Sean O’Sullivan
LightNews LightNews
banner
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Sean O’Sullivan
@seaneosullivan.bsky.social
130 followers 130 following 110 posts
Soul music, special education, art and general dabbling in what’s going on.
Retired headteacher of a special school (Frank Wise School, Banbury).
Record collector, fed up with Twitter.
Posts Replies Media Videos
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
#ThamesWater
Am I missing something here?
The CEO and senior bosses preside over the most appalling management of a vital monopoly company, incurring severe fines, taking the business to the brink of collapse with phenomenal debt, and the Chair wants to retain them rather than sack them?
In May, the chair of Thames, Adrian Montague, told MPs on the environment, food and rural affairs (Efra) committee that bosses were in line for “substantial” bonuses linked to the loan, on the insistence of creditors. The company needed to pay the bonuses, he said, “because we have to keep staff. It is a very competitive marketplace out there … If we are unable to pay bonuses, people will come knocking and try to pick out of us the best staff we have. That is not in customers’ interests.”
July 20, 2025 at 2:04 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
An afternoon visit from the local fox:
Inquisitive young fox looking straight towards me lifting its head above a mound of ivy near the back door in my garden.
June 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Blistering stuff by the indefatigable @captaink77.bsky.social .
The most telling point he makes, amongst many, is:
"The PAC wants the DfE to explain how it will evaluate the cost-effectiveness of special schools... Against what criteria?...What price are we all willing to pay to give children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities a decent shot at a dignified and/or productive life?"
January 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
#Bluesky on the beach at Saundersfoot earlier today.
Lots of cockle shells on the beach, most laying open having been fed on by oyster catchers, gulls and crows. This photo shows one on the wet smooth sand with the woodland beyond looking away from the sea towards Coppet Hall just around from the main beach at Saundersfoot. Some clouds in the sky and a pleasant sunny day. Close up of the cockle shell in the other photo; with its reflection in the wet sand it made me think of the #Bluesky logo.
December 11, 2024 at 11:53 AM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Bonnie Pointer had some solo success after leaving the Pointer sisters, notably with the A side of this 1979 single, a pop disco cover of the Elgin’s’ ‘Heaven must have sent you’.
The flip is much better, much more interesting.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
This is the B side of a 1979 top twenty U.S. hit for Bonnie Pointer. That was her cover of the song by the Elgins called ‘Heaven must have sent you’. This B side, titled ‘I wanna make it (in your world)’ was jointly written by her soon-to-be husband, Jeffrey Bowen (with D. Baldwin), who also co-produced the record with Berry Gordy. It had a quirky and intriguing rhythm and very different feel to the standard pop/disco A side. A UK 7” released on 26.1.79 according to the label, which is the Motown pale green graphic with a shining light effect on it.
September 6, 2024 at 3:54 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
One of Soul Music’s absolute giants, Bobby Womack. Here, on Minit Records with the flip side of his version of California Dreamin’. California Dreamin’ is ok, but the flip side is the real jewel here.
Beautiful showcase for Bobby’s emotive vocals.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
7” audition copy of Bobby Womack’s record ‘Baby, you oughta think it over’ on Minit.
September 4, 2024 at 1:07 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Bought this in Head Records in Leamington yesterday. Absolutely storming boogie woogie piano playing.
Meade Lux Lewis on a British 4 track E.P. from Vogue Records with sleeve notes by Alexis Korner.
The tracks were originally recorded in 1940 and 1944. Just superb.
#Vinyl
Photo of the 7" single beside its sleeve, which features a photo of the piano player, Meade Lux Lewis, playing piano. It's a British Extended Play single, featuring 4 tracks (Bass on Top Boogie, Tell Your Story, Blues Whistle Boogie & Chicago Flyer Boogie) all composed by Lewi himself. They were recorded for Blue Note in New York back on 4.10.40, except Blues Whistle which was recorded on 22.8.44. On the back of the sleeve are comprehensive notes by Alexis Korner.
September 1, 2024 at 2:00 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
The huge talent of #BillWithers out in full force on this 1975 release, found on the official A side of "Who is he, and what is he to you?".
One I got in a soul pack many years ago, and the driving pace of "Harlem", coupled with the forceful lyrics too, did it for me.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
Demo copy of the Sussex records 1975 single "Harlem", which was the A side. However, many people over the years may have bought this for the better known B side, "Who is he (and what is he to you)?".
August 28, 2024 at 3:46 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Tremendous A-side by Betty Wright (Shoo-rah! Shoo-rah!)that stores the sublime ‘Tonight is the night’ on the flip. It’s a great tune, but do search out versions with the excellent rap intro too.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
British RCA demo copy of Betty Wright’s 1974 hit, ‘Shoo-Rah! Shoo-Rah!’, showing the B side titled ‘Tonight is the night’.
August 25, 2024 at 10:43 AM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Mine was in the wonderful 50m open air swimming pool in Banbury. Not quite as dramatic a setting, and as a lane swimming session it was remarkably busy - great for the pool but a bit pressured!
Photo posted on Facebook by Woodgreen Leisure Centre 17th July 2024 promoting the open air swimming pool.
August 23, 2024 at 8:47 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Anything by Betty Everett is worth picking up, and the top side here, ‘The real thing’, is definitely worth picking up.
But don’t overlook the flip side, a powerful ballad with lush backing vocals and orchestration.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
Issue copy by Betty Everett on Vee-Jay records written by Van McCoy but produced by Calvin Carter. This side is ‘Gonna be ready’, top side is ‘The real thing’.
August 23, 2024 at 6:27 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Another single from Barbara Acklin, this time co-written with Willie Henderson, who produced it as well. James Mack handling the arrangement on this flip side to ‘Special Loving’. Lyrically, it’s the response to Shirley Brown’s ‘Woman to woman’.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
1975 Capitol records release by Barbara Acklin. The spoken rap intro has Barbara on the phone to Shirley, in answer to the 1974 Stax release by Shirley Brown (not Jones as I wrote on the card sleeve!), which opens with Shirley on the phone to Barbara. Willie Henderson had a hand in writing both songs by the way.
August 21, 2024 at 8:34 AM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Barbara Acklin co-wrote this with Mr Chi-Lite, Eugene Record. A Pacey dancer on the flip side to the wonderful ‘Am I the same girl’ (inst of which is of course ’Soulful strut’ by Youngholt Trio). Total class from Chicago.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
Photo of ‘Be by my side’ by Barbara Acklin on Chicago’s Brunswick records. Not only co-written by Barbara with Eugene Record (of the Chi-Lites), but produced by Carl Davis, arranged by Sonny Sanders and vocals and orchestra directed by Willie Henderson. Any one of those names pretty much guarantees a slab of quality Chicago Soul.
August 20, 2024 at 8:27 AM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
The powerhouse song writing duo, Valerie Simpson & Nickolas Ashford, came up with a storming double header in ‘77/‘78.
‘It seems to hang on’ was the more popular side, but ‘Too bad’ proved to be just as good.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
Warner Brothers single from 1977 by Ashford and Simpson titled ‘Too bad’.
August 18, 2024 at 1:23 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
A good example of why you should check out both sides of your singles. You might have loved Arthur Conley’s ‘Funky Street’, but flip it over for his self-penned and equally good ‘Put our love together’. Produced by the great Tom Dowd too.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
Yellow and white Atco record label showing the flip side of Arthur Conley’s hit record’Funky Street’. This side is ‘Put our love together’, written by the singer and produced by Tom Dowd.
August 17, 2024 at 10:14 AM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
A bit late with a flip side today. A record many wouldn't have bought due to the gimmicky sound effect on Anita Ward's 'Ring my Bell', the A side.
But well worth flipping it over for the dramatic slowie 'If I could feel that old feeling again':
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
Photo of the flip side to Anita Ward's 1979 hit, 'Ring my bell', titled 'If I could feel that old feeling again'. Red label Juana Records.
August 16, 2024 at 5:09 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
On the flip side of the magnificent ‘Tell it like it is’ by Aaron Neville you’ll find this enjoyable skip-along kind of beat track.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
Photo of the single ‘Why worry’ by Aaron Neville. Flip side to his more famous track ‘Tell it like it is’.
August 15, 2024 at 7:31 AM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Hi Sharon, we went to YSP last week, the sculpture you may be thinking of was #DamienHirst Charity, with her collection box jemmied open, and in the distance you can see another of his works: The Virgin Mother.
Information board about the sculptures by Damien Hirst at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. This is the text: "Damien Hirst's sculpture Charity is based on the Scope collection boxes commonly seen on high streets in the 1960s and 70s. A young girl wearing a calliper forlornly cradles a teddy bear and a box that reads 'please give generously. The work questions historic and outdated ways of depicting disability and seeking charity." Sculpture by Damien Hirst called Charity. Based on the Scope collection boxes of the past, the young girl's collection box is open at her back, with a crowbar set resting at her back, almost as an extra support to the caliper on her right leg.
August 14, 2024 at 4:18 PM
seaneosullivan.bsky.social
Flip side to the well known “Give your baby a standing ovation” by the mighty Dells. Excellent track, decent dancer too.
#FlipTheDisc
#Soul
#Vinyl
Photo of the single, ‘Closer’, by The Dells.
August 14, 2024 at 10:57 AM