Drive
in Saturday
My ears were still buzzing from Beth Jeans Houghton when I
woke on Saturday. When I am reborn I will devote my life to good sound and ridding
the world of bad engineers. Bands and musicians from across the globe will queue for my
services and I will walk in the holy slippers of Brian Eno.
The sun was out and with a spring in my step I sped into
town to do some radio. I’ve really missed doing the show and simply couldn’t
wait to see what was in store. I arrived to find Kathy busy loading packages in
readiness, and after a quick look at the script and running order we were off
and live. Kathy is a consummate professional so to be able to participate and
contribute to the show in any way is a real honour and this week was my most
involved yet. My interview with Mark Eitzel was aired, I programmed the bulk of
the music played and due to the late arrival of a guest I was also interviewed about
the MindOut Human Library Project which you can learn more about here -http://blog.zhooshbrighton.co.uk/2012/09/16/be-part-of-a-human-library-a-movement-for-social-change/
On the way back to the car I spied a video copy of the classic Frank Capra movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ sitting on a brick wall. Although surreal it seemed totally apt and a sign from the heavens.
I stood and looked at the sleeve and ticked off all the treasures with which I am blessed. Health, good friends, half a loving family, a full larder, a job, a great sex life and a world stuffed full of sonic wonders. It is indeed a wonderful life J
As I drove east to the House of Pygar the song Drive in Saturday emerged through the
clouds of my consciousness like an old friend. It was conceived as Bowie toured
America riding the crest of the Ziggy Stardust wave in 1972 and was originally written for Mott the Hoople as a follow up to All the Young Dudes, but the boys turned
it down. Bowie recounts that he was so annoyed he got drunk and shaved off his
eyebrows in protest. Perhaps that’s also why Bowie pulled out all the stops to
make his version the masterpiece that it is. The song can be found on Aladdin Sane
which is basically Bowie writing postcards from the USA. Like anyone visiting
for the first time he was enthralled by the place and its familiarity thanks to
power of Hollywood. It was the first Bowie album I queued up to buy and I
remember walking past WH Smiths daily to look at a huge 5’ by 5’ blow up of the
Brian Duffy designed sleeve which heralded release day. It was the start of my most
enduring love affair.
I remember watching this performance vividly as my father squirmed on the chair opposite. That made it even better.
Let me put my arms
around your head
Gee, it's hot, let's go to bed
Don't forget to turn on the light
Don't laugh babe, it'll be alright
Pour me out another phone
I'll ring and see
if your friends are home
Perhaps the strange ones in the dome
Can lend us a book we can read up alone
around your head
Gee, it's hot, let's go to bed
Don't forget to turn on the light
Don't laugh babe, it'll be alright
Pour me out another phone
I'll ring and see
if your friends are home
Perhaps the strange ones in the dome
Can lend us a book we can read up alone
I spent the afternoon with one of my blessings, beautiful Amanda, who never ceases to amaze, enthrall, amuse and delight me. I have asked her to marry me, so watch this space. We sat in the last rays of September sunshine talking about boys, love, housework and pumpkins as the chickens scrambled for the sweetcorn I would occasionally jetison across the garden.
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