Loony Loony makes a comeback for Sidmouth councillor

A RECORDING, made more than 10 years ago in a Gateshead studio by Sidmouth town, district and county councillor Stuart Hughes, was reissued this week on music download websites.

Stuart, who last year came out of retirement as a DJ to help raise money to build the Tango Juvenile Carnival Club float, first recorded Loony Loony and Pundifesto under the name Bigg Ben and the Pundits in 1997 and the CD was released on the Face label.

Back then it sold several hundred copies, only managing to make a brief appearance in the top 100 and certainly didn't make it to the Top Ten where Stuart wanted it.

Now, with Monday and Tuesday's downloads counting towards chart sales, he feels the Number 10 spot could well be on the cards.

He said: "I was gobsmacked when I heard that Cadiz digital were behind getting it on download sites including two of the biggest - Napster and i-Tunes - and who knows, it may just take off."

Loony Loony may sound familiar as it is based on the chart-topping Mony Mony, written in the 60's by Bobby Bloom, Richard Cordell and Bob Gentry and recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells. A Billy Idol version in the 80's also made the Top Ten.

Stuart re-wrote the words and had to get permission from Warner Chappell Music Ltd to release it. It is based on the General Election, possibly just 12 months away.

"It was great fun recording the track and an experience I shall never forget," said Stuart who was joined on the session by studio owner and musician Dave Maughan and Alan Morton (the Pundits) and other musicians James Bullough - Drums, Peter Johnston - Acoustic Guitar and Backing Vocals, Paul Kennett - Electric Guitar and Susan Lidell - Backing Vocals.

The track Pundifesto was put down in an hour, with Stuart reciting some old Loony policies over a piece of classical-type music played backwards.

On Friday, Stuart will take his Stuart Hughes Disco Show to Honiton Motel and will, no doubt, play Loony Loony for those paying the �4 admission.