My mistrust of Artificial Intelligence continues…
In the USA Taco Bell is reevaluating its use of artificial intelligence at drive-through locations after viral videos showcased the system making humorous and frustrating errors. In one widely shared clip, a customer appeared to overwhelm the AI by ordering 18,000 water cups, while another showed a driver growing increasingly irritated as the system repeatedly urged him to add more drinks to his order. Since 2023, the fast-food chain has rolled out the technology at over 500 U.S. locations, aiming to improve accuracy and speed.
However, the results so far seem to have had the opposite effect.
Also on today’s show –
Stethoscopes powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could help detect three different heart conditions in seconds, researchers say.
Sky-watchers across the UK can look forward to a stunning spectacle on Sunday evening when a total lunar eclipse will turn the full Moon red.
Today’s Birthdays –
1942 – Al Jardine, American singer-songwriter and guitarist who co-founded the Beach Boys. He is best known as the band’s rhythm guitarist, background vocalist, and for occasionally singing lead vocals on singles such as number-one hit “Help Me, Rhonda” (1965), “Then I Kissed Her” (1965), “Cottonfields” (1970)
1986 – Omar Samuel Pasle] better known by his stage name Omi is a Jamaican singer. He is best known for his 2012 single “Cheerleader”, the remixed version of which was a worldwide hit.
Martin’s Choice – Hi Bob my song choice for this week is by a Dutch Band who had an amazing guitar player Back in the early 70s.
I’ve featured some great guitar players on your last few shows so I thought I’d continue this week while I’m on a roll!
The band I’m talking about were a Dutch band called Focus and their guitar player the great Jan Akkermann.
He was born on the 24th December 1946.
The son of a scrap iron trader Akkerman was born in Amsterdam. He started playing the accordion before turning to the guitar around the of age ten, and then took guitar lessons. Later Akkerman won a scholarship to study at the Amsterdam Music Lyceum for five years, developing his composition and arranging skills.
He went on to play in several bands but was asked by a friend to join the band Focus who at the time were the pit band for the Dutch theatrical production of the musical Hair. They went on to start writing their own material and explored progressive rock which is an amalgam of classical, jazz, and rock music.
They recorded several albums and had two massive worldwide hits from two of those albums, the singles were “Hocus Pocus” and “Sylvia”.
In late 1973 Akkerman was voted Best Guitarist by readers of the UK weekly magazine Melody Maker beating favorites such as John McLaughlin, Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore.
The band eventually split up and he went on to form his own band and also became a session player. In 1992, he was involved in a serious car accident, but he resumed playing in 1993. In the late 1990s, after an absence of nearly 20 years, he was persuaded to tour the UK again.
I was lucky enough to see him and his band at the famous Half Moon pub in Putney London some years ago. After the show I managed to get to talk to him while enjoying a beer at the bar. During his set he played shortened versions of the Focus hits “Hocus Pocus” and “Sylvia”
He explained to me that he was expected to play these songs at gigs by the fans but now finds them repetitive! Such is the legacy of writing such great songs !!
So I have two great songs to chose from ? I’m going choose “Sylvia” it shows off This man’s incredible guitar playing and brings back great memories of those great days in the 70s !
You can listen to the show here – 
