It's been a while but we have a Guest Spot from a recent close encounter with Marianne Faithfull, when previous contributor Dave met her whilst she was travelling on a flight to Paris. Don't forget you can still submit one yourself! Its as easy as clicking here now and we'll do the rest!
Today I met Marianne Faithful. Daddy always used to say, 'Marianne was my favourite of the 60s girls. She was my pin-up' I'd listen to the Marianne's Best Of tape with Mum and Dad on summer nights sharing wine in the back garden. Years later when it was such a cruel world to be alone in, I'd console myself with Marianne's 'Is this what I get for loving you?' and Broken English. Daddy heartbroken, said of her later albums 'what happened, she had the voice of angel.' Today Marianne was beautiful, elegant, slightly venerable but a strong presence. Her aura was beautiful and inviting. I had to speak to her and tell her she was wonderful. Her response was kind and her smile, wow. I couldn't wait to phone mother and tell her. I wish Dad could had seen her smile in person for himself. He would have forgiven her for everything. Thanks Marianne x
Ah Tori Amos, nobody believes me but we shared a moment, she and I. I remember hearing the excellent 'Cornflake Girl' at a New Years eve party at Sfw's, standing in the nerve centre (the kitchen) discussing the virtues of her unique and rather saucy piano playing style. It cemented my love for piano, the video is case in point (even dirty rotter Conan O'Brien licks his lips), Phwoar!
Our brief encounter took place back in 95', I was a steward on board Eurostar, delivering service with a smile. I was standing on the platform, meeting and greeting our first class passengers in my Canary Yellow blazer, tiger print bow tie and Village People style hat (no joke). I knew that it was going to be a day like no other as I was confronted by none other than Tori Amos and her entourage of 3 friends on a day trip to Paris. Untapped passion simmered when our eyes briefly locked, as I went to help with her bags, the train whistled and steam covered the platform, we were ready to depart. As expected it was an uneventful trip, that was until I bumped into her at the end of the carriage prior to our arrival and she asked me if I was coming back to London that night. My heart skipped a beat, the piano playing songstress was going to ask me for a drink, I stammered that I was returning on the exact same train. "great" she said "could you look after my magazines? I don't want to haul them around Paris". Gutted but still hopeful that this was a Rock n' Roll euphemism for hooking up with mere mortals (maybe there was her phone number in one of the mags!!....there wasn't). I told her not to worry and obliged to look after an unfeasibly large collection of uninspiring home improvement magazines. On the turn-around in Paris I couldn't go for my usual stroll and pose around the Quartier Latin but instead had to sit/sleep on my prized collection of magazines like some sort mother hen and her eggs. Dreams of a Rock N' Roll romance were all but shattered when my knob of Supervisor said he didn't need me for the return and instead wanted me go on an earlier and busier train. My desperate protests fell on deaf ears when I told him I was looking after a superstar's magazines (albeit illegally). "Tori who? I don't care I want you on that train".
Tori Amos, never got her mags back and I never saw her again. I like to think that there's a song out there she wrote about that handsome but bastard of a steward who took off with a bunch of woman's interest magazines.
Tori?? Bloody hell is that you love?
I've sort of stopped following her after that brief liaison but later, on doing a bit of research for this post, I subsequently found out that she has released a 12th studio album last summer, called Night of the Hunters. I was also surprised that the natural beauty, rather disappointingly decided to go down the route of plastic surgery but despite this, it won't stop me giving the new album a listen, it may rekindle that magic we once had!
Click here to see the video for 'Carry', taken from the album. Official site here too, some interesting photos!
I was dispatching a normal boring Sri Lankan Airlines flight one evening years ago when I was printing off the final purser paperwork. As the first part of the printout scrolled up with the business class names on, I recognised the surname Lovejoy for 3 passengers. "Oh", I thought, "just like Tim Lovejoy" and I looked at the first name which said Timothy. Oh my god, it must be him! I used be a fan of Soccer AM by default. It was always on on a Saturday morning in our house and despite not being a particular follower of football, I still enjoyed the silliness and humour of the show led by Tim.
Can you show me to seat 1A please?
Any way I was so excited to find out he was travelling out with his twin daughters that I told anyone who would listen. At the end of the flight, a couple guys from the ramp came up to collect the push chairs etc, I thought they might get as excited as me when I told them. Instead the ramp supervisor answered, "Tim who? Never heard of him!" Whilst looking down at my computer, I launched into a big speech describing him (and mentioning I thought he was a bit of alright), saying he hosted Soccer AM and I was surprised that the ramp guys hadn't heard of him! The supervisor smirked at me and replied, "oh you mean him over there!" Tim had boarded through the gate with his daughters and was at the end of the queue of passengers now facing me at the computer. My face went extremely hot and I was horrified with embarrassment. He probably was too, after my gushing description of him!
To add insult to injury I had to go on board to the cockpit to get my load sheet signed but Tim was putting his baggage away into the overhead locker from the aisle so I had to excuse myself passed him. My face felt like it was on fire and glowing the colour of scarlet. On the way back out of the cockpit, I mumbled for him to have a good holiday and ran out!!
Didn't you know? We invented music!
You are probably wondering what The Specials have to do with Tim Lovejoy but any fan would know that when asked who his favourite band are, Tim answers "The Specials, they invented music"! I'm also a fan of The Specials and I especially love Ghost Town. I remember putting it on in the jukebox when I was 15 and my friends giving me funny looks during the "lalala" bit. Tim, this one is for you!
For more Close Encounters click here, or for more SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX click here!
A couple of weeks ago I saw Tom Odell in Bristol, I was really impressed by the 23 year old. You can tell he sings from the heart, which by his repertoire, has been broken a few times - he recently has been romantically linked to Taylor Swift - but I won't hold that against him.
The gig was at the Thekla and I was hoping I had sea legs on as we climbed aboard. Like any good Pirate I quickly located the liquor whereas the misses grabbed a seat near the side of the stage. When watching the support, George Ezra, Tom came out of his dressing room and sat next to my wife. I could see she was impressed - although I told the cougar that she could be his mother (though only just) - this didn't stop her from rubbing shoulders with him (literally). I was about to pounce to do my 30 second interview (and keep the misses off him) but a couple of women pounced first and he quickly scarpered off.
Glad to see him at such a small, intimate gig as he's tipped to be the next big thing and the chance of seeing him again in this sized venue will likely diminish. You should catch him if you get the opportunity.
It's Saturday and it's Guest Spot day....If you'd like to do a guest spot for us then please let us know. Who knows, you could start a domino effect! (hopefully)
This week we have the mighty Singing Bear, music aficionado from the Grownupbackwards blog and a story about a 'close encounter of the Van kind'.
'Crossing The Road With Van Morrison'
The man at his peak singing 'Domino'
Back in the early to mid 90's I was living in Bath and was aware that Van Morrison had a home there, too. It must be said, Van's house was somewhat more opulent than ours! You would, from time to time, hear of the odd Van sighting but, just like his reputation, he was pretty elusive. A colleague of mine did once attend a party where Van happened to show up (I've no idea why, how or where) and she told me that on being asked to sing a song Van picked up a guitar, turned his back on everyone and mumbled something vague into the corner of the room before exiting. Anyway, I expect you're wondering about my own 'Van Moment'. At this time, I was a massive fan of Van The Man (I still love his early stuff now but my interest has waned a little, I'll admit) and I often wondered what I'd say to him if we had a chance encounter. As you probably know, he's a notoriously miserable git, so not easily approachable. One day, I was a little early for work, which was a just a few streets from Mr. Morrison's residence, and I decided to nip down to the local record shop to while away a few minutes before the daily grind. Just as I approached the pedestrian crossing at the junction of The Paragon and Broad Street (anyone know Bath?) I saw a dumpy little baldy guy in denim and brown cowboy-ish boots waiting for the green man to allow us to cross. It was just me and him with no one else in sight. I sidled up close, thinking 'What shall I say? What shall I say?' In ultra quick time I considered: 'Hello Mr. Morrison, I'm a huge fan and just want to say thanks for the music', which was swiftly rejected for 'Hi Van, how're you doing? Nice day!', again rejected for just a knowing nod and a thumbs up in the hope that I'd get a smile and a 'hi' in return. The seconds ticked by as we stood side by side on the kerb, then the lights changed, it was time to cross, my mind got stuck in reverse and we both silently crossed the road together before Van disappeared into a newsagents and I just knew it would be too creepy to follow him in. All was lost., which was probably a good thing because I'm pretty sure he would have just told me to piss off.
Who are you calling dumpy, pal!?
I did see him around town a couple more times before we left Bath for the Welsh valleys; once I even sat in the same cafe as him, peeping over my copy of MOJO to see what kind of beverage a musical legend likes to partake of but I gave up on any attempt at communication. They say you should never meet your heroes but it might have been funny to be told to eff-off by the great VM.
If anybody else has had a 'close encounter' with a musician or group then let us know, we can feature it as a guest spot. Read some more here......Close Encounters
Nirvana - 'Heart-Shaped Box' (1993) Saturday Night Live rehearsal
We always remember the teachers that made an impression on us, as this weeks Guest Spot will tell. It comes from Tania, an old friend of mine during our school days in Saudi Arabia, we had some good times but we all eventually had to leave to further our studies. I went back to the UK where I was taught geography by Mr Thompson, a grubby man who constantly had dirt under his fingers and smelt of BO, we loved him. Whereas Tania went back to the US to be taught by Mrs Grohl she was cool, funny and her son was in a rock band.....uh, what? Mrs Grohl? Son in a rock band? Hang on a minute!
I was a Senior at Fairfax Highschool during the 1991-1992 school year. On the first day of school, my English teacher, asked each of the students to state our names and share something unique about ourselves to the class. Once we all had all mumbled through our introductions, one of the students asked that our teacher do the same. She smiled, introduced herself as Virginia Grohl, and in her dry witted, clever manner, shared with us a few of her personal hobbies and interests. She then casually mentioned that her daughter was a marine biologist, and that her son was a drummer in a little known rock band in Seattle.
Student: "Oh yeah? Which one?" Mrs. Grohl: "The band's name is Nirvana" (silence) Student: "Never heard of them" Mrs. Grohl: "You will"
Weeks passed during the school year with more and more stories about Nirvana's activity through Mrs. Grohl. Her pride was subtle but unmistakable when asked about her son. When their first CD came out, a student brought it to class pointing to the cover, asking which band member was her son. "The handsome one", she said. We discussed the unique sound of their music, the pain in Cobain's voice, the raw talent of their drummer, and the brilliance of the lyrics.
Funny man, yes you at the back there, see me after class...oh, is that you Dave?
During a visit to Virginia from Seattle, Dave spent an afternoon in her classroom with us. Warm, sharp and funny as his mother, he sat in the back teasing Mrs. Grohl, while handing out kittens to any interested takers. We learned that he's a self taught musician, didn't care for lessons, so played by ear. A sarcastically funny, clever and outspoken person, it was clear to all of us that a genuine talent was among us. Shortly after his visit, Nirvana performed on Saturday Night Live; a rite of passage for emerging bands. Needless to say, that was the year Nirvana skyrocketed to fame. We all felt so lucky to have the unique experience of watching Nirvana emerge into global stardom through the eyes of Mrs. Grohl.
I first heard this way back in the early 60's and have been a big fan of Bert ever since. His first Album where this is taken from is incredible with many great memorable songs. And it was once said he is the Hendrix of the acoustic guitar, I must agree. He later became part of the Pentangle and along with John Renbourn formed the best 2 lead guitars in any group, bar none. This is one of the great drugs songs and still sounds fresh and relevant today.
I did have the pleasure of meeting Bert in the flesh. He was playing in a small venue in Isleworth Middlesex. I had a few drinks one lunch time to celebrate a colleagues birthday and it was him that told me Burt was playing locally.That was it we were going Bert has always been one of my favourites.
Straight from work to the Venue and to the Bar, we were there for a few hours when I looked up and standing next to me was Burt himself. I could not believe my eyes. Normally I would have been quiet and reserved but because of the session I was straight in. 'Hi Bert, what can I get you'. He told me that he did not drink anymore. I then stumbled out like some kind of obsessed groupie that I was his greatest fan and in the sixties he, Dylan and Muhammad Ali were my Heroes. He replied with great humility that he was in great company there.
I asked him if he would play 'Walk quietly by' from his just released album 'When the Circus comes to Town' as I told him it was my track of the year so far. He promised he would. Bert my mate.
The venue was one of these all tables and candle in the middle jobs. Some fans sat cross legged in front of the stage (ex hippies).
It was all a very civilised affair until Burt announced that the next song was for me. I immediately stood up arms waving and smashed my full pint across the table. to the gasp and horror of the dedicated well behaved fans.
.JPG "Tom Odell live at the Thekla Bristol")
