Public Service Announcement (5)
2 hours ago
Tuesday 29 June 2021
Monday 28 June 2021
NSW
David Rowe🦌🍆🍑 TFW you and your mate sunbake naked on a beach, get startled by a deer, run into a national park and get lost, require SES and police assistance, and then get fined $1000 each because you breached Sydney's COVID public health orders pic.twitter.com/U9q0ZD6oVM
— Ben Grubb 🐛 (@bengrubb) June 28, 2021
I endorse this tweet
a) that’s not a guitar
— CSTB (@cstbtweet) June 28, 2021
b) anything to keep him out of music pic.twitter.com/WK1dOz6v6Z
Blood & Fire
Niney & The Observers - Blood & Fire
Winston 'Niney' Holness - Blood & Fire 12"
The Observers - Brimstone & Fire
NB: Blood red is blood. No scalpels were hurt in the making of this scribble
The Bickershaw Festival Review by Nick Kent (Frendz June 1972)
Bickershaw, a sleepy little Northern town, had certainly never seen anything like it before. Coronation St. had been invaded by the day glow kids and what fun they all had. Despite promises by the promoters of a flat, well drained site, too little sun and too much rain reduced the ground to one large mud pack – and it stayed that way for the entire festival.
On all sides one was treated to the sight of muddied stoned hippies negotiating their way across the site. Needless to say there were many casualties.
This was in fact, the worst aspect of an enjoyable festival. The Bickershaw Festival, financed by three Manchester business men, and run by Jeremy Beadle, local whizz kid, was the usual mixture of good and bad. The local farmer went to milk his cows and found they were all dry, some one had got there before him
On the credit side there were plenty of facilities for the freaks – large dormitory tents dotted around the site, some firewood and polythene, plus a range of entertainment aside from the music, which included the Electric Cinema tent, theatre groups, an aerial display with six bi-planes, fireworks plus assorted high divers, fire eaters, acrobats and high wire bikers. So on that level it was possible to have a fairly comfortable time despite the rain.
Whatever happened to Dion?
Biggest bummer of the weekend was the security force, yes, those deformed thugs who managed to turn Weeley into a scenario for a gangland movie were out in force and generally making their presence felt. If you're going to have a paying festival you need security but is it really necessary to hire a bunch of illiterate gangsters whose only answer to any question is "do you want a smack in the head mate?" One guy even admitted that he couldn't tell whether a pass was valid or not as he couldn't read... There were numerous incidents, especially around the stage, of people being beaten up and harassed, which is something you don't need.
The organisers were greedy, a fact made obvious when it came to concessions. There were at least two cases of concessionaires being overcharged by at least 100 pounds. The exclusive hamburger concession was sold to at least three people: one guy was forced to raise his prices from 20p to 30p when a gang of heavies from another hamburger consortium threatened him. In addition to that there were at least twenty food tents on the site, a trifle unnecessary for 30,000 people.
Despite many rumours the local police were cool. According to Release there were about 30 drug busts, a few drunk and disorderlys, and unknown charges against 18 Hells Angels who were busted on the way there. There were hundreds of uniformed police out to deal with traffic and any emergencies and probably half a dozen drug squad officers wandering around the site. The only good thing about the busts was that the police had set up an instant legal aid and analysis system, which meant that all those arrested were dealt with immediately and did not have to come back to court at a later date to have their case heard. The average fine was about 20 pounds although three people were remanded for psychiatric reports. The only large police operation came when 100 uniformed guys went through the site looking for a lost three year old child. No doubt they caused a few cases of acute paranoia but there were no busts. Unfortunately Release's relationship with the police was better than with the promoters, whose cheque for their fee for their services bounced. Add to that the fact that they had no electricity provided, and food vouchers for their staff of volunteers and doctors failed to materialize, and all this despite the fact that Release had offered some of the festival promoters the use of a bad trip tent to get their heads together. However, the White Panthers liberated a number of crates of beer, juice and other useful items to keep the wheels oiled. Thanks lads.
Aside from these hassles was the music which was generally of very high quality despite a somewhat ineffective PA. The stage, designed by Ian Knight of Roundhouse fame, cost 9000 pounds to build and was probably one of the most effective yet, reducing band changeover time to a minimum. On either side of the stage there were large platforms backed by screens so most people who wanted could get a fairly close look at the bands. On the screens there were light shows and close-ups of the bands in action, an advantage if you were sitting a fair way back. The local people flocked on the site to see the hippies at play and were by most accounts very friendly; the Frendz staff even had a drunken knees-up with a bunch of them during the last few numbers of The Dead's first set, and it was a toss up as to who was screaming for more louder when they'd finished playing. Power to the jam butty!
Bickershaw was not the bummer it might have been. Jeremy Beadle has announced that they lost 60,000 pounds. Underground press hacks wandered the crowd in a suitably damaged condition. Many were to be seen looking for earthworms in the ground – at least I presume that's what they were doing.
But the people got it on. Hippies have a remarkable talent for surviving in all weathers, under all conditions and still enjoying themselves, which is the only reason that things stayed together. Video freaks got good tape of the Dead and others – more of that in future issues.
The Music
Friday's musical entertainment was pretty tepid apart from our old mates Hawkwind (Dikmik gets the Frendz nomination for spaced oddity of the festival) while Nik "Thunder Rider" Turner ties with Dr John and Zoot Horn Rollo for the best dressed freak who blew a cosmic note or two. Otherwise the poor sods in the audience had to content themselves with anything from miserable folkies like Jonathon Kelly to the equally feeble Wishbone Ash. However, if you could stay awake during all this mediocrity, it was worth it all just for a glimpse of the immaculate Dr Jon Creaux and his nine piece band. Here is a real showman, dressed in white top hat and tails, his beard studded with silver pins, throwing Gris Gris glitter everywhere. He made Leon Russell look like Edmundo Ross. The Doctor took his band, complete with horn section, hotshite drummer and two little yummy gospel wailers – through the tightest changes imaginable, playing lead guitar on the stuff like 'Walk on Guilded Splinters' and unbelievable piano on the rest including 'Twilight Zone', 'Glowing' and a great selection of R&B killers like 'Let the Good Times Roll' and 'Iko Iko'. It was all good show biz voodoo, but don't think he isn't capable of the real thing.
Saturday saw a morning of jazz which Frendz' intrepid rock and roll reporter slept through. I awoke to hear Maynard Ferguson blowing his paunch out on 'MacArthur Park' and promptly fell asleep. An afternoon of folk failed to inspire me – Linda Lewis did her usual cutesy act, the Incredibles were a trifle too precious for my liking, whilst Donovan did a "Greatest Hits" act which was nice. He might also be very precious but at least he's professional about it. Rock appeared in the form of boogie beast Captain Beyond, a new American band who play the same old licks over and over and go nowhere fast. Tell ya, these guys are so hip they even do a 25 minute drum solo. Sam Apple Pie were a surprisingly good rock and roll band, while Cheech and Chong gave the kids some light comedy relief. Family played their usual set – a few hot licks and broken mike-stands, while the Kinks disappointed. Ray Davies – more effeminate and camp than ever (camp in the Noel Coward rather than the Alice Cooper sense) as well as being pissed as a newt – led what was essentially a mediocre live rock band through a boring set. Doing numbers like the 'Banana Boat Song' and 'Baby Face' didn't help matters much either and an encore of 'Hootchie Cootchie Man' was nothing short of farcical.
But never fear, The Flaming Groovies were on next laying out some cool assed jive. These boys are real gone – they sat around the stage before their performance drinking whisky, clicking their fingers, talkin' jive. When they hit the stage, the magical connection was lit. Young girls wept, policemen handed in their badges and joined the church, and some evil bikers staged a mini Altamont down the front of the stage while the Groovies bopped through 'Jumpin' Jack Flash', 'Nervous Breakdown', Lou Reed's 'Sweet Jane', 'Teenage Head', a couple of newies like 'Slow Death' and 'Shake The Joint' just like a juke box with balls.
After the gig, the bass player fell the full length of the steps to the stage, watched by the entire Frendz staff who were busy getting reacquainted with Captain Beefheart. Our fave rave got us all on the stage and played his usual total bizarro mind-fuck of a set. Superlatives defied us all so we promptly crashed out after the set, snarfing N.P. and dropping pork pies.
Sunday saw us up and raring to go. A fine set by the Brinsleys didn't stop the rain pouring down, but still sent out them good vibes we hippies are prone to talk about in elitist circles.
Country Joe was good, no more, no less and he left the stage for the New Riders of the Purple Sage who played a two hour set packed with goodies. Buddy Cage on pedal steel and Spencer Dryden on drums really stood out but this is a unit, now totally independent of the Grateful Dead's assistance. Nice harmonies, nice music, nice songs, what more could you ask for?
The Dead, that's what.
When Garcia and chums took the stage, the whole thing became a real festival. Everything was together and the Dead played for five hours, maybe more. Fireworks exploded, freaks danced and the band went through every change conceivable. A beautiful 'Dark Star' and a sizzling Pigpen work out on 'Good Lovin'' might be considered stand outs but really it was all music flowing like river. At 1am the Frendz collective slid off the planks, fell into the truck and hit the road south whistling 'Casey Jones' and snorting boiled sweets.
POWER TO THE NO DOUBT VERY SOGGY JAM BUTTY INDEED!
Anyway below's some of that 'good tape' the er 'video freaks' got...boy the drugs were good back then weren't they...interestingly it's good to see Nick raving about the Flamin' Groovies tho I do seem to recall in a ZigZag Magazine feature maybe 76 or so Kent claiming to have played guitar on their version of 'Slow Death' when it was recorded at Rockfield with Dave Edmunds. Something that Cyril Jordan strongly refuted.
Anyway forget about that as Mr Kent IS responsible for one of THE greatest singles of ALL time.
I will leave you with this memory from MY 'mental cabinet' that when Stiff Records' Live Stiffs tour rolled into Glasgow back in November 1977 I'd caught up again with Allan Jones (then of Melody Maker, later Uncut) and I was doing my fair share of ligging before and after the show at The Apollo but at the very last legs of the night, when it seemed as if even Wreckless Eric might be heading off to his room I'd been having a very interesting half hour or so chat with Mr Edmunds where he had been extolling LSD and the part it played in HIS productions.
Hippies and punks - you can't tell them apart can you?
OH NO! There's that fucking loud whistle coming back to the bar when only minutes before (between blasts) the whistler had announced he was retiring for the night. Why hello again Mr Eric! And at that point I think I may have fallen of the edge of the world.
Finally Floyd my 'friend' thanks for stealing that tour itinerary from me that I'd got everyone on the tour to sign including finally a twat called Costello who grabbed the schedule for the next day out of my hand and said 'snottingly' to me 'YOU can't have THAT!'
Now I'd deliberately left approaching Elvis last as...well I think Ian Dury summed it up best when from his perch sitting up on the bench took his eyes off Denise Roudette for a brief second to glare at Costello and say:
'Stop being such a CUNT and just sign the fucking piece of paper for the kid!'
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Grief
+
My rendition of that amazing opening paragraph in the letter to Cynthia. It is written in English. Smoke & Mirrors will help
Sunday 27 June 2021
Jon Hassell R.I.P.
JULY 26, 2021
Family Statement:
Our beloved Jon M. Hassell - iconic trumpet player, author, and composer - has passed away at the age of 84 years on June 26th 2021. After a little more than a year of fighting through health complications, Jon died peacefully in the early morning hours of natural causes. His final days were surrounded by family and loved ones who celebrated with him the lifetime of contributions he gave to this world– personally and professionally. He cherished life and leaving this world was a struggle as there was much more he wished to share in music, philosophy, and writing.
It was his great joy to be able to compose and produce music until the end. We thank all those who contributed to ensuring that he was able to continue expressing his ideas through his final days and maintain a quality end of life.
Jon Hassell was able to leave behind many gifts. We are excited and committed to sharing those ongoing with his fans across time and support his enduring legacy. All donations to Jon Hassell’s GoFundMe will allow the tremendous personal archive of his music, much unreleased, to be preserved and shared with the world for years to come. We also hope to provide philanthropic gifts of scholarship and contributions to issues close to Jon’s heart, like supporting the working rights of musicians.
As Jon is now free of a constricting body, he is liberated to be in his musical soul and will continue to play in the Fourth World. We hope you find solace in his words and dreams for this earthly place he now leaves behind. We hold him, and you, in this loss and grief.
FOURTH WORLD IS
A KIND OF PHILOSOPHICAL GUIDELINE, A CREATIVE POSTURE, DIRECTED TOWARDS THE CONDITIONS CREATED BY THE INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY WITH INDIGINOUS MUSIC AND CULTURE.
THE UNDERLYING GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A KIND OF CREATIVE MIDWIFERY TO THE INEVITABLE MERGING OF CULTURES WHILE PROVIDING AN ANTIDOTE TO A GLOBAL "MONOCULTURE" CREATED BY MEDIA COLONIZATION.
THE UNDERLYING PREMISE IS THAT EACH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' MUSIC AND CULTURE - THE RESULT OF THEIR UNIQUE RESPONSE TO THEIR UNIQUE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT - FUNCTIONS IN THE SAME WAY AS, AS AN "ELEMENT" IN THE PERIODIC TABLE OF CHEMISTRY: AS PURE BUILDING BLOCKS FROM WHICH ALL OTHER "CULTURAL COMPOUNDS" WILL ARISE.
IN OTHER WORDS, THESE CULTURES ARE OUR "VOCABULARY" IN TRYING TO THINK ABOUT WAYS TO RESPOND TO OUR PLACE IN THE NEW GEOGRAPHY CREATED BY OUR MEDIA WORLD, AND MUST BE RESPECTED RELATIVE TO THEIR IMPORTANCE TO OUR SURVIVAL.
Jon Hassell
STUPIDITY KILLS
THERE WOULD STOP BEING SO GODDAMN MANY VARIANTS IF PEOPLE HAD JUST FOLLOWED THE GODDAMN RULES. Spread causes replication. Replication causes variants. Stupidity kills.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) June 26, 2021
Mark Stewart & the Maffia - Live at Kingston Polytechnic (November?/1982)
This was the first time I caught Mark after his Pop Group days apart from a couple of CND rallies in London where he performed Jerusalem accapella and this was certainly also the London debut of the Maffia. This was the Creation Rebel line up of the Maffia with Adrian Sherwood at the mixing desk and it goes without saying that this was Kingston upon Thames as opposed to Kingston JA. I was kindly invited by my friend Richard Thomas (ex Fall manager and current Laugharne Weekend promoter) to the gig, who had given me some time before a Townhouse Studio cassette dubbing of the tracks that would appear on his Jerusalem 12" as well as the New Age Steppers version of High Ideals so I knew what to expect. Not at all sure of the exact date of this but on November 12th 1982 Mark also played at Trinity Hall in Bristol so I'm guessing either side of then. I have never heard that Trinity Hall recording so I would be very grateful if someone has it to share
Saturday 26 June 2021
Ravi Shankar's Dub In The Jungle Riddim Mix
Tracklist:
Intro beats
Dub Syndicate “Ravi Shankar” On The Wire theme (full length from “Bugs On The Wire”, 1987, Leghorn)
Dub Syndicate “Ravi Shankar Pt 1” (from “Tunes From The Missing Channel”, 1985, On-U Sound)
Dub Syndicate / Rootsman “Ravi Shanker” (from “Research & Development”,1996, On-U Sound)
Dub Syndicate / Disciples “Jungle” (from “Research & Development”,1996, On-U Sound)
Dub Syndicate / Disciples “Jungle (Jungle Mix)” (from Jungle / 2003 Struggle 10” Dub Plate Special ON-UDPS38, On-U Sound)
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry / Congo Natty “Jungle Youth” (from “Nu Sound And Version”, 2011, On-U Sound)
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Dub Syndicate “Jungle” (from “Time Boom X De Devil Dead”, 1987, On-U Sound/Syncopate/EMI)
Adrian Sherwood feat Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry “Animal Magic” (from “Becoming A Cliché”, 2006, Realworld)
Adrian Sherwood “Zoo Time” (from “Dub Cliché”, 2006, Realworld)
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Adrian Sherwood “Brazilian Jungle” (from “Dub Setter”, 2009, Beat)
*
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry “Queen Elizabeth’s Pum Pum” (from “The Mighty Upsetter”, 2008, Beat)
Adrian Sherwood X Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry Time Boom X The Upsetter Dub Sessions excerpt (2019, On-U Sound)
Adrian Sherwood feat Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Emily Sherwood Hyman “Animal Magic” [special reprise: rocks the music, rocks the rhythm]
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Dub Syndicate “Jungle (Disco Plate)” (from “Jungle” 10”, 1987, Syncopate/EMI)
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Dub Syndicate “Jungle (Wall Of China)” (from “Jungle” 10”, 1987, Syncopate/EMI)
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Dub Syndicate “Jungle (Big Hot Plate)” (from “Jungle” 12”, 1987, Syncopate/EMI)
Leah/Manasseh Riddim Section “I Want To Know/Dub” [special re-edit] (from Singer Blue “Superstar” c/w Leah “Want To Know” 12”, 2009, Roots Youth Records)
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry in the On The Wire studio (excerpt), 1st March 1987
Dub Syndicate “Ravi Shankar” alternative On The Wire theme mixes [special edit] (1984, unreleased)
Featuring excerpts, samples or overdubs from:
* Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry “Jungle” (from “On The Wire”, 2000, Trojan)
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Dub Syndicate “Jungle (Radio Plate)” (from “Jungle” 7”, 1987, Syncopate/EMI)
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Dub Syndicate “Jungle (Urban Breakdown)” (from “Jungle” 10”, 1987, Syncopate/EMI)
Akabu “Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry on the wire” backing track vocal cut (unreleased)
Thanks to Steve Barker, Adrian Sherwood and Alun Hughes, and big love to Kishi Yamamoto for her genius keyboard riff that threads through all these versions.
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