Kim’s Desert Island Discs
You may remember I asked for any contributors to the Desert Island Disc conceit. Well Kim D is the only one so far. Here is her selection
Beethoven – Moonlight sonata
 Yes, I know this has been over-exposed over the years, but when I discovered it back in the 60s, it wasn’t. My father had a record that had this painting (Fatata de Moua) by Paul Gauguin on the cover, and some blurb on the back said how Beethoven and Gauguin were alike because they were aloof from society. I was always fascinated by the fact that Beethoven was deaf and yet could hear so much in his head. They neglected to point out that Gauguin was generally a pretty horrible man, and I only found this out in later life, but hey. They were both geniuses, and that’s what counts. Anyway, I used to spend hours as a child sitting by the radiogram speakers listening to the Moonlight and looking at the picture.
Acker Bilk – Stranger on the Shore
There is something so haunting and yet comforting about this tune. My grandfather was a huge fan of Acker, and I learned to play this on the clarinet for him.
Andrea Bocelli – Mille lune, mille onde
I never used to be in the habit of listening to Italian opera singers and only discovered ‘a man called Andrea’ (as my sister put it) last year. It must be a sign of old age, although we sometimes had opera on in the house when I was a child. I loved Pavarotti, and could have put in his ‘Panis Angelicus’ too, but there’s just not enough space…
Sky – Toccata
Otherwise known as Bach’s Toccata, of course. The first time I heard this, I’d gone to a concert with my friend Tim at the Colston Hall, and he’d raved about this instrumental band he’d heard on the radio called Sky. The guitarist and band leader was no less than John Williams (yes, THE John Williams!) ( Not the Star Wars one – Ed) and it was their first tour. This was their opening number and when they had to come back for the encore, JW said ‘Would you mind if we played Toccata again, because we can’t play anything else?’ Oh, and just so you know, I was kissed after a later concert by JW and the gorgeous Herbie Flowers, who remembered seeing me at the first concert! (Once seen never forgotten – Dave)
K-Passa – Goodbye my Love
Several of K-Passa’s songs I could have chosen, but I only have room for one… In case you haven’t heard of them, K-Passa are a local band (Simon (singer & songwriter) hails from Cheddar and in the 80’s, barely a month went by when I didn’t see them in the Fleece & Firkin, acoustic gigs in pubs, Ashton Court and many other festival-type gatherings. A real feel-good band, slightly manic folk with a fabulous violinist called Brian, who I believe is dead now. I chatted to them a few times, too – ooh, I’m almost a groupie! ( Only almost! You must tell us more sometime – Dave)
Roy Orbison – I Drove All Night
Just wonderful. I love this track and his beautiful, beautiful voice. He wrote some great songs and sang with a lot of other famous people, notably Bruce Springsteen, kd lang and of course, was part of the Travelling Wilburys. See – right there, so many songs come to mind!
Fine Young Cannibals – Suspicious Minds
Purists would obviously prefer the Elvis version, but I love this. Strangely, when FYC were big, in the 80’s, I didn’t ‘get’ them. It took me about 15 years. I could so easily have put ‘She Drives Me Crazy’ in here.
Everybody Hurts – REM
One of my all-time favourite bands. Such a waste that Michael Stipe is gay! I know this song is almost a cliché it is so famous, but however famous this one is, it’s still brilliant. Anyway, from the album ‘Automatic for the People’, I could have chosen almost any of them. My favourite album ever.
So there we are. And I suspect that on a different day (I have got this list down from 52 songs), the final 8 would have been different. There’s no Jacques Loussier, no Springsteen, no Semisonic, Who, Stones, Jools Holland, Elvis, Van Morrison, Beautiful South, Elvis Costello, Simon & Garfunkel….the list goes on and on.
However, I had great fun doing this, and have the true number of 35 of my favourites in a playlist on my iPod. I’m sure they too will change – Razorlight’s ‘Wire to Wire’ may well become a stayer, but I think they have to be around a while to make sure you love them properly!
Thanks for the challenge, Dave!
Kim Davies April 2009 |
That was the year that was – 2008
What a busy and fun filled year it was. In May we were at St Andrew’s Church in Congresbury. This has become one of our regular venues but this time the Joyful Spirit Gospel Choir sung for half of the concert. This was the first time we had joined with them for a concert and we hope it wont be the last.
In mid June we were at the Yatton Infant School Fayre. This is one of our regular outdoor gigs and luckily the weather was kind to us. We were not so lucky when we played outside at the end of June at Grove Park Bandstand, Weston Super Mare. Looking outside from the bandstand the audience seemed to be bathed in warm sunshine. Inside the bandstand we seemed to be in an alternate universe with music stands flying everywhere as gale force winds seemed to flay us. Brr!
Somewhere between Summer and Christmas the band was playing in Bristol for a concert at Dave’s church (from his long past youth) but I wasn’t able to make that one. It didn’t seem long before we were practising Christmas Carols, for a busy Christmas season. We weren’t able to help St. Mary’s in Yatton this year due to a clash of dates but went to Wrington All Saints’ Church for the first time. The size of the audience increased as we played and they’re keen to have us back. We also ended up on their web site that evening!
The following Thursday we were up The Mall. The acoustics were great but we were quite a way from the regular throng of shoppers and didn’t collect as much for the Caring At Christmas charity there as we usually do. Nevertheless an enjoyable evening as usual. Two days later we were at St. Andrew’s in Congresbury again for their regular festive cheer, finishing the year off in the Plough at Congresbury where, certainly for us, there was standing room only! £453.93 raised for Caring at Christmas from the various gigs.
By Paul Cummings January 2009
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Desert IslandDiscs - Dave James 2008
I so enjoyed the ego massaging effect of publishing the annual music awards in the last newsletter, that I have decided to take part in the ultimate conceit of imagining that I have been invited to select my desert island discs. So here they are. Are you ready Kirsty Young?
1. St Louis Blues. The Dave Brubeck Quartet .
From the first notes that Paul Desmond played on this tune, on that night many years ago at the Colston Hall, I was hooked, and my life’s plans changed for ever.
2. Morning from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No 1 .
The first bit of “serious” music I ever bought, and still hugely evocative.
3. My FunnyValentine/Carioca The Gerry Mulligan Quartet .
OK I cheated and this is two tunes, but they were back to back on a 78 I virtually wore out on our old radiogram (with steel needles). I can sing every note.
4. Milestones - The Miles Davis Sextet
One of the most perfect musical performances of all time in any style. The form is superb, and the genius of all the soloists (improvising on 2 scales rather than a chord sequence) is matched by the faultless rhythm section. Exquisite.
5. Introduction &Allegro for Strings – Elgar
Forever associated with Ken Russell’s black and white film of Elgar riding his bike over the Malvern Hills. The melody I find myself humming more than any other.
6. June Tabor - A Place Called England
I first heard June Tabor live, a couple of years ago. Her voice is stunning, and you believe every word she sings. This is a “protest”song of hope and optimism, that in a mad polluted world dominated by consumerism and greed , there are pockets of hope of a better way. I get quite emotional when I play it. From the album A Quiet Eye.
7. The Beatles - Penny Lane
One of the best of all “pop” songs. Howard Goodall did an analysis of it in one of his channel 4 series. He liked it too.
8. The Modern Jazz Quartet Django
Another jazz classic. Just listen to the structure of the solos after the opening rubato theme statement. There are many published versions of this tune by this group, but they never matched the pure grace of the original.
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