
#blues #musichistory #mississippi
#blues #musichistory #mississippi
October 16, 2025 at 7:19 AM
1) "Williams was playing an electric nine-string guitar through a small ramshackle amp with a pie plate nailed to it and a beer can dangling against that. When he played, everything rattled but Big Joe himself...
#blues #musichistory #mississippi
#blues #musichistory #mississippi