Brad Kyle from Front Row & Backstage recently contacted me and asked if I’d participate in another round of his now world-famous Tune Tag. I had no time, I was literally just about to get on a plane to the UK for a few very busy weeks. However, how could I refuse? Why would I refuse? Within seconds of being asked my brain had instantly locked back into Tune Tag mode and I already knew what my opening gambit would be. And the exchange with Brad was fast and furious, I think less than 24 hours later, with everything literally done on the fly, it was complete. It’s so much fun doing this, it takes you down unexpected musical avenues, which twist and turn, revealing concealed musical gems, and memories from yesteryear.
So, if you ever get Tune Tagged by Brad, run with it, don’t hesitate, take that opportunity, you won’t regret it!
Brad, you’re a true gentleman, in every sense of the word. Thank you for all your support and encouragement, you truly are a perfect example of what’s best and authentic in our now bustling music/creative substack community. And, if I didn’t already say it, or if it somehow doesn’t come across, I had a lot of fun doing this.
Wow, thanks so much, Nic! I'm beyond humbled, and not just a little "verklempt"....I think that's the correct Yiddish palabra! I so love mixing the languages I don't know very well!
We discovered so much about you, Nic (and me late Mum would be so proud someone else considers me a "true gentleman"! And, it takes one to know one, Nic😉), and I appreciate you opening up your world in a musical context! I do so love "living in" each Tune Tag each week, and consider it as close as I'll ever get to the creative world my incredible, fabulous creatives whom I have worshipped for years....the songwriters and arrangers....the ones with the real, ethereal, mercurial talent!!
So, composing and arranging these TTs each week is truly a thrill....I usually finish each one with days to spare, schedule its release, and then, also get to enjoy it in its "natural habitat" of a finished piece (the thrill I imagine our favorite artists get when the music they spent weeks recording finally gets slapped onto their turntables as a slab o' vinyl)!
And, thanks too, Nic, for creating the time to give all you gave for this one....Bookings for Part 3s, I reckon, will begin by early summer...we hope you'll book passage! Oh, but, we'll speak before then!
Meanwhile, fellow FR&B readers.....kindly give Nic's two Substack entries a spin, and consider subscribing to both (and check out his musical endeavors, including "Let Go")....all are linked at the top of this Tune Tag!
Nice. The breakdown on that 10cc song is fascinating and totally new to me, and so of course, like all good recommendations do, this has prodded me into digging into them with a new ear!
Eric Stewart came up with the idea for the song after his wife, to whom he had been married for eight years at that point, asked him why he did not say "I love you" more often to her. Stewart said, "I had this crazy idea in my mind that repeating those words would somehow degrade the meaning, so I told her, 'Well, if I say every day "I love you, darling, I love you, blah, blah, blah", it's not gonna mean anything eventually'. That statement led me to try to figure out another way of saying it, and the result was that I chose to say 'I'm not in love with you', while subtly giving all the reasons throughout the song why I could never let go of this relationship.
Yeah, that's a great Stewart story I ran into somewhere in my research....if it's not in one of the linked videos above, I'm glad you mentioned it here! Now, it's all together!
Thanks, Jamie! As you dig into 10cc, follow Nic's mention and reminder that each of their members were and are mega-talented! 10cc ended up a "supergroup," although it took their respective careers to unfold and emerge for us to realize that (Godley & Creme's '80s video vanguard era is not to be missed!)
And, if you haven't, please join me in my rabid fan-boying all over the collected output of Graham Gouldman....start with his Wiki page to become acquainted with his prodigious songwriting portfolio, and go from there! As I allude to in the TT, when Gold'n'Gouldman merged, my head about exploded! By that Wax album's release, I was long out of "the biz," but I wish I could recall how I was first alerted to it....back in the day ('70s and early-'80s), I'd have been reading many rock mags, but I may have simply stumbled onto the Wax album while thumbing through racks at Tower Records or Moby Disc (I was in L.A. all thru the '80s).
If that was the case, that was a slam dunk....."no, I don't need to hear it! Andrew Gold and Graham Gouldman....together? Are you kidding me?" might have been a convo had at that Sunset Blvd Tower! "Just wrap that puppy up!"
Keep us (me, anyway) posted on your 10cc and any members' revelations, Jamie, OK?
😂😂😂For a second, I contemplated replying to you this way, Nick: "What? Why, whatever do you mean?" But, this is a family show, and as we air in prime time...............😁🎵👍
Oh, please...........you know how we roll: If it enters your noggin, there's a place for it here! As the saying goes: "He who hesitates is lossed" (and yes, I meant that spelling)!😉👍
Wow, soo much to comment on. Jeff Buckley’s track (the entire album, actually) is a masterpiece. I loved reading about your respective experiences (record collecting and radio, on the one hand, and recording studios, on the other). So interesting to get a peek backstage in the best possible place! That’s why Tune Tag, and of course its home, FR&B, never disappoint!
Thank you, Andy.....Most I can't wait for, but I couldn't wait for you to grab a shovel and dig into this one! I knew what was awaiting you! Also, if you haven't, give some time to Jeff's daddy, too.
Thanks, Steve....mad props to Nic for what is clearly revelatory info! Every time I put on my editor's hat, I had to come back and say, "No....that's gotta stay....that's huge!" This was fun!
Well, the hallmark of FR&B is the down'n'dirty, deep'n'delish, rare and wonderful from the sometimes hidden corners of rock history.....and, we all discovered so much of what Nic has to offer in the rock-history memory category, I put away my scissors and scalpel for this one, quite happily! If you won't spill these beans, Nick..........Nic and I are in darkened-room discussions about squeezing even more memories out of 'im! Stay tuned (you're too young for this reference)---"Same Bat time, same Bat channel!"🦇📺
I'm looking forward to hearing more of Nic's musical past and stories.
I'm going to have to listen to Jeff Buckley's “Last Goodbye a bunch more times to get into it.
Who'd have thunk bubble gummy Peter Noone would cover a couple of Bowie songs. Then you dig a bit deeper into Noone, and I find this "while Peter managed Led Zeppelin. Most of the early Herman’s Hermit records feature Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones before they formed Led Zeppelin." [https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-34/].
I saw Rick Wakeman in Detroit in the '70's perform "The 6 Wives of Henry the 8th". It was an event.
Thank you, Paul! How 'bout that? Yep, Page and Jones were UK session mainstays for many months (not sure how many years, really) before they formed "their little band"! (That "Peter" reference must've been referring to Peter Grant, Zep's manager). I bought that Wakeman album when it was released, and really enjoyed it! That's cool you saw that tour.
Good collection of songs. I too love "Last Goodbye" (and "Love You Should Have Come Over"). I have a story about Buckley's bassist, Mick Grondahl, which I may write for a future post.
Bowie was a huge fan of The Pretty Things, and I am fairly certain "Oh, You Pretty Things" is a tune he wrote as a nod to them (as was his cover of "Rosalyn" on 'Pin Ups'). I wrote about the Pretties legendary album, 'SF Sorrow' a few weeks back:
Man, The Pretty Things are undervalued, aren't they? I was hopelessly late to that party myself, I'll admit, only to be made aware of them in the mid-'70s by a 1976 double-album compilation on Motown/Rare Earth Records, "Real Pretty": https://www.discogs.com/master/651269-The-Pretty-Things-Real-Pretty
And, in '76, I was 21, and already a large market radio jock....that's embarrassing to admit, but 'tis true! And, I had and loved "Pin-ups" upon release, but I didn't give that song or the original much thought (a lover of covers, I was on so many of those other great tracks)! But, Bowie, always the tastemaker, was a musical guide for a lot of us!
I'm glad you dropped your "SF Sorrow" link here, Michael....If my sad Pretty Things musical hole is "typical" here in the States, I'll be happy to read it, and I hope others will join me! Perhaps we can lead a U.S. revival of the PTs here!
If pushed came to shove and I was FORCED to name just one favorite rock band, The Pretty Things may well be it. They would definitely be in contention. Their output from 1964-1971 is incredible.
Wow, Michael....that's an incredible statement! If you'd be so kind, pick 3 (or 5, if you feel really generous) of your fave (or their best) songs, or, the best "intro" songs non-fans might get into......or, to take it further, would you consider either a guest post, or a similarly-themed (PT primer for the non-expert) article on your "Home is Where" site, and blokes like myself might be inspired to cross-post it (again, from a "beginner's guide to PT" POV)!
Thoughts?
Oh, and now would be a great time to announce, dear readers, that Michael will be the Tune Tag guest for next Tuesday, February 13! Mark your calendars, and get familiar with Michael's "Home is Where the Music Is" page: https://michaelfell.substack.com/
Brad, I could definitely choose 5 PTs tracks to introduce people to their brilliance. I am also intrigued about your suggestion of a larger PTs article/guest post. Let's chat off these wires and go from there. Thanks for the rec to my page! Cheers!
Last year I had a chat with bassist Jack Monk. He was briefly in a band in the 60's wth Twink (one of the many drummers in the long history of The Pretty Things). The singer and guitarist (with Jack and Twink) was one of Pink Floyd's founders, Syd Barrett, the band was Stars. https://nicbriscoe.substack.com/p/twt0004-jack-monck-interview
Mercy..........thanks, Nic! Again, as a statesider, we seem to have a blind spot about so much (especially deep digs) about UK music history! I think now's the time I catch up on my serious Pretty Things knowledge hole!
As I mentioned to somebody on Notes recently, I was a total Beatles ho, and loathed those tacky, dirty Stones (in the mid-'60s, when I was 10, we were either in one "camp" or the other, and rarely the twain would meet)!
And, as the majority of the little press I was reading about the Pretty Things during the '70s seemed to suggest at least a passing similarity to the Stones musically (if not visually), I didn't pursue! More's the pity for moi! I've got homework to do!!
Twink was one of those dudes who was always around. Tomorrow, The Pretty Things, Pink Fairies and I believe he also was in and out of Hawkwind, or at least constantly in their ever growing circle of freaks. He also later did some work in the 80s with American neo-psych revivalists, Plasticland.
I play quite regularly with two musicians from the progressive rock scene Twink was in, now referred to generally as ‘The Canterbury Scene’. Both these guys are amazing musicians. Eric Peachey is a drummer / percussionist, in the early 70’s he played with Steve Hillage and Khan. He’s just phenomenal. I wanted to interview him, but he won’t. 🤷♂️ The other guy I play with from this scene is the very well known guitarist, Mark Hewins — who is breathtaking! Apart from being a great player, he was also Lou Reed's guitar tech on several tours. Hopefully I’ll do an interview with him sometime this year.
Pretty cool stuff, Nic.......The only name here (besides Hillage, about whom I've heard more about than heard) I remember is Khan....their early-'70s "Space Shanty" took until '78 (right in my retail hot spot at Cactus Records in Houston) to be released here in the states....it was on PVC Records, and was distributed by domestic distributor (of imported records), JEM Records.
I never heard "Space Shanty," but it was among the hundreds of albums I'd look at when racking new product, or simply (during slow moments) rifling through the racks to learn more about our inventory! Good luck on a Hewins interview!
I don't know what it says about my tastes, but I really liked "No Milk Today" both the song and Peter Noone's singing are just charming.
"I'm not in love" is great. I appreciated Nic's note about the origin of the song; it emphasized the sweetness of it. It does make me think of "She Thinks I Still Care" (I like Teddy Thompson's version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHo7ucNwP_A he is frequently drawn to self-lacerating songs).
That performance of "Oh! You Pretty Things" is so good. It reminds that one of my very favorite David Bowie songs is his live (for the BBC) recording of "Kooks" from the same year which has a similar vulnerability: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iJwWKHT-2o
Thanks, Nick! You liking "No Milk Today" simply says you (like me!) dig well-written pop tunes (solely a Gouldman joint...he wrote it when he was 20! Can you imagine?!?)! One thing I DID edit out of this piece was my process for learning this song for karaoke about a decade ago.
I noticed it was in 3 "parts" or segments, and each repeated: 1) The verse, "No milk today....." 2) the chorus, "How could they know" and 3) the bridge (my favorite part....that has to be a minor chord getting there!), "But all that's left......"
Just dissecting like I did not only helped me learn it (I'd heard it, but learning it well enough to sing in public!), but helped me realize what an unusual structure Graham put on it!
"Kooks" is a neat song....He wrote it for his boy, Zowie (aka Joey aka Duncan Jones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Jones), from the POV of himself and mom, Angie. Cute, knowing that.....Daddy David! I just noticed someone at the end of the vid you sent told that factoid!
One of my fave "buried" Bowie songs is "The Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud." Something sad and wistful about that song's story that always got me....I used to sing that in karaoke, also!
I didn’t know this about Jimmy Page and Jon Paul Jones. Fascinating!
Rick Wakeman was a Trident studios regular. Trident is just off Wardour Street, in London’s Soho. It’s a few doors away from The Marquee Club. In between them is a pub, The Ship (not sure it’s still there, I’m guessing yes). The Ship was like a lunchtime office for the local music industry — I’ve lost count of the pints I had there with significant musicians/music industry entrepreneurs. Rick Wakeman for sure.
Page has a couple of "famous" solos/riffs on some session work tunes, pre-Zep. I don't remember which, but they'd be easy to look up. Perhaps we could call these particular session cats, The (W)Rocking Crew!
CORRECTION (2/7/24): At publication, we posted an audio-only YouTube video, purported to be a rare, unreleased acetate recording of Peter Noone singing David Bowie's "Life on Mars." A Facebook group Admin informed me that that particular audio/video was, indeed, NOT Noone, but a New Zealand singer, a Steve Allen, who had recorded and released the song as a single.
That particular YouTube content creator obviously mis-marked that video, and should have labeled it as a performance by Allen, not Noone. We have deleted that video from the article.
Research has since verified that, while Noone and Bowie had "worked on" a few other songs together (including "Life on Mars"), there is no evidence that Noone actually recorded any more Bowie songs than the "Oh! You Pretty Things" cover we feature above.
Brad Kyle from Front Row & Backstage recently contacted me and asked if I’d participate in another round of his now world-famous Tune Tag. I had no time, I was literally just about to get on a plane to the UK for a few very busy weeks. However, how could I refuse? Why would I refuse? Within seconds of being asked my brain had instantly locked back into Tune Tag mode and I already knew what my opening gambit would be. And the exchange with Brad was fast and furious, I think less than 24 hours later, with everything literally done on the fly, it was complete. It’s so much fun doing this, it takes you down unexpected musical avenues, which twist and turn, revealing concealed musical gems, and memories from yesteryear.
So, if you ever get Tune Tagged by Brad, run with it, don’t hesitate, take that opportunity, you won’t regret it!
Brad, you’re a true gentleman, in every sense of the word. Thank you for all your support and encouragement, you truly are a perfect example of what’s best and authentic in our now bustling music/creative substack community. And, if I didn’t already say it, or if it somehow doesn’t come across, I had a lot of fun doing this.
Wow, thanks so much, Nic! I'm beyond humbled, and not just a little "verklempt"....I think that's the correct Yiddish palabra! I so love mixing the languages I don't know very well!
We discovered so much about you, Nic (and me late Mum would be so proud someone else considers me a "true gentleman"! And, it takes one to know one, Nic😉), and I appreciate you opening up your world in a musical context! I do so love "living in" each Tune Tag each week, and consider it as close as I'll ever get to the creative world my incredible, fabulous creatives whom I have worshipped for years....the songwriters and arrangers....the ones with the real, ethereal, mercurial talent!!
So, composing and arranging these TTs each week is truly a thrill....I usually finish each one with days to spare, schedule its release, and then, also get to enjoy it in its "natural habitat" of a finished piece (the thrill I imagine our favorite artists get when the music they spent weeks recording finally gets slapped onto their turntables as a slab o' vinyl)!
And, thanks too, Nic, for creating the time to give all you gave for this one....Bookings for Part 3s, I reckon, will begin by early summer...we hope you'll book passage! Oh, but, we'll speak before then!
Meanwhile, fellow FR&B readers.....kindly give Nic's two Substack entries a spin, and consider subscribing to both (and check out his musical endeavors, including "Let Go")....all are linked at the top of this Tune Tag!
Nice. The breakdown on that 10cc song is fascinating and totally new to me, and so of course, like all good recommendations do, this has prodded me into digging into them with a new ear!
From wikipedia.
Eric Stewart came up with the idea for the song after his wife, to whom he had been married for eight years at that point, asked him why he did not say "I love you" more often to her. Stewart said, "I had this crazy idea in my mind that repeating those words would somehow degrade the meaning, so I told her, 'Well, if I say every day "I love you, darling, I love you, blah, blah, blah", it's not gonna mean anything eventually'. That statement led me to try to figure out another way of saying it, and the result was that I chose to say 'I'm not in love with you', while subtly giving all the reasons throughout the song why I could never let go of this relationship.
Yeah, that's a great Stewart story I ran into somewhere in my research....if it's not in one of the linked videos above, I'm glad you mentioned it here! Now, it's all together!
Thanks, Jamie! As you dig into 10cc, follow Nic's mention and reminder that each of their members were and are mega-talented! 10cc ended up a "supergroup," although it took their respective careers to unfold and emerge for us to realize that (Godley & Creme's '80s video vanguard era is not to be missed!)
And, if you haven't, please join me in my rabid fan-boying all over the collected output of Graham Gouldman....start with his Wiki page to become acquainted with his prodigious songwriting portfolio, and go from there! As I allude to in the TT, when Gold'n'Gouldman merged, my head about exploded! By that Wax album's release, I was long out of "the biz," but I wish I could recall how I was first alerted to it....back in the day ('70s and early-'80s), I'd have been reading many rock mags, but I may have simply stumbled onto the Wax album while thumbing through racks at Tower Records or Moby Disc (I was in L.A. all thru the '80s).
If that was the case, that was a slam dunk....."no, I don't need to hear it! Andrew Gold and Graham Gouldman....together? Are you kidding me?" might have been a convo had at that Sunset Blvd Tower! "Just wrap that puppy up!"
Keep us (me, anyway) posted on your 10cc and any members' revelations, Jamie, OK?
Oh, and Happy New Ear!!🥂🎉🍾
Though, when Nic wrote, "For me, 10cc is seminal . . ." I did think, "I see what you did there" (https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/10cc/ )
😂😂😂For a second, I contemplated replying to you this way, Nick: "What? Why, whatever do you mean?" But, this is a family show, and as we air in prime time...............😁🎵👍
I hesitated before making that comment.
Oh, please...........you know how we roll: If it enters your noggin, there's a place for it here! As the saying goes: "He who hesitates is lossed" (and yes, I meant that spelling)!😉👍
I really wish I was that clever 😜
Wow, soo much to comment on. Jeff Buckley’s track (the entire album, actually) is a masterpiece. I loved reading about your respective experiences (record collecting and radio, on the one hand, and recording studios, on the other). So interesting to get a peek backstage in the best possible place! That’s why Tune Tag, and of course its home, FR&B, never disappoint!
Thank you, Andy.....Most I can't wait for, but I couldn't wait for you to grab a shovel and dig into this one! I knew what was awaiting you! Also, if you haven't, give some time to Jeff's daddy, too.
I sure will! Thanks, Brad!
I agree. "Last Goodbye" and the whole "Grace" album — masterpieces.
This one goes deep! Nice work, your two.
Thanks, Steve....mad props to Nic for what is clearly revelatory info! Every time I put on my editor's hat, I had to come back and say, "No....that's gotta stay....that's huge!" This was fun!
That was definitely an epic tune tag; I'm glad you didn't cut it too far, Nic was in the zone for this one.
Well, the hallmark of FR&B is the down'n'dirty, deep'n'delish, rare and wonderful from the sometimes hidden corners of rock history.....and, we all discovered so much of what Nic has to offer in the rock-history memory category, I put away my scissors and scalpel for this one, quite happily! If you won't spill these beans, Nick..........Nic and I are in darkened-room discussions about squeezing even more memories out of 'im! Stay tuned (you're too young for this reference)---"Same Bat time, same Bat channel!"🦇📺
Best Tune Tag yet (IMO)!
I'm looking forward to hearing more of Nic's musical past and stories.
I'm going to have to listen to Jeff Buckley's “Last Goodbye a bunch more times to get into it.
Who'd have thunk bubble gummy Peter Noone would cover a couple of Bowie songs. Then you dig a bit deeper into Noone, and I find this "while Peter managed Led Zeppelin. Most of the early Herman’s Hermit records feature Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones before they formed Led Zeppelin." [https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-34/].
I saw Rick Wakeman in Detroit in the '70's perform "The 6 Wives of Henry the 8th". It was an event.
Here's the real story of the band name 10cc - https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/10cc/
Thanks for the memories, guys!
Thank you, Paul! How 'bout that? Yep, Page and Jones were UK session mainstays for many months (not sure how many years, really) before they formed "their little band"! (That "Peter" reference must've been referring to Peter Grant, Zep's manager). I bought that Wakeman album when it was released, and really enjoyed it! That's cool you saw that tour.
Makes sense. Thanks!
Impressive and expansive tune tag, well done!
Thanks, Mister Miter! This one's all Nic.......he danced, I followed!😁
Good collection of songs. I too love "Last Goodbye" (and "Love You Should Have Come Over"). I have a story about Buckley's bassist, Mick Grondahl, which I may write for a future post.
Bowie was a huge fan of The Pretty Things, and I am fairly certain "Oh, You Pretty Things" is a tune he wrote as a nod to them (as was his cover of "Rosalyn" on 'Pin Ups'). I wrote about the Pretties legendary album, 'SF Sorrow' a few weeks back:
https://michaelfell.substack.com/p/bouquets-from-a-cloudy-sky?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Man, The Pretty Things are undervalued, aren't they? I was hopelessly late to that party myself, I'll admit, only to be made aware of them in the mid-'70s by a 1976 double-album compilation on Motown/Rare Earth Records, "Real Pretty": https://www.discogs.com/master/651269-The-Pretty-Things-Real-Pretty
And, in '76, I was 21, and already a large market radio jock....that's embarrassing to admit, but 'tis true! And, I had and loved "Pin-ups" upon release, but I didn't give that song or the original much thought (a lover of covers, I was on so many of those other great tracks)! But, Bowie, always the tastemaker, was a musical guide for a lot of us!
I'm glad you dropped your "SF Sorrow" link here, Michael....If my sad Pretty Things musical hole is "typical" here in the States, I'll be happy to read it, and I hope others will join me! Perhaps we can lead a U.S. revival of the PTs here!
If pushed came to shove and I was FORCED to name just one favorite rock band, The Pretty Things may well be it. They would definitely be in contention. Their output from 1964-1971 is incredible.
Wow, Michael....that's an incredible statement! If you'd be so kind, pick 3 (or 5, if you feel really generous) of your fave (or their best) songs, or, the best "intro" songs non-fans might get into......or, to take it further, would you consider either a guest post, or a similarly-themed (PT primer for the non-expert) article on your "Home is Where" site, and blokes like myself might be inspired to cross-post it (again, from a "beginner's guide to PT" POV)!
Thoughts?
Oh, and now would be a great time to announce, dear readers, that Michael will be the Tune Tag guest for next Tuesday, February 13! Mark your calendars, and get familiar with Michael's "Home is Where the Music Is" page: https://michaelfell.substack.com/
Brad, I could definitely choose 5 PTs tracks to introduce people to their brilliance. I am also intrigued about your suggestion of a larger PTs article/guest post. Let's chat off these wires and go from there. Thanks for the rec to my page! Cheers!
Last year I had a chat with bassist Jack Monk. He was briefly in a band in the 60's wth Twink (one of the many drummers in the long history of The Pretty Things). The singer and guitarist (with Jack and Twink) was one of Pink Floyd's founders, Syd Barrett, the band was Stars. https://nicbriscoe.substack.com/p/twt0004-jack-monck-interview
Mercy..........thanks, Nic! Again, as a statesider, we seem to have a blind spot about so much (especially deep digs) about UK music history! I think now's the time I catch up on my serious Pretty Things knowledge hole!
As I mentioned to somebody on Notes recently, I was a total Beatles ho, and loathed those tacky, dirty Stones (in the mid-'60s, when I was 10, we were either in one "camp" or the other, and rarely the twain would meet)!
And, as the majority of the little press I was reading about the Pretty Things during the '70s seemed to suggest at least a passing similarity to the Stones musically (if not visually), I didn't pursue! More's the pity for moi! I've got homework to do!!
Twink was one of those dudes who was always around. Tomorrow, The Pretty Things, Pink Fairies and I believe he also was in and out of Hawkwind, or at least constantly in their ever growing circle of freaks. He also later did some work in the 80s with American neo-psych revivalists, Plasticland.
I play quite regularly with two musicians from the progressive rock scene Twink was in, now referred to generally as ‘The Canterbury Scene’. Both these guys are amazing musicians. Eric Peachey is a drummer / percussionist, in the early 70’s he played with Steve Hillage and Khan. He’s just phenomenal. I wanted to interview him, but he won’t. 🤷♂️ The other guy I play with from this scene is the very well known guitarist, Mark Hewins — who is breathtaking! Apart from being a great player, he was also Lou Reed's guitar tech on several tours. Hopefully I’ll do an interview with him sometime this year.
Pretty cool stuff, Nic.......The only name here (besides Hillage, about whom I've heard more about than heard) I remember is Khan....their early-'70s "Space Shanty" took until '78 (right in my retail hot spot at Cactus Records in Houston) to be released here in the states....it was on PVC Records, and was distributed by domestic distributor (of imported records), JEM Records.
I never heard "Space Shanty," but it was among the hundreds of albums I'd look at when racking new product, or simply (during slow moments) rifling through the racks to learn more about our inventory! Good luck on a Hewins interview!
Such an informative read while I have my "breakfast and coffee." Thank you both for this journey today!
Thanks, Jami! To Nic go most o' the props! Happy to hear we can be an early morning companion for you!🥓🥚🥯🥞🍳🧇☕☕☕☕☕❗😉
There is a lot of interesting music in this one.
I don't know what it says about my tastes, but I really liked "No Milk Today" both the song and Peter Noone's singing are just charming.
"I'm not in love" is great. I appreciated Nic's note about the origin of the song; it emphasized the sweetness of it. It does make me think of "She Thinks I Still Care" (I like Teddy Thompson's version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHo7ucNwP_A he is frequently drawn to self-lacerating songs).
That performance of "Oh! You Pretty Things" is so good. It reminds that one of my very favorite David Bowie songs is his live (for the BBC) recording of "Kooks" from the same year which has a similar vulnerability: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iJwWKHT-2o
Thanks, Nick! You liking "No Milk Today" simply says you (like me!) dig well-written pop tunes (solely a Gouldman joint...he wrote it when he was 20! Can you imagine?!?)! One thing I DID edit out of this piece was my process for learning this song for karaoke about a decade ago.
I noticed it was in 3 "parts" or segments, and each repeated: 1) The verse, "No milk today....." 2) the chorus, "How could they know" and 3) the bridge (my favorite part....that has to be a minor chord getting there!), "But all that's left......"
Just dissecting like I did not only helped me learn it (I'd heard it, but learning it well enough to sing in public!), but helped me realize what an unusual structure Graham put on it!
"Kooks" is a neat song....He wrote it for his boy, Zowie (aka Joey aka Duncan Jones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Jones), from the POV of himself and mom, Angie. Cute, knowing that.....Daddy David! I just noticed someone at the end of the vid you sent told that factoid!
One of my fave "buried" Bowie songs is "The Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud." Something sad and wistful about that song's story that always got me....I used to sing that in karaoke, also!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqG-CMDnVaE
I didn’t know this about Jimmy Page and Jon Paul Jones. Fascinating!
Rick Wakeman was a Trident studios regular. Trident is just off Wardour Street, in London’s Soho. It’s a few doors away from The Marquee Club. In between them is a pub, The Ship (not sure it’s still there, I’m guessing yes). The Ship was like a lunchtime office for the local music industry — I’ve lost count of the pints I had there with significant musicians/music industry entrepreneurs. Rick Wakeman for sure.
Page has a couple of "famous" solos/riffs on some session work tunes, pre-Zep. I don't remember which, but they'd be easy to look up. Perhaps we could call these particular session cats, The (W)Rocking Crew!
CORRECTION (2/7/24): At publication, we posted an audio-only YouTube video, purported to be a rare, unreleased acetate recording of Peter Noone singing David Bowie's "Life on Mars." A Facebook group Admin informed me that that particular audio/video was, indeed, NOT Noone, but a New Zealand singer, a Steve Allen, who had recorded and released the song as a single.
That particular YouTube content creator obviously mis-marked that video, and should have labeled it as a performance by Allen, not Noone. We have deleted that video from the article.
Research has since verified that, while Noone and Bowie had "worked on" a few other songs together (including "Life on Mars"), there is no evidence that Noone actually recorded any more Bowie songs than the "Oh! You Pretty Things" cover we feature above.