Back in the day i used to go and watch Tommy Burton at the Bird in hand at hilderstone and what a great performance it was every time i only wish i could could turn back time he was the Best ❤
Brings back happy memories of my late teens, in a pub at the edge of Highgate in Walsall back in about 1966-1967 Tommy had a regular spot on Sunday lunchtime ... The cries of"Get Smutty" would ring around the room after a few pints had slipped down :) ... He was a great performer ...
A legend, I, saw him on a number of occasions, such a genuine crowd pleaser and a real down to earth black-country bloke. The best one was in Wolverhampton (late 1970s) at a 'boys night out' and he was not only the brilliant musician you see in these video he was hilarious especially with his version of windmills of your mind which he re-wrote as cesspits of your mind which when I think about it still makes me laugh today. Thanks for posting these videos brings back great memories
It's so wonderful to see these clips... I was lucky enough to see him live on many occasions at the Upton Jazz Festival and my goodness he pulled the crowds!! The marquees would be full and people would stand 10-deep at the sides craning their necks to catch a glimpse and hear his performance. His jokes were as legendry as his music.
Thanks so much for sharing! I love Tommy and miss him so much! I was lucky to see him many times and he even let my 10yr old son play with him one night and we have never forgotten it! He was a genuinely lovely guy, and missed by so many.
I used to see Tommy in the Crest at Walsall every week. Loads of people bought him a pint, and they used to be lined up on the piano. One week he was telling us that on his way home the previous week he had been stopped for going over a red light, and was found to be over the limit. In court, the judge asked him if there were any mitigating circumstances, and he told the judge that someone had spiked his drink with ten pints of mild! True.
I found this looking for this song my dad sang in the minstrel shows . contrary to popular belif his work was to prtray good black humor and to portray the hard times their music represented. My dad never had a prejudice bone in his body
Lovely watching Tommy again! I first saw him with his "Combo" at local Dances in the 50s/ 60s. Luckily I live only 4 miles from the Lord Wraglan, where he was licencee (70s), and have sepent many hours on Sunday mornings watching him and other local talents perform. I agree that "Cesspits of your Mind" was hilarious, but better still were "Jimmy Brown" and "These Ghoulish Things". Even with his own adaptations he remanied the thorough professional. Anyone have any more tapes - please!
Thanks so much for sharing! I love Tommy and miss him so much! I was lucky to see him many times and he even let my 10yr old son play with him one night and we have never forgotten it! He was a genuinely lovely guy, and missed by so many. Does anyone have a copy of him palying "Windmills of your mind"? It was so funny!!!!! I would love to see that again! Thank you!
.I was in panto in Wolverhampton 1971. I used to go to the lord raglan on a sunday night, our day off.g tommy was responsible for me settling in wolverhamptonthe following year when I got married.I was with Morton fraser harmonica gang at the time and used to love to play with tommy at the raglan.he'd shout" come up here ron and bring your gob organ with you". I loved that guy, but who didn't.sad loss to us all .while I'm on,regards to another terrific guy Reg Keirl at the Trumpet great day's.
Wonderful years of the Bude Jazz Festival where for me Tommy was always the highlight I was first introduced to him in Iraq.on record.. where we had the Jadariyah Jazz Band run by Geoff Close who was organising bringing Tommy out to Baghdad. where a huge number of expats were building.. Great years.. A lovely man sadly missed
Marvelous, many thanks. I was listening to the Pee Wee Hunt version of the song then came here. I can't imagine this chap being racist,(see comments) He's learned from black musicians and is celebrating the ridiculousness and joy of life in his own way with a great Southern accent!. Mr Burton's professionalism - left the one handed continuing whilst he points and milks the gag is wonderful, I'm sorry I missed him. Bert Williams would have loved this.
I come back to this time and time again, what an amazing performer.
Back in the day i used to go and watch Tommy Burton at the Bird in hand at hilderstone and what a great performance it was every time i only wish i could could turn back time he was the Best ❤
Just superb: great joke, funny song and such vlever word play and timing.
A master at work.
How I miss seeing this geezer live ... GENIUS
Brings back happy memories of my late teens, in a pub at the edge of Highgate in Walsall back in about 1966-1967 Tommy had a regular spot on Sunday lunchtime ... The cries of"Get Smutty" would ring around the room after a few pints had slipped down :) ... He was a great performer ...
Wish someone had some of Tommy's "rude" songs..."Get yourself a blackbird" "Christopher Robin" etc.
A legend, I, saw him on a number of occasions, such a genuine crowd pleaser and a real down to earth black-country bloke. The best one was in Wolverhampton (late 1970s) at a 'boys night out' and he was not only the brilliant musician you see in these video he was hilarious especially with his version of windmills of your mind which he re-wrote as cesspits of your mind which when I think about it still makes me laugh today. Thanks for posting these videos brings back great memories
It's so wonderful to see these clips... I was lucky enough to see him live on many occasions at the Upton Jazz Festival and my goodness he pulled the crowds!! The marquees would be full and people would stand 10-deep at the sides craning their necks to catch a glimpse and hear his performance. His jokes were as legendry as his music.
Thanks so much for sharing! I love Tommy and miss him so much! I was lucky to see him many times and he even let my 10yr old son play with him one night and we have never forgotten it! He was a genuinely lovely guy, and missed by so many.
My first.- great entertainer!
Classic
I used to see Tommy in the Crest at Walsall every week. Loads of people bought him a pint, and they used to be lined up on the piano. One week he was telling us that on his way home the previous week he had been stopped for going over a red light, and was found to be over the limit. In court, the judge asked him if there were any mitigating circumstances, and he told the judge that someone had spiked his drink with ten pints of mild! True.
I found this looking for this song my dad sang in the minstrel shows . contrary to popular belif his work was to prtray good black humor and to portray the hard times their music represented. My dad never had a prejudice bone in his body
This is only the second Tommy Burton video I've ever seen but I really like him, he's mesmerizing. A fascinating entertainer.
New Tommy from the Ham and Egger`y pub on the A5 just past Gailey when it was mine and his local. A great mate
Lovely watching Tommy again! I first saw him with his "Combo" at local Dances in the 50s/ 60s. Luckily I live only 4 miles from the Lord Wraglan, where he was licencee (70s), and have sepent many hours on Sunday mornings watching him and other local talents perform. I agree that "Cesspits of your Mind" was hilarious, but better still were "Jimmy Brown" and "These Ghoulish Things". Even with his own adaptations he remanied the thorough professional. Anyone have any more tapes - please!
MY ad was a black face minstrel and his friend Bunk Bahm would sing this in the shows. It is a great humor song thankfor the posting
Fantastic years with Tommy at the Bude Festival. A lovely man and amazing talent.
Very talented. Pity he is no longer with us.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for sharing! I love Tommy and miss him so much! I was lucky to see him many times and he even let my 10yr old son play with him one night and we have never forgotten it! He was a genuinely lovely guy, and missed by so many. Does anyone have a copy of him palying "Windmills of your mind"? It was so funny!!!!! I would love to see that again! Thank you!
.I was in panto in Wolverhampton 1971. I used to go to the lord raglan on a sunday night, our day off.g tommy was responsible for me settling in wolverhamptonthe following year when I got married.I was with Morton fraser harmonica gang at the time and used to love to play with tommy at the raglan.he'd shout" come up here ron and bring your gob organ with you". I loved that guy, but who didn't.sad loss to us all .while I'm on,regards to another terrific guy Reg Keirl at the Trumpet great day's.
Yes he used to fill the volunteer every wednesday night & sunday lunch time when live music in pubs was at it`s best
Wonderful years of the Bude Jazz Festival where for me Tommy was always the highlight I was first introduced to him in Iraq.on record.. where we had the Jadariyah Jazz Band run by Geoff Close who was organising bringing Tommy out to Baghdad. where a huge number of expats were building.. Great years.. A lovely man sadly missed
Thanks Holly. Great memories of Tommy and 'The Lord Raglan'.
Sadly missed by all who knew and heard him.
JW
Marvelous, many thanks. I was listening to the Pee Wee Hunt version of the song then came here. I can't imagine this chap being racist,(see comments) He's learned from black musicians and is celebrating the ridiculousness and joy of life in his own way with a great Southern accent!. Mr Burton's professionalism - left the one handed continuing whilst he points and milks the gag is wonderful, I'm sorry I missed him. Bert Williams would have loved this.
@texas77581 I loved his version of "Windmills of your mind" too and would love to see it again, if anyone has a copy they can post! It was hilarious!
Pee wee hunt's version is much better for sure.
knockout!