Grown Up Backwards

Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins

2012-01-27T09:26:00.001Z

Run Devil Run/The Big Guns (2005)

Feeling pretty shitty this morning, I've bumbled around the front room to avoid actually facing the day only to make a surprising discovery - I found an album I thought I'd lost about a year ago. For perhaps twelve months I've wondered what ever happened to my copy of Rabbit Fur Coat (2005) by Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins. I ripped this place high and low to find it and had come to the conclusion that someone just needed it more than me and decided to give it a new home. I've been meaning to get myself a new copy. Anyway, I browse along my shelves today and...there it is! Huh? Back from the ether. This stuff happens. Hope it's a good sign 'cause I feel like a need one at the moment. Peace.

Rory Gallagher

2012-01-25T12:02:00.000Z

Cradle Rock (1974)

Feeling in hyper-nostalgic mode today, wishing I could be transported back to being that 14 year old kid who was discovering music at a rate of knots and everything was up for grabs. Thus, I bring you the wonderful Rory Gallagher with 'Cradle Rock', recorded on his '74 Irish Tour, which spawned an excellent film and accompanying live album - one of the finest of the era. Rory was a blues-rocker, with a heart for traditional music as well, who played directly from the soul with no frills, no nonsense. Certainly one of my favourite players of all time. I have nothing but love for the man. Next up, Rory from the same tour, playing 'Tattoo'd Lady'.

Tattoo'd Lady (1974)

Rory Gallagher: much missed and one of the greats.

Harry Nilsson/Scott Walker

2012-01-22T19:51:00.001Z

Cowboy (1970)

Was listening to some Nilsson this afternoon, including this song, 'Cowboy', which was actually written by Randy Newman and released on Nilsson's 1970 album, Nilsson Sings Newman. Harry Nilsson was a very fine songwriter himself, of course, but if you put his great vocal style together with the musical pen of Mr. Newman - magic happens. Note how the theme from Midnight Cowboy, for which Harry supplied his version of Fred Neil's 'Everybody's Talkin'', is quoted at the end.

I need to add that Scott Walker also did a great version on his 1973 album, Any Day Now. Here it is:

Cowboy (1973)

Gruff Rhys

2012-01-21T09:22:00.002Z

A Design for Life

Didn't want anyone to think I've given up on all this but I have been waylaid somewhat by the aforementioned lurgy. Still struggling but, as I prop myself up by the old computer, I give you Wales's own Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals and his take on Manic Street Preachers classic 'A Design for Life'. I hope to be back to full strength soon. Please send good vibes.

Tom Russell

2012-01-17T19:10:00.001Z

Nina Simone (2009)

Was supposed to be seeing Tom Russell live tonight. Had to let my mate Paul down and not show due to the old flu. Hope you managed to give my ticket to someone more deserving, Paul. This is Tom's tribute to the great Nina Simone, from his album Blood and Candle Smoke (2009). Hope it's a good gig. Sorry, mate. Sniff. Cough.

Keith Jarrett

2012-01-16T21:38:00.002Z

Koln Concert Part 1 (1975)

Koln Concert Part 2 (1975)

Solo piano performances by Keith Jarrett, recorded in 1975 in Cologne. Simply some of the most beautiful music I think I've ever heard.

Alice Coltrane

2012-01-16T14:27:00.001Z

Hare Krishna (1971)

Haven't been able to post anything due to feeling like a bag of crap (flu, bad chest etc.). In case anyone wants to know, I have been listening to Alice Coltrane over the weekend. This is from her very fine album, Universal Consciousness (1971). Must go and lie down. Hope to be back in action soon. Peace.

The Band

2012-01-13T08:02:00.000Z

It Makes No Difference (1975)

Sometimes it's enough to post a song for no other reason than its sheer brilliance; that's certainly the case here with The Band and their beautiful, 'It Makes No Difference'. Written by Robbie Robertson, sung so soulfully by Rick Danko, it's to be found on the album Northern Lights-Southern Cross (1976). There's also a fine live version on the soundtrack to The Last Waltz. Here it is:

This is a song that speaks to your heart. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Margaret Thatcher

2012-01-12T20:45:00.003Z

There's a film out at the moment starring Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher. I've not seen it and I won't be seeing it. I understand that it's not simply a piece of hagiography (although near enough) but, from what I've read, it also fails to question the results of her political policies as British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. For my money (pun intended), her ideals of rampant capitalism, anti-trade unionism, community destruction and soulless individualism left this country in a state of spiritual disrepair that it has, thus far, failed to recover from. Of course, there is always a chance, with the right people standing up for the right things, that we could yet turn it around. Never despair. I wish Margaret Thatcher no personal ill but I hate all that she stood for as a politician and despise all who sailed with her - from her fellow Tories and co-conspirators in the Institute of Economic Affairs and Centre for Policy Studies to traitors like Blair and his pals who refused to roll back the tide of greed and feelings of hopelessness she gifted to our country. Thanks, Mrs. Thatcher. I hope you're proud of yourself. Some of us have long memories. Enough politics? Enjoy the music.

Elvis Costello 'Tramp The Dirt Down' (1989)

Billy Bragg 'Which Side Are You On?' (1985)

James Holden

2012-01-12T08:06:00.001Z

Idiot (2006)

As promised, here's a track from Border Community label big cheese, James Holden. It's from his 2006 album, The Idiots Are Winning. A big favourite on the Bear MP3 player at the moment. I'd like to dedicate this to Cameron, Clegg and Miliband (and The Welsh Assembly, county councillors and our blessed Royal Family). Schmucks.

Herbie Hancock

2012-01-11T20:56:00.003Z

Watermelon Man (1962)

Watermelon Man (1973)

A study in contrasts. Two versions of Herbie Hancock's 'Watermelon Man', illustrating his mastery of two styles of jazz - hard bop and fusion. Pianist Hancock first recorded the tune for his debut album as band leader, Takin' Off (1962), when he was just 22 years old. This was a couple of years prior to him joining up with Miles Davis in Davis's supreme mid-60's quintet. Hancock worked with Miles for the next few years, turning to electric keyboards for Davis's controversial jazz-rock fusion phase, first heralded on albums like In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew. Through this latter period Hancock continued to lead his own groups and recorded some experimental jazz sounds before getting seriously funky on his Head Hunters album of 1973. Herbie Hancock has, at times, been criticized by jazz snobs for 'selling out' but, surely, if it sounds good it is good, that's all.

Woody Guthrie (1912-1967)

2012-01-11T08:04:00.000Z

Following yesterday's Roscoe Holcomb post my mind was inevitable led to another giant of American folk music who was born 100 years ago this year: Woody Guthrie. So much has been said and written about Guthrie's influence on the folk revival (and 20th Century folk and pop culture in general) that it hardly needs repeating here. I found my way to Woody the way that most people since the 60's have - via Bob Dylan. Listening to the directness, honesty, truth and poetry of his songs, sung in his dry Oklahoman voice, filled with passion and wit, inspired me, as a young man, to both sing and become politically active. Woody Guthrie was like punk rock - get out there and do it! Everything felt possible. Reading his fabulous book, Bound For Glory, and Joe Klein's excellent biography, one learns that Guthrie, along with so many of his contemporaries, suffered great hardship but he always believed in the power of the human spirit to overcome darkness. This is not to say he was perfect: like many of us, he was a very flawed individual who made life difficult for family and friends alike - but when you get to his art, the light shines through. Below are some Woody related treats. Please enjoy

There are only a bare handful of film clips of Woody Guthrie. This one (above) includes a rollicking performance of 'John Henry' in the company of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.

I Ain't Got No Home

Singers and musicians have been recording and reinterpreting Woody Guthrie's songs for many years: Dylan famously based his entire early career on Woody and so many others, from Pete Seeger and Ry Cooder to Billy Bragg and Joe Strummer, to name a mere handful, have used Guthrie as their guiding light. One of my favourites is Woody's son, Arlo. who's version of 'Deportee', from his 1972 album, Hobo's Lullaby, has always had a special place in my affections.

Deportee

Roscoe Holcomb (1912-1981)

2012-01-10T08:09:00.000Z

Across The Rocky Mountain (recorded 1972)

Man Of Constant Sorrow (recorded 1961)

This year is the centenary of the birth of the great Roscoe Holcomb, who was born in Kentucky in 1912. He's the man for whom the term 'high lonesome sound' was actually coined and if you listen to these tunes, you will hear why. Haunting, soulful, beautiful. Roscoe sang what is often called 'old time' music, which included hymns, ballads and blues from the folk tradition of Southern USA. He was a master of both banjo and guitar and a massive influence on many artists of the 50's and 60's folk revival. That's Pete Seeger you see with him as he sings 'Across The Rocky Mountain'.

Isao Tomita

2012-01-09T09:28:00.000Z

Clair de Lune (1974)

Isao Tomita (born 1932 in Japan) is a pioneer of electronic music who's ground-breaking use of Moog Synthesizer to interpret orchestral scores by classical composers pointed the way for the use of synths in pop and ambient music as well as the later Trance sounds of the 90's and beyond. 'Clair de Lune' is from his album Snowflakes Are Dancing (1974), which consists of arrangements of the works of Claude Debussy. These tracks can take you away on poetic reverie that's good for the heart and soul.

Faust

2012-01-08T16:33:00.001Z

The Faust Tapes (1973)
'Stretch Out Time'/'Flashback Caruso'

Faust were a German avant-garde band of experimentalists who came up in the late 60's along with other, so called, Krautrock groups such as Amon Duul 2, Kraftwerk, Can and Tangerine Dream. For all the rampant weirdness that these great bands laid down, Faust were definitely at the extreme end of it all. These pieces are actually two of the more conventional tracks on the album, which, in its vinyl form, comprised a side each of tunes, stitched together into a sound collage.

I must have come across the album in about '75, when I was still mostly listening to more mainstream rock, such as Black Sabbath, Yes and Deep Purple. Virgin Records put it out as a cheap budget release, retailing, I believe, at 49p (around the same time, I purchased another Virgin budget release, Camembert Electrique by Gong, which really opened my mind). Even then, I picked up my copy of The Faust Tapes secondhand at a market bookshop I used to frequent, so I couldn't have paid much at all for it. It did make a big impression on me and prompted some sound experimentation from myself and my mate, Ben, which I recall we recorded onto a cassette and dumped in a few racks of unsuspecting record shops. The problem was that the only equipment we possessed was an acoustic guitar, an up-right piano and a melodica, so we would drop the mic from the cassette player down inside the piano and the sound hole of the guitar and get as much distorted noise as possible. Of course, it was terrible rubbish. Faust, on the other hand, sometimes touched greatness, espcially when they got out the pneumatic drills!

Jethro Tull

2012-01-07T09:44:00.000Z

Songs from the Wood (1977)

Just as the righteous storm of punk broke all over Britain, Jethro Tull, prog dinosaurs of this parish, replied with...a folk-rock album. Let's be serious, Ian Anderson, flute playing, cod-piece wearing leader of the band named after the inventor of the seed-drill, was never going to hit back with a Ramones style half-hour of buzz-saw guitars and gobbing. Shame, really. No matter - because if you are open hearted and big-minded enough to dig a bit of prime prog-folk, this is glorious indeed. The title track sets us up nicely for a journey into the darker bye-ways of Olde England and, in a sense, is so 'out of time' it's almost perverse. At the time, like so many others, I just laughed and hid my Tull albums behind Never Mind The Bollocks and Horses but that was just the folly of youth. Don your cod-pieces! I've it said before and I'll say it again, you can't beat a nice bit of flute.

Seams

2012-01-06T20:57:00.000Z

Hung Markets (2010)

Seams has been brought to my attention by Madam Mim, who pointed out to me that he has worked with Gold Panda (see post below). I toddled off and did a little research to find that Seams is an electro musician who has also worked with the excellent James Holden of the Border Community label (more on both Holden and Border Community soon but if you check the post I did on Nathan Fake some time ago, you'll begin to get the picture). All these great connections. 'Hung Markets' is from an album called Tourist (2010), which Seams a while back after spending time in Berlin. This is good stuff. Thanks, Mim!

Lal & Mike Waterson

2012-01-06T09:36:00.000Z

The Scarecrow (1972)

The Waterson's are arguably the first family of English folk music. Their music, rooted in the North Yorkshire mists, soil and sea, has had an enormous influence on so many other artists of the folk revival that the landscape of English folk would have been utterly different without them. Together, the core of the family, siblings Mike, Lal and Norma (later along with Norma's husband, the legendary Martin Carthy), they made some simply fabulous records that are a must for all fans of trad. folk song. The group took a brief hiatus in the early 70's and one of the fruits of this break was the beautiful album, Bright Phoebus (1972), written and performed by Mike and Lal. This was where we first glimpsed the haunting originality of their own songs, as you can hear on 'The Scarecrow' and, below, on 'Fine Horseman'. Please explore. Incredibly, I believe the album remains unavailable, which is a travesty. Sadly, Mike died last year, following Lal into music heaven.

Fine Horseman (1972)

Nick Drake

2012-01-04T08:43:00.000Z

Pink Moon (1972)

Title song from Nick Drake's third and final album. Apart from the slight piano motif you hear, all you get on the remainder of this brilliant and very dark record is Nick, his voice and guitar. By '72 , Nick Drake had become very withdrawn and quite probably deeply depressed. He'd given up attempting to play live some time before, would go missing for long periods and was generally worrying his friends and associates with his behaviour. The album was recorded quickly over two days following a brief stay at Chris Blackwell's Portuguese holiday home, which, it was hoped, would raise Nick's spirits and health. What he he came up with was an apocalyptic masterpiece that proved to be his swan song. Breath taking - like Robert Johnson is reborn in Middle England.

Focus

2012-01-03T22:13:00.001Z

Dutch prog rockers Focus were one of the most innovative groups of any era but their peak was undoubtedly in the 1970's when they had both founder/leader Thijs Van Leer (keyboards/flute/vocals) and Jan Akkerman (guitar) in the line-up. Their influences ranged from classical to jazz via rock and roll and folk and are probably best remembered today for their wild 'yodelling' hit, 'Hocus Pocus' (1972). Akkerman was very interested in traditional music, especially that of the Medieval and Renaissance eras, which is something he spent more time pursuing when he left the band in 1977 and to honour that great man of the guitar here are two of his mellower tunes from early albums Focus III (1972) and Moving Waves (or Focus II) (1972). Sit back and let the strains of the day wash away with Focus.

Elspeth of Nottingham (1972)

Janis (1971)

Tape

2012-01-02T18:11:00.001Z

Moth Wings (2008)

Enchantingly lovely track from Tape's album, Luminarium (2008). Tape, like Abba and Volvos, are from Sweden and I suppose they fall into the vague 'post-rock' category, where you'd also find the likes of latter day Talk Talk and Sigur Ros. I've been enjoying Luminarium on the drive to work of late and have found it to be the perfect panacea to the bullshit of the daily grind. Please take the time to enjoy this.

Gold Panda

2012-01-01T09:33:00.000Z

You (2010)

Gold Panda is an electro musician from Essex and 'You' is from his album, Lucky Shiner (2010), which was his first full-length release. Working basically in the minimalist/glitch/IDM area, Gold Panda makes sounds that appeal to these ears greatly and I shall be eagerly anticipating new material in 2012.

Josh Rouse

2011-12-31T11:19:00.000Z

1972 (2003)

We're going through the changes
Hoping for a replacement
Until we find a way out of this hole

Ruminative - the act of pondering; meditation.

New Year's eve and, having already gorged myself on a set from Miles Davis's classic mid-60's quintet (check out Live in Europe 1967 if you haven't already), I looked for contrast and flipped a mini-album by Chester into the tray. Chester was a short-lived project led by Josh Rouse and Lambchop's Kurt Wagner. Anyway, this isn't quite the point. One thing often leads on to another and I inevitably searched out my copy of Rouse's lovely album 1972 (2003), something I haven't heard for a while. It's a beautiful folk-pop record that somehow captures some of the feel of the era it's named after in its rootsy but smooth production. It makes me feel good, even in or, perhaps, because of, its more reflective moments. Let's hope for more good feelings in 2012. Happy New Year and a huge thank you to all who have taken the time to read my words this past year.

A Message From Bob

2011-12-25T09:20:00.003Z

Bob Dylan

The Innocence Mission

2011-12-24T11:13:00.001Z

O Little Town of Bethlehem (2011)

A peaceful Christmas to you all.

Festive Folk

2011-12-22T22:24:00.000Z

The Watersons - Here We Come A-Wassailing (1965)

From their debut album, Frost and Fire (1965), Hull's Waterson family sing in the new year with a slice of rural tradition.

Best Jansch - In The Bleak Midwinter (1974)

We lost Bert this year - here's his version of Christina Rosetti's hymn, set to music by Gustav Holst. Thanks for all the great tunes, Bert.

The Flaming Lips

2011-12-21T08:49:00.002Z

Christmas at the Zoo (1995)

Just in case some poor soul has only stumbled down here in error, can I reassure you that I do normally put more effort into my posts, which can be infuriatingly rambling affairs at least nominally related music. In the run up to Christmas, however, due to the general chaos of the season and a shit-load of other stuff you don't want to know about, I'm just offering some festive treats. So, here's Wayne Coyne and the gang with 'Christmas at the Zoo' from Clouds Taste Metallic (1995).

The Fall Remember Those Less Fortunate In The Season of Good Will

2011-12-20T19:18:00.001Z

No Christmas for John Quays (1979)

There is no Christmas for John Quays
No girls
No curls
Just the traffic passing by
Bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye
1,2,3,4
No Christmas for John Quays

Eek-A-Mouse Sends Us A Reggae Christmas

2011-12-20T08:44:00.004Z

The Night Before Christmas

Nothing like the sounds of JA over the Christmas hols. I hope to be grooving to this when I'm unwrapping my new tam and playing with my new nyahbinghi drum set. Jah lives!

Don Charles Presents - The Singing Dogs

2011-12-19T21:20:00.002Z

Jingle Bells (late 50's)

My fellow melodic mammals produced this beauty back in the 50's. Enough said.

Love from The Roches

2011-12-19T09:38:00.002Z

Winter Wonderland (1990)

One of the loveliest of all Christmas records is We Three Kings (1990) by The Roches. Chock full of delights, the New York based sisters can be relied upon to add fun to any gathering with this fine album. Here's their take on 'Winter Wonderland', which was a regular in their wintery set when they were busking around the Big Apple.

Tom Waits Sends Yule-Tide Greetings

2011-12-18T09:53:00.000Z

Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis (1978)

Seasonal fare from Mr. Waits, to be found on his album, Blue Valentine (1978).

Bob Dylan Gets Festive

2011-12-17T08:12:00.002Z

Must Be Santa (2009)

Not only is he the most important popular music artist of the last century or so, Bob Dylan also made the best Christmas album ever a couple of years ago. More seasonal kicks soon.

Best of 2011: Tune Doctor

2011-12-16T17:03:00.001Z

If anyone is interested in hearing some of the tracks that have moved me most this year, then go to the very fine Tune Doctor blog, where those good people have been kind enough to include my ramblings on their guest list. Then you can read the thoughts of the Tune Doctor team on the great things they have heard this year in the complete set of 2011 Tune Doctor 'best of' posts.

Greg Lake

2011-12-16T08:22:00.000Z

I Believe in Father Christmas (1975)

I make a concession to the season of good will to all men and bring you my favourite Christmas song, 'I Believe in Father Christmas' by Greg Lake. Lake was vocalist and bass player in Prog Rock monsters, ELP, but his biggest singles chart success came with this beauty which, whilst musically capturing the spirit of the season managed to spread a peppering of reality dust lyrically. There have been some utter monstrosities at No. 1 over Christmas time, this, happily is one of the truly deserving. Have a good one.

Nancy Priddy

2011-12-15T09:55:00.000Z

Ebony Glass (1968)

Musician and actress Nancy Priddy made her debut album, You've Come This Way Before, in 1968. She'd started out in the mid-60's, performing in Greenwich Village clubs with The Bitter End Singers and seemed uncertain whether to throw her energies into singing or acting but did come up with a classic album of 'psychedelic folk- jazz- pop' (my own ugly invention to describe what she did) which no one bought. Nancy dropped out of the music world in order to raise her daughter, the actress Christina Applegate, did some minor film and TV work but did come back in 2008 with an album called Christina's Carousel. I heartily recommend You've Come This Way Before, which is where you'll find the spooky 'Ebony Glass'.

Langley Schools Music Project

2011-12-15T07:57:00.001Z

Desperado (recorded 1976, released on CD 2001)

This one comes from an album that reached us a few years ago, recorded in the 70's by a Canadian music teacher and his pupils. Basically, this 'too cool for school' bloke decided to give the kids a shot at covering what were hits of the period and before and the result is, perhaps surprisingly, good. Not all the tracks get too far beyond the merely kitsch but there are some moments that can be considered transcendental, including this heartbreaking version of 'Desperado', far better than any other attempt I've heard. Perhaps some people listened to Langley Schools Music Project with an ironic ear but, for me, this is very good art. The album is titled, Innocence and Despair, which is perfect.

Spacedog

2011-12-14T23:31:00.002Z

For Laika (2011)

Spacedog are an English experimental music group consisting of Sarah Angliss (composer, roboticist, theramin and other), Stephen Hiscock (composer, percussion) and Jenny Angliss (vocals). They have very recently released their first album, Juice for the Baby (2011) and are influenced by TV, folk tales and Tommy Cooper. This beautifully mournful tune is their homage to Laika, the first animal to orbit the earth, who died in a Soviet Sputnik spacecraft in 1957. Spacedog are named in memory of Laika.

Smith & Mighty

2011-12-14T07:54:00.000Z

Walk On By (1988)

An early release from Bristol's Rob Smith and Ray Mighty, this is a cover of the Bacharach and David classic done over break beat style. Smith and Mighty were a duo of producers/musicians who were an integral part of the development of the 'Bristol Sound', which was made famous by Massive Attack, Tricky and Portishead. They released a handful of excellent albums through the 90's and into the 21st Century but I think they have been inactive as a partnership for a few years now. I recommend all their recordings.

Yes

2011-12-13T08:02:00.001Z

Then (1970)

Before all the Prog nay-sayers in the universe turn this off without giving it a chance, I ask you to just stay your hands and go with it. Yes went on to create massive, neo-symphonic rock suites that aren't everyone's cup of tea (though, much of it hits the spot for this listener) but their first couple of albums are filled with concise jazz-influenced rock of the highest calibre. 'Then', a song written by singer Jon Anderson, is from their second album, Time and a Word (1970), which featured Tony Kaye on keyboards (eventually replaced by Rick Wakeman) and Peter Banks on guitar who is not in the video as his replacement, Steve Howe, was in situ by the time it was filmed. To add to the confusion, bassist, Chris Squire, mimes the keyboards whilst Kaye messes about on the bass. To complete the line-up, that's the incredible Bill Bruford on drums. After Time and a Word things definitely got super-proggy but I'd recommend the early stuff to all lovers of fine music.

Fossil Collective

2011-12-12T07:59:00.001Z

On and On (2010)

Fossil Collective are Leeds based duo, David Fendick and Jonny Hooker. They used to be part of an indie-band called Vib Gyor but as that project folded in 2010 Fossil Collective rose. They make highly agreeable folk-tinged melodic rock with hints of Midlake, Neil Young and (ahem) Fleetwood Mac. They are very good and are a band to watch out for in 2012. 'On and On' is from their debut EP, Honey Slides (2010). Here's 'Without a Fight' from the same recording.

Robert Wyatt

2011-12-11T21:30:00.001Z

Solar Flares Burn For You (1973)

I post this video as much for the visuals as the music, although the sounds are splendid, coming from the heart of the wonderful Robert Wyatt. This track, later reworked for the 1975 album, Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard, acted as musical accompaniment to a short experimental film by Arthur Johns which documents a melange of contrasting urban, semi-rural and natural images and some general weirdness. All very much of its time and pretty groovy for that.

Ivor Cutler

2011-12-11T09:19:00.001Z

Women of the World (1983)

From Wales we travel to Scotland to encounter the land of oats and kilts' finest poet, Ivor Cutler. This one goes out to all the ladies in the audience. It's short and sweet, so won't delay you long but the message hits home. Ivor Cutler was a multi-talented master of music and mirth with a heavy-duty maudlin/surreal view of life. He started out as a teacher at the famed 'free-school', Summerhill (founded by educationalist, A.S. Neill), but found fame in the 60's and 70's for his odd-ball but highly compassionate poems, songs and art work. In my book, a genius. Happy Sunday. Dedicated to Baby Bear, who's birthday it is today.

The Sun Also Rises

2011-12-10T17:58:00.004Z

Taste of Jesamine and Suicide (1970)

Told you there'd be more Welsh music soon...here it is! I was pointed in the direction of psyche-folk duo The Sun Also Rises (Graham and Anne Hemingway - hence the band name) by my mate Paul, who, I believe, knows these good people somehow or other. I'd not heard of them before but, apparently, they were active in the Cardiff area in the late 60's and early 70's and were clearly under the spell of The Incredible String Band (and various substances, one suspects). Beautifully freaked out in ways that really should be getting their sole, eponymous, album a new hearing. Nice.

Man

2011-12-10T17:23:00.000Z

Day and Night (1975)

I've felt as though I really have neglected the music of my adopted homeland of late, so I've been thinking about some of my favourite Welsh groups. My mind, inevitably, began to ponder the likes of Super Furry Animals, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Manic Street Preachers (at least up until about 1999), Young Marble Giants, Amen Corner and more but I just didn't feel like focusing on any of those right now, so I came back to the group I consider to be the finest that the land of song has ever produced - Man.

Man formed in the late 60's and created a number of totally classic psychedelia tinged albums, which gave a very firm nod to American West Coast bands like Quicksilver Messenger Service and Grateful Dead, as well as picking up on more obvious British sounds of the era. They went through a host of line-ups but the vital core of the band was always the ever-present Mickey Jones (lead guitar/vocals), Deke Leonard (guitar/vocals) and Terry Williams (drums). By 1975 they had simplified their sound a little and, with Ken Whaley on bass, they made the very fine Slow Motion album, which cut down on the improvisation and extended solos (which was a shame) but had some really very good song-writing and playing. The band only lasted one for one more album after this as punk rock swept all before it but they reformed in the 80's and have carried on in one form of another ever since. Sadly, the mighty Mickey Jones, who was reputed to be one of Frank Zappa's favourite guitarists, passed away a couple of years ago.

More Welsh rock soon.

Bobbie Gentry/The Geraldine Fibbers: Fancy

2011-12-09T08:01:00.000Z

Bobbie Gentry 'Fancy' (1970)

Bobbie Gentry was writer of the wonderful 'Ode To Billie Joe', the groovy 'Mississippi' and, this, the tale of a young southern, 'white trash', girl who's mother encourages her to take the only way she can see out of poverty's prison, 'Fancy'. Gentry was a big name at the end of the 60's, even making it to MOR TV success despite being, at heart, an incredible funky and truthful musician. Strangely and, as far as I can tell, inexplicably, she seems to have dropped out of the whole 'showbiz' thing within a few years of her initial success and has hardly been heard of since. If anyone knows why, I'd be interested to know. 'Fancy' is, quite simply, a fabulous and touching song.

The Geraldine Fibbers 'Fancy' (1995)

90's alt.country band, The Geraldine Fibbers, released their version of 'Fancy' as a single in 1995. Check it out, it's bloody hot. Don't be put off by the 9.21 track time, it's only half that, so well worth your indulgence. I only wish it WAS that long.

Bruce Springsteen: Adam Raised a Cain

2011-12-08T11:30:00.003Z

Original from Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)

Live 2009

Wasting time today in preparation for the late shift at work, I did something I rarely do and slapped on some Bruce Springsteen. It's not that I have anything against Bruce, I just don't listen to him often. I really like the stuff he did up to Born In The USA, which, production-wise at least, I found a bit of a turn off. Since then (which is a long time, I know), my interest in 'The Boss' and his work has been pretty limited but I'm sure there are good things I need to sit down and listen to one day.

I'm in a bit of a quiet rage today, with one thing and another, so I'm putting up two versions of my favourite ever Bruce Springsteen song, 'Adam Raised a Cain' from what I think is his best album, Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978). Aside from the excellent writing, what I like best about Darkness is that it lacks some of the earlier bombast that I associate with Bruce. I know you have to love 'Born To Run' and 'Thunder Road' etc. but it can all get a bit too much. For me, Darkness is closer to reality and, thus, that little bit more effective. Listening to 'Adam' at full blast just now, I haven't changed my mind. This song suits the howling weather, too.

Belbury Poly

2011-12-07T22:08:00.001Z

Owls and Flowers (2006)

As United crash out of the Champions League in the group stage following a defeat to lowly Basel, I go in search of solace in the grooves of the second album by Ghost Box Records favourites, Belbury Poly. This is a track from their long player, The Owl's Map (2006), which is a beautifully disturbing and enchanting record that takes me back to the uneasiness of childhood days. Belbury Poly is the recording name of Ghost Box's Jim Jupp, who manages to create a peculiarly English sound that, at once, references TV soundtracks, folk song and prog rock. Splendid.

Horace Silver

2011-12-07T08:41:00.002Z

Song For My Father (1964)

Time for a little more jazz, methinks. Pianist and composer, Horace Silver, was a leading player in the 'Hard Bop' movement of the 50's and 60's, where the more wild ornamentation of be-bop gave way to a stripped down and funky sound that came out of gospel and the blues. A denizen of the legendary Blue Note label, Silver's music typifies all that was cool and spiffingly great about jazz of the period, which also saw fine hard bop recordings by the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Art Blakey before the former pair's more experimental nature took jazz off in new directions by the mid-60's. 'Song For My Father', from the album of the same name, was clearly a big influence on Steely Dan (and they know a thing or two about good music).

Pulp

2011-12-06T20:24:00.002Z

Babies (1992)

Featured on Pulp's best album, His 'n' Hers (1994), this is the original mix of 'Babies' which was released as a single in 1992. One of my favourite songs of the 90's, this, for me, sums up all that was great about Pulp - humour, class consciousness, intelligence, a little sadness and excellent social observation, all wrapped up in a majestic tune. Although the band went 'mega' with Different Class (1995), for me, they reached their peak just before this and seemed uncomfortable with fame and being lumped in with the 'Brit Pop' scene. Pulp had to wait a long time for the success they deserved but maybe it wasn't as much fun as they'd hoped. Not sure what the current status of the band, although they did play some gigs recently, so maybe Jarvis Cocker will give them another go around and treat us all to more revelations form his peculiar mind.

Melody Gardot

2011-12-04T21:36:00.001Z

Our Love Is Easy (2009)

One of the most beautiful love songs I have ever heard. Melody Gardot is a fabulous jazz singer and songwriter from Philadelphia, USA. 'Our Love is Easy' is from her superb second full-length album, My One and Only Thrill (2009). Whenever I listen to Ms. Gardot I have dreams of walking through rainy Parisian streets in the early hours of the morning, possibly with a beautiful woman on my arm (or alone if I'm feeling particularly existential). There is a fascinating back-story to Melody's career to date but as I may have told this already so I won't go into it here. If you are interested, just look her up on the old internet. I'd have to say that she is, in my opinion, one of the finest talents in the music world today. This is real singing, chums.

Midlake

2011-12-04T09:41:00.002Z

Rulers, Ruling All Things (2010)

Slow off the mark with Midlake, I'm afraid, but this is a story of odd synchronicity, which is more common than you might think and has been a theme through much of my life. Take what you have gathered from coincidence.

I do recall an old friend of mine mentioning Midlake somewhere back down the rusty road and I have some kind of memory of seeing them on the telly but, being a bit averse to the new(ish) folk thing once I heard Fleet Foxes in Starbucks one day (I know, I shouldn't have been there either), I have not bothered to find out more about them. Anyway, about two or three weeks ago, I thought, 'let's give this Midlake thing a go,' and duly checked them out on 'the' YouTube only to find myself knocked out by their sound, which reminds me of a bunch of backwoodsmen who've been locked in a cabin with nothing but early Fairport Convention to listen to and C.S. Lewis's Allegory of Love for reading matter. I buy their last two albums second hand, love them, then comes the regular odd bit. My mate Paul tells me he heard a band whilst checking out a hippy record shop in Totnes looking for Ron Sexsmith, thinks they are called something-lake; he was very impressed by them, have I heard them? What?! We've been through this before with Quintessence, Paul (we must be the only Quintessence fans in a two hundred mile geographic area). So, now we share Midlake in common, too. Freaks, eh? This is from their most recent album, The Courage of Others (2010).

Bill Fay

2011-12-01T07:48:00.000Z

I Thought I Heard Someone (2009)

I've posted about the great Bill Fay before (it's possible these posts were in previous incarnations of this blog, so a 'search' here may not help). He's a massive favourite of mine and, truly, one of the finest 'lost artists' in that questionable sub-genre, beloved of music journalists everywhere (especially in MOJO and Uncut). A brief summary: Bill Fay made two albums across the late 60's and early 70's, both of which are superb and then disappeared completely. He resurfaced very, very briefly in the early 80's, releasing another fine collection before fading into the ether once more. How he has kept the wolf from the door in all these times, I've no idea. Perhaps he stacked shelves in Tesco or was a professional gambler. No matter. A couple of years ago, Bill popped up again, well into his sixties, and gave us a double album which was a mix of old but previously unreleased material and some new songs as well. This is one of the new ones. To my knowledge, Bill's only live appearance in recent times came a few years ago at a Wilco concert in London where he performed his beautiful 'Be Not So Fearful' with the band.

Miles Davis

2011-11-30T10:53:00.004Z

Stella By Starlight (1958)

Last night, my job, perhaps surprisingly, took me to a lovely little jazz session by local musicians who get together once a month to jam. I know - nice work if you can get it - if only you knew the sad, mundane reality. Anyway, it was a very pleasant evening, spent with pleasant people in pleasant surroundings, so I ain't complainin'. Most of the tunes they hit were jazz standards, people bringing along their own charts for the fellows to follow and this, played without chordal or melodic guidance as far as I could see, was one of them. The guy on the piano, who came up from the floor and was not one of the 'house band', played it beautifully and improvised nicely too. This is the version by Miles Davis's late 50's sextet with John Coltrane (tenor sax), Cannonball Adderley (alto sax), Bill Evans (piano), Paul Chambers (bass) and Jimmy Cobb (drums), which, if my memory serves me well, was the basic line-up for the sessions that created the incredible Kind of Blue (1959). I always say that there is nothing to match the sound of Miles's trumpet - nothing.

Les Crane/Richard Harris

2011-11-30T09:11:00.001Z

Two more greats from the odder regions of Bear Mansions. The first, Les Crane's seminal take of the poem, 'Desiderata', was a favourite when I was a kid playing singles on the old radiogram. I remember it being on the vibrant green Warner Brothers label (also home to my copies of America's 'Horse With No Name' and 'School's Out' by Alice Cooper, trivia fans). My mum loves this and I think she probably bought it back then. This is for you, mum.

Desiderata (1972)

'Didn't We', by Richard Harris is from the brilliant album he recorded with Jimmy Webb, who wrote all the songs, called A Tramp Shining (1968). His most famous song is probably the deservedly lauded 'MacArthur Park' but this is great, too, dripping, as it does, with pain and pathos. You have to love Mr. Harris.

Didn't We (1968)

William Shatner

2011-11-28T20:31:00.002Z

Common People (2004)

Rent a flat above a shop,
cut your hair and get a job.
Smoke some fags and play some pool,
pretend you never went to school

In 1968, when James T. Kirk was lighting up our skies with the U.S.S. Enterprise and its spaced-out crew, William Shatner released an album called The Transformed Man, which has become something of a cult classic, containing, as it does, camp and hammy spoken-word interpretations of the likes of Shakespeare, Bob Dylan and The Beatles. It was so good, of course, that Bill just had to follow it up with an album called Has Been (2004), made in collaboration with Ben Folds (so blame him). I was driving along the other day and heard this on the radio - Shatner's supreme take on Pulp's 'Common People'. Simply amazing. I could not believe my ears - I LOVE it. It also features vocals by Joe Jackson (the fine English singer-songwriter, not Jacko's dad). Must get the album.

Lambchop

2011-11-28T11:53:00.002Z

If Not I'll Just Die (coming in 2012)

Fantastic news came via my mate Paul today - Lambchop are back in action with a new album called Mr. M due in February and a European tour to follow. The 'Chop haven't been around for a long while and it seems that Kurt Wagner nearly gave up on music making following the recent death of a close friend. Info gleaned from 'the net' suggests Kurt went back to his first love, painting, and couldn't find his way ahead with tunes. Then, long-time 'Chop collaborator and producer Mark Nevers got in touch just at the time when Kurt felt there might be a way forward - hence, the new album. It's been a long time coming. Can't wait to hear it and see the fellows out on the road. This is a track from the new album and it promises much for the whole thing.

Dennis Wilson

2011-11-28T08:07:00.001Z

River Song (1977)

I caught a few minutes of the repeat of the fine BBC documentary Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy last night. I didn't know it was being shown again and was too knackered to watch it properly, so I refer to it merely because it has prodded me to post the beautiful opening track from his superb solo album, Pacific Ocean Blue (1977). This is a record that is forever embedded in my top ten greatest albums of all time and certainly rivals the very best things that The Beach Boys created as a group. This is quite surprising as Dennis was always thought to be the 'knuckle-headed jock' of the band who could barely play the drums nor even sing that well - he was supposed to be just 'eye candy' for the ladies to distract them from what a bunch of nerds the rest of The Boys were. Dennis was definitely the wild one - a rebel within the family and the only one who ever surfed - but, towards the end of the 60's, his contributions became far more telling and, perhaps unexpectedly, poetic (for evidence, try listening to 'Little Bird' from Friends (1968) or 'Never Learn Not To Love' from 20/20 (1969) - admittedly co-written with one Charles Manson - Dennis did keep odd company for a while). Pacific Ocean Blue took a while in gestation but when it arrived it was beautiful. Sadly, Wilson was already on a course of self destruction, testing Blake's theory about 'the road of excess' in all the wrong ways: for Dennis, it never led to the Palace of Wisdom, merely an early demise in a swimming accident. Thank you for the music, sir.

Thoughts of You (1977)

Cows

2011-11-27T19:46:00.000Z

Been listening to a band called Cows. They were what is, perhaps lazily, labelled a 'noise rock' group from Minneapolis who made a number of albums between 1987 and 1998. Now defunct, their records are pretty hard to get hold of but if you like it loud and twisted, I think you should try them. I really like their album Cunning Stunts (1992) (yes, fellows, Caravan had already used that piss-poor piece of word-play for an LP title back in the 70's but no matter) from which come the two songs below. They also cover the great 'Theme From Midnight Cowboy' which is a feast for the ears, believe me.

Heave Ho (1992)

Contamination (1992)

Nathan Fake

2011-11-24T19:37:00.001Z

Charlie's House (2006)

Norfolk techno wiz Nathan Fake is a firm favourite at Bear Towers this week. His 2006 album Drowning in a Sea of Love is a beautiful soundscape of techy beats and clicks melded with organic sounds and lovely synth lines. There's something of the TV soundtrack/library music feel to some of the tunes but only in the best possible sense. I walked The Hound whilst listening to it all today and up there, amongst the mountains, trees and mist, I was able to enjoy an appropriately eerie musical background for our rambling. Fake has recorded two albums and numerous single tracks for the Border Community label. Highly recommended.

Blaze Foley

2011-11-24T07:42:00.000Z

If I Could Only Fly

Been listening to Blaze Foley a fair bit of late. Blaze (1949-1989) was a celebrated songwriter from Texas, often associated with his friend, Townes Van Zandt. Now, we know that Townes, for all his musical genius, was hardly a household name but his fame was stellar compared to Blaze who had an erratic career, dogged by some possible head problems and almost certainly a drink problem. Tragically, Blaze Foley was shot in the chest and died at the age of 39. He's had two well-known songs written about him, TVZ's 'Blaze's Blues' and Lucinda Williams's 'Drunken Angel' (which is often mistaken for a tribute to Kurt Cobain). Foley has been named 'the duct tape messiah' due to his habit of fixing everything, including his shoes, with the stuff. More people should hear him.

Townes Van Zandt 'Blaze's Blues'

Lucinda Williams 'Drunken Angel'

X-Ray Spex: Oh Bondage Up Yours!

2011-11-22T07:22:00.000Z

One for the ladeeeeeze in the house (note irony). The brilliant X-Ray Spex, led by the unique and inspiring Poly Styrene (Marianne Elliott), were in the vanguard of London-based punk bands who performed regularly at clubs like The Roxy and The Vortex. There was always something a little avant-garde about The Spex, being musically more daring than most bands of the day with the inclusion of sax, played in early incarnations by teenager Laura Logic. Their light only burned brightly for a short while as Poly became caught up the double bind of religion and mental health problems. In later years the band had a couple of reformations, latterly as recently as 2008 but Poly tragically succumbed to cancer just this year. Thanks for the music, Poly. Oh bondage...up yours!

Oh Bondage Up Yours! (1977)

Original version

Working Class Hero

2011-11-21T08:57:00.001Z

Two great, if contrasting, versions of Lennon's classic. I'm sure Marianne was aware of the irony of her singing 'Working Class Hero' when she first recorded it for her fine album, Broken English (1979) but the trials and tribulations of her life have given her voice an authenticity that does good service to the tune. Terry Hall, on the other hand, is a true working class hero and one of my heroes. I love the way he spits out 'but you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see'. Said with true vitriol based on first hand knowledge.

Marianne Faithfull

Terry Hall

Fairfield Parlour

2011-11-20T10:22:00.001Z

Aries (1970)

And upon the wall hangs the legend, "I love the Beatles"
And the moss grows between the crumbling bricks
And the boys play tricks on the girls
And somewhere that I've never seen
It's still raining

Fairfield Parlour were previously known as Kaleidoscope and had some minor commercial success with a tasty style of psychedelic rock. By 1970 they had changed their name to Fairfield Parlour and had released an album called From Home To Home (1970) which moved the band into a kind of pastoral-prog area with folk inflections not unlike that of The Moody Blues but, in my opinion, with more to say musically and lyrically. It's a shame they never took off. 'Aries', the opening track on the record, is typical of the album as a whole and if you like Anglo hippy style conceits about childhood, nostalgia and the sound of the mellotron, this is for you. I've been lapping this album up whilst walking the hound of late. Have a pleasant Sunday.

Big Audio Dynamite

2011-11-19T20:28:00.000Z

E=MC2 (1985)

That's MC squared, as in Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity. When Mick Jones (guitar/vocals) left The Clash following Combat Rock the writing was very much on the wall for that seminal band of the punk rock era. Mick then spent the next couple of years working out his next steps in music before unleashing B.A.D. on the world with the help of his long-term pal (and non-musician), film-maker and DJ, Don Letts (FX/vocals) and chums. The B.A.D. style was a step on from The Clash but all the pointers can actually be heard on that band's sprawling triple vinyl epic, Sandinista, with its melting pot of rock, hip-hop, reggae and soul. 'E=MC2" can be found on B.A.D.'s first album, This is Big Audio Dynamite.

T. Rex

2011-11-17T07:49:00.000Z

The King of the Mountain Cometh (1971)

As indicated in the recent post about T. Rextasy, T. Rex was the first pop group with whom I had an absolute obsession. Forty years later and nothing much has changed. The first T. Rex song I was really aware of (and knocked out by) was the 1971 hit single, 'Hot Love'. The B-side of 'Hot Love' consisted of two tracks, 'Woodland Rock', a sort of Elfish (sic) Presley bopping boogie down in faery land and this, 'The King of the Mountain Cometh'. This song was the first that offered me a glimpse of the strange majesty of the work of Marc Bolan, it being pop but not as I'd known it up to then: there remained the weird vibe of the band's underground days as Tyrannousaurus Rex and I wanted in. To my 10 year old ears this was something from another planet. Thus, the love affair began and continues to this day. Maybe I should grow up but I'd rather put it off a while longer.

Neil Young

2011-11-16T21:24:00.002Z

Ambulance Blues (1974)

You're all just pissin'
in the wind
You don't know it but you are...
And there ain't nothin'
like a friend
Who can tell you
you're just pissin'
in the wind.

Total and utter classic from the beautiful On The Beach (1974).

Ian Dury and The Blockheads

2011-11-14T23:22:00.003Z

Spasticus Autisticus (1981)

So place your hard-earned peanuts in my tin

And thank the Creator you're not in the state I'm in

So long have I been languished on the shelf

I must give all proceedings to myself

1981 was declared International Year of the Disabled by the good people at the place these sort of things are decided. Ian Dury, who contracted polio at the age of seven, leaving him disabled on the left side of his body, took exception to what he perceived to be a patronising attempt to promote the needs of the disabled - suddenly everything would be alright as the disabled had a special year all to themselves! Ian, with his Blockhead co-writer, Chaz Jankel, put together 'Spasticus Autisticus' as a response, a record that was swiftly banned by the BBC for it's 'offensive' content. The song title was inspired by the classic Kirk Douglas film Spartacus, with particular reference to the part towards the end when all the slaves claim to be Spartacus in a show of solidarity with their rebel leader. Mr. Dury at his finest.

Laura Marling: An Apology

2011-11-13T09:29:00.000Z

Rambling Man (2010)

Not for the first time in my life, I owe someone an apology and have to admit I was totally wrong. When I first came across Laura Marling, being the jaded old fart of a cynic that I am, I thought, 'oh hum...yet another questionable 'new folk' phenomenon - all hype, no legs'. After all, isn't she associated with (ahem) Mumford and Sons and (groan) Noah and The Whale? Maybe it's sometimes wise to judge people by the company they keep but not in this case - having actually spent a good deal of time with all three of this gal's albums, I can now confirm I am a convert. The melodies are often gorgeous, the words always fascinating and her voice is a thing of real beauty. I can hear touches of Dylan, Mitchell etc (she clearly has an old head on very young shoulders) but she is rapidly developing her own unique voice. If, like me, you are not convinced by much of the 'new folk' thing, put your prejudices aside for a moment and listen to a genuine talent. 'Rambling Man' is from her brilliant second album, I Speak Because I Can (2010). Her latest offering, A Creature I Don't Know (2011) is, arguably, even better.

John Grant

2011-11-12T19:26:00.004Z

Chicken Bones (2010)

A little while ago I posted a clip of John Grant singing 'Sigourney Weaver' from his brilliant album, Queen of Denmark (2010). At that time John was a new artist to my ears and now, having spent a lot of time with the album, I can only say I'm even more convinced of his excellence. This is 'Chicken Bones'. Please excuse the expletive but I do believe it works very well in the context of the song and is, thus, totally necessary. He tells it like it is. By the way, this video was clearly filmed in Cardiff. No, I don't have a clue why either.

Here's 'Silver Platter Club' as a bonus.

British Sea Power

2011-11-11T07:31:00.002Z

Remember Me (2003)

T. Rextasy: The Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, 10.11.11

2011-11-11T00:19:00.002Z

Telegram Sam

First, let me just say that I hate tribute bands. After all, what is the point? If I want to hear some Pink Floyd, The Doors, The Beatles or Led Zep, I'll just grab a CD off the shelf and hit play. The bands themselves no longer exist but that's OK, I'm over it and worse things happen at sea. Thanks to the miracle of recorded sound, we still have the music. Another thing: it's undoubtedly true that some of these groups are top-notch musicians, so why waste your time recreating someone else's music when you could be making your own? I think I'll never change my mind about this but can I make just one exception?

T. Rextasy, led by the incredible Danielz (sic), have been paying tribute to the music of Marc Bolan for nineteen years now and they really, really know how to put on a show. Danielz himself is, at least from the vantage point of row G, a Bolan double in look and sound. He's truly got Marc off perfectly, from verbal bleat to the walk, to his speaking voice - he even has a spark of the same charisma. What is also clear is that he truly loves the music of Bolan and T. Rex and and his band play it brilliantly.

All the hits were rolled out for the small but very appreciative Porthcawl audience tonight: 'Jeepster', 'Metal Guru', 'Get It On', 'Hot Love', '20th Century Boy' etc. etc. and they treated these pop classics with the right balance of respect and rock and roll rebellion. The evening began with a brief acoustic set which included gems such as 'Cosmic Dancer' and 'Girl' from T. Rex's legendary Electric Warrior album before moving on to the rockier, perhaps better known material. However, my own personal highlights were versions of lesser known songs like 'Raw Ramp', 'One Inch Rock' and 'Beltane Walk', which really illustrated how much love and care go into doing justice to this great pop art.

So, I really surprised myself by having a great time and, given that Marc Bolan has long been lost to us, I wouldn't hesitate to catch T. Rextasy again. I even bought a t-shirt! Great stuff.

Roger McGuinn, The Coliseum, Aberdare, 9.11.11

2011-11-10T15:11:00.005Z

Ballad of Easy Rider/I Wasn't Born To Follow

My third favourite ex-Byrd hit south Wales last night and gave us a very pleasant couple of hours running through his 'back pages' (the first of many Dylan references he made during the evening) with the aid of his trusty Rickenbacker twelve string electric guitar and his rather novel 'Roger McGuinn' seven string acoustic courtesy of Martin Guitars (he told us about this at one point).

Roger (Jim to his parents) McGuinn is undoubtedly a rock and roll legend who has mixed it with the best and was once a part of one of the most important and innovative bands of the 1960's. As a Byrd, McGuinn was responsible for classics such as 'Mr. Tambourine Man', 'All I Really Want To Do', 'So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star', 'Eight Miles High', '5D', Chestnut Mare' and all...and they were all given a run-through in Aberdare. McGuinn's show basically consists of a man, a guitar (or two) and his history in two hours (including intermission). He does tend to gallop along at quite a pace so there is an element of 'blink and you'll miss it' but it's all good fun. His flat-picking skills are still pretty top-notch; his voice still sounds like it did back in the old days, although the sound could have been improved a bit with the use of a decent P.A. system: the one used was barely any bigger and certainly no clearer than an average home hi-fi. Rog does come across as a bit os a 60's space cadet, with his whispery hippy tones and floppy hat and I was certain he wasn't even aware that he was in Wales until he proved me wrong by making it clear he now knows how to pronounce 'Rhymney' correctly before he launched into a very nice 'Bells of...', which received the biggest cheer of the night.

One of my favourite songs of the evening came very early in the set when he played the lovely 'Ballad of Easy Rider', apparently co-written with Dylan if we are to take Roger's story as gospel. No reason not to, I suppose. Anyway, the video above is exactly how it was. A nice evening of nice music and it would be churlish to complain about the version of 'What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor' from his new album of sea shanteys, which he took at a Ramone's style pace. On the subject of shantey's, a he also gave us 'Jolly Roger' from his solid 70's solo album, Cardiff Rose, inspired by his time as part of Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue (so he said). Here's the original.

Jolly Roger (1976)

Sophia

2011-11-09T07:47:00.002Z

Heartache (2009)

Robin Proper-Sheppard (what a name...but he was apparently born plain old Gary Sheppard) was formerly a member of US founded but UK based alt. rock band, The God Machine. On that combo's demise he founded a 'musical collective' which would function under the title of Sophia (more or less anyone he fancied recording with). With the change in name came a radical change in musical approach, with Proper-Sheppard going for a much more 'downbeat', acoustic based sound. Some may find this all a bit 'miserablist' and Mr. Proper-Sheppard admits to being something of a cynic but claims to be an 'optimistic pessimist'. Like so many of us. Personally, I find the music of Sophia to be an uplifting, cathartic experience, well suited to these rainy, grainy Autumn days. 'Heartache' is from the most recent release, There Are No Goodbyes (2009). Below is one my favourites from their second album, The Infinite Circle (1998), an album which has been a hot favourite on my MP3 player of late...also sounds extra groovy if you use a Vox guitar amp as a docking station, as I have to! Sorry neighbours.

Woman (1998)

The Saints

2011-11-08T19:55:00.000Z

Casablanca (1982)

The Saints, formed in Brisbane Australia in 1974, initially became known outside of their homeland for their seminal, incendiary debut album, I'm Stranded (1977), which rode the waves of London based punk with its hard and harsh aesthetic, captured wonderfully on songs like 'Demolition Girl' and the brilliant title track. The band, lead by the ever present Chris Bailey on guitar and vocals, soon developed their style beyond the regular punk template, incorporating horns and soul and folk influences into their sound. 'Casablanca' is from their fifth album, Out In The Jungle...Where Things Ain't So Pleasant (1982), which is also sometimes known by the title, I Thought This Was Love, But This Ain't Casablanca. Whatever you want to call it, it's a fine album and 'Casablanca' is one the highlights. I remember first hearing this on the radio (RTE 2's Dave Fanning Show, I believe) back in '82 and then spent the rest of that year and much of the next pretty obsessed by the song. Take a trip with me back to that time of post-punk open-headedness when all things seemed possible.

Frank Zappa

2011-11-06T08:03:00.000Z

Watermelon In Easter Hay (1979)

Beautiful instrumental from the final act of Zappa's dystopian 'rock opera', Joe's Garage (1979). Although some folk of sensitive nature may well (and possibly rightly) be put off by the sometimes juvenile and certainly overtly sexual nature of the lyrics, Joe's Garage is a serious piece of work, closing out the 70's on a bit of high for Uncle Frank. Obviously, the music is, at times, 'difficult' and 'clever' and Frank is his usually cynical and scathing self but therein lies much to admire.The album also contains this uncharacteristically 'romantic' or, perhaps, even 'sentimental' (in a good way) tune gets me every time I hear it. Have a tranquil Sabbath treat on me and feast your ears on this.

The Beach Boys

2011-11-04T07:23:00.001Z

Heroes & Villains (1967)

The Beach Boys' legendary Smile album has finally found its way into our homes as an official release some 44 years after recording. It's out in a mammoth five disc box version for any obsessives (I'm sure there are many) but for us mere mortals, in these economically harsh times, the two disc affair will suffice. Many of us will already have had one bootleg version or another of these amazing tracks and then there was the excellent re-recording by Brian Wilson and his band which came to us in 2004. What of the 'real thing'? Firstly, I suppose it's worth saying that any version that hits the streets all these years after Wilson, in a state of neurotic exhaustion possibly precipitated by an already fragile mind being loaded up on to many drugs, shelved the project, seemingly for good, is only ever going to be an approximation of the man's original intent. Who knows how it would all have sounded if a healthy psyche had been able to complete it all the first time around? Still, it would seem that Wilson, following his earlier reconstruction, has settled on the over-all content, themes and running order, so this is as close as it's ever going to get.

Following the massive artistic success of Pet Sounds in 1966 (an album only marred by the unnecessary inclusion 'Sloop John B'), with The Beatles offering constant perceived 'rivalry', Brian Wilson was determined to go one better and create, in his words, 'a teenage symphony to God'. Linking up with fellow musical prodigy Van Dyke Parks, who provided the lyrics, Wilson hit the studio in ernest whilst 'The Boys' dragged the hits around the road (certainly always best to keep Mike Love at arms length at the very least). We've probably all heard the legends and tall tales of the madness that ensued and some of them are true. In short time, Brian went into meltdown, ran away from the music and the only traces we ever got of Smile was the punctuated Smiley Smile album plus the bits and pieces The Beach Boys placed on a number of albums through the late 60's and early 70's.

Having only sat down and listened to these new discs a couple of times so far, all I can say is you get pretty much what you'd expect - somewhat fractured Baroque beauty masquerading as pop music that includes a few of the most sublime moments in popular music history. Now, that's not a bad deal, is it? 'Our Prayer', 'Heroes and Villains', Wonderful', 'Cabin Essence', 'Surf's Up' and the untouchable 'Good Vibrations'. Even if you have all this stuff in other forms, you need this. The extras on the double disc version are great, too, especially the lovely solo version of 'Surf's Up'. Thank you, Mr. Wilson.

The Abyssinians

2011-11-02T21:35:00.001Z

Satta Massagana (1976)

I haven't posted any reggae in far, far too long, so I'm putting this right here and now. This morning, before making my way to work for the late shift, I was overcome by a sense of lethargy and felt an urgent need to have a few minutes crashed out on the settee. This was probably the result of too much running around, too many late nights and early mornings and just getting older. Anyway, to recharge the physical and spiritual batteries I just knew I had to put some Abyssinians on the stereo and flow with their lovely vocal sounds. It did the trick.

The Abyssinians had recorded 'Satta Massagana' ('give thanks' in Amharic, a language of Ethiopia) first for Clement Dodd's Studio One in 1969 but this is the re-recording from the hit album of the same name which was released in 1976. Fabulous Jamaican vocal group.

Fruits of Passion

2011-11-02T07:34:00.000Z

Kiss Me Now (1986)

When I dragged my treasure chest of singles down from the attic the other day I came across this - 'Kiss Me Now', by a group from bonnie Scotland called Fruits of Passion. This is another of those cracking little 45's that, to be honest, I'd completely forgotten I owned. As soon as I saw it though, the memories came flooding back. It's a wonderful slice of pop perfection and I cannot, for the life of me, understand why they didn't become a big act. Simply fab. Try it.

The Imposter (AKA Elvis Costello)

2011-10-31T13:21:00.002Z

Pills & Soap (1983)

It's been a funny couple of days on the music front at Bear Mansions. I came across a download of John Peel's 1983 Festive 50, his annual run-down of his listeners' faves of each year. Having been the fortunate recipient of a rather lovely MP3 player recently, I thought to myself, 'I'm having that', and placed the entire two shows worth on my portable thingamyjig. I've been really digging those classic sounds whilst walking 'The Hound' around our best Welsh mountains, including such fab things as The Fall (naturally), X-Mal Deutschland, New Order, The Chameleons, Aztec Camera, Cocteau Twins, Echo and The Bunnymen etc etc. Basically, it's incredible how much quality music was around back then compared to today (bit controversial?). One track that really jumped out at me was the second offering from Elvis Costello on the list (along with 'Shipbuilding'), 'Pills and Soap' (recorded as The Imposter). I bought this on a single when it was released but had forgotten how wonderfully powerful it is. So, this morning, I found myself up in the attic, rooting through all my old 7" singles in search of this classic. In the process I unearthed a plethora of long-lost gems but could I find 'Pills and Soap'? No chance. This puzzles me greatly but, no matter, as our front room floor is now covered by dozens of records I'd forgotten about. My poor family. I'll post more of these lovely things soon. Here's the one I was looking for:

Jack Bruce

2011-10-31T08:40:00.002Z

Theme From An Imaginary Western (1969)

Jack Bruce was renowned for his skills as a bass player long before he joined Cream, having sharpened his chops with the likes of Alexis Korner, Graham Bond and John Mayall. When he joined up with Clapton and Baker to form rock's first genuine 'supergroup' it was a situation that was never going to last too long - too many egos and too many drugs. One gets the impression that Jack only ever wanted to make great music, anyway. For his first solo album, Songs for a Tailor (1969), he went back to jazz to some extent, creating a blend of 'fusion' that steered clear for the clinical excesses that sometimes marked that form down as 'interesting but mostly unlistenable ' (NB: IMHO). He continued his writing partnership with lyricist Pete Brown and one of the fruits of their labours was this gorgeous tune, which is reputedly about life 'on the road' with The Graham Bond Organisation.

My first copy of Songs for a Tailor (named in memory of fashion designer, Jeannie Franklyn, who was killed in Fairport Convention's bus crash that year) cost me a whole 30p, bought second hand in 1976 from Disc N Tape, Gloucester Rd, Bristol. Bizarrely, for something so cheap, it was in pristine condition, gate-fold sleeve and all. I've treasured it ever since, up-graded it a couple of times with CD's and played it often.

Robert Fripp & Peter Gabriel

2011-10-30T08:17:00.001Z

Here Comes The Flood/Water Music (1979)

'Here Comes The Flood' was originally the closing track from Peter Gabriel's solo debut. That version is a lovely, passionate but undeniably 'big' production in defiantly 'prog rock' mode. For Robert Fripp's 1979 album, Exposure (oddly, named after yet another Gabriel song), they stripped it down, with the basics of Gabriel's vocal and piano remaining, surrounded by a bare texture. The main track if preceded and followed by a typically Fripp-like piece called 'Water Music'. Altogether, rather wonderful. A song for a wet Sunday when you're feeling mildly pre-apocalyptic.

New Blog

2011-10-29T16:41:00.001+01:00

Just when you thought you were safe, I announce the less than grand opening of my new blog, Minstrel Boy. A long time in gestation, I hope this will be a home for various pieces that I attempt from time to time. Please read and leave comments as you wish. There is no agenda and I do not have any illusions about these bits and bobs having an literary value but I may as well foist them on the world and his wife.

Randy Newman

2011-10-29T09:21:00.002+01:00

I Miss You (1999)

To quote Lloyd Cole, 'Are you ready to be heartbroken?' For all his smart and cynical swipes at the foibles and hypocrisy of modern life, Randy Newman can pull on the heart strings like almost no other songwriter. This is from his fabulous 1999 album, Bad Love, which also contains musical and lyrical analysis of imperialism, mortality, celebrity and politics. The man's incredible (and very funny, too).

Dedicated to those I miss more than I can say. Hope you know who you are.

Every Time It Rains (1999)

Another 'killer' from Bad Love.

The Sixth Great Lake

2011-10-27T09:12:00.001+01:00

Across The Northern Border (2001)

Okay, I know very little about this group, although I have had their album, Up The Country (2001) for many years. It was one of those records you pick up on a whim because it looks interesting and it turned out to be a very worthwhile acquisition. I'm pretty sure this was the only album they ever made but it would be nice to be proved wrong. Very Americana in style; rootsy with a bit of The Band, some Innocence Mission style fragile beauty and an overall stripped down sound that's good for the soul. More info would be welcomed.

Happy Birthday, Mim!

2011-10-26T22:47:00.000+01:00

Ivor Cutler 'The River Bends'

Deep Purple

2011-10-26T22:41:00.000+01:00

Fools (1971)

Deep Purple, once hailed the loudest rock band in the world and, for a year in the mid-70's, officially the biggest rock band in the world, were very definitely the greatest of all hard rock bands anywhere on the planet. They've been through multiple permutations in line-up and, to a certain extent, musical style since the first record in 1968 but their finest hour was undoubtedly with what is known as the Mark 2 version featuring Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Ian Gillan (vocals), Jon Lord (organ), Roger Glover (bass) and Ian Paice (drums). In just three years from 1970 to '73 this grouping made four superb studio albums and one supreme live record with the mighty Made In Japan (1973), my own personal favourite live album of all time. 'Fools' is from their 1971 album, Fireball. Sling on your velvet loon pants and let's freak!

Cockney Rebel

2011-10-25T09:47:00.001+01:00

Sebastian (1973)

Led by Steve Harley, Cockney Rebel looked like they would be Glam rivals to the likes of Bolan, Bowie and Mott The Hoople when they unleashed their debut album, The Human Menagerie (1973), on the world. This was swiftly followed up by The Psychomodo the following year, which contained their excellent top ten hit, 'Mr. Soft', a follow-up to their first big song, 'Judy Teen'. The original band had splintered by the time they got to their real 'breakthrough' album, The Best Years of Our Lives (1975) and they had become Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, a more directly pop and less 'glam' phenomenon. With changes in popular taste, Harley's star was to wane and he found interests in the theatre and horse racing but the brilliance of those early records will never die. 'Sebastian' is a classic from The Human Menagerie.

France Gall

2011-10-23T21:14:00.001+01:00

Toi que je veux (1968)

France Gall (Isabelle to her folks), came to the attention of the wider European public when she represented Luxembourg in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest (although she is French). She had a ton of pop hits in France through the 60's and 70's, including a rather saucy innuendo-filled single with the inevitable Serge Gainsbourg. France has since claimed that she didn't realise at the time that the offending song, 'Les Sucettes' was anything other than an innocent piece of fun about a girl and her lollipop and felt used by Gainsbourg, a notorious scandal-monger and musical genius. 'Toi que je veux' and its accompanying promo film is, by contrast, a wonderfully innocent piece of Franco-fluff that hits the spot perfectly. France went on to enjoy a lengthy career in both her homeland and Germany but since the death her husband, singer-songwriter Michel Berger in 1992 and then of their elder daughter in 1997, she has slipped into semi-retirement but carried on with charitable work. If you like French pop, France Gall should be near the top of your list of 'must hears'.

Laisse tombe les filles (1964)

Excellent French groove more recently recorded by April March as 'Chick Habit'.

Francoise Hardy

2011-10-22T12:10:00.000+01:00

Tout les garcons et les filles (1962)

Having spent five years of the 1970's being taught French in an inner-city, couldn't-give-a-shit, English comprehensive school, I cannot make any claims to speaking the language in any usable sense. If dumped on the road between Le Mans and Tours by the random hand of a playful God I may be able to get directions to the nearest post office, purchase a box of matches and explain that I have foolishly forgotten my camera...and that's about it. Thank the Lord of the English education system! Having said that, it probably didn't help that I was a bone-idle skiver who could barely think of life beyond the next album I would buy with my paper-round money or the next Bristol Rovers home game. Somehow, I did pull myself together enough to get some kind of education.

Anyway, I most definitely digress. I was about to say that I don't speak French but I love French popular music, particularly the groovy beat of Ye-Ye, the wonky French approximation of US and UK styles. The very fact that they weren't really culturally attuned to rock and roll makes it sound all the more fascinating to these ears.

One person who sums up Gallic cool for me is the great and lovely Francoise Hardy, who very almost crossed the language barrier back in the 60's and has been championed by many since, including the likes of Bob Dylan and Damon Albarn. Forever chic and a touch existential. More Gauloises and Merlot soon.

Well-I-Never Covers: Sonic Youth

2011-10-17T08:15:00.000+01:00

Superstar

New York art-rockers, Sonic Youth, pay tribute to The Carpenters and, more specifically, singer, Karen, in this doomy version of the duo's fabulous heartbreaker, 'Superstar'. Personally, I much prefer the original, which actually expressed all the pain that SY's version attempts but without trying too hard. Having said that, it's always good to hear someone giving credit where credit is due.

Well-I-Never Covers: PJ Harvey

2011-10-16T10:05:00.001+01:00

When Will I See You Again?

First in a possible series of utterly unexpected cover versions. Polly Jean Harvey takes on massive 70's 'Philly' hit for The Three Degrees and touches our hearts with her sublime tenderness. I've always had a secret soft spot for the original but now I can enjoy the song without guilt. More odd-ball cover versions soon.

John Martyn with Danny Thompson

2011-10-14T22:22:00.001+01:00

Solid Air

Excellent version of John's 1973 classic, 'Solid Air', recorded for TV in 1998. The title track from one of JM's finest records, 'Solid Air' is about John's friend, singer-songwriter, Nick Drake, but also perfectly expresses friendship, love and dedication in all its forms. The troubled Nick only lived another year after the song's release, whilst the wild-living but equally brilliant Mr. Martyn went on recording and performing right up until his own untimely passing in 2009. Dedicated to those we love so much and for whom words alone could never be enough.

Bob Dylan

2011-10-13T13:04:00.000+01:00

Forgetful Heart

Tonight, Bob will be hitting Cardiff and this is the first time in many years that I will be deliberately avoiding him. I never ever thought it would come to this but £60+ per ticket and the very dubious 'pleasure' of Mark Knopfler as support act finally made me say 'enough is enough'. I realise there is great risk involved here; after all, Bob may play an absolute blinder, digging out songs he's not touched for eons, putting his heart and soul into every lyrical and musical phrase - and I'll miss it. Plus, at seventy years, Zimmy may not be doing this so often in the future. Of course, the chances are he and his band will trundle through a predictable list of around fourteen tunes (cut down from the more regular seventeen or eighteen thanks to the presence of Knopfler and chums) and us Dylan fanatics really won't be able to tell if it was incredible or awful. Usually, it's a bit of both.
I'll be keeping an eye on the reviews with some trepidation.

This is a lovely arrangement of 'Forgetful Heart' from Together Through Life (2009), performed by Bob and pals in Manchester just three days ago.

The Hollies

2011-10-13T07:49:00.001+01:00

I Can't Let Go (1966)

There's a point when great pop music transcends any genre barriers and becomes great art: with 'I Can't Let Go', The Hollies touched that point. Always a fine and, today at least, very underrated band, The Hollies, led by Allan Clarke and Graham Nash, came out of Manchester in the first rush following the success of fellow Lancastrians, The Beatles. Initially, many of their hit singles were penned by other writers but they soon got into their creative stride and became fine tunesmiths themselves. 'I Can't Let Go', with its euphoric pop vibe, wasn't an original but the way they went at it made it theirs anyway. High time The Hollies were seen for what they were: second only to The Beatles for British beat satisfaction.

Check out the superb six disc collection, Clarke, Nash & Hicks Years.

David Bowie

2011-10-11T21:26:00.000+01:00

Bring Me the Disco King (2003)

Since the late sixties, David Bowie has been an innovative, enquiring and, at times, shocking voice in the rock soundscape. He's rarely stayed in one place too long, picking up on the sounds in the world around him and bending them to his own purposes: from mod-pop, through folk-rock, glam, electro, soul and disco, he's played them all and always brought something uniquely 'Bowie' to the table. Working pretty steadily and consistently, despite some personal ups and downs, his own studio work has added up to twenty plus albums, most of the highest quality (didn't everyone have a downturn in the 80's?); then there's the numerous production jobs he's done for the likes of Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, plus a bit of acting on the side - the man was unstoppable. Since the release of his last album in 2003, however, there's been an empty silence as one of rock's truly great voices seems to have slipped into retirement following a heart problem. One can't blame him for taking it easy but how I wish he'd bless us with some new sounds. From the mid-90's, Bowie was enjoying something of an artistic renaissance, with excellent albums like Outside (1995) and Heathen (2002), amongst others. 'Bring Me the Disco King' is the closing track from his last record, Reality (2003). He's never lost his touch and there's not many who could ever match him.

The Flaming Lips

2011-10-10T11:13:00.002+01:00

Waitin' For a Superman (1999)

There was a time when I truly thought this group could do no wrong. Their development from amateur hour punk rock (as fun as this was) to psychedelic space cowboys with a social conscience was astounding in its unexpectedness. Commercially, they reached a peak with 2002's Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots but their artistic peak, thus far, would appear to have been 1999's fabulous The Soft Bulletin, an album so full of invention that Thomas Edison would have been proud to call it his own. Live, they have always been one of the most entertaining and innovative bands around but, for me, recent album releases have seen a bit of a drop-off in quality. Perhaps this is a mere blip and the Lips will rise again.

Everything Everything

2011-10-08T18:16:00.001+01:00

MY KZ, UR BF (2010)

My word. I have only recently had the pleasure of owning a copy of Everything Everything's brilliant debut album, Man Alive (2010) but this Manchester based group are going to be firm favourites in the future. The record is chock-full of manically arranged songs with lyrics flooding all over the shop, sung in a singular higher register by Jonathan Higgs. As for the words themselves - clear meanings can be difficult to decipher but there's certainly more than a touch of post-modern anxiety and alienation. Don't let this put you off - it's all good fun! If you want some kind of measure of what sort of sound to expect from Everything Everything, think electro indie pop meets prog rock in The British Library (with dance beats). Really quite impressive. 'MY KZ, UR BF' would appear to be centred on the sticky topic of 'wife swapping', among other things (possibly).

Tracey Thorn

2011-10-07T08:09:00.006+01:00

Two tracks from one of my favourite records from the early 80's, Tracey Thorn's first solo outing - the mini-album, A Distant Shore.

Plain Sailing (1982)

Tracey Thorn, for a long-time half of Everything But The Girl with her partner, Ben Watt, first came to notice as a member of The Marine Girls, a trio who specialised in delicate, heartfelt splashes of indie-pop with wonky legs. Before decamping to university in Hull, where she was to meet Watt, Tracey recorded her lovely short collection of songs and called it A Distant Shore. Just her and a guitar. At the time it was a breath of very fresh air and an inspiration to many of us fellow navel-gazing proto-neo-folkniks.

Simply Couldn't Care (1982)

Bert Jansch (1943 - 2011)

2011-10-05T14:21:00.001+01:00

Tell Me What Is True Love? (1971)

Bert Jansch, songwriter, singer, interpreter of tradional song and superb guitarist, has died at the age of 67. Bert, with his rival and friend, Davy Graham, dominated the guitar scene of the British folk revival of the mid-60's, after he arrived in London from his native Scotland. Unlike Graham, however, Bert possessed the drive and charisma to become the true star of the folk world and there was a time he was clearly being lined up as the UK's very own version of Dylan. Whilst his songwriting never quite matched that of the Bard of Hibbing, his guitar skills far outstripped anything Zimmy would ever be capable of. Bert's first, eponymous, album was released in 1965 to great acclaim. This was followed by a series of fine solo records, then, in 1968, he joined folk 'supergroup', The Pentangle, alongside another superb player, John Renbourn. Pentangle were a great artistic and commercial success, even hitting the single charts in 1969 with 'Light Flight'. Through the Pentangle years, however, Jansch continued to record as a solo artist, recording, in 1971, my own personal favourite of all his albums, Rosemary Lane, where you'll find 'Tell Me What Is True Love?'

Following The Pentangle's demise in 1973, with folk music becoming less commercially viable, Bert began to fade a little from the midst of the music world, although he continued to record and tour throughout the 70's and 80's. However, things started to change in the 1990's, when interest in his work grew and his influence was acknowledged by younger artists such as Johnny Marr, Bernard Butler and Beth Orton. This coincided with something of an artistic renaissance for Jansch, who recorded fine albums When The Circus Comes To Town (1995) and The Toy Balloon (1998) in quick succession. As the new millennium dawned, Bert had truly been reinstated as the supreme exemplar of British folk-guitar. One time, just a few years ago, I was fortunate enough to literally sit at his feet during a brilliant solo performance. I watched his hands working the strings and fretboard in awed wonder but couldn't really fathom how he did it. It was truly magical. We'll miss you, Bert. Thank you for the music, sir.

Blackwaterside