Arsenal, reggae, Kenny Sampson and Fabregas to Tottenham

In this amazing and stunning issue of the blog of blogs, we have the first ever analysis of Arsenal and reggae, a chance to meet Kenny Sampson and another unmissable rumour – this time Fabregas to Tottenham

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First, And Now for Something Completely Different.

By Simon Bailey.

Reading one of the posts on here where Tony listed a few eminent, and not so eminent Blues Men, I thought I would share my other great passion in life ; Reggae Music.

Now that the D & G brigade have been temporarily silenced, and the mood has lightened, I thought I might share a few tracks with anyone who might be interested. Obviously I will try an put an ‘Untold’ slant on my selections.

The first ever reggae tune recorded in a studio was ‘People Funny Boy’ by Lee Perry. This was a mutation of Ska and Rocksteady which in turn were inspired by the blues which could be heard on US radio stations even in Jamaica. Obviously there are now even more mutations and Reggae / Dub are no longer the preserve of the Jamaicans. Indeed very little reggae comes out of Jamaica today.

There are very few Reggae tunes with football as the subject, but the Barmy Army made an album called ‘The English disease’ This was released on ONUSOUND records and my favourite track is called ‘ Billy Bonds MBE’ and it recalls a better time in West Hams’ history. Unfortunately I can’t find a link to the whole song, so you will have to take my word for it that its a cracker! The rest of the tunes I have selected have links so that you can, if interested, listen to them.

As we head into the final third of the season, it is imperative that we not only Hold our position, but make positive inroads towards the top of the league, so I am kicking off with a UB40 classic. Let the good times roll. Recently its been a bit of a tightrope walk, and Manassehs tune  sums this up nicely with an awesome bassline.

As we all know, Arsenal are a very young team with a lot of French input. See Di Youth is a blinding tune from French dub rockers ‘Dub Incorporation’ . This band is one of the best live reggae acts on the road today.. Just as Arsenal play some of the best live football on the road today.

To continue in this theme, Young Gifted and Black by Bob and Marcia and Teach the Children by Denis Alcapone  are both classics from the 60s. Both of these have been covered many times, indeed these might not be the originals themselves.

Its Champions league time again, and even though the team fly to the away fixtures, ‘Bosnia by Bus’ by the Radikal Dub Kolektiv is too good an opportunity to miss. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cPapXj3vhI . This one will Educate, Inform and Inspire. Their words not mine.

Sol is back. The return of Django by Lee Perry who is to Reggae what Arsene is to Football 3.0 is another classic from the 60’s. Originally inspired by Western (cowboy) movies, this tune was a big hit in its day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_4Q2KyCr54 .

From the defence to the attack, Nicholas B has had an issue choosing his shirt number. It’s 52 right now and Toots and the Maytals 54 -46 Thats my number springs to mind. The bassline is very recognisable having been used and recycled many times since this marvellous tune was recorded. 

In the spirit of One Love, I’m going to suggest a tune for the spuds now; ‘I’m still waiting’, this one is a cover of the Bob Marley tune by Delroy Wilson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESxQi98M448 . In fact the spuds and Harry in particular provide great themes for some great tunes. Nothing could be more appropriate at the moment than Harry J Allstars tune ‘The liquidator’. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdAcG24iI_w . Harry might also like to listen to ‘Police & Thieves’ by Junior Murvin as it might strike a chord with him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQriZQbTcjk .

For John Terry, Michael Ballack and anyone else who has spoken out of turn about our Team and Manager, ‘Rude Boy’ is a great title. Many artists have recorded tunes with this name, but I am going back to Dub Incorporation for their take on it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYrW0Sa2Nec . In Jamaica the Rude boys were the gangsters who went around shooting people. Bob Marley was shot but not killed and Prince Fari was killed by Rude boys. The have a lot to answer for.

Paul Merson is an obvious inspiration due to his penchant for the wrong sort of whilte lines. Dillingers rendition of Cocaine in my Brain is a great song, but here I am going to have to defer to J J Cales uber classic. But heres the link to the Dillinger tune anyway.. Continuing in the same vein, ‘Under mi Sleng Teng’ , probably the most used riddim in history, first composed on the little casio keyboards that were popular in the 80s. This version by Wayne Smith; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvTltATo_1Q .

Althea and Donnas ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ is one for the ladies. It applies to the Arsenal too . I found the original 7” at a boot fair in Kent many years ago in mint condition, The lady selling it was surprised at my joy in its discovery.

Pompey provide the inspiration for the last selection. Many people will have heard the Clash’ cover of Armagideon time, but Willie Williams version is by far and away my favourite.  I really hope that it doesn’t come to Pompey. A lot of people won’t get no justice tonight.

If you have got this far and listened to a few of these tunes, thank you for your time. If you think I have missed anything out, feel free to point out the error of my ways.

Simon Bailey.

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MEET KENNY SAMPSON

Autographs Store – Sports Memorabilia Distributor
The Autographs Store is a Kent based sports memorabiliacompany that has been rapidly expanding throughout Kent with furthermemorabilia shops and staff along with a well-knownmemorabilia website.

This well established memorabilia web site has over 1000 memorabilia items including Arsenal Football Memorabilia, for passionate memorabilia collectors.The Autographs Store offer the widest range of authentic sports memorabilia pieces from the high profile men and women in today’s celebrity world.

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Items offered by the Autographs Store are 100% authentic and come framed or unframed. To prove the items are 100% authentic each item displays an authenticity guaranteed certificate. The Autographs Store is a well-established sports memorabilia company and will deliver each item free of charge to anywhere within the UK in 5-7 business days.
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Apart from offering over 1000 authentic memorabilia items such as Arsenal Memorabilia, the Autographs Store also offers fantastic sporting opportunities for their customers to be able to purchase signed sports memorabilia at great prices with their silent auctions.
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The Autographs Store likes to practice good hospitality and have a selection of offers available to customers providing once in a lifetime opportunities. These hospitality packages give customers the chance to live like the rich and famous for a day or two in luxury at exclusive events.
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The Autograph Store has great success raising money for charity through their Sportsman’s Dinner events by auctioning off signed sports memorabilia products such as Arsenal Memorabiliaand hassupported many great charities such as the Help for Heroes charity.

One of the upcoming events for the Autographs Store is the London Legends Football Dinner which is to be held on the 4th March 2010 at the Oakley House in Bromley. The event starts of with a champagne reception, followed by a three course meal, sports memorabilia auction and raffle.This event includes various legends of the footballing era.

Football legends such as Arsenals Kenny Sansom along with other renowned legends will be attending this event. The event gives guests the chance to talk to the legends in the question and answer session and to purchase sports memorabilia of their choice including a fantastic array of Arsenal Football Memorabilia.

The Autographs Store has worked with many charitiessuch as the Teenage Cancer Trust and Help for Heroes who they have successfully raised significant amounts of money for. All funds raised are presented to the charities in the form of a cheque.
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For more information and authentic signed sports memorabilia items visit:
www.autographs-store.com
0800 840 9019

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RUMOUR OF THE DAY

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Fibre Fabregas, younger brother of Cesc (according to the Daily Screwdriver). Mr Redknapp, who is unable to speak because of impending court proceedings, said that he felt that football runs in the blood and the “kid knows a thing or two about transfusions.”

Inspector Letz Makeiteasysson however has intervened in the case. “We received a message from Herbivore Maneater in Barcelona about child trafficking within the EU, and InterSpud – the cross border police agency – has been informed.

“As we understand it Fibreglass Fabegras is a four year old child, and we feel that even though Tottenham have not made the advertised break through into the top four, this is pushing it a bit, hello hello, what’s all this then sonny.”

Fibre’s dad said that Cesc was happy at Arsenal, which led to the Daily Mirror in an unprecedented twisting of the truth to say, “Mr Fab senior said that Cesc would make no decision until the summer.”

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* Arsenal 100 years ago – read the rather amusing and quite adventurous MAKING THE ARSENAL novel click here

* Read what it is like to be in the middle of a total and absolute Arsenal crisis – 100 years ago this week.

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