Mod music

musicology #103

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #26

(The Style Council – My Ever Changing Moods)

strange how Paul Weller and Curtis Mayfield are back to back on the six/six/six..

I know Paul Weller is a Curtis, (and Stevie Marriott), fan..maybe thats part of the reason why I feel such a connection to his music? (that and his obvious qualities as as a songwriter, singer, performer and all round musicologist).

I was only a very young child when Weller first came into my life but the message got through loud and clear and helped me with the confidence to believe in myself and follow my own path. the only two message carriers in my life have been music and my dear grandad..both of which always had/have my undivided attention. when either spoke I was always listening.

that wasn’t a conscious decision, it was just something that, (fortunately for me), happened and I am deeply greatful to them both, (Farve….you’re always in my thoughts and feelings)

anyway, back to the music..sliding in to this one from his days in The Style Council, (and my days as a Soul Boy), taken from the 1984 album ‘Cafe Bleu’. It’s got to be this one, (even though there are at least another three srceamers on there), which hit me hard when I first heard it whilst making the transition from schoolboy to youngblood.

Daylight turns to moonlight and I’m at my best yeah
Praising the way it all works and gazing upon the rest yeah
The cool before the warm
The calm after the storm
Oh the cool before the warm
The calm after the storm
I wish to stay forever letting this be my food
But I’m caught up in a whirlwind and my ever changing moods

Bitter turns to sugar some call a passive tune
But the day things turn sweet for me won’t be too soon, no
The hush before the silence
The winds after the blast
Oh the hush before the silence
The winds after the blast
I wish we’d move together this time the bosses sued
But we’re caught up in the wilderness and our ever changing moods

Teardrops turn to children who’ve never had the time
To commit the sins they pay for through another’s evil mind
The love after the hate
The love we leave too late
Oh the love after the hate
The love we leave too late
I wish we’d wake up one day and everyone feel moved
But we’re caught up in the dailies and an ever changing mood

Evil turns to statues and masses form a line
But I know which way I’d run to if the choice was mine
The past is our knowledge the present our mistake
And the future we always leave too late
I wish we’d come to our senses and see there is no truth
Ohhh In those who promote the confusion for this ever changing mood

musicology #102

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #25

(The Jam – I Got By In Time)

this week on themusicologist it’s the turn of the second most influential artists to have crossed my heart and mind.. Paul Weller who, along with Curtis ranks as the artist whose musicology has had the most impact on my life especially during my formative years.

as already mentioned, In The City by the Jam was the first serious piece of music I owned, (Christmas 1977, thanks to me mum and dad), and from that day to this the cat has always held a special place in my life. From the energy of the early Jam days, through to the social poetry of the later Jam works..on to his time with the Style Council and beyond his songs were always there for me as a guide and shoulder to lean on for support when it seemed like no one understood me trials and tribulations..

very similar in essence to Steve Marriott for obvious reasons, Paul Weller has never stood still and has been a musical, (and for me social), force for 30 years !!, (most of my life in fact), making him second only to Curtis in longevity.

Well do I remember in 1982 buying the Town Called Malice 12″ as he called time on the Jam which, to the Mod revivalists at the time was incomprehensible and didnt earn him much support. I saw it differently because to me he was doing exactly what should have been done by a true Mod/ernist and respond to the new music and fashion that was on the streets of London..I’m talking about ‘Casual/Soul Boy’.

that was what was happening back then, (along with the emergence of Electro and ‘Sleng Teng Dancehall), and Weller knew that that was where it was at and that the Jam weren’t capable of making the transition.

Mod has always had two aspects..

1:the vintage led cats who were ‘nostalgic’

2:the ‘son of mod’ of the early 80’s who had grown up with and were inspired by the Mod/ernist attitude, razor sharp style, love of contempory music and attention to detail. These were the cats who took up the modernist flag and carried it forward. themusicologist was there and trust me…that’s how it happened.

anyway..back to the music..this one from said album, (In The City 1977), still does it for me 30 years later…imagine how that sounded to a 9 year old !!

musicology #100

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #23

(Impressions – Young Mod’s Forgotten Story)

landmark day today .. 100 posts on themusicologist. especially synchronistic that it’s fallen on Curtis Mayfield’s ‘watch’.

Iv’e banged on enough times during the time we have shared together on themusicologist about how much the man’s music and lyrics have meant to me as babe in arms, young boy, adolescent, teenager, young man, and now as man, (a title you can’t claim before 33 according to the ancients !!), so I’m not going to wax too lyrical today as Curtis says it all with this cut about the end of an era….

“Shall I tell it like it is, aint none of your business…YES IT IS..”

lyrics DON Curtis…lyrics

arranged by Curtis, legendary musicologist Johnnie Pate and rising soul star Donnie Hathaway…

musicology #89

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #12

(Humble Pie Feat Steve Marriott – I Need A Star In My Life)

final cut from brother Steve Marriott…difficult choice to make. luckily the man was prolific so there’s enough to choose from but still…tough.

I’m going for a cut taken from the posthumously released and highly recommended ‘Scrubbers Sessions’ released by Tim Hinkley in tribute to Steve. signing off this weeks six/six/six with with a quote from Tim..

“I came back from Steve’s funeral with Bobby Tench, I told him I had this album in my tape storage room..we put it on and it sounded great, it was then that I realised this album really should come out…this record was very special to Steve and if nothing else, it stands as a tribute to his enormous talent”.

lyrics Don Stevie … lyrics …

musicology #87

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #10

(Small Faces – All Or Nothing)

couldnt throw down a Steve Marriott tribute without laying down the piece that kick started my appreciation of the brothers vocal and soulful qualities.

while not prolific in their collaborative output there’s no denying the Small Faces impact on contempory music and this one gets into the tribute for two reasons

1:Mod anthem

2: brings back memories of being 11/12 and 13 years old as a second generation Mod .. ahhhhhh .. music brings back so many memories..

so without further words hold this piece from the Mod band with the Mod classic, pinpointing the evolution and metamorphosis in the autumn of 1966 from American Rhythm & Blues to English Rock & Blues…

strangely, (or probobly not), one that my kids enjoy and sing along to just as another Mod revival begins to take shape in 2008

musicology #85

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial #8

(Humble Pie feat Steve Marriott – Desperation)

Round two of the Stevie Marriott selection finds the man dissilusioned with fame and looking for some ‘greener grass’, (in my experience a very common Mod trait), first and foremost the young man craved, and deserved, respect as a musician/performer/vocalist which was not possible, in his opinion, with the Small Faces as they were viewed as a bit of a pop/novelty band at the time.

His passion for music far outweighed his desire for fame, although as a street rat on a paltry ‘bobby moore’ a week with a healthy appetite borne out of the only authentic 60’s revolution, (the consumer one), he needed some ‘reddies in the bin‘

This cut, (a Steppenwolf cover written by John Kay), is taken from the 1969 album As Safe As Yesterday Is, the first recorded outing with the band he put together for Peter Frampton…Humble Pie. consisting of Jerry Shirley on Drums, Greg Ridley on Bass and Steve on, (second lead), guitar..as well as vocal duties of course….

musicology #84

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial #7

(Small Faces feat Steve Marriott – Afterglow)

this week it’s all about the legend known as Steve Marriott. Small Faces/Humble Pie/Packet Of Three/Official Receivers front man who’s musical, vocal and performing talents were ten times larger than his physical stature. Following in the footsteps of original London Boy Joe Brown it was ‘little Stevie’, (together with the rest of the Small Faces), that put an authentic London sound on the musical map.

This cut, (one of Steves personal favourites), is taken from the ground breaking LP Ogdens ‘ Nut Gone‘ Flake named in deference to the rolling tobacco, (Ogdens Flake) favoured by the band for wrapping spliffs that after smoking guaranteed your ‘nut’ was gone. Who else but the Small Faces used the London Vernacular?…pure Mod. Proud of their culture and Cockney heritage

As with the previous ‘tribute’ themusicologist aims to let the music talk so hold this piece of London musicology from one of the great English bands…. of personal significence is that it comes from 1968..the year of themusicologist’s birth.

Special request to all the London boys who ‘live up a foreign’…you know who you are. hope this one reminds you of the auld country.

musicology #24

day4…ladiesweek

(Barbara Lewis – Think A Little Sugar) 

moving out of the Rhythm & Blues of the 50’s into, yes you’ve guessed it .. the Soul of the 60’s.
original mod dancer recorded in May 1963, (just in time for the opening of The Scene),
with backing vocals by The Dells…a tune that never fails to hit the right note for themusicologist.

lyrics, (penned by the artist herself), vocals, production … the trinity.

musicology #11

(Darryl Banks – Open The Door To Your Heart)

taking a detour from the 80’s boogie and providing themusicologists first
service of product. requested by the agingmod, this piece needs no introduction.

two minutes 20 seconds of pure bliss that every time it’s heard warms the cockles of ones heart.

according to a foundation musicologist…this was a BIG tune at ‘the apples’ in deepest, darkest SouthEast London back in ’66 and a genuine Mod classic.

what is Mod? in essence a London born street style from 1962-1966 which has since gone on to be not only internationally known, but also extremely influential both in fashion and attitude. Mod was and continues to be a working class kick up the establishment arse….