LS Lowry, one of the most popular and respected British artists of the last century died on this day in 1976. That's 50 years ago in anyone's language. Today much of Lowry's work depicting the industrial North West hangs in the Salford gallery named after the great man. He declined many trinkets in his lifetime including an OBE in 1955, a CBE in 1961 and a knighthood in 1968. It's not Lowry was anti-establishment, he was just a very private person.
In the year that Lowry passed, glam rock'n'rollers Mud released their fourth album It's Better Than Working; its cover art was an out and out Lowry pastiche. However, by 1976 the band that had brought you Tiger Feet and Lonely This Christmas were beginning to flounder. Their songwriters Chinn & Chapman, as we know, were not in an exclusive relationship with any band and soon began working their magic on the likes of Smokie and Racey instead. They dragged it out another couple of years before Les Gray was left on his Jack Jones and eeked out a career on the cabaret circuit until his untimely death in 2004.
One of my favourite Oasis songs benefited from a Lowry inspired video. Seeing Liam in matchstick Manc swagger mode in The Masterplan is never not funny. Today's blog post title also alludes to Oasis but is actually a comment often made about Lowry's "matchstick men figures that frequently cast no shadows."
A well worn trope on this blog is, or certainly used to be, that of Noel Gallagher's 'style' of songwriting. And by style I mean that not only is he a magpie, he's also a thieving, robdogging bastard. In a good way, I hasten to add. And I'm not just saying that for fear of Mr. G going all legal on me; he really has written some blinding tunes (most of which, for my money, he penned after Oasis called it a day.)
I know I'm not alone round these parts in declaring my love for Pinball - Brian Protheroe's 1974 single which modestly rose to the dizzy heights of twenty something in the charts before dropping like a stone. Here's the man himself talking about the song that's followed him around all his adult life.
And unlike his mucker Paul Weller, who went on to record a rather palid cover version, Noel did his usual trick of lifting the hood on the song and then reverse engineering a brand new song using some, if not all, of the original's parts. Listen to Riverman and you'll see which bits he was able to salvage and those he left on the shop floor.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Riverman 2015
I think one of the the reasons I think Noel is fundamentally a good guy (I know so many people who don't) is his brutal honesty. He'll tell you straight which Marc Bolan riff or Beatles melody he's half inched over the years. He doesn't care. Arrogant, yes; but also very refreshing.
Interestingly, one of the YouTube footnotes beneath Riverman mentions not Brian Protheroe but another artist who had the odd hit single himself in the 70s: David Cassidy has written (and had written for him) some astonishing songs. Fix of Your Love has been hidden in plain sight for the longest time on Cassidy's The Higher They Climb album. But take a listen to the guitar intro and tell me where you've heard it before. And since!
I split my Saturday evening listening between BBC Radio London's perpetually excited Gary Crowley and BBC Radio Nottingham's Dean Jackson (more becalmed than GC but still excited on the inside - celebrating 30 years of his excellent Saturday show 'The Beat'). But I can't for the life of me remember which one of them played this next tune I'm featuring. It's by Andy Bell (yes, I know there's two; it's the Ride and Oasis one, not the Erasure one).
Unlike his previous employer, Noel Gallagher, who was forever channelling Beatles tunes overlaid with Marc Bolan riffs, Bell appears to be picking up where the Stone Roses left off and is resurrecting a sound that many listeners will remember as part of the Madchester/Baggy scene; whilst others (with younger ears) will probably tell you it's a sound that never went away.
Either way, here's his new single. It skips along at quite a pace and I think it's worth four minutes of your time. Can't say fairer than that now can I?
The EP is dead; long live the EP. Noel Gallagher regularly puts out Extended Plays (the awkward cousin of the album and single) and this year he's releasing three. The title track from his new one (out in a couple of weeks), Black Star Dancing, is up there with anything he's put his name to in the last 10 years. It is obscenely good. And whosever idea it was to shoot the video using archive 70s footage from Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club - ITV's then Saturday night banker - needs knighting in the next New Year's honours list. Genius.
"Ladies and gentleman, can we have it now for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds..."
And here Gallagher Snr. tells Johnny Vaughan how the song came about.
In 1996 Blair’s Britain couldn’t get enough of Britpop. With TFI Friday regularly outgunning News at Ten's viewing figures1, saturation point had yet to be reached and so, what Oasis and Blur had unwittingly started less than two years earlier, was now operating with an open house policy to all and sundry.
But quite how a Fab Four parody troupe who hadn’t been seen since 1979 fitted into the scene was, at first, a little unclear. But fit they did, perfectly.
The Rutles were essentially a ragtag bunch of bewigged men old enough to know better. A post-fab guitar band (in the guise of Neil Innes2– or was it the other way round?) who had openly lifted3 more Beatles riffs, harmonies and melodies than a flock of thieving Noel Gallaghers. Maybe, just (definitely) maybe, this resurgence was down to their mighty Archaeology album in which Innes lovingly tipped his John Lennon cap to the Beatles’ recently released Anthology series. Innes had mined his huge pop sensibility songbook and came up with something far and away greater than a regular tribute to Four Lads From Liverpool Who Shook the World™.
Laid out before us were 16 tunes, each of them a stand alone classic, yet when listened to back to back in, shall we say, the context of a lost Beatles album, then the ensemble piece was staggering. Staggeringly good, staggeringly incisive. Although context is usually everything, Innes proved with Archaeology it isn't always.
At the back end of last year when Neil Innes, via his Twitter feed, agreed to answer a few quick-fire Rutle related questions I jumped at the chance. I kicked off our brief 140 character limited chit-chat with:
When I played them to George H - after 3 or 4 - he said "Hang on, these songs are yours! Don't be shy." So I went ahead...
He went on to tell me that "Questionnaire was the song that persuaded me to go ahead." And what a great song that is - dipping, as it does, in and out of Fool on the Hill, I am the Walrus and Imagine, but never giving up its own identity; unlike the first album where the line between Beatles/Rutles, real/parody was so blurred it all became one.
When I asked Neil if he could condense Archaeology into a 4 track EP4, along with Questionnaire he name-checked Major Happy, Rendezvous and Shangri-La.
Shangri-La is so clever (but not in a smart arse way) in that it turns pastiche on its head. Not long before Archaeology Noel Gallagher had ripped off Innes' How Sweet To Be An Idiot (when Oasis recorded Whatever). Innes couldn't resist dropping that motif straight in at the start. I guess all's fair in love and plagiarism.
It's an "homage". They're not supposed to be Beatle songs but songs about what the Beatles wrote songs about... Love and Life? [Barry is a child - 2 x children]
However, unlike George (a huge supporter of all things Rutle) and, to a lesser extent, John, Paul McCartney never liked the Rutles (no shit Sherlock). He hated them. Indeed because of Macca, Innes spent many an awkward day in the High Court defending both the band and his own songwriting.
He gave me a hug at the cleaned-up "Magical Mystery Tour" screening - not that long ago - but I know he's not happy with the Rutles. I don't think he blames me personally, but he ought to mellow a bit. There was no fat at the BFI...
So treasure Archaeology. And treasure the Rutles. They may not have troubled the charts, or indeed the tabloids, in quite the way that Damon Albarn or the Gallagher brothers did in those heady days of Britpop, but if it's songs you're after (and, at the end of the day, aren't we all?), former Bonzo and Python Neil Innes is definitely worth taking a detour for.
The Rutles are on tour next May/June - "Get Up and Go Again" - Ricky is always drumming with the excellent Bonnie Rait and "Sir Dirk" is flogging his memoirs. After 40 years I'm happy to say it's no longer about the "Trousers" - it's about the songs. One big happy family! x N
1 I may be playing fast and loose with the ratings here. 2 Eric Idle had left the band some years earlier. He couldn't get into his stage pants anymore. 3 Interestingly Innes was accused of stealing Cheese and Onions from the Beatles (it once appeared on a 1980 Fabs bootleg - credited to John Lennon!) It was, in fact, Innes' original demo of his own song. 4 I often condense great works of art into miniature.
...
Postscript 12.5.24
Imagine my horror upon learning that after Neil's death his Twiitter account had been hacked by an illegal crypto currency fuckwit; comedian Dave Gorman flagged it up and basically called it out for what it was. So, if you're wondering why my Twitter interview with Neil looks a bit 'gappy', that's the reason. (I'm kicking myself for not screen grabbing them instead of just leaving the Twitter links.) I may reach out to Mr. Gorman up and ask him to help come and fill the gaps...
"There's so much joy in that track. My kids love it, and all my mates' kids love it." * [Noel Gallagher, October 2017]
There you have it in two sentences - how you know you've got a hit single on your hands. I've written here on numerous occasions about Noel Gallagher's approach to songwriting, and what I absolutely adore about Noel and his (seemingly never-ending) ability to pen great tunes/riffs/melodies is his brutal honesty. He gives it to you straight - where every influence (intended or subliminal) has come from and how he then pieces it all together. As a thieving magpie he will tell you where each of the stolen gold coins came from and where his secret nest is.
In the case of Holy Mountain he was pointed in the direction of an obscure bubblegum single made in the sixties. The annoyingly catchy tin whistle was lifted lock stock and barrel. So now I've got two ear worms currently living in my head; I think they've taken up squatters rights. Thanks a bunch Noel.
Speaking as someone who a. has openly nicked the chords to If I Had A Gun (Chip Off The Old Block) and b. sometimes closes his eyes while singing certain lines in songs, I was interested to read some of the constructive criticism aimed at Gallagher senior in the comments below this Youtube live acoustic session. I may have touched upon this before, but the knuckle draggers who normally frequent this remote outpost of planet Internet are not known for their quick wit and repartee; you need a strong stomach to follow the diatribe.
If I Had A Gun, though, does contain some beautiful lines* - some of his best - which I may also have to borrow at some point in the future. Come on Noel, chase me through the courts.
*Excuse me if I spoke too soon My eyes have always followed you around the room 'Cause you're the only god that I will ever need I'm holding on and waiting for the moment to find me
I listened recently to an interview with Noel Gallagher on Radio 4's Mastertapes where John Wilson quizzed the Oasis songwriter about his constant lifting of Beatles chords and motifs. 'Guilty as charged' he (all but) said. He added: 'though people must think I walk around the house all day singing Yellow Submarine wearing my Sgt. Pepper suit.' There's no shame in that Noel.
Before I kickstart 2016 properly, I'm returning to an old chestnut of mine, the mash-up. And, in particular, The Beatles mash-up. I only post the ones that make me smile - they're usually the ones that *work*. I think this one works.
I read the news today (Oh, Boy) and was mildly alarmed to read that Liam Gallagher thinks he can 'get the band back together' without Noel. Hmmm: what Liam Gallagher is blissfully unaware of is that he's a Number Two. In the same way that Art Garfunkel is a Number Two. And John Oates.
Unlike Liam, I have a soft spot for his big brother. Noel is the brains behind the operation. Without Noel there isn't an Oasis. Without Noel it's just another Beady Eye. Or worse, a Beady Eye tribute band, And as any right minded individual will tell you, the best part of any Oasis gig was always in the interval when Liam and his cronies went to the bar for twenty minutes, leaving Noel out front sat on a stool playing his acoustic.
Claire Martin has been delighting jazz audiences for over twenty years. Her sideboard must be creaking under the weight of all the trinkets she's won in that time, not least the six Best Vocalist awards bagged at the prestigious annual Jazz Awards. Backed by an an impressive back catalogue, her distinctive delivery and superb choice of material have kept her at the forefront of the jazz scene on both sides of the Atlantic. Claire also presents Jazz Line Up on Radio 3 where she gets to play her favourite records and meet her idols.
Claire took the time earlier this week to answer a few probing questions:
I remember seeing you at a jazz club in Sheffield one Sunday lunchtime
around the time your first album, The Waiting Game, was released; but
where and when was your first paid engagement?
'Blimey, that was a long time ago! I guess my first real paid gig was when I
turned professional at the age of nineteen and sang with the house band in a hotel
in Bournemouth called The Savoy. Sadly not half as glam as The Savoy in London! I worked 6 nights for £150 a week, £50
of that went on rent!'
Jim Mullen was in your band that day – as he has been for a long time. You and Jim work really well together. Any plans to record an album
with just the two of you?
'I keep thinking that we must do a duet album. As you know, Jim is a master
musician and would be marvellous in this setting. One day it will
happen...!
Claire Martin with Jim Mullen - Gettin' High (1998)
You've been with your record company, Linn, right from the get go.
What's so good about them?
'Linn are incredibly supportive in many ways and most importantly they give me
full artistic control. They pride themselves on the sound quality
of all their records and have never said no to any of my mad ideas
over the years. They are small but perfectly formed and have
recently gained much more distribution worldwide.'
You recorded Help! with Noel Gallagher on guitar: was he the perfect
gentleman? And what do you look for in a song that makes you want to
record it?
Paul Stacey the producer of the Perfect Alibi album was working with
Oasis at the time and told me about Noel playing Help! as a slow
song at his gigs. I was intrigued to give it a go and was really
thrilled that Noel agreed to do the session. However, on my way to
the studio I got caught up in the most horrific traffic jam in
Brixton and JUST as I arrived he had left. He did leave me a plectrum though and apparently said "give this to the
girl singer". Song lyrics reach me first, but I am listening for good harmony and form
too. Sometimes great jazz tunes are over too quickly, so I like a
bit more structure.
Claire Martin - Help! (1999)
You're a Brighton Bird these days: can you see the sea from where you live?
'I used to be able to from my old house if I hung my head out of the very top
window and looked right! Oblique views I think is the term! Now I
am up by the Sussex Downs which are more green than blue. I love
Brighton and it’s the best move I ever made.'
Do you like touring? How many gigs do you clock up a year?
'If the tour is well planned and not too gruelling then, yes, being on the road
can be fun. Since I became a mum I’m less likely to agree to
longer than a week on the road at a time. I did take my daughter to
New York last year as the engagement was for 3 weeks. It’s a
privilege to be a musician and a joy to do something that you love,
but most musicians would agree that the travel aspect is a killer.
Only a few weeks ago I drove 7 hours to get to the gig as traffic
was horrendous on the M25. To get to a gig north of London on a
Friday, it’s best to set off after breakfast! Ideally I’d like
to do 4-6 gigs a month, sometimes that happens but other times it’s
either feast or famine. This week I'm doing 5 gigs but the week
after I’m doing none at all.'
What's it like working at the BBC?
'This is a dream gig for me and has saved my bacon over the last thirteen years.
I’ve met and interviewed some of my heroes (Brecker, Metheny,
Previn) and have been able to keep my finger on the pulse of the jazz
scene easily as I’m sent so much new material, magazines, special
invites etc. It’s a joy and I’m really really lucky to be part
of the Radio 3 family.'
Have you got a favourite jazz club?
'Yes, the 606 club in Chelsea. Many a night has been spent watching world
class music, hanging with my mates and eating great food. Steve
Rubie the owner is a legend. I’ve been most proud of the charity
events we have put on their thanks to Steve. We have raised
thousands through the generosity of the club members. A GREAT JAZZ
CLUB.'
You've won many many awards over the years. Which one would you run
into a burning building to rescue?
'I’m still in shock that I received an OBE for my services to jazz in
2011. Especially when there are people like Steve Rubie out there.
I thought at first it was a hoax! I took my mum and dad to the Palace and we had a terrific day out and a very boozy lunch in Soho
afterwards with my husband and brother. I guess I’d run back in
for my medal just so I could prove it was true!'
Who
do you most admire as an artist and which album could you not live
without?
'That’s tough! I have so much admiration for so many jazz singers – all
for different reasons. I’d have to say that Carmen McRae is my
number one. Her artistry is second to none and I’m still learning
every time I listen to her, she is an inspiration. The album
‘Bittersweet’ is as good as it gets.'
And finally...
Sinatra or Bennett?
'Sinatra - just'
Liquorice Allsorts or Jelly Babies?
'Jelly Babies - no contest!'
Indian food or Italian?
'Indian - had killer curry last night'
Beer or wine?
'WINE!!!!!!!!!!! (red)'
Cinema or DVD Box Set?
'Cinema - life's too short for box sets'
Thank you Claire.
In Legoland The Beatles have never split up. In Legoland John and Paul are still the best of friends wondering which album cover to parody next. In Legoland John doesn't get gunned down by a crazy stalker and Ringo has never heard of Thomas The Tank Engine. Lego Paul never recorded Mull Of Kintyre, nor did he marry a deranged Lego limpet called Heather.
I wonder if easyJet fly to Legoland? I think I'd like to take up residency there.
Oh, but hang on a minute. If The Beatles never split up, then who's this bunch of Lego scallies?Not content with ripping off the real Fab 4, Lego Noel has only gone and nicked the whole idea and put his own name to it. It appears nothing is sacred. Not even in Legoland.
