This Charming Man

Back in the blogging loop. Back to Musical Monday. This week's choice is in memory of the late, great John Peel; undoubtedly the biggest single influence on my musical tastes. I know the 'official' celebration was Peel Day on the 12th October but, as this week marks the second anniversary of John's death on 25th October, I'd like to offer my own little tribute.

In 1981, when I was fourteen, my Dad decorated my bedroom. I acquired a whole new set of furniture, including a desk and a bedside unit with a built-in Binatone radio-alarm clock. My life changed. No longer forced to do my homework at the kitchen table, my evenings were now spent largely in my bedroom, ostensibly working on my homework and inevitably listening to Radio 1. Although I'd always been an avid radio listener, I'd rarely ventured away from the daytime wallpaper of charts and playlists; night-time radio was a revelation! From 8 'til 10 was the dulcet tones of David Jensen. David played new music and sessions from bands on the edge of commercial success (the 1980s, male version of Jo Whiley?). He was responsible for introducing me to the delights of (amongst others) Everything But The Girl. John Peel, however, was something else!

The first time I heard John's Peel's show I was somewhat bemused. He didn't sound remotely like anyone I'd ever heard on Radio 1. Where was the slick patter, the cheesy DJ cliches? As for the music, I can't pretend that I liked all of it, but to be exposed to such a multitude of different sounds, to have the opportunity to listen to so many different bands was incredible. My little musical bubble began to grow.

Pretty soon John Peel was essential listening for me. From Monday to Thursday, 10 'til midnight, I'd be there, listening to the radio. I loved John Peel's dry wit, the way he spoke about his family and the palpable enthusiasm he had for the music he played. Saturday afternoons were spent in Barnsley's mecca of indie music, Casa Disco, seeking out some of the tunes I'd heard. Favourites from the era include B-Movie's Nowhere Girl and More than a Dream by The Farmer's Boys. However, my biggest reasons to be forever thankful to the memory of John Peel are Billy Bragg and The Smiths, both of whom I first heard on The John Peel Show.

Once I left Barnsley for the bright lights of Birmingham, my evenings were often otherwise occupied but I still listened to John Peel when the opportunity arose. Even as a mother of three, I was still pleased to catch the show - most often in the car, driving home after a late finish at work.

My feeling of loss when I heard that John Peel had died was far beyond anything I'd previously felt when someone in the public eye had passed away. October half-term and we were driving back from a family day out at Twinlakes. A radio news flash imparted the sad news. I felt like I'd lost a good friend.

So, what to play in memory of John Peel? For me, it had to be something by Billy Bragg or the Smiths and as Billy has previously featured in my Musical Monday selections, I give you a song I'm sure you're all familiar with, This Charming Man by The Smiths. This version is taken from the album, Hatful of Hollow, and was recorded for a John Peel session at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios in September 1983.

John Peel, thank you.




This Charming Man - The Smiths (Hatful of Hollow, 1984)

A New England

After writing about Billy Bragg last week, I've decided that this week's Musical Monday has to be a Billy Bragg song. Although I love so many of Billy's songs, my favourite will always be the first one I ever heard: A New England. Less than two and a half minutes long and both vocally and musically very simple - just Billy and his guitar, it is nevertheless one of my all-time favourite songs.

Looking through my music collection, I was surprised to find that I have four different versions of A New England (five, if you include the cover by Kirsty MacColl, for whom Billy wrote two additional verses). I have decided to include two versions. The first is a studio version from Billy's 'best of' collection, Must I Paint You A Picture, the second is from one of Billy's John Peel sessions and is probably closest to the version I first heard and fell in love with.






A New England - Billy Bragg (Must I Paint You A Picture: The Essential Billy Bragg, 2003; The Peel Sessions. 1991)

The Boy Done Good

Thursday 4th May. Billy Bragg. What can I say about him? I've been a fan since the early 1980's when I first heard A New England on John Peel's late night show on Radio 1. During my politically-active student days I was a staunch supporter of Red Wedge, the collective fronted by Billy Bragg and I've continued to enjoy Billy's music throughout my adult life. (In fact the title of this blog is taken from a Billy Bragg album - Life's A Riot With Spy Vs Spy. ) I was thrilled, therefore, to hear that Billy was to play Leicester's De Montfort Hall and snapped up tickets at the earliest opportunity.

I'd expected the audience for this gig to be far older than the ones I've been to recently but it was actually a very mixed crowd - Billy is evidently still appealing to the student generation! The audience was, however, considerably more sedate than at recent gigs. Cam and me had standing tickets and managed to comfortably maintain our front of hall, centre-stage position throughout the evening. I don't think I was jostled once!

The support act was Seth Lakeman, one of last year's Mercury Music Prize nominees. Seth plays his own unique brand of indie-folk and performed a passionate and energetic set. Possibly not to everyone's taste but well worth a listen if you haven't heard any of his music. As an added bonus, he's absolutely gorgeous too!

The theme of the tour was Hope Not Hate, with an anti-fascist message, targeted in particular at the British National party. In his usual style, Billy interspersed his songs with banter, jokes and a liberal sprinkling of politics, making for a fabulously entertaining evening. Although I may not agree with absolutely everything Billy says, I'm definitely with him most of the way. Billy was accompanied on keyboards by Sir Ian McLagan, formerly of The Small Faces and The Faces and there was evidently a great rapport between the two men. There were old songs, new songs and updated songs. The evening ended with two encores - the second of which was an audience sing-along to most of the tracks from Billy's first two albums. The evening was incredible value for money and I left the hall feeling uplifted and, if truth be told, slightly emotional and teary. Billy Bragg, I love you!


The Boy Done Good - Billy Bragg (Reaching To The Converted, 1999)