tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post7860022468377798446..comments2024-03-27T09:27:33.931+00:00Comments on Idiotic Hat: Something FineMike C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-80280370540983477872010-05-27T22:11:37.332+01:002010-05-27T22:11:37.332+01:00As a way of bringing some closure to where this st...As a way of bringing some closure to where this started, Bud Scoppa who, incidentally reviewed JB's first album for "Rolling Stone" has just reviewed the new JB & DL album (I'll keep using the term) for "Uncut" magazine and it is well worth a read. I won't quote at any length but suffice to say that he hits the nail reasonably on its head:<br /><br />"The LP (sic) enables the veteran singer/songwriter to take care of some long-unfinished business, to get things lined up properly. This is what closure sounds like."<br /><br />Having listened to Roger Waters on Radio 4 this morning try to justify going out YET AGAIN to perform "The Wall" at 66, I personally feel much more aligned to Browne's growing old gracefully.<br /><br />And I do mean gracefully. I have mentioned previously that I came to JB late in life but I am happy to accept him as a spokesman (if that's the right way to look at this) for me than a twisted - to use the modern term - mentalist.<br /><br />I can't ever forget standing at some godawful out-of-town shopping mall in Virginia waiting for a lift and, thank *(*insert deity here), my lift turned up. The only lyrics going through my mind was "standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona . . .". this wasn't nostalgia - it's part of a soundtrack to a life. A long-running theme of mine, maybe, but music is a motivating force and easily as capable of whizzing us back there to the moment than any smell, tv programme, Madelaine cake or anything else we could mention.<br /><br />Browne is one of the few American songwriters willing to stand against public opinion (after all he supported Bruce Cockburn for years). Perhaps he's now an elder statesman but I'm currently quite happy to "leaf through (his) songbook backwards and forwards" - his words - and "find the resonances".Dave Leekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17971308602082668644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-89104348335538486122010-05-27T09:14:21.472+01:002010-05-27T09:14:21.472+01:00Bron,
That combination of "wild child" ...Bron,<br /><br />That combination of "wild child" and "family backstop" chimes... One of the things that has changed (vanished, really) is the moral dimension of 60s/70s hedonism. It was an era (esp. so in the States, I think) when to refuse to participate in society's predestined paths (not necessarily "drop out") was a progressive act.<br /><br />You used to meet the best people "down there" (but not any more) -- the trouble was it left the field clear for some of the worst. Look at what happened to our politicians...<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-47879941859480326282010-05-27T04:14:53.965+01:002010-05-27T04:14:53.965+01:00Some comments. Tim Buckley was limited by dying ve...Some comments. Tim Buckley was limited by dying very young. That particular album, Goodbye and Hello, came out at a time that was very serious for me personally; madly in love with a young lady, married and a mother, questioning my course as regards the draft, hating the thought of going to school just to avoid the draft, very opposed to the war (I'm probably on several FBI lists, something I'm starting to check on). Couple all that angst, add in that I was a complete "wild child", totally at odds with any body in authority, and in spite of being the family "ner-do-well", when something responsible, difficult and painful needed to be done, I was the one, like sitting death watch for relatives, or taking care of the elderly. <br /><br />PFUI, I think my point was that, like Mike, we had a powerful response to a particular song, that has carried. Just that one song, for me, Once I was.Bronislaus Janulis / Framewrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15839855368056037541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-44648307642861227422010-05-26T23:16:07.553+01:002010-05-26T23:16:07.553+01:00Okay, here goes:
I remember Mark and Paul Trotman...Okay, here goes:<br /><br />I remember Mark and Paul Trotman (American citizens at Alleynes) having to sort out draft notices while they were still at school, so 1972, I think. <br /><br />I saw Tim Buckley at the first Knebworth Festival (the one with Allman Brothers, Van Morrison, The Doobies, Mahavishnu Orchestra and Alex Harvey) which I got paid £5 for being on "Security" that day - I worked at the Park in those days. Not my cup of tea, I'm afraid. His son Jeff played at Stevenage Red Lion in the High Street before he became famous. Actually, that's a bit obvious as his fame was posthumous.<br /><br />My eldest daughter (25) loves both of them. Perhaps they were both ahead of their time?Dave Leekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17971308602082668644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-68636631189021366102010-05-25T13:34:16.531+01:002010-05-25T13:34:16.531+01:00An aside from the interwebs; Jackson Browne was br...An aside from the interwebs; Jackson Browne was briefly a member of Tim Buckley"s band.<br /><br />It's probably just that one song, and WHEN it came out. <br /><br />BronBronislaus Janulis / Framewrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15839855368056037541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-17524132209310830072010-05-25T08:40:11.953+01:002010-05-25T08:40:11.953+01:00Bron,
I tried Tim Buckley from your previous ment...Bron,<br /><br />I tried Tim Buckley from your previous mention, but it didn't quite speak to me -- I don't think Buckley was ever as big in the UK as he was in the US, and I'd literally never (knowingly) heard any.<br /><br />Funny how that happens -- I imagine the likes of Nick Drake never really exported in the other direction at the time. I don't myself think of British 50s/60s youth cults like Teds and Mods as "counter culture" -- but that's the subject of an upcoming post.<br /><br />Talking of Vietnam, though, I was recently trying to work out whether I would have been old enough to get drafted in the US, and discovered the last draft was born in 1953, the year before me -- as so often, <i>just</i> too late for classic Boomer experiences (not that I'm complaining).<br /><br />Athough the war was still fizzling on, it had completely dropped off the "activists' agenda" when I reached college -- a year late -- in '73. But I do remember hitching round Europe in 1971 and 72 and being prodded awake in places like Frankfurt station by American MPs looking for deserters.<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-72565816000613096312010-05-25T02:20:50.410+01:002010-05-25T02:20:50.410+01:00Mike,
Well written yourself, if I'm not intru...Mike,<br /><br />Well written yourself, if I'm not intruding. (Americans) Doing some similar ramblings through my gloriously misspent youth. UK may have been late, though they certainly helped fuel it; Clapton, Plant, Lennon, et al, and with mods and rockers, etc., not sure, about late.<br /><br />Might I mention some that have held up ... "Once I was" by a fallen wayfarer, Tim Buckley, and the dark, dangerous, and brooding LATE Doors, anthem music for the ruiner of that golden counter culture age, Vietnam.<br /><br />BronAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-91653802598600837492010-05-24T16:58:56.905+01:002010-05-24T16:58:56.905+01:00Indeed. At least these days I know enough to go a...Indeed. At least these days I know enough to go and put the kettle on and not talk gibberish...<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-12649827206538297972010-05-24T16:49:48.912+01:002010-05-24T16:49:48.912+01:00Yes, I went straight down to St Ives for an organi...Yes, I went straight down to St Ives for an organised holiday and unbeknown to me, several members of the party were friends of Andy's so I had the dubious honour of delivering the bad news. This meant that they were all upset for the whole two weeks.<br /><br />Ah well, it's all in the past now. We've all lost a few fellow travellers along the way.Dave Leekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17971308602082668644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-54438649840145435372010-05-24T16:40:06.757+01:002010-05-24T16:40:06.757+01:00Even so, Nick was traumatised... It can't hav...Even so, Nick was traumatised... It can't have been fun to witness. I vividly remember sitting in Sandie's front room in Knebworth when they returned from Reading -- it was a very weird scene, like being in a play and having forgotten your lines.<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-35617867611652990692010-05-24T16:29:19.409+01:002010-05-24T16:29:19.409+01:00It's okay - I'd only just met the bloke! ...It's okay - I'd only just met the bloke! Don't forget I was younger than most of you - I got involved with Rob and co. at college. I went to college straight after the fifth year (now Y11 of course) after Mr Burridge wandered up to me after my last exam and said, "We won't be seeing you next year will we, Leeke?" <br />I replied, "Well sir, I had thought . . " Only to be cut short by him glaring at me and saying, "We won't be seeing you next year, WILL WE, Leeke?"<br /><br />I got the message.Dave Leekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17971308602082668644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-41922534543147952982010-05-24T16:17:39.776+01:002010-05-24T16:17:39.776+01:00Good Grief, Dave, I had no idea you were there -- ...Good Grief, Dave, I had no idea you were there -- sorry to bring up bad memories :(<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-51532924097416591072010-05-24T16:12:21.430+01:002010-05-24T16:12:21.430+01:00Browne is always photographed playing vintage Gibs...Browne is always photographed playing vintage Gibsons - of course, as the album covers show, he has a huge range of guitars!<br /><br />The new cd with Lindley recorded live in Spain is good, too. It's called "Love is Strange".<br /><br />The Reading Festival you refer to was 1973 - I was sitting by the river with Nick when Andy's body was pulled out of the water. The upshot of that was Bob Harris played "Keep Yourself Alive" on his Monday radio show which always seemed a bit hamfisted to me.Perhaps he thought he was being clever.Dave Leekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17971308602082668644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-43088663016398616052010-05-24T08:38:55.448+01:002010-05-24T08:38:55.448+01:00I think we're all just turning into nostalgic ...I think we're all just turning into nostalgic old geezers, Martin...<br /><br />But, as I say, the surprise is how middle-aged sounding a lot of that music actually is. It's easy to forget that Britain was relatively late into the "counter-cultural" game that had been going on in the US since the late 50s -- a lot of Americans had earned their world-weariness by 1970.<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-61366422920204115442010-05-24T06:58:11.037+01:002010-05-24T06:58:11.037+01:00I must check out the 'Solo Acoustic' album...I must check out the 'Solo Acoustic' albums. <br /><br />Maybe it is just the time of year, or maybe it's the time of man, but I've been rummaging through my music collection in recent weeks, looking to rediscover a few gems. Then, out the blue, BBC Four screened the Carole King and James Taylor reunion at the Troubadour on Friday evening. Now I'm rummaging with more purpose.<br /><br />Love the photograph. Reminds me of a similar moment of mine, mid-winter, <b>high</b> up on Stiperstones in Shropshire. Funny, we didn't feel at all cold.Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13494219959077922220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-74223932050434602482010-05-23T23:12:01.691+01:002010-05-23T23:12:01.691+01:00Actually, I forgot to say, the best performance I ...Actually, I forgot to say, the best performance I ever heard of a JB song was Nick Hearman singing and playing "Song for Adam" on a visit to see Sandie at UEA not long after Andy Haig drowned in the Thames at the 72 (or 73?) Reading Festival -- incredible, not a dry eye, etc.<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-57231807799362278872010-05-23T23:03:17.616+01:002010-05-23T23:03:17.616+01:00That's something to look forward to, Dave -- t...That's something to look forward to, Dave -- those "Solo Acoustic" albums do sound very good. Unfortunately, my slight deafness and tinnitus make concerts an unattractive prospect, these days. Ironic, I suppose, as it may have been noisy concerts that triggered the condition in the first place -- one day, there'll be a class action for damages against Hawkwind, Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin et al. "When I said the music gave me a buzz this not what I had in mind..."<br /><br />I meant whatever guitar he's playing on that album -- very sweet. My own instrument is a battered and home-repaired Kasuga bought in 1973. I don't deserve anything better...<br /><br />In my mind, I still look like that, 28" waist and all. Sigh...<br /><br />MikeMike C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11279776665185060446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6096844366367766843.post-64510999894123100152010-05-23T22:49:50.808+01:002010-05-23T22:49:50.808+01:00I came to Jackson Browne quite late. I've owne...I came to Jackson Browne quite late. I've owned a vinyl copy of "Running On Empty" since it came out (1977) but have only really got into him in recent years. I've never seen him live but will be next month at The Albert Hall. He's touring with David Lindley so I'm expecting great things. Perhaps I needed to get older to appreciate him.<br /><br />What guitars are you referring to in your blog? <br /><br />Anyway, the photo of you is just how you looked last time I saw you. Still, take it easy.Dave Leekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17971308602082668644noreply@blogger.com