MUSICIANS CORNER

This time round we have a mixed bag for you. A selection of shows, albums AND books.. we really spoil you, don’t we?

Anyway, first up is a new biography of the enigmatic singer- songwriter, Nick Drake. I am ashamed to admit that until I read this book’s predecessor : Nick Drake – The Biography by Patrick Humphries I was completely ignorant of Nick and his work. Nick Drake – The Life by Richard Morton Jack promised to bring much more to the story of this most revered of musicians. Nick’s oeuvre encompassed a handful of albums and a smattering of poorly documented gigs – several alongside the fledgling Genesis! Sadly none of which were documented either with audio or visual recordings.

Having read this detailed book , and it IS detailed (Nick was circumcised for example – a piece of information I am not sure we really needed to know, but there it is!) I do not really feel as if I know Nick any better than I did beforehand. That is not the fault of the author. He has amassed a treasure trove of information, reminiscences from family members, musical associates and friends all of whom share their memories. And yet, for all that information and detail, Nick Drake himself remains a mystery. As aloof and unreachable now some fifty years after his death as he was during his all too brief life. The barriers which he threw up then are still very much in existence and, I Suspect, always will be. Nick’s voice was, and remains his music and although that voice was silenced before it’s time, nonetheless it still speaks to those of us who listen to his music and I hope that Nick finds comfort in that.

Morton Jack’s book meanwhile will, without doubt, become the definitive account of “the life” of its title. A labour of love and one which Nick’s fans will treasure.

Richard Morton Jack: Nick Drake – The Life. John Murray Books ISBN: 978-1-529-30810-5

Next, a gig by Judie Tzuke is always a delight. Judie doesn’t perform full on rock gigs anymore which is a shame but the more intimate setting is just as enjoyable, and in fact suits her voice even better. On this tour she was joined by her daughter, Bailey on vocals and Chaz Thorogood on guitar and vocals and Matt Racher on keyboards and bass guitar.

With a new album: Jude The Unsinkable to promote we were given several tracks from it beginning with the title track; Unsinkable which sums up Judie’s situation very well. She has ridden out the storms and vagaries of the music industry and is still very much with us. Other tracks from the new album included Rituals and Keeper Of The Sun along with the truly gorgeous Evergreen proving that Judie has lost none of her song writing ability.

Her collaborators are no slouches either, Judie’s daughter, Bailey, took the lead on songs such as Primary Colours, Monsters and Only Way To Let The Light In whilst guitarist Chaz Thorogood did the honours on Luckier Than Me. All three of them were a delight to hear.

With a catalogue as extensive as Judie’s selecting which older material to perform must always be a tough decision but even so, I was not expecting to hear Ladies Night from her 1979 debut; Welcome To The Cruise and I was in heaven when she played Shoot The Moon from 1983’s Ritmo album. The oldies are all well and good, but the new material displayed the depth and strength of Judie’s oeuvre and she has lost none of the magic that has captured her fans’ hearts for so long.

A new album by Ben McKelvey is always a pleasure and when it is a live album, even more so, as Ben truly comes alive as a musician when he is onstage performing to an audience. I first encountered Ben’s music when he was the opening act for Mike + The Mechanics back in 2017. I was impressed then and remain so to this day.

Ben has managed to create a series of albums and EPs which maintain the old story teller’s art. Songs that actually SAY something and here on this album: Live In The Mountains, recorded before an audience in Germany last April which showcases a selection of his music from Morning I’m Gone and Work For Free from his debut album; Life & Love In England, to more recent fare such as the superbly evocative, Good Boy Jack and Cops & Robbers. McKelvey’ s strength is in his conviction, he is a song WRITER and his words carry meaning and an earthy reality which only make his live performances all the more special and this album captures him in that natural environment to perfection. It IS rock n roll and I love it!

Ben McKelvey : Live In The Mountains (Limited numbered edition – no catalogue number).

And another live set (of sorts) next from my good chums, White Sail. Live At Crooked Room is their latest offering and showcases the combined talents of the three members ; Jane Stockdale, Chris Bartram and Sarah Dean. Put these three people in a room with their instruments and the result is a glorious noise. And so it is here, with a selection of music from the band’s new album and earlier offerings. For me, Ridgeway and Beautiful World capture the very essence of the trio’s music. This is English Folk Music for the 21st Century and they carry the mantle of their predecessors in the Folk tradition with pride and without being enslaved by it. Their words and music are very much their own from the present but resonate with the past. A delightful little album, one which will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart!

White Sail : Live At Crooked Room (No catalogue number).

And finally, back to this ‘ere reading lark. Books about Jethro Tull are becoming more frequent of late but even so, Richard Houghton’s Jethro Tull – Lend Me Your Ears A Fan History is slightly different. Houghton has taken the fans’ reminiscences from when the band first began right up to the present and woven those memories into a fascinating history of the band. Replete with memorabilia and photographs this book really is a joy to read and brought back so many happy memories from my own lengthy journey with Tull. If you have any interest in the band, this will be a book you will treasure and one which every Tull fan should own.

Richard Houghton: Jethro Tull – Lend Me Your Ears – A Fan History. This Day In Music Books. Hardback ISBN: 978-1919616582.