MIDWEEK CRISIS you cant decide what to put on your chips (french fries), come to Wednesday Club we've got Robert Palmer, try some of his 'Vinegar Joe'
Robert Palmer - Every Kind of People(1978)
I was on a plane heading for New York, the year was 1978 and I was going to see about setting up a freight business for a Company call Medtrans. I was going to be their 'Man' in New York. I found myself in this situation because the 'Our Man in the U.K.' liked my wife and her drive and assumed I was the same (what did he know!), she told him I was in the freight business (clerk). We were to set up the business together in the Jamaica Bay area of New York and were going there to see the facilities on offer to us (expenses paid). He also set up meetings with some New York 'cargo people'
On the plane, on the way over, 'Every Kind of People' came on the 20 track 'rock' music playlist which was the only type of music on offer that appealed to me. I loved the song immediately and could not wait until it came around again. There are some songs I wish I had written and this is one,
Andy Fraser (Free) got it bang on, great sentiments. Robert Palmer's voice has never sounded better (remember
Vinegar Joe? Elkie Brookes),
To be honest, I was overwhelmed with New York, I could write a book about the trip, the Bronx, the Bowery, the Empire State Building , the Rockerfeller Centre, the contrast with rich and poor, 'every kinda of people'. The smuggle of kebabs into the San Regis Hotel, 5th avenue, the watching of 'The Towering Inferno', a thousand times (it had it on a loop). You could actually watch films in your room (for a small fee), amazing!
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| Stefan Edberg |
I met this guy from Pan Am, he was like something out of a Hollywood Movie, John Wayne would have played him. He was the Pan Am trouble shooter, he had been everywhere, knew everything, done everything. What was I doing here? I was overwhelmed again but he was charming, amazing, a larger than life character. I was in awe! Did I take the job? No! I told him, I did not think I was ready for New York (
New York wasn't ready for me). He then offered me the same deal in Tehran. (my wife was born in Egypt and new the Arab culture well). This was just before the Revolution there.
I was happy to stay in my mire, for the time being, I just wasn't ready to branch out, take a chance, at that time. I don't think I was so relieved in all my life when I made that decision. I just looked out the window, saw my little boy and my wife playing in the grass and I smiled, Robert Palmer was on the turntable, a snapshot, strange what you remember!
I just love that song, the memories, the great delivery. Hey! remember Power Station. R.I.P.
For more Wednesday Club decision making