Terry Callier (May 24 1945 - Oct 28 2012)

Heading back home from a big family blow-out lunch in deepest Country - first a train then, (occasional?) rain falling, a wait at the bus stop and in the back seat downstairs, never my favourite, an idle Twitter-noodle, to pass the time; to learn - this...

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Terry Callier -  'I'd Rather Be With You' (1973)

The Smiling Hour

Friday!

Half Term hols!

Vinyl-ripped rhythm & blues!

My shout!

Take it Esther!

Little Esther (Esther Phillips) - 'T'Ain't Whatcha Say It's Whatcha Do' (1956)

Midweek Groove

Something sparky for a gloomy Wednesday.

Vocals from 5:46 by producers the Mizell Brothers, who also sang on Bobbi Humphrey's splendid 'Harlem River Drive' which I tweeted earlier.

As well as producing groovy fusion records for Blue Note, Larry Mizell once worked as an electrical engineer and performed testing and reliability work on the Lunar Module for the Apollo space programme, fact fans.

Donald Byrd - 'Lansana's Priestess' (1973)

The Smiling Hour

It's been one hell of a week.

I shall require a beverage.

And some vinyl-ripped rhythm and blues (you'll like this one).

I do hope someone is going to the bar?

Otis Smith - 'You're So Good Looking' (1959)

Personal Message

The greatest Françoise Hardy song you've (probably) never heard.

Hello autumn.

Françoise Hardy - 'Message Personnel' (1973)

Smoke With Fire

The eldest daughter and I enjoyed Smoke Fairies (KCLSU, Tuesday). They sure can sing and play geetar, those gals (could maybe do with a sparkier tune now and then, but still...).

We also liked support band Bear's Den, not least because they had printed their own E.P sleeves with potatoes; not so much the overly shouty Tom Williams & The Boat.

It was a strange but lovely thing to be watching all this at the alma mater, in the hall we used for student discos and productions nearly thirty years ago - and with her ladyship, at her first proper 'gig'; by far the youngest person there (13, but don't tell), and right in front of the stage.

Life stuff eh?

She's going to see Green Day with her friends at the Emirates Stadium next summer, which'll be a bit different, I imagine.

Smoke Fairies - 'She Sells Sanctuary' (2012)

[The Cult!]

Soft Soul Sunday

Now We Are Six

A Soft Southern Jessie

Never mind your Twitters and your Spotifys and your Mixclouds, it were all fields round here six years ago.

And, with notable exceptions, your "mp3 blogs" mostly blethered on about 'indie' (younger readers, ask a grown up): I'd be chuffed if I've played even the teensiest part in helping to change that a tad.

There needed to be more reggae - and pop and soul and disco and funk and hip hop and jazz and Krautrock and country and post-punk and Eno and Sinatra and, er, Elizabethan choral music - in the blogosphere. And more foolish bar-talk and less standing around in black trying to look cool.

So here's to you, companeros, near and far: for your kindness and your comments and your.....friendship; and for the many, many splendid records you've played me in return.

My life is the better for this, and you.

So 'it it!

The Clash - 'Hitsville U.K' (1980)

Frank Wilson (5th Dec 1940 - 27th Sep 2012)

Yes, he recorded the Northern Soul classic and ultra-rare 45 'Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)' but rather unjustly was less famously the writer and producer of many hits for Motown including this glorious thing.

Full obit here.

R.I.P.

"Metal Inside Me"

« Sound of footsteps on the edge of a scream »: the most representative picture I’ve made of my life in hospital.

[These words and this picture arrived from France today by email. I have cut & paste with no edits. There are two sides to every story, and this is A's - dh]

« In July 2004 I was involved in a motor accident in Montpellier, France »....

I was a motorcyclist and the other party was a (hire) car.

At a junction, I went through a green trafic light. Not too fast, but in a rush. I wanted to arrive home after a long shooting (filming) trip. I saw a car that was waiting to cross and I thought he had seen me.

Unfortunately the car moved, the impact was inevitable.

I was badly injured. But the injuries are less important than the road to recovery.

The English driver seemed not to stop immediately, but came back after a moment. Few months later, the case went to court in France and against the doctors advices, I came in a wheelchair to hear him. But the driver did not come and was charged very lightly because, at that time, the after-effects of the accident were not assessable. I could have continue the procedure but one warned me off that it could go on many years due to the required exchanges between the two countries. I decided to drop the charges, did not want my healling process hampered by anger.

First, the doctors said that I would not keep my left leg. Then, that I would never be able to bend it… but I had only one thing on my mind : rowing again was my goal! I am practicing this sport since I am ten and it taught me a lot about tenacity.

Twenty three surgeries and two years of physiotherapy later, my first rowing attempt was not really hopeful! So, I designed a special foot stretcher, very simple. And after some time and help, the footstretcher was improved with a modern pivot and springs! 

When I realized that with training I had a chance to be selected in the French rowing adaptive team, it was obvious: I have to go to London! This will be my « peacefull » revenge! 

The dream became reality, « London Calling » echoed in my mind!

When I bought some tickets for my family and friends, something unconscious made me buy some more…

Whatever happened that tragic day, I wanted him to see what I am able to do now! These races will be my cry : « I survived and you did not stop me! »

I called a first time, no answer. A second time, no answer … I sent the tickets anyway. You know the story.

Our team result is not the one we hoped for but we realized our best races! No regrets, and great pleasure with this amazing atmosphere and organisation.

And on Sunday, just after the Final B, a « Games Maker » asked me if I was the French rower who had a car accident ? I was surprised, and he told me that he read the story in Twitter. The « unknown » driver received the tickets in time, came to Eton, saw me rowing, and wrote a touching post. 

At this moment, I knew that I did not shout into the void…

I texted him, we met. It was the hardest day of my life after our first meeting. Maybe he felt the same way. Today, I do not know where I got the strength. I was prompted by something invisible to do it … I can not explain it, it was stronger than me.

I won’t lie to you, tears come every day since our meeting. But I am so glad to know now who you are.

David, you never stopped telling me how brave I am, I want to tell you that you had a great courage to face me, be sure of that.

« My fish-eye lens view of what happened is now wide-angle; with multiple édits » 

It is true for me also. You are not the villain bearded driver of my memories anymore! You are like everyone else, like me. Our roles could be reversed. An accident can happen to anyone at any time, and it is difficult to live with it whoever you are, victim or responsable, that’s the conclusion.

After all these hardships, I understand also that victory can sometimes be elsewhere than on a podium. These games will be unforgettable and it is maybe just the most important!

Thank you David for asking me to write this ending post. I hope that it will help us to conclude this « British rowing accident » story.

Maybe our roads will cross again, but certainly not in the same way!

For sure, I have less weight on the chest, and I can now breathe in more deeply than ever for Rio…

A.

The Smiling Hour

Been on a jazz tip all week.

'S the way it goes round here, sometimes.

Breaking into cocktail hour with this swingin' mother.

Innit.

Roy Haynes - 'Dorian' (1977)

Isis

Portobello quiet on a Monday; no jingle jangle bracelet and brooch bric a brac and military hat guys under the Westway, and nothing at all north of there to Golborne, but the fruit and veg stalls of course in the other direction and the sun shining and still a fair few tourists, like the fair few leaves still green on the trees in Kensington Gardens. I did a big walk - from Ladbroke Grove up and left and right to the Gate and then down Kensington Church St to the high road and the park and all along the Serpentine to Park Lane. Heading nowhere, wearing shorts, starlings washing their feathers in a row at Round Pond while others dried by benches and the tiniest squirrel determinedly lugging the hugest still green and spiky-sealed horse chesnut home to his treetop gaff. Gold sun, and tame herons posing obligingly for tourist pictures and this lovely sculpture, new to me, joyous.

This 'freelancing' lark has its downs, but its ups, too.

And Speaking Of Grace...

Something lovely from that fab 90s new wave of black British jazz I've mentioned here before.

The Grace in this case was SW's Grandmother, if memory serves.

The vocalist is the legendary Abbey Lincoln.

I have a tape of this (TDK!) made from a public library LP, somewhere.

Steve Williamson - 'A Waltz For Grace' (1992)

Closing Ceremony

Well, we met, the French rower and me.

My fish-eye lens view of what happened is now wide-angle; with multiple edits.

He's a film-maker (really) and he is still shaping the narrative.

My sense of his immense courage - his grace - is greater even than before.

---

I have more to deal with, now I know the whole story: but I think that's only fair.

Horace Silver Quintet  - 'Peace' (1959)

Merci, A.

Friday Reggae # 36

This has been buzzing round my head all day like a late summer fly, and you know that means it gets uploaded here.

Hard truths, a mighty riddim.

25C and rising this weekend in London, the season's last great golden blast.

Don Carlos - 'Crucial Situation (Version)' (1981)

Friday Reggae # 35

Well done to the French mixed coxed four who came fourth in today's rowing heat at the Paralympics, and so go through to the repechage. One Englishman followed your race with a different perspective to most.

Now revenons à nos moutons, as they say in France.

Isn't this lovely?

And to think you can get it free, if you're in the UK, along with nine other Trojan gems - on this.

Yes, I do think I shall require a beverage.

Janet Kay - 'Lovin' You' (1977)

"Spirit In Motion"

In July 2004 I was involved in a motor accident in Montpellier, France: I was in a (hire) car and the other party was a motorcyclist, who was badly injured.

The case went to court in France, but I wasn't obliged to attend. I was charged for 'failing to look right at a junction', fined very lightly (65 Euros - then about £40) and banned from driving in France for two weeks. Since I lived then, as now, in London, and the court knew that, this last was no penalty at all. It seemed over all that I'd been given just about the lightest penalty possible, so I assumed, though I did not know, that witnesses had confirmed the lights at the junction had indeed been green, as I'd told the police, that the motorcyclist had jumped it, had maybe been going too fast, had maybe occupied the wrong lane of the carriageway (these things were hinted to me, but never confirmed). All I heard about the motorcyclist was that he had been in and out of hospital for most of the year that followed, maybe would not walk again. It was a hard thing to think about, and mostly I tried not to.

I've never forgotten what happened, of course. I've never forgotten what I saw of the motorcyclist's injuries, and how often I'd asked if he'd be OK and him crying, in shock and pain, 'You didn't have the right of way'.

I still have a folder - 'Accident' - on my computer, documents I'll never delete.

But as summers passed, nearly ten of them, I rationalised I'd hear no more about the accident, the 'case', the motorcyclist.

I didn't feel entirely sure of that, to be honest.

*

Well, last night at about 8:30pm the motorcyclist called me and left a message, in English, on my phone (an 'international number', I'd ignored the call, thinking it was one of those spam competition things we get plagued with in the evenings).

He 'didn't know if I would remember him' (!)

He wanted me to know that before the accident he had been a rower. He wanted me to know that it had taken him two years to learn to walk again after the accident, never mind to row. He wanted me to know that he would be rowing in the French coxless 4s team at the London 2012 Paralympics. He wanted me to know that he 'did not make a judgement'. He wanted me to know that he would be sending me two tickets and would like me to watch him. If he didn't hear back from me, he would send them anyway, and I could do what I liked with them.


*

This afternoon I spoke to him.

He is sure he wants to do this.

He wants to know I am there watching him do this.

So I am going on Friday - to the first of the heats at Eton Dorney: how can I not?

['Spirit In Motion' is the motto of the Paralympic Games]

Gone West (Reprise)

We have gone again for a week to the place of sheela-na-gigs and old stone, where in the night-time garden you can hear only owls*

And there shall be quiet pints in ancient inns, a walk up Ham Hill; trips to the Jurassic Coast; and maybe a slap-up lunch at the Hive Beach Cafe.

Hugs. Will send some Twitter postcards.

Kings Of Convenience - 'Summer On The Westhill' (2001)

*but see the International Space Station pass at 21:18 on Monday, we hope

Never Mind The Balearics

We're off to Zummerzet next week. Ooh-arr.

Meanwhile here in London it's 28C and blissfully sunny so I've stocked up on the rosado and some ready-made tapas for the workshy and we're going to make believe we're in Ibeefa.

Here's a tune I put on every vaguely-Balearic/chilled tape or CD I made for at least a five year period in the early, must we call them, 'Noughties' (usually somewhere in the middle between the uptempo things at the start and the ambienty things at the end)

Salud!

Banda Sonora - 'Guitarra G' (2001)

Quality Sounds For Under A Pound (Again)

There's always one song that jumps out at me from all of the rest. D.J Mr Rob Ryan this time 'brought the wrong box' but let me tell you that even Mr Rob Ryan's wrong box is the kind of box the rest of us'd kill for. Nevertheless That Tune didn't come from him this time, despite even lovelinesses like this. It came from our very own Ms Ally, and it was this.

Roberta Flack - 'Compared To What' (1969)

Thanks to all the seasoned 99p Soulers who made this newbie feel so welcome, again. And to think, I've still got the free CD to enjoy...x

Yeah Baby

Novos Baianos: babies welcome

 This was pretty good pretty loud on the A303 through Wiltshire back from Devon and the Aged Ps yesterday and will set up our Friday night nicely now, I reckon.

The geetar sound puts me in mind of The Allman Brothers 'Jessica', theme to Top Gear, a bit; but this is eminently niftier/groovier, and Brazilian, which is pretty much the same thing.

I don't mind telling you that I've just poured myself a rather generous G&T.

Novos Baianos - 'America Tropical' (1974)

"My News"

by davyh aged 47 and 3 days

This week was still holiday but we are at home. There was Olympics and we went to see the cycling because it was up our road and the others went to the real olympics but i didn't but i went to see bradley wiggins who is a mod which is a man with sideburns who likes the style council. he was very good and he won and i saw him pass me and then in the pub on the tv and people cherred very loud. before that on tuesday it was my birthday and i had cake and also a curry and i got three records which were by frank ocean which is very very good and a record of music from brazil in the 1970's and some madonna because i used to have it on a cassette but now i havent. i did not write anything on my blog because i did not have any ideers th end

Jimmy Cliff - 'The News' (1975)

Choose Life

We've had a fine holiday week at home, mostly because the sun has shone - proper hot sun with top temperatures, the lot. So it's been Kew Gardens, the seaside, sausage barbecuing at the back, that sort of thing. We also saw the Olympic torch relay through Richmond which, hulking great sponsor lorry crassness aside, was strangely moving.

In other news...Trainspotting director Danny Boyle Isles Of Wonder live sheep Beckham torch-ball cast of thousands Macca, er, Muse. Muse?

Underworld.
 
Underworld - 'Beautiful Burnout'  (2007)

Welcome to the greatest city on Earth, world.

Yeah Baby

I've been following Twitter trails to a lot of groovy music lately. Johnny Roast aka J.P's rare soul vinyl things on Soundcloud are especially glorious (are Soundcloud and Mixcloud steadily eclipsing mp3 blogs as a way of sharing and discovering great music? Probably).

I'm finding too that there are a lot of podcasted soul shows out there from specialist stations in both the UK and US; the archetype is great selections made by real enthusiasts, though you do sometimes have to tolerate rather hospital-radioey presenter styles.

I heard this last night on one such, loved it instantly and had to buy.

Classic soul horn sound.

Smokin'.

Adriana Evans - 'Waiting' (2010)

New York - London - Tokyo

Lifting this wet Monday morning in London with the sunny Sunday afternoon in NYC this song describes: perfect.

An internet trail story here - how playing Yasuko Agawa's 'L.A Night' (continued thanks to glen) led me to the list of her most played tracks on Last FM led me to the nu-bossa B-side of that 12" led me to uncovering this uptempo 2009 remix from Quasimode - 'a four piece jazz band based in Tokyo, Japan' - led to general joy.

The vocal version by Eddie Jefferson of the composer's original is a bit groovy too.

Yasuko Agawa - 'New York Afternoon (Quasimode Remix)' (2009)

Sans Culottes

It's Bastille Day tomorrow, vive la revolution and all that = a fine (ok, flimsy) excuse for posting a pin-up of prime time Bardot and a one of her pert poppy platters from the 60s.

Joyeux quatorze French amis: you have shown me nothing but kindness over the years, and thanks for all the cheese.

Salut!

Brigitte Bardot - 'Tu Veux, Tu Veux Pas' (1962)

A Man Of England

Whilst great chunks of Britain are getting apocalyptic rain, in London this week we've had showers and then bursts of stinky hot sunshine. A bit tropical. It's confusing, musically. The weather always influences what I want to hear and by now it should be unbroken Balearica and things from Brazil, but those pesky clouds and dark spells keep knocking me back to winter. Am I coming or am I going? I really don't know.

We're off to see that nice Mr Albarn's Dr Dee show tonight at the English National Opera, no less. I don't imagine there'll be any stagediving but apparently there are live crows.

We'll walk there from Waterloo: rain or shine.

Chin chin.

Damon Albarn & Ray Davies - 'Waterloo Sunset (live on The White Room)' (1995)

Traditional

Yeah Baby

It's been a bonkers breathless week - but Friday come baby, Friday come.

Best intro bassline evah?

*boogaloos to bar (fridge)*

Lonnie Liston Smith - 'Expansions' (1974)

FFS

When I volunteered to be a parent governor at the eldest's school eighteen months ago, I couldn't have imagined that some bright spark would one day arrange a 'leadership strategy session' from 3-8pm on a Friday night. I'm sure you'll all agree that in terms of intelligent meeting scheduling, that sure bites the big one.

So....tragically I'll be late for cocktails tonight.

*sigh*

Do start without me, there's some booze in the fridge.

Larry Williams & Johnny Watson - 'Too Late' (1969)