themusicologist

musicology #109

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #32

(Bob Andy – Feeling Soul)

Donat Roy Mittoo was born in Kingston, (on March 3rd 1948), and grew up around music as language.

a child prodigy it was Clement Seymour Dodd, (Studio1 Boss), who presented him with the opportunity as a teenager (16 !!), to not only supervise the sessions at his newly formed Brentford Road Studio but also be a founder member of the legendary Skatalites…..

So let’s get that clear, Jackie Mittoo, (at the age of 16), joined some of the cream of Jamaican musicologists to heaed the greatest instrumental group to come out of Jamaica, as well as supervise the recording sessions at the birth of Studio1.

as that sinks in hold this next cut..it’s a Bob Andy classic from around 1969 I would imagine but it’s got Jackie all over it, (organist, arranger, musicologist), the only other backing musician I can be sure of identifying would be Leroy Sibbles playing bass..

musicology #107

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #30

(Paul Weller – Above the Clouds)

this final cut from the Paul Weller selection is taken from a concert recorded at Sheperd’s Bush Empire, June 2nd 2002, at which I had the greatest musical experience of my life.

the memory is so fresh I can touch it….my eldest child, (and she was only six), had been in hospital with a life threatening condition since late December and it was killing me.

By chance a friend I hold very dear had been providing Paul Weller, (and Steve White), with some of the best threads around at that time and asked us, (me and the suc mo massive), if we fancied going to see them in concert at the Empire..as distressed as I was, and not having played much Weller over the preceeding couple of years, we had it and words can’t do it justice.

as the evening unfolded grown men were standing, as if at a cup final, belting out the words to all of the songs, tears in eyes..it was very moving and it was during this performance that the metaphorical sun began to break through the dark clouds of my despair.

music does that..no question and the lyrics to this one burnt into my soul, I’m not ashamed to say that it rocked me and I wouldn’t trade it, even for a seat at the Harlem Square when Mr Soul threw down in 1963, (and that’s saying something),

the verse that did it for me

“as my anger shouts, at my own self doubt, so a sadness creeps into my dreams

when you’re scared of living, but afraid to die,

I get scared of giving, and I must find the faith to beat it..yeah”

of course I have to lay the full lyrics on you and tell you that 3 days after this concert at the age of 33, I ‘found the faith’ and my daughter had the all clear..at the third ‘attempt’.

just leaves me to say thank you to Paul Weller for ‘delivering’ for 30 years

“Autumn blew its leaves at me,
Threatening winter as I walked,
Summer always goes so quick, Barely stopping like my thoughts,
Which dip and spin and change so fast,
I have to wonder, Will I last.

Through the windows of the train,
I caught reflections of a paper cup,
Hanging small in a pale blue sky,
Never knowing which way’s up.

Above the clouds, what’s to be found,
I have to wonder, Will I be around.
As my anger shouts, At my own self doubt,
So a sadness creeps, Into my dreams
When you’re scared of living, But afraid to die
I get scared of giving, And I must find the faith to beat it

I must be me that’s rushing by,
Time just lingers on the wind,
Bristlin’ through my open fears,
I wonder what it’s going to bring.

Above the clouds, what’s to be found,
I have to wonder, Will I be around.

Run and hide, run and hide
I catch the sail at evening’s tide”

musicology #105

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #28

(The Jam – Start)

If themusicologist could slow time down and make a week last a month it might be enough to do the six/six/six artists justice…as already mentioned it’s a challenge to select such a small number of tunes from such great catalogues of work.

Take the Jam as an example, for me, there’s at least 20 cuts that deserve an outing on themusicologist and to whittle those down to 2 … well, lets just say that it’s as tough as old boots.

on this album, (Sound Affects), there’s five cuts here that I would like to, (and probably will over the years), throw down on themusicologist as well as another five albums, (+ singles), to ‘choose’ from so what strategy am I going to employ? … none. just going to throw ’em as I feel ’em.

this 1980 selection I remember from me days as a young blade, at the start of the teenage years when I was spending a lot of time knocking about the West End, (especially Soho and Covent Garden), as a second generation Mod.

I say ‘second generation’ because both my parents were first generation London Mod/ernists, so we, (‘the fox’ and I), grew up steeped in the culture, music and attitude of Englands first, (and most important), Youth movement as a birthright.

There were other influences of course such as Skin/Suedehead, ‘Hippie’ and, (later), Punk exposure through Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, (you know who you are), but Mod/ernist was and is the one where my heart resides.

So before I get too romantic and spend too much of me precious ‘time’ strolling down memory lane hold this one which, for some reason, always reminds me of Greek Street, (in Soho), the Thatcher years, and running battles with other groups of Youths at a time of great social unrest.

older and wiser, I now see that them days were just another stage of the ‘divide and conquer/rule’ strategy that poli-tricks always employs…you know what I mean…black against white, christian against muslim, rich against poor…the list is as long as yer arm…(brother Weller certainly knew and has always sung and wrote about it) so with that in mind..

“It’s not important for you to know my name,
Nor I to know yours,
If we communicate for two minutes only,
It will be enough,

For knowing that someone in this world,
Feels as desperate as me,
And what you give is what you get,

It doesn’t matter if we never meet again,
What we have said will always remain,
If we get through for two minutes only,
It will be a start,

For knowing that someone in this life,
Loves with a passion called hate,
And what you give is what you get,

If I never ever see you, (If I never ever see you),
If I never ever see you, (If I never ever see you),
If I never ever see you again,

If I never ever see you, (see you, see you),
If I never ever see you, (see you, see you),
If I never ever see you again,

And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get,
And what you give is what you get.”

just like to say that we, (me and Mr Weller), did and do communicate through his music for many minutes, over many years and it has always been a real pleasure…

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 #101

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #24

(Impressions – Never Too Much Love)

you know what…I’m angry. angry with the mountain of useless information that is burying wisdom. why? allow me to break it down…today I ran a search for Curtis Mayfield lyrics. first stop lyrics.com. can you believe Curtis wasn’t even listed !!! let me say that again…..not even listed…

my conclusion..waste of time unless youre looking for the words to popular, (commercial), songs.

only way to do it then is for me to transcribe them myself…there are a few sites with some lyrics on them but I won’t waste your time linking them so in future I won’t be promoting any ‘lyrics’ sites on themusicologist

if anything it has strengthened my resolve to fly the flag for artists like Curtis and keep them in the public domain…back to the music with this uncomplicated plea for unity from 1963. if you think about it who else was writing and performing songs as deep as this at that time?

“after silence that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
-aldous huxley-

.. listen them lyrics

too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

an old story told now passed from me to you
in simple little words to get my meaning through

young and old I feel will understand
take heed everybody to a wonderful plan
we all know how, get together right now
clap your hands, sing and shout

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

maybe you don’t know how to sing or express words the way you like to say
but everybody I know can clap their hands and make a new friend everyday

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

Curtis Mayfield, Rest In Peace secure in the knowledge that your legacy and inspiration lives on.

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 #99

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #22

(Curtis Mayfield – Kung Fu)

I enjoy and get great pleasure out of themusicologist but, (and it’s a price I’m prepared to pay), it takes up a lot of my time and doesn’t keep the wolves from banging on the family door. the bastards are circling, baying for blood and by the look in their eyes they sense victory…

what the wolves haven’t accounted for is, (with music as the proverbial shield and buckler), the determination to ride this wave of uncertainty and pass through this phase of insecurity not only in one piece but stronger, fitter and wiser, holding firm and not giving up as I continue the journey on the road to freedom with these words ringing in my heart and mind.

The wise man builds his house upon the rock while the foolish man builds his house apoun the ever shifting sand.

this cut is taken from the man’s beautifully crafted 1974 album Sweet Exorcist.

musicology #98

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #21

(Jerry Butler&Curtis Mayfield – Find Yourself Another Girl)

round 3 of the Curtis Mayfield selection.as well as hard hitting lyricist and social commentator Curtis’s love songs are beyond compare. a genuine poet whose ability to tap into affairs of the heart deserves mention.

singing lead on this is original Impressions lead singer Jerry ‘The Ice Man’ Butler whose nickname is reported to have come from a performance where the p.a cut out and rather than stop Jerry continued to sing, (that and the way in which he performed emotion drenched soul scorchers without breaking sweat)

it was Jerry that insisted on Curtis replacing Phil Upchurch when he left Jerry’s touring band in 1961 to chase fame on the back of his Mod/R&B classic ‘You Can’t Sit Down’

Curtis was only sixteen at the time which is amazing considering the songs he went on to write over the following two years. this is one of those foundation soul cuts from that year..Curtis not only co-wrote it but it’s also him harmonizing and playing guitar.

musicology at it’s finest from two of Soul’s vanguards in perfect harmony

musicology #97

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #20

(Curtis Mayfield – Hard Times)

one of the tunes that convinced me to ‘play-out’ back in London’s Rare Groove days of 1985/6, utilising Curtis as messenger for how it felt growing up on the streets of London at the time.

back then Curtis didn’t figure too tough on the capitals wheels of steel, James Brown, (and related), was the DJ’s choice, (along with a host of others), Curtis didn’t get much of a look in as he wasn’t considered danceable..obviously he was very highly regarded but was mainly enjoyed at home in moments of contemplation.

taken from his 1975 critique ‘There’s No Place Like America Today’

the spoken intro has been added by themusicologist to provide an insight on and from the man himself.

musicology #96

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #19

(Curtis Mayfield – Mighty Mighty Spade & Whitey)

this week it’s all about the king … Curtis Mayfield.

the cat was first introduced to me as a 2 year old in 1971 and the two albums that are burned into my consciousness are Curtis and the album this cut is taken from..Curtis Live.

my dad, (respect is always due), was a BIG Curtis fan and was responsible for introducing me to music that has always been a constant source of inspiration.

along with Bobby Womack, Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye, Curtis ran ‘tings down in Circus Street. there were many others who made an apearance but, (subjectively), these three are an integral part of themusicologist’s upbringing.

lyrics as hard as nails, music as tough as old boots and vocals full of integrity. I could do four different Curtis sets, producer, songwriter, singer and inspiration, such has been his impact on music. without Curtis Soul would have travelled a different path as would the music of Jamaica and his impact on UK music is most apparent in another of the six/six/six artists Paul Weller, (the other major player in the themusicologists personal growth)

the lyrics to this one are, for me, as good as it gets so now ladies and gentlemen themusicologist is proud to present…Curtis Mayfield

listen tune…

musicology #95

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #18

(Alton Ellis & Eddie Perkins – My Heaven)

last of the Alton selection..and it’s this one from the earliest days of Jamaican musicology…recorded for none other than Clement Seymour Dodd. The second of his two cuts with Eddie Perkins as the duo Alton & Eddie from 1959, (cut three weeks after his first recording ‘Muriel’)

Alton..thank you for the music.

p.s next week it’s the turn of themusicologists first musical icon..Curtis Mayfield.

musicology #94

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #17

(Alton Ellis – Sun Of Man)

I was out last Saturday night celebrating what I sincerely hope is the start of something BIG for a valued friend who deserves all the success that comes his way. the cat is a constant source of inspiration and I would like to thank him for his support and for showing a way to navigate through these troubled times.

I mention this because it was much later on in the ‘wee wee hours’ of said night while kicking back at a pals house that I attempted to put on a Studio1 compilation, (The soul of Studio1, I think?), that was laying around…But there was one person, (not the man above I hasten to add), who objected with words to the effect of:

“not Reggae…anything but Reggae, I can’t deal with it…just not tuned in to it”

I was tempted to get all Socratic on the unit and challenge him on what he actually meant by those words…but in the spirit of the evening, I let it go..

don’t get me wrong…I’m certainly not suggesting that everyone has to like or listen to any and every form of music but to dismiss it purely because of what you think it might be is, for me, a mistake.

the point I suppose I’m making is that music belongs to us all no matter what our colour, class or creed and Alton Ellis is an emotive singer, full of pathos and musicology that deserves to be heard. a singer, songwriter and performer of the highest calibre who has been an important and valued teacher on themusicologists journey and no matter how many visits he gets this week continues to be a rock on which to tie my musical anchor apoun.

Mid seventies selection on the new york based ‘Clintones’ label.

musicology #93

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #16

(Alton Ellis – I’m Still In Love)

a piece of Valentines day musicology delivered by Mr Soul of Jamaica…Alton Ellis.

if it sounds familiar but you can’t quite place it this is the original cut to Trinity’s top ranking Saturday night special ‘Three Peice Suit’ which in turn spawned the more well known cut by Althea & Donna ..’Uptown Top Ranking’

musicology #92

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #15

(Alton Ellis – Hurting Me)

next piece from Mr Ellis…yet another Brentford Road, (Studio1), diamond.

one from out of the top drawer..with what sounds like the Heptones on backing vocals..definately Leroy Sibbles on the ‘four string’ delivering the essential bassline vibes.

Studio1, (and Leroy Sibbles in particular), pioneered the bass as an essential reggae ingredient. before him the bass was almost inaudible..maybe it was due to the fact that not only was Leroy Sibbles an all round musicologist in charge of arrangement, production, (after Jackie Mittoo left for Canada), and vocal duties but he was also resident bass player at the peak of the Studio1 sound.

stands to reason that he would favour the bass drenched approach, (although the ‘ganja’ must have had something to do with it too !!), anyway hold this top ranking cut sung by Alton with all the soul a man can muster…no wonder he was known as Mr Soul Of Jamaica…a richly deserved title…one of themusicologists favourite reggae cuts, slides into the dubwise..dancehall, discomix style.

musicology #90

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #13

(Alton Ellis – If I Could Rule This World)

this week it’s the turn of ‘Mr Soul of Jamaica’, the legendary Kingstonian..Alton Ellis.

foundation reggae artist who has been recording authentic Jamaican music since the late 1950’s !!

starting out his recording career with Coxsone, (Dodd), before he had set up Studio1, Alton Ellis has been at the forefront of Jamaican music for almost half a century and stands as tall as any other artist Jamaica has produced. name checked by most, if not all, of the Jamaican singers that followed as an inspiration, Alton recorded and worked with all the major players of the Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae periods..musicians, producers, engineers..have all been touched by the mans qualities. you don’t come by the name ‘Mr Soul’ for nothing…(checkback to the first of the six/six/six artists..Sam, (Mr Soul), Cooke. musicology #75-83)

setting the tone for the coming week of Jamaican musicology this piece is taken from his 1967 album ‘Mr Soul Of Jamaica’ produced by rock-steady king Duke Reid the ‘Trojan’ and backed by Tommy McCook and the Supersonics

just like to mention that Alton is, (hopefully), recovering from treatment for a serious life threatening illness and if any one is in contact with him please let him know that this weeks tribute to a legend on themusicologist is all about him and his musical legacy..wishing and hoping for a full recovery

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 #88

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #11

(Humble Pie Feat Steve Marriott – Strange Days)

penultimate piece of musicology magic from Mr Marriott and friends…can’t believe it’s gone so quick.

one of the many things I ‘love’ about the geezahh is his obvious dedication and commitment to communicating using the ‘universal language’. Not only as a vocalist or musician, (could, and did, play most of them), but also as a performer.

most people can sing, (some can play instruments), but what seperates the legends from the rest of us is how they deliver…Steve Marriott delivers as good as anyone and deserves to be ranked in the uppermost branches of the musical tree so that the sun can shine on him from morning to night..

hold this piece of 1971 Rock, Rhythm&Blues from one of the great English bands..Humble Pie .. telling it like it is…quality piece of musicology. a Glyn Jones/Humble Pie production..lyrics courtesy of Steve Marriott.

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….