Mick Hartley

In the latest Dylan Theme Time Radio show, on the subject of Trains (no, not on Radio 6, where they’re only up to Dogs) we’re treated, first off, to Johnny Burnette’s Lonesome Train (on a Lonesome Track). Says Bob, “Believe it or not, Johnny Burnette’s Rock’n’Roll Trio were invited to appear on Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour, where they won the competition three times in a row. I want you to listen to this and try to imagine anything this raw winning three weeks in a row on American Idol.” So take that, Simon Cowell.

Other tracks include the wonderful “Draw Your Brakes” by Scotty, from the soundtrack of “The Harder They Come” (the best soundtrack album ever?). It’s noticeable how over the course of his shows he’s played a quite a number of Jamaican tracks, but all, as far as I remember, from the early days, before what might be called the golden age of the late Seventies. Strange, too, that when he played the Melodians “Rivers of Babylon” (again on “The Harder They Come”) in his Bible show, he didn’t mention the clear Rastafarian significance of the lyrics, given how he likes to provide background details. Still, it’s a minor point.

Then, after reciting W H Auden’s Night Train, he plays the legendary Lord Buckley. It’s a track I’d never heard before – “The Train”. It’s superb.

For those not familiar with Lord Buckley, here’s a good overview. In the old days (phew!) a liking for Lord Buckley was a sure sign that you were hip. Sadly there’s very little on YouTube – just this brief clip from him performing his most famous routine, “The Nazz”.

There’s also this odd and rather depressing clip from You Bet Your Life in 1956 with Lord Buckley doing his hipster version of “Friends Romans and Countrymen” for compere Groucho Marx. I say depressing because Groucho isn’t, to be honest, very funny (boorish, more like), and Lord Buckley is like a fish out of water in that context: he was better suited to a nightclub with the smell of reefer wafting across the stage. Mind you, “The Nazz” hasn’t dated very well either – it’s more the spirit of the guy which appeals now, rather than the actual lyrics themselves. Or at least that’s what I thought till I heard “The Train”. That’s a feature of Dylan’s shows – the excellence of his selections.

For another take on the Trains show, check out RightWingBob.