Much loved Scottish comedian, impressionist and actor Stanley Baxter has died. It was only two days ago the good lady reminded me he was still alive.
He had a long career on stage, especially in pantomime, but it was in television that he made his mark, first in Scotland in The Stanley Baxter Show which featured the inspired spoof of the language learning series Parliamo Italiano. Those Parliamo Glasgow sketches susbtituted Glaswegian for the original Italian example. Even at the time the contrast between the highly repressed received English spoken sections and the exuberance of the Glaswegian expressions was notable.
I’m afraid I couldn’t find a clip of the phrase I remember most from the spoofs, “Ah’ll no borra wi a baura chocolate. Ah’ve goat a baur in the hoose and ah’ll buy anurra baurramorra,” one I still trot out when attempting to exemplify Glaswegian speech.
I did find these, though.
Upatra burd’s:-
Mia Farra’s farra, the marra and the barra:-
After moving to London, Baxter went on to make extravagantly costumed and budgeted shows (The Stanley Baxter Picture Show, The Stanley Baxter Series) where he often impersonated women, frequently displaying his legs (of which many women at the time were somewhat envious,) and various other television specials. My two children will remember him best, however, as Mr Majeika.
Stanley Livingstone Baxter: 24/5/1926 – 11/12/2025. Tararanoo, Stanley. Tararanoo.
The news of this came too late last Friday for me to post this then, but Mani, the bassist for The Stone Roses, died last week.
The late 80s were a musical era I kind of missed as my children were infants then and time for listening to music was limited. There is no doubt, though, that The Stone Roses were an important influence on later bands – not least Oasis.
Mani’s playing is the propulsive force behind this track, a no 8 in 1989.
The Stone Roses: Fool’s Gold
Gary (Mani) Mounfield: 16/11/1962 – 20/11/2025. So it goes.
Squeeze’s drummer from their early years of hits, Gilson Lavis, has died. He was a member of the band from 1976–1982 and again from 1985–1992 and played on all their tracks recorded during those times. He also later played for Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.
This is Take Me I’m Yours, Squeeze’s first hit, from 1978.
Squeeze: Take Me I’m Yours
David Leslie Gilson Lavis: 27/6/1951 – 5/11/202. So it goes.
The latest book I have received to review for ParSec is Exiles by Mason Coile.
This was one of only two SF books in the most recent list of upcoming publications up for review.
I have not previously read anything by the author.
However, the accompanying blurb tells me Mason Coile is a pseudonym of Andrew Pyper, award winning author of William and ten other novels. These seem to be works in the thriller or horror genres. William was published as by Mason Coile, though.
Sadly, the blurb also says Pyper died in January 2025.
I never much took to the band mainly because Marc Almond’s posturing annoyed me. But Ball was a different prospect. Like Chris Lowe of The Pet Shop Boys he appeared to prefer staying in the background quietly playing his synths.
However, they had a significant run of hit singles spanning 1981 and 82, with a distinctive sound.
Here’s a Top of the Pops appearance from that second year.
Soft Cell:- Torch
David James (Dave) Ball: 3/5/1959 – 22/10/2025. So it goes.
Yet again I have seen poppies for sale in a shop before the official launch day for the appeal – and again before they have sprouted on the breasts of people appearing on television.
Mind you it’s nearly three weeks till Armistice Day.
I can’t say that Kiss were ever really my thing (that goes for heavy metal in general) but they were significant and had an unmistakably distinctive look.
It’s nevertheless sad that their classic lead guitarist Ace Frehley died last week.
This is one of his compositions (from 1978.)
Kiss: Cold Gin
Paul Daniel (Ace) Frehley: 27/4/1951 – October 16/10/2025. So it goes.
The latest book I have received to review for 