Monthly Archives: May 2025

Thank You Tim Davis. A Song From ‘Back In The Day’ Still Relevant

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Tim Davis (29th November 1943 to 20th September 1988)

Most likely you would have to be a Steve Miller Band follower to recognise the name and the face.
Back story Tim Davis 29th November 1943, to 20th September 20, 1988 who was already an accomplished musician with a few bands under belt when he joined (or co-founded depending which source you read) the original Steve Miller Band (Steve Miller Blues Band). Davis was drummer, sometime vocalist and also contributing song writer during the 1966 -1970 era when he left Miller but to return at later stages in the 1970s.

Aside from this tenure, he worked with other bands on record and stage, building up his own catalogue of work and as the term goes ‘paying his dues’ Davis also recorded in the 70s two Albums ‘Pipe Dream’ and ‘Take Me As I Am’ which are in my opinion ‘smooth sounds’ delight; again just my opinion, for those who remember those years, think of Boz Scaggs, some Lionel Riche and a toned down, softer Earth Wind and Fire. They were reasonably received in a minor way and he did have a minor hit with a quirky delight ‘Buzzy Brown’.

Sadly left us due to complications with diabetes,

Well that’s the background, we now go back to 1970 and the release of the Steve Miller Band Album ‘Number 5’, the last of his pre-Public Popularity works. Miller had never been the easiest to work with, but in addition to the drumming and vocals he seemed to always defer to Davis having some contributory influence in an album’s songs. On this album there was the comic light hearted ‘Hot Chili’ (that was all about Davis taking a short holiday in Mexico to have a plate of the ‘real stuff’) and this, the deeper ‘Tonkin’s’ (why ‘Tokin’s’ I do not know only my vague thoughts on the Vietnam Gulf of Tonkin’s Incident- if you have better let me know).
So let’s look at the lyrics first

Lyrics:

Sittin’ gettin’ higher in the back of a limousine
While people all around me
They are finding it harder to dream
Impossible people seen only in nightmares
Are beginning to make it real
And disorder keeps fadin’
The times they are changin’
Well, I wish I was behind the wheel

So I could live it just a little bit longer
Do my best to make our love stronger
In a while I know it’s gonna change
We’ve got to live it just a little bit longer
Do our best to make our love stronger
In a while I know it’s gonna change

Well, time and time and time again
I’ve been stuck out in the rain
But life has been so doggone sweet
There’s no reason to complain
But the time has come for all to be one
Yes, we can talk about it now
And from the middle of the mess
Here comes one more guess
And I know it’s gonna work somehow

If we can live it just a little bit longer
Do our best to make our love stronger
In a while I know it’s gonna change
We’ve got to live it just a little bit longer
Do our best to make our love stronger
In a while I know it’s gonna change

Cause we’ve gotta live it just a little bit longer
Do our best to make our love stronger
In a while I know it’s gonna change
We’ve got to live it just a little bit longer
Do our best to make our love stronger
In a while I know it’s gonna change

Now who would ever believe it could happen
Right here in my hometown
Especially when it’s so far north
Of the Mason-Dixon line
But some of the people they just won’t forget
While others slip into regret
And if things keep goin’ the way they’re goin’
I just might get killed yet

But I wanna live it just a little bit longer
Do my best to make our love stronger
In a while I know it’s gonna change
We’ve got to live it just a little bit longer
Do our best to make our love stronger
In a while I know it’s gonna change
And in a while I know it’s gonna change
And in a while I know it’s gonna change

As you can see this song has quite a long flow of lyrics, with Davis musing on this and that going on around him in that turbulent Final End of The Hippie/ Last Phase of the Vietnam War/ Nixon as President era. The chorus is an upbeat, hopeful refrain, but just when you are settling down to another ‘Looking on the Optimistic Side’ song, along come the last verse, which leaves you realising that this African American songster has no doubts about the reality going on; notice the phrase ‘Mason-Dixon’ line- no ’it’ hadn’t gone away- never does.  You read those lines and consider just how much they in particular resonate in today’s grimdark climate. He’s not done though, in just a few short lines of an ostensibly sing-along song, comes the final kicker:

And if things keep goin’ the way they’re goin’
I just might get killed yet.

Yet Davis finishes on the hopeful chorus. He’s not going to give up.

For me, putting aside all the other songs and about, Peace, Love, Hope, this one has to be one of the best. Reality and Hope hand in hand. (and you have to love those banjo pluckin’ and harmonica breaks)
And here it is (with a few seconds of very low volume ‘studio talk)

A while back it was hard to find information on Tim Davis. But these days whatever search engine you use enter ‘Tim Davis drummer Steve Miller Band’ and you will get a half-decent number of hits.

Thank you Mr. Tim Davis for some of the happier memories of those years.

8th May 2025 80th Anniversary V E Day – For My American Friends.

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1945 and Germany surrenders. Look how well it worked out for a regime that took away rights, bullied itself across Europe and North Africa and lived by Dreams and not Reality.
There will be celebrations in the UK today, but in light of us voting ourselves out of Europe, embracing a Trump-supporting Party Reform and selectively protesting against only some abuses of Human Rights and massacres I do not feel much like waving flags and singing ‘We’ll Meet Again’.
For as much it might stick in the craw of many Brits (self included at times) whereas Britain alone did stand off against the Axis in Europe, without the arrival of the USA into WWII there would have been no victory. This post in therefore dedicated to the USA armed forces in Europe. While accepting there was much racism in the ranks and all the way up, American soldiers were not noble angels in liberated areas, there were a number of real-life toned-downed Milo Mindbenders and the Geneva Convention was not always adhered to, there was the fact that Americans between the ages of 18 – 45 suffered wounds and died ‘out there’. This compilation relates to events from D-Day 1944 to V.E.Day; apologies for leaving out the Italian Theatre for reasons of brevity.


‘Bloody’ Omaha beach 6th June 1944 American Casualties 5000-6000


Normandy 1944. After D-Day there was to be a long and bitter campaign to defeat the German forces. This ended in August 1944. American Casualties overall 125,000 (including D-Day losses)


The long haul. There would be many actions after Normandy before Germany was to surrender. the Taking of the Germany City of Aarchen being an example. 12th September 1944 – 21st October 1944 – American Casualties 7,000 +


Hürtgen forest. Due to a colossal strategic blunder at Operational Level, elements of the American army were committed to fighting in thick forested terrain in muddy, wet and freezing weather. Known as the second longest single operation campaign fought by the USA army and for little gain. 19th September 1944 – 16th December 1944 – American Casualties depending how these are calculated in terms of area 33,000 – 50,000. 


Generally known as ‘The Battle of the Bulge’ or the Ardennes Offensive, this was the last major offensive by the German Army against the allies. From the 16th December 1944 to 28th January 1945. Bitter fighting also in hostile wooded terrain in the depths of winter was to rage with litter quarter given (see next entry). Eventually the German forces were worn down. American Casualties 81,000 NB- 20,000  those recorded as ‘Missing’


Malmedy 17th December 1944. Units of the German SS killed 84 American P.O.Ws. Something to throw (or spit- I personally don’t mind) in the faces of any American who belongs to a Fascist/ Nazi organisation, waves some stupid banner at a Right-Wing rally or admires Hitler. There would be similar treatment likely meted out by ‘American Boys’ to any SS soldier to fall into their hands. An example of the toxicity that extremists start off and how it spreads.


1945 and the war goes on. This action was taking place in Luxembourg. The dead and injured kept on coming.


Operation Varsity 24th March 1945 was the largest allied airborne assault of WWII. involving 17,000 paratroops. It was successful and in the cold logic of the military the casualties were acceptable, 2,700 American, British and Canadian.
George Joseph Peters (age 21) and Stuart Stanton Stryker (age 20) both received posthumous Medals of Honor for gallantry. The war would end in 42 days.



Not just ‘White Boys’…. Latino……….. African American….. Japanese


And just for one day American – Soviet – so what?

Meanwhile on the other side of the world…

Just another in the Pacific Theatre .  Okinawa 1st April 1945- 22nd June 1945.
American Battle Casualties 50,000 American Non-Battle Casualties 26,000-33,000

The total cost in  dead and injured for The USA in WW2 was 407,316 service members killed and 671,278 wounded. The number who were not amongst these but carried the horrors of what they witnessed is unknown.

And the 2024 election of Donald Trump to the presidency is the result to date?

Say That Again IV? ( Now a Regular Series)

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Preamble: This was going to be a very occasional series, a once in a while peak into the follies of folk….and yet under the tenure of the current president of the benighted USA there is so much material that begs examining this could be a frequent source of posts. (The title is the All-Age friendly version; let us maintain maturity and dignity….no matter how strong the temptation is to use ‘other phrases’)

Ok onto the latest person to be a cause for a contribution. I give you:

Pam Bondi, Attorney General of the USA who said at some recent Cabinet Meeting she said:
“Mr. President, your first 100 days has far exceeded that of any other presidency in this country. Ever. Ever. Never seen anything like it. Thank you.”

Thank you Jill Dennison of Fillosofa for bringing this  to my attention

https://wordpress.com/reader/feeds/12093442/posts/5652672734

Let’s look at that again-
exceeded that of any other presidency in this country. Ever. Ever.
There were two ‘Evers’ in there.

This begs examination of the records, In no particular order.

George Washington President 1789 to 1797

Despite setbacks by 1781 he had led the continental army with French allies to defeat the English (the world super-power), leading to the 1783 Treaty which established the USA. As first president worked hard to set down the foundation of the USA. He wished to serve as president without a salary, had one imposed upon him by Congress. Worked to ensure the USA was an established nation. Set up  an effective government through being a good judge of character and ability. Believed in toleration and no state religion.
(Trump in comparison – avoided the draft, referred to the buried at Arlington as losers, insulted every American shot down and captured over North Vietnam by a cheap jibe at Joe Biden. Renowned for accumulating riches. His style has confirmed a polarised nation. Poor judge of character when choosing Cabinet. Willing to embrace The White Christian forum to gain support)

John Adams President 1797 to 1801

Experienced politician before taking office. Despite being patriotic defended British soldiers against charges of murder after Boston riot. He ignored the political patronage and office-seeking which other officeholders utilized. Navigated the nation through a time of internal disagreement and foreign crisis despite not being a natural politician and possessed of a mercurial temper.
(Trump by comparison – Inexperienced in all forms of governance. Populist willing to court extremists to keep his power base. Seeks patronage and financial rewards. Divisive when a nation is in crisis. Inept at diplomacy. Lets his moods and temper dictate policy)

Thomas Jefferson  President 1801 to 1809

Experienced politician. Drafted the Declaration of Independence. At his inaugural address struck a note of reconciliation and commitment to democratic ideology. Lowered the National Debt. Disliked pomp walked to his inauguration. In this age his slave ownership hangs over his social reputation and he experienced setbacks on the international stage. Still maintains a reputation as a Founding Father and one of the builders of the nation.
(Trump by comparison – Again divisive. Has increased the National Debt. Unsettled the economic situation. Expects all the trimmings of the office. Has never drafted any document which contributes to the foundation of the USA)

Franklin D Roosevelt President 1933 until his death in 1945.

Took office at a time when the US was in the throws of the Great Depression. Set up the New Deal through government spending. Reformed laws to rein in Financial ill-judgement and speculation also reformed Labour Laws. Appealed to the nation through his Fireside Chats renowned for their calm, mature, quiet approach, and his first inaugural speech with the phrase “Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”. Led the USA through WWII with probably two of the most difficult allies anyone could have Churchill and Stalin; as the USA took the strain in two theatres it can be argued Roosevelt played the major role in winning WWII. Worked himself to death.
(Trump in comparison: Again divisive. Caused chaotic economic uncertain. Has overseen the dismantling of reforms. Relies on confrontational, alarmist ill-argued rhetoric. Poor judgment in dealing with Putin, fails to understand the need to balance diplomacy. Has polarised the nation)

Theodore Roosevelt President from 1901 to 1909.

Although a sickly child improved his own health. War service. Invited Booker T Washington to the Whitehouse. Although though pro-business was a foe of business trusts ruthless use of Anti-trust law. He was the first president to help settle a labour dispute. He prosecuted corrupt Indian agents who had cheated Native Americans out of land parcels. Galvanised support for the Pure Food and Drugs Act. Despite hunting was also a conservationist. Navigated the financial panic of 1907. Placed the USA on the world stage.
(Trump in comparison- Placed on some claimed health issue to avoid military service. Has no interest in conservation. Happy to think of racists as ‘Good People’. Does not mind what business practices are enacted as long as it serves him. Making a mockery of the USA on the world stage.)

Those are just four with brief summaries. In addition we could mention Harry S Truman who little known beyond Washington took up the task, maintained if not increased the USA super-power status, also personally paid off a loan term financial debt (As opposed to Trump who seems to make a career out of not paying)). Ronald Reagan who arguable built up US self-confidence from a low point. L. B Johnson who brought in the Civil Rights Act, was the one who got the Kennedy agenda through Congress. Richard Nixon who in spite or because of his demons passed environmental legislation arguably made the world a safer place by playing Russia off against China and opening up China to the world.

And what has Donald Trump achieved which can compare to those listed above? He has ignored the Constitution, as noted above failed to unite a nation, in fact encouraged its polarisation, again and it bears repeating dismantled some of the structures which hold a state as being supportive of its people, in playing to his support base encouraged a climate of hostility, fear and suspicion, shown scant regard for minorities and underprivileged and those are just a few.

Now maybe, just maybe we should let the Council for the Defence have their say:
‘Your Honour. My client The Attorney General was making reference to the quantity of work accomplished by The President in his tenure,’

Council for the Prosecution speaks:
‘Your Honour. I would point out that this can be called a fallacy. The quantity and speed of processing quantity is not  a valid measuring device for the administration of a nation. The administration of a nation should be judged by the stability and the unity of consensus when passing legislation of enacting by presidential decree. For the long term results will be the one by which matters are judged,’

No it will not do Pam Bondi. It simply will not do. You cannot defend a divisive, egotistical fellow who seeks approval for the mass movement which is based on one section of society. It will not do at all. Not when you are looking to the long term prospects of a complex vast nation such as the USA. You are trying to compare a small minded populist polemicist with intellectual giants or hard working patriots. Administrators use influences remain embedded into the nation.  
You are found wanting in your judgement, perspective and simple maturity.

For additional readings in this series

Say That Again?
Say That Again II? (Once a just post now a ‘Whenever It Happens’ Series)
Say That Again III? ( An Occasional Series)