It all started in 2010; and by 'it' I mean this blog
Monday 6 March 2023
I always flirt with death
Peter Perret is a lot of things - singer, guitarist, songwriter to name but three. He's also been many more - addict, junkie, lost, washed up. And that's just for starters. As head honcho of the Only Ones, Perrett wrote one of punk's defining singles Another Girl, Another Planet. Before the drugs took over he really could have been a contender.
After decades of drug addled addiction Perrett came back from the brink a couple of years ago (''I feel like a cockroach that survived a nuclear war'') and, with the help of his sons, has gone on to make a couple of splendid solo records. This being the title track from his comeback album.
How The West Was Won is a great (and surprising) album. Surprising cos whod a thunk Pete had the ability to be seen/heard again? There's a British Lou Reed/Velvet Underground vibe going on
Absolutely. And yes, It's Sweet Jane with a twist. I love the guitar playing on this. When I listen to it on headphones it's as if the guitar part has been isolated and the song comprises one long riff with a solo or two thrown in for good measure. Better than Lou Reed; by a country mile!
It's a great regret that I never did see The Only Ones live, in spite of owning every note they recorded. I did however catch Peter Perrett in concert at the Harlesden Mean Fiddler in the mid-1990s, during an earlier comeback. The whole place went instantaneously doolally when he actually opened his set with Another Girl Another Planet, a demonstration of hutzpah only equalled the night that Bruce Springsteen kicked off a three hour show at Wembley Arena in 1981 with Born to Run.
Me neither. Oops, I keep forgetting you're a Springsteen nut. (Please stay away from my latest blog and my reply to C. If you ignore my warning, however, but still remain on speaking terms with me, then please consult your diary and tell me when you can fit in a return visit to Nottingham.)
How The West Was Won is a great (and surprising) album. Surprising cos whod a thunk Pete had the ability to be seen/heard again?
ReplyDeleteThere's a British Lou Reed/Velvet Underground vibe going on
Absolutely. And yes, It's Sweet Jane with a twist. I love the guitar playing on this. When I listen to it on headphones it's as if the guitar part has been isolated and the song comprises one long riff with a solo or two thrown in for good measure. Better than Lou Reed; by a country mile!
DeleteIt's a great regret that I never did see The Only Ones live, in spite of owning every note they recorded. I did however catch Peter Perrett in concert at the Harlesden Mean Fiddler in the mid-1990s, during an earlier comeback. The whole place went instantaneously doolally when he actually opened his set with Another Girl Another Planet, a demonstration of hutzpah only equalled the night that Bruce Springsteen kicked off a three hour show at Wembley Arena in 1981 with Born to Run.
ReplyDeleteMe neither. Oops, I keep forgetting you're a Springsteen nut. (Please stay away from my latest blog and my reply to C. If you ignore my warning, however, but still remain on speaking terms with me, then please consult your diary and tell me when you can fit in a return visit to Nottingham.)
DeleteI've finally gotten around to giving How the West was Won a listen and am kicking myself for not having done so earlier.
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late.
Delete