The Decemberists - What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World

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Books #18 Remembered for a While (an authorised companion to the music of Nick Drake)

This substantial (over 400 pages) hard back book came my way at Christmas but I am only now beginning to find the time to sample its many delights, beginning with the wonderfully solid cloth bound covers and the reassuringly glossy pages.

It is not a biography of Nick Drake (for that I suggest the work by Patrick Humphries, despite it containing some inaccuracies) but rather an attempt to cast light on the short life and work of Nick. This is done by initially reproducing correspondence between Nick and his family and friends. While others may have delved into periods of Nick's life by speaking with people who were there at the time, this correspondence captures the very essence of Nick in that time and place. And what comes across is a family loving boy/man with a great sense of humour and an unshakable faith in his own musical ability. In short, it is not the shy, insecure depressive that he was later to become.

He writes to family of his 1966 travels to France, Spain and Morocco and the letters read like a modern day travel log full of interesting descriptions and insights into the places he visited and people he met. This correspondence has been provided by Nick's sister, Gabrielle who adds her own personal reminiscences of Nick, as do numerous other friends, acquaintances, musicians and critics. Together they provide a far better insight into the early life of this young man than anything else I have read on the subject.

 
Later there are details of his songwriting and recording as well as some detailed analysis of his music. Add to all of this some truly wonderful previously unseen photos and one begins to get an insight into just what a great book this is.

Currently I am only about 90 pages into the book but I am totally absorbed. It is going to take me some time to get through the whole work but thankfully it is the kind of book one can delve into in parts, serving as a wonderful companion to his musical legacy.

As I make my way through the book and discover new things, it may be a subject I return to from time to time.

Charlie Hedbo

If only this was true

Slowlight Quartet and Not Now Charlie at The Cluny, Newcastle

I was eagerly anticipating my trip to Newcastle's Cluny 2 on Thursday evening to see again the wonderful Slowlight Quartet, having discovered them in June last year. On this occasion £5 got me not only my ticket but a download of a four track live EP. Now that's what I call value for money.

For the uninitiated, the Slowlight Quartet comprise of Paul Lorraine on piano, Jonathan Marriott on drums, Ian 'dodge' Paterson on standup bass and Tom Quilliam on saxophone and they play jazz. But forget the long self indulgent solos you may be used to, as this locally based combo perform their own melodic compositions. I personally liken them to the Neil Cowley Trio but with the added bonus of saxophone. True, Paul Lorraine may not be as extrovert as Cowley and Ian Paterson's beard does not rival that of his counterpart Rex Horan (whose does?) but musically to my ear they match the more famous and successful trio note for note. 

So, we were treated to a collection of tunes both old and new including 'Shifting Ground', 'Iris', 'I Want To Live Long' and a superb 'Walking Spanish'. Then came the crunch when it was revealed that composer Paul Lorraine would be relocating to Bristol. No more Slowlight Quartet I thought! However the good news is that they plan to continue performing together and additionally a new project called Slowlight will feature the other three plus occasional guest vocalists. 

To demonstrate how this might work they invited their first support act, local singer/songwriter Laurie Shepherd on stage to sing a couple of numbers with them. I have to say that the sound they produced bodes well for the future.

Finally they reverted to the usual quartet for an encore which ended with their 'greatest hit', the wonderful 'In Flight', a track which made it onto my best of 2014 compilation CD. I'm already eagerly looking forward to their appearance at the Jazz Cafe in May.











Besides Laurie Shepherd who gained extra brownie points for playing a self penned song 'Two Moons' inspired by Haruki Murakami's superb novel, '1Q84', the band were also supported by another melodic jazz outfit. In the wake of the tragic events in Paris this week, their name Not Now Charlie was curiously apt. I suspect however that it has more to do with Charlie Parker than Charlie Hebdo. Or it might just be to do with Thomas the Tank Engine.

Whatever the story is behind the name, this five piece band of young men could certainly play, belying the fact that this was only their second public engagement following their appearance at the Gateshead Jazz Festival last year. Featuring Jamie Toms on saxophone, Richard Campbell on piano, Liam Gaughan on electric bass, Dave McKeague on drums and Pawel Jedrzejewski on Fender Stratocaster guitar (not an instrument you usually associate with jazz music) they have, I believe, all graduated from Sage Gateshead's BMus Jazz Popular and Commercial Music Degree Programme. And it shows!

The great songs they performed included 'MCT', 'Five Degrees' and 'Russian Girl (Who Speaks No English)'. 

Now, thanks to the Slowlight Quartet, I have discovered another young group who I shall be avidly following in the future. It's fantastic to see that we have such talent on our doorstep. And all for little more than the price of a pint!

Caption Competition #1

In North Korea, Kim Jong Un gets his first mellotron lesson.











                             "And after this note, you sing 'Let me take you down cos I'm going to......'"



Sorry I just couldn't resist.

Amsterdam

I spent the early part of the new year enjoying the various delights that Amsterdam has to offer. 

Including of course some wonderful walks by the canals in beautiful winter sunshine.

The city has, as you will know, an abundance of cultural places to visit and high on my list was the house on Jodenbreestraat in which the painter Rembrandt resided for almost a decade from 1639. Thanks to an inventory taken in 1656, the custodians have been able to recreate the furnishings along the same lines as they would have been in Rembrandt's time. His studio has also been faithfully recreated.

It was a fascinating tour.

I am less of a fan of the work of Van Gogh yet when in Amsterdam, a visit to the Van Gogh Museum is an absolute must.

I confess that despite my reservations about his work, I found the experience very informative and I came away with a better understanding of how his work developed during his short lifetime.



The most moving part of our visit to Amsterdam was at the Anne Frank House, where we were allowed to wander through the rooms and hidden annexes occupied by Anne and her family from 1942 until their arrest in August 1944. Thanks to original photographs, multimedia presentations and extracts from Anne's diary, we were given a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people in that house during those terrible times.

A more serene and peaceful atmosphere was experienced when we visited the Begijnhof which despite being in the centre of the city, offers a secluded calm atmosphere. Accessed through a narrow passageway, this secluded courtyard dates back to the 14th century. It was originally a sanctuary for a Catholic sisterhood who lived as nuns despite never taking monastic vows. Now these beautiful houses are still occupied by single women,

In the southern corner of the courtyard is the 15th century English Church which is still used as a Presbyterian church to this day.

Amid that peace and quiet, it was difficult for us to believe that were in the centre of a bustling and vibrant city.

Of course being Amsterdam, we saw thousands of bikes....

And of course, tulips and clogs. 
















The visit wouldn't have been complete without a canal cruise... 




















And seeing more of that wonderful architecture.

A beautiful and friendly city which I must return to soon.

Best Music of 2014 - The Compilation CD

I'm currently catching up on myself after having spent four very enjoyable days in Amsterdam. 

Rather belatedly here is my selection of tracks representing about 80 minutes of what I consider to be the best music of 2014.

1.  I'll Sing It - Tweedy
2. Out of Pawn - Anais Mitchell
3. Knock Knock Knock - Spoon
4. Irene - Pere Ubu
5. Lateness of Dancers - Hiss Golden Messenger
6. Grand Canyon - Drive-By Truckers
7. I Just Might - Ryan Adams
8. An Ocean in Between the Waves - The War on Drugs
9. In Flight - Slowlight Quartet
10. Temporary Ground - Jack White
11. Slow - Leonard Cohen
12. The Love You Save - Jolie Holland
13. Couch Slouch - Neil Cowley Trio
14. Dogs - Sun Kil Moon
15. Protection - Lucinda Williams.

I'm already looking forward to some great music in 2015 with word of forthcoming albums from The Decemberists and Steven Wilson.