The Al Read Show

Oct 8, 2024 1:30 AM

Author:Ronnie Taylor,Al Read

The Al Read Show

Described by Radio Times as "a brilliant observer of the domestic scene, a master reporter of life as we know it", Al Read's weekly show drew audiences of 35 million during the 1950s and 60s.Born in Salford in 1909, Al started life as a sausage manufacturer, having inherited the family's meat-processing factory. His comedy developed from his sales patter and after-dinner speeches, and he described his humour as "pictures of life". He drew on his working-class roots to come up with catchphrases such as "Right Monkey" and "You'll be lucky, I'll say, you'll be lucky". The rich Northern humour stands the test of time, as this collection of four shows from the 50s hilariously demonstrates.

Reviews

Julia Blackburn's book gives a far more complete idea of Holiday as an artist than anything else I have read

—— Guardian

This is a raw, true book that evokes not just the life of the great singer Billie Holiday but an entire jazz era.... Blackburn's compelling tale is of whores, drug-pushers, bent policemen and crooked lawyers as well as brilliant musicians, and she brings alive everything she touches

—— Mail on Sunday

This addition to the tide of Billie Holiday books is extremely welcome. Nowhere else is the context of her life and work so vividly captured

—— Toni Morrison

Full of vigour and colour...Ms Blackburn's portrait of a unique artist is moving, revealing and quite unforgettable

—— Economist

Julia Blackburn...has contributed much to the legacy of a remarkable human being

—— New Statesman

With her assured touch, she has transcribed and framed the verbatim accounts into a resonant piece of social history, never losing sight of the woman who enthralled everyone with whom she came into contact

—— Financial Times

Often books about jazz musicians make the mistake of over-focusing on the music. Blackburn is more interested in Billie as a person

—— Mike Figgis , Guardian

This is a really marvellous book, the most uninhibitedly intimate portrayal ever of the short, hard life and overall musical triumph of Lady Day...With Billie vividly reflects the chaos that Billie Holiday was born into and only rarely escaped from

—— Spectator

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