The Pretty Things - Private Sorrow

Sunday, time for a classic.

"Private Sorrow" is a tune by the English rock band THE PRETTY THINGS, it's taken from the fourth and one of the first rock operas/ rock concept album "S.F. Sorrow" released in 1968. An excellent album that is a must-have in the album collection of British history in "Rock" music.

THE PRETTY THINGS was formed in September 1963 in Sidcup, Kent. They took their name from Willie Dixon's 1955 song "Pretty Thing". A pure rhythm and blues band in their early years, with several singles charting in the United Kingdom, they later embraced other genres such as a psychedelic rock in the late 1960s (with 1968 "S.F. Sorrow" being ), hard rock in the early 1970s and new wave in the early 1980s. Despite this, they never managed to recapture the same level of commercial success of their very first releases.

Based on a short story by singer Phil May, the album is structured as a song cycle, telling the story of the main character, Sebastian F. Sorrow, from birth through love, war, tragedy, madness, and the disillusionment of old age.

Although the album is a rock opera, it has been stated by members of THE WHO that the record had no major influence on Pete Townshend and his writing of "Tommy" (1969). THE PRETTY THINGS, however, have suggested otherwise, as have some critics.

"S.F. Sorrow's" narrative is different from others in the rock opera/concept album genre: while "Tommy" and PINK FLOYDs "The Wall" relay their concept through the lyrics of their songs, THE PRETTY THINGS tell the bulk of the story through small paragraph-like chapters which were printed in the liner notes of the LP and the CD, alternating with the song’s lyrics. These explanatory notes were read aloud between song performances by Arthur Brown during THE PRETTY THINGS' first of two known live performances of the opera.

Like "Tommy", "S.F. Sorrow" opens with the birth of the story's protagonist at the turn of the 20th century. Sebastian F. Sorrow is born in a small nameless town to ordinary parents in a house called "Number Three." The town is supported by a factory of some sort, referred to as the "Misery Factory."

Like today's tune is a phase in the life of S.F.Sorrow, when he joins a light infantry ("Private Sorrow") and goes off to fight in a war, possibly World War I. Sorrow sinks into a daze, living out the entire war in a funk. Soon the sounds of gunfire and artillery become the rhythm to his life in a daydream.

Phil May, the vocalist and the founding member of THE PRETTY THINGS was one of the band's main lyricists. He was the primary lyricist for the album "S.F. Sorrow". He died on 15 May 2020, aged 75, in a hospital in King's Lynn, from complications following hip surgery after a cycling accident. R.I.P.

Enjoy today's tune "Private Sorrow", the clip is filmed on French TV 1968.



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Alex Carole - Carole Cinema Radio Ad

From the farthest reaches of space and time, through atomic wastelands, around the abandoned cities of the western world and beyond the desertplains of the real... Out of the frying pan and into the gutter.

"Carole Cinema Radio Ad". A non album single that works as both statement and celebration of the process and completion of the upcoming album and rock opera ”Carole Cinema”. Take the deep plunge folks!

The album "Carole Cinema" - Is a Rock Opera in 10 acts. A journey inwards. A snapshot of a life. A me from afar… ”Alex” in a technicolor dream.

Take part THE WHO (Tommy) meets Iggy Pop and teams up with VAN HALEN and we are not to far away from how Alex Carole sounds.

Alex Carole - Rythm guitar & vocals

Jon Murray Calander - Bass guitar & back up vocals

Mats Larsson - The drums

Enjoy today's tune for "Carole Cinema Radio Ad".



More info @

Official Alex Carole Facebook

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Ian Gillan - Gethsemane

Sunday, classics time, today we continue in the musical theme, although we put more edgy touch to the song.

Original version of this all time musical classic. Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan played the role of Jesus and his interpretation of this immortal cut defined all the upcoming ones. When this work was recorded, Deep Purple weas on the top of the musical world, so Ian was unable to join the plays in Broadway, nor film the 1973 movie. Ted Neeley replaced him, he did awesome and was the known face of this Jesus, but that was his only achievement. Ian Gillan is part of rock history and his name is written with golden letters on the bible of rock.

The Musical, or should we say the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" is made by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971. The musical is based very loosely on the Gospels' accounts of the last week of Jesus' life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion. It highlights political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus, struggles that are not in the Bible. The resurrection is not included. It therefore largely follows the form of a traditional passion play.

Todays tune "Gethsemane" taken from the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar", Ted Neeley's 1973 version but with the voice of Ian Gillan. Holy moses, what a version!


As a bonus we have a version with Peter Jöback, Live from Cirkus" 2004.


Another bonus, Peter Jöback - I love musicals - Gethsemane Live from Globen, Stockholm 20.10.2012, poor video, but you can still hear that Peter's version is pretty awsome.



More info @

Official Ian Gillan Web

Official Peter Jöback Web

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