sean rowley

musicology #566

Down The Road A Piece #2

(Johnson, Hawkins, Tatum & Durr – Your Love Keeps Drawing Me Closer)

Allow me tell you a story….

Last weekend I was in East Sussex attending a new and unique festival ‘Vintage’ deep in the, (beautiful), English countryside, (Sussex), having been lucky enough to procure an invitation and wristband from brother Sean Rowley (and of course the angel that is Miss G.T), who was laying down some music on the main stage in between acts. I arrived a bit later than planned on the Friday evening and the weather was awful..’raining cats and dogs’ but not enough to dampen my enthusiasm for the weekend’s activities. After a quick cup of tea and a, (completely impractical), change of attire, (the vintage Gucci loafers took one hell of a beating), at the Bed and Breakfast I jumped into the Vintage Merc’ and made my way to the event. Sean was on the main stage warming up the crowd for the newly reformed ‘Faces’ so I slipped up there and showed mine.

…before I gets to ramblin’ and let too many cats out of the bag let’s just say that it was an excellent night made even better by hooking up with Brothers Cheeba, Deano and Sister Amanda at the Soul Casino to dance the night away along with my afore mentioned compadres. Rolled out of there at the close of play around 2:30 ? and slipped back to the B&B for a well earned kip…Tomorrow was another day….

Today’s cut is in honour of that first night at Vintage..a 60’s Soul cut that although wasn’t played on the night would have fitted the bill perfectly. B side of  the in demand ‘You Can’t Blame Me’ featuring the harmonious talents of Virgil Johnson, Al Dawson, Willie Tatum & Norris Durr. Recorded for and released on Bill Moss’s superb Capsoul label.

musicology #118

jamboree #5

(Ozone – Gigolette)

all things considered..has to be this one. for three reasons.

1: It’s me dear Uncle Bassie’s Hawaii Five-O birthday bash today and I’m sure he will appreciate the four string on the track

2: Big night out tonight celebrating ms Steen’s birthday at Brother Sean Rowley’s Guilty Pleasures,
(Leisure Wear theme !!)

3: The piece was released in 1981 (same year as the notorious Diadora Borg Elite which will be on ‘me plates’ tonight)

Good Enough…

1981 was also the year themusicologist became a teenager, Raygun became president, the Brixton, Toxteh, (and Lewisham), Riots boiled over, 13 people died when a house in New Cross burned to the ground. Britain was deep in recession, Bombs were going off in the capital, Berbatov was born, Bob Marley died and Spurs won the FA cup, (themusicologist was there at Wembley to see Ricardo ‘ Ricky’ Villa score the winner), beating Manchester City in a glorious replay….

musicology #68

themusicologist@thebbc part 3. (Cedric ‘Im’ Brooks – Mun Dun Gu)

this weeks selection is yet another from the Studio1 stable, Jamaica’s premier production house. progressive and innovative it reflected owner and musicologist Coxsone Dodd’s love of ‘the new’ in every sense.

for themusicologist this piece feels like hope and, (synchronistically), has a ‘better must come’ flavour. driving, determined and focused …. 2008 in a nutshell !!!

so for all the 2007 sufferers, (and I know there’s many), consign last year to history, mark it down to experience and Move On Up with this slice of musical connection and communication.

Wishing all of you the very best for the coming year and thanking you for your support in 2007. BIG things a gwaan in 2008, keep it locked, loaded and musical.

p.s last of the bbc selection for now. hopefully back in the radio saddle some time in 2008 for some more slices of musicology….thanks to brother Sean Rowley, (and Jim), for providing themusicologist with the opportunity to reach out and, (hopefully), connect with the Joy Of Music crew.

musicology #67

themusicologist@thebbc #2 (May You Never – John Martyn)

the second selection on brother Sean Rowley’s show The Joy Of Music finds themusicologist connecting with the essence of friendship through a tune from the 1973 album Solid Air by John Martyn. English born, Glasgow raised minstrel and nailed on musicologist of the highest order.

this piece will always remind me of my spar ‘Nigo’ who communicated the message through this piece. if you’re interested in hearing the tune introduced ‘live’ click here for the BBC radio link, click on Sean Rowley , (right hand panel), and let the music play .. my appearance is at the 45 min mark, just before the second installment of Sean’s excellent interview with Dion, (which, really opened my ears and heart to the mans quality), it’s only up until midnight tonight after which it will be part 3 for a week..