Ritchie and Jon Get Mellow

In an instrumental mood of late, I've been listening to this fine pair from Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord. First up is a track called 'Weiss Heim' which was a Rainbow b-side from the time of their fourth album, Down To Earth (1982), though not on the original LP.



Weiss Heim (1979)

Next is a lovely reflective melody from Jon's 1982 solo album, Before I Forget. Yes, those DP rockers certainly had a softer side.



For a Friend (1982)

Back soon.

Two Song Sunday: Van Morrison

Two 80's jewels from Van the Man to uplift us this Sunday.

First, from Avalon Sunset (1989), this piece of spiritual self admonishment that seems to sum up so much of Van's struggle.

Suffering long time angels enraptured like Blake...



When Will I Ever Learn To Live In God (1989)

Now, from the wonderful Poetic Champions Compose (1987), an homage to the guru of all things Zen for those of us of a certain age.

Cloud hidden, whereabouts unknown...

Alan Watts Blues (1987)

Dylan Tour

If you haven't heard already, Bob is back in the UK this autumn. Info here and here.
Looks like prices have been hiked a little and venues disappointingly limited. The Albert Hall will be something special. I seriously doubt that I'll be getting to either Glasgow, Blackpool  or London, which I'm gutted about but prices and travel costs are going to be prohibitive. It doesn't look as they there will be any scope for further dates to be added. Was really hoping to catch Zimmy this year. Oh well. If you see him, say hello.

Perhaps this is appropriate. Budokan next time?




The Three Degrees

Barrington Levy/Ranking Joe

Barrington Levy/Ranking Joe



River Jordan (1981)

Been grooving to this at every chance I can get of late. I have it on a Greensleeves label compilation with deejay Ranking Joe doing his toasting t'ing over Barrington Levy's original of 'River Jordan (Crucifixion)' (see below). Splendidly infectious.

Barrington Levy



River Jordan (Crucifixion) (1979)

Peter Gabriel

D.I.Y. (1978)

This song keeps going round and around in my head as I begin the very long and laborious process of completely redecorating the Bear Mansions living room. For all sorts of reasons (laziness is but one), it hasn't been done for a long time and now needs a complete overhaul. I'll admit I'm not the most adept person in the world when it comes to decorating, attaching new skirtings, plastering etc. but needs must, so wish me luck. One good thing about it is that it gives me a fine excuse to blast out music whilst I work. This will take some time.

'D.I.Y.' is from PG's second album (the ones with the same title and I don't go for that 'Car' and 'Scratch' malarky). This is a record I'm really fond of even though many thought it didn't live up to the standards of its predecessor and merely acted as a pointer to Gabriel's very fine third album. I'd argue, however, that with songs like 'Indigo', 'White Shadow' and 'Flotsam and Jetsam' it does pretty well all on its own. Saw the man live just before the release of this and it was a splendid show. Wish he'd kept up with this sort of thing as I went off him when he went global with So. Musical snobbery? Probably.

Deep Purple

Anya (live, 1993)

Was listening to this for the billionth time last night and just felt compelled to share it with you.

I know I'm somewhat obsessed by all things Purple and particularly Blackmore but I'd really appreciate it if you indulged me once more - this'll only eat up 12 mins. of your life and it'll be well worth it (honest). If you don't agree then I'm afraid you're beyond repair.

'Anya' is a song from DP's then current album, The Battle Rages On (don't listen to the critics, it's a great record, by the way). The recording above is taken from the Stuttgart show of Purple's final ever tour with Ritchie on guitar. I'm not sure if the band were aware that he was intending to quit for good at this point but I'm pretty certain the man himself knew and summoned up some supreme guitar playing on those gigs. You need to listen to the solo he produces on this version of 'Anya'; for me, it tells you all you need to know about the brilliance of Blackmore. It's sometimes said he doesn't have the technical chops of some of the people who came in his wake but even if this is true (not being a guitarist, I couldn't say) what I do know is that he has more soul in his fingertips than any other rock player I've ever listened to (OK, along with Jimi). On this improvised solo RB draws something from deep down inside, producing moments of pure lyrical beauty as well as high-flying rock and roll ecstasy. He doesn't need to shred the strings or play endless scales; rather, his guitar tells a story, reflecting the heart of a man who has music oozing out of every pore of his skin. This is just utterly stunning.

In order to throw yourself into this sea of dreams you'll first have to get past Jon Lord's unfortunate use of synths and listen to some Gillan wailing (never a bad thing, mind), then sit down (or leap around) and enjoy the ride. Ian Gillan's praise at the end, whilst seemingly aimed at the audience could well have been made for his arch nemesis and I have read that the band just stood agog and applauded The Man In Black when it was over. No wonder.

Poetry Promotion

I want to take this opportunity to make a quick plug for the new space dedicated to the words of my long time associate, J.M.Stone. The pages are called The Ragman's Scrapbook and it's where I'll be posting pieces by the aforementioned rapscallion. Please take the opportunity to peruse this new blog where you are encouraged to comment, tear-down, ridicule or otherwise. It is hoped that new posts will appear there quite frequently but please note that use of the term 'poetry' must be taken in its loosest application to the written word.