Happy 50th Birthday Mr Gary Foy!

TBL NEWS ROUND UP:

Robert Plant appears on the new Primal Scream album due for release in the spring – The Daily Record reported as follows:

Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant has joined Primal Scream on their new album after band members Andrew Innes and Bobby Gillespie bumped into him in the post office.

The legendary singer struck up a friendship with the Scots pair while in the queue at a branch in Primrose Hill, which is near his home and Primal Scream’s London recording studio.

And when he suggested the lads should give him a shout if they needed any help on their new album More Light, Andrew and Bobby wasted no time taking him up on the offer. Andrew said: “Robert has a house near our studio. It is bizarre. We see him in the post office all the time.

“We were in the post office when he asked us what we were up to and Bobby told him we were working on the new record. “He made the mistake of asking if we needed any help, so we got back to him and asked him to come and help us out. “We also meet him from time to time in the nearby Russian tea room and walking down the street. “It is weird to think, ‘Here’s the hammer of the gods coming’. But you don’t want to be at the back of the post office queue with Robert Plant on pension day.”

Plant sings with Bobby on the Primal Scream track Elimination Blues, which features on the album due out in May. Also guesting on the record is Mark Stewart of legendary punk band The Pop Group.

See link at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/music/music-news/led-zeppelins-robert-plant-teams-1568400

There is a new interview with Robert talking about his forthcoming Australian dates at this link via his official website:

http://www.robertplant.com/press/robert-plant-winding-on-down-the-road/

Here’s a link to a reference about John Paul Jones’ use of the mya-moe ukulele

http://www.myamoeukuleles.com/artistDetails.php?id=100

A link here via the Guardian on John Paul Jones’ thoughts on Malian music

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jan/18/mali-magical-music

Celebration Day vinyl release:

The Celebration Day soundtrack album finally has a belated vinyl release date – the 3 LP set is due out on February 11th.

DL DIARY UPDATE:

A hectic week here with an intensive mail out of TBL 34 – all subscriber copies and single issue pre orders are now in transit – UK copies and amazingly some Europe mail outs are beginning to arrive  over the weekend. It’s always encouraging to get some positive feedback which justifies the means to the end. These comments via the TBL Facebook page were well pleasing.

Peter Stathopoulos (of Vicious Sloth Records) –  No rest for the wicked! In a day and age when online media and the immediate access that we all believe is a God given gift to us all, it’s a great feeling to see that a magazine with quality content and print can survive. All the more impressive is that it is a fanzine and it is probably run on a minimal budget. A true labour of love. Congratulations Dave!

Peter Whyte  – The passion you have Dave, even in your own review of TBL 34 is without doubt unsurpassable….looking forward to the latest edition to my collection….

Here’s a review of TBL 34 via Jules at the Underground Uprising web site:

Arriving as usual with perfect timing, on a Friday, right before the weekend break, the latest issue of TBL hits the streets. And what a packed issue it is too! Not surprisingly a good part of the magazine is taken up with the excitement leading up to the release of “Celebration Day”, the film of the O2 Arena reunion concert from 2007. Part of the very interesting interview with the photographer Ross Halfin covers the release too. Robert Plant’s solo work is covered, and there is an excellent interview with the highly talented singer and John Bonham’s sister, Debbie Bonham. This is followed by part two of the UK singles by Nick Anderson. Next up is the continuing detailed coverage, concert by concert, by Mike Tremaglio, for Japan 1972 and the UK Tour over late 1972 and early 1973. I can’t wait for issue 35 as he will be covering the Europe 1973 Tour, which I consider to be one of the pinnacles of their illustrious career. Then there is another very interesting interview, with Brad Tolinski, the author of “Light & Shade: Conversations with Jimmy Page”, an excellent book.

Finally, and tucked away at the end of the magazine on page 29, is the incredibly exciting and highly interesting revelation by Christophe le Pabic of a complete audience recording from a concert by the band on 6th December 1969, at the L’Ecole Central in Chatenay-Malabry in France. A really major and exciting discovery! Gerard Sparaco, as always, provide an excellent summary of the latest Underground CD releases.So to recap, all in all the latest TBL is once again a great and highly informed read, and no fan of Led Zeppelin should be without their copy!

See more at:http://uuweb.led-zeppelin.us/new_releases.html

And these words from Richard Grubb in Cardiff also makes it all worthwhile… 

Dave, you’ve surpassed yourself. TbL34 landed today and I don’t know where to begin! A small book you said and you weren’t joking…It’s packed! Can’t wait to get stuck in… Mike Tremaglio’s tour retrospectives are always great and I’m also looking forward to the Ross Halfin vinyl collecting interview, the Celebration Day summary/round up and the outtakes predictions. And that’s not even scratching the surface…What with Celebration Day getting its belated vinyl release this Monday and TbL dropping through the letterbox today, it’s a cracking time to be a Zep fan…and it’s great to feel part of this wonderful community that you’ve created so we can all share our love of this exceptional band. Dave Lewis, take a bow! So thanks to you and your guys for another superb edition of TBL and HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY GARY!!!! All the best –Richard Grubb Cardiff.

So TBL 34 is out on the streets – if you have yet to invest, the order link is below – it really is an ideal issue to find out what the TBL magazine is all about – all orders are processed as received for the fastest delivery.  Thanks as ever for all your support.

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/?page_id=18109

TBL Facebook;

Just a quick line –if you are reading this and have yet to link with the Tight But Loose Facebook page be sure to request/add us. The TBL Facebook is another key part of the TBL set up with updated stories/additional pics etc to keep you on top of the world of TBL.

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I would have loved to have got to the reunited Family performances at their Shepherds Bush shows last week but just could not fit that in. TBL man on the spot Hiroshi kept me up to date with emails over the two nights as he attended both shows and also got to meet with the band members . Gary and I bumped into to Ross Halfin in JBs record shop on the Saturday afternoon and he was looking forward to going – judging by his enthusiast review on his diary he was well impressed.. I did receive the excellent souvenir programme via Hiroshi –here’s hoping they do some more dates.

Last Saturday, the TBL 2 – that’s me and Mr Foy, converged on London for a day of beer and record shops (and a Chinese late on). This was a belated Christmas drink, come 25^th anniversary to the day we met at Robert Plant’s 1988 Marquee show and a chance to celebrate his 50^th birthday (more on that soon).

So yes beers were drunk, old photos analysed (oh how we laughed at our hair!) and the original Marquee Club location and a few record shops visited – unfortunately and unsurprisingly, HMV in Oxford Street and Fopp in Charring Cross carried an air of doom about them given their uncertain future.  I was somewhat worried  when I saw a ‘To Let’ sign above JB’s – it seems the area is undergoing a redevelopment and at some point they will need to find new promises – I sincerely hope they do.

Sister Ray’s in Berwick Street meanwhile was looking pretty good – the boy Foy invested in an excellent five album Groundhogs collection. This was inspired by hearing their Split album playing in JB’s. A stark reminder that for all the Spotify Last FM and sharing playlists trends, getting  out into on the cool air of a record shop is where the real interaction and education of music can still happen. I saw some statistics this week that noted that physical sales of music in the UK still holds  62% of the market as opposed to 38% digital/downloads.

So let’s hope the surviving record shops can sustain and perhaps prosper ahead. Here’s a list of current record shop locations via Record Collector –

http://recordcollectormag.com/dirs

Bedford is actually down to one admirable dance/drum and bass store WS Records – the listed Mercy In Action  Bedford charity shop which carried a bit of vinyl recently closed.

The good old album format has been much celebrated this week by the three Great Albums Showdown programmes chaired by Danny Baker on BBC 4 –they also screened the excellent documentary When Albums Ruled The World documentary lst night.

I feel very privileged and proud to have been lucky enough to be working in record shops from the mid 1970s right into the 2000’s –particularly the golden age of the LP  – I am fortunate to have countless memories of ripping boxes open to find Band On The Run, Tubular Bells, Physical Graffiti, Wish You Were Here, Presence, Frampton Comes Alive, Rumours, Bat Out of Hell etc , ready to sell to the baying public. Fantastic times…

Amazingly, vinyl sales have grown by 4.6 million since 2008 and long may that trend continue. Much to the good lady’s concern for space here, I did my bit to aid that figure with the purchase of the Crosby Stills & Nash 1982 Live In LA album reduced in Fopp by 25%. You can’t let a bargain like that go now can you Janet?

On the playlist, the aforementioned Crosby Stills & Nash LP plus the Fleetwood Mac Rumours re issue(thank you GF!) – which entered the UK album chart at number 3 timeless songs great musicianship…and to accompany the TBL 34 mail out loads of Zep for inspiration – Paris 69,  Blueberry Hill, Landover 77 and the Remasters box set vinyl.

Busy here today on packing the latest orders received -hoping Spurs can triumph over Newcastle and then its back to the Houses Of The Holy feature and a host of other projects to sort.

As previously mentioned, today Gary Foy the erstwhile TBL news editor and my loyal partner in many a TBL caper is 50 today. I am sure I speak for all the Tight But Loose fraternity in wishing him a very happy birthday.

I am handing over the floor to him for his thoughts on this coming of age milestone. Mate here’s to many more….

GARY FOY: 50 AT 50

Music, above all else is the constant, it’s always there, it’s always been there and it always will be. We fall in love to music and we fall out of love to music. Music makes us happy and makes us sad and it comforts us. But always we enjoy music.

My earliest memory of music is dancing with my mother in the kitchen to Bill Haley and to Elvis. Music has always been a major part of me, from the aforementioned Rock and Roll to the Glam of the Seventies, to Rock and to the folk/singer song writer. It’s always around me, at home, in the car or at work.

What follows is not my all time top 50 but 50 tracks that mean something, that have been important to me in one form or another.

Another day I’d probably pick 50 different songs but today as I turn 50, this is my list.

Enjoy.

There are many people I’d like to thank for the last 50 years, but none are more important to me than Carol who has been constant with her love and support for the last twenty years and Jimmy, who for the last thirteen years has made me feel older by the day. And of course Dave Lewis, who, without whom none of this would have been possible.

 1. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin

Of course it couldn’t be anything else really could? The number that, for many, is one the one song that made Led Zeppelin what there are today, quite simply, the best band in the world. A song I have personally heard in a field in Knebworth, at weddings and at funerals and at the O2 and it hits me right there, every time.

2. Because The Night – Patti Smith

For me the finest single every released, written by Springsteen and covered by many but none as well as Patti. As a young lad in 1978, this had a profound effect on me and pushed me to explain my musical horizons further than the rock cliques I was into.

 3. In The Light – Led Zeppelin

Has it all, this one, that intro, the multi tracked guitars spiralling away and Bonham keeping it in check. Stunning piece of work, a constant favourite in the household.

4. Tiny Dancer – Elton John

An all time favourite of mine, Elton made wonderful music early on in his career, but seemed to lose his way in the 80’s, this gem from Madman Across The Water (1971) is beautiful, every time I hear it, I think of the USA, of the warm sun and freedom.

 5. Thank You – Led Zeppelin

Page’s guitar playing on this is stunning and Plant’s lyrics talk of love in a way none us could ever express, has a special place for Carol and I and a certain Sunday night in Poole.

 6. Lost In The Flood – Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Taken from “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” this is story telling at its best, Bruce can paint pictures with his words and music and this is surely one of his finest.

 7. Ten Years Gone – Led Zeppelin

Often missed out in the “Greatest” list but this classic has Page’s guitars replicating a orchestra, constantly building and building to build a stunning master class in playing and production.

 8. Where Do the Children Play? – Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam

Taken from “Tea for the Tillerman”, an album with so many hits and an album Cat never bettered, this song of the urban destruction of our world meant as much then as it does now. But again we seemed to have failed in it’s understanding. We’re changing day to day, but tell me, where do the children play? Indeed.

 9. Song To The Siren – Robert Plant

I always thought you’d never top This Mortal Coils version of this Tim Buckley song but Plant’s vocal performance is breath taking and possible the best he has ever recorded.

 10. Kashmir – Led Zeppelin

Plenty already been said about Kashmir so I won’t try but I’d just like to add that the O2 performance was exhilarating in its performance and presentation and could never have been matched.

 11. Man Of The World – Fleetwood Mac

I’m sorry but for me there is only one Fleetwood Mac and that’s the blues based Peter Green version and this is one of those songs you can’t help but get lost in.

12. She’s Leaving Home – The Beatles

I’ve always preferred the Lennon songs in there catalogue but this is an exception to that rule. Again a song that paints a picture of a shattered home and a distraught mother….beautiful song.

 13. Life is For Living – Barclay James Harvest

In case you all think me a miserable old bugger this little jaunty number from a prog band that that found a second least of life in Europe (big in Germany I believe the saying is) just makes me smile and even happy. A wonderful band with a great string of albums from the early seventies to the mid eighties. The title says it all.

 14. Morning Dew – Robert Plant

Why this you may ask, because it’s a great version from an album that re-invigorated our hero and is constantly on my playlist.

 15. Amelia – Joni Mitchell

Where do you start picking a favourite from Joni, impossible but this is high up there because at this point in her career her song writing was possible at its highest? “Maybe I’ve never really loved, I guess that is the truth, I’ve spent my whole life in clouds at icy altitude”. Stunning.

 16. Scarlet – All About Eve

Always loved Eve from early on and this in particular is always a welcome listen.

 17. Always On My Mind – Elvis Presley

I was brought up on Elvis and with memories of mum and I dancing in the kitchen to her faves, this is for her.

 18. Poor Boy – Nick Drake

No top 50 list would be complete without Nick Drake, so much talent in such a short time, this tortured soul was never going to survive this world. Such a sad lost but he did leave us with the most beautiful music ever.

 19. Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) – Steve Balsamo – Jesus Christ Superstar

I don’t do musicals and have never been to one but I’ve chosen this purely because Steve Balsamo singing on this is incredible and has to been heard to be believed. Check out the notes he hits at 02:20 and 03:15, breathtaking.

 20. Ventura Highway – America

For my sins I was a regular drinker at the Wagon and Horses in Bedford many years ago now and the only descent thing on the juke box was this paired with Horse With No Name. Every time I hear this it takes me back to those times, my memories may not be that good but Ventura Highway offered an escape. Great song.

 21. Ripples – Genesis

Great band before Mr Collins took the helm and this dreamscape of a song has always been a favourite.

 22. Child Of The Universe – Barclay James Harvest

A return trip to BJH, this time for the John Lees penned anti war song taken from the Live in Berlin album. Barclay James Harvest have always been closed to my heart.

 23. You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away – The Beatles

Lennon this time and sometimes the simplest of songs are the most effective.

 24. River – Joni Mitchell

The Blue album is full of masterpieces and this song focusing on a breakup of a romantic relationship tears at the heart, again a classic from Joni.

 25. I’ll Rise – Ben Harper

Not a household man in the UK and unbelievable never charting over here either but this multi instrumentalist is worth a place in anyone’s collection. I’ll Rise is taken from Ben debut album “Welcome To The Cruel World”.

 26. The River – Bruce Springsteen

Again Bruce Springsteen shows his ability to bring a song to life, you can almost visualise the couple in the song struggling with the realisation that life is hard and it’s not going to get any easier. I got a job working construction, for the Johnstown Company. But lately there ain’t been much work, on account of the economy.

Now all them things that seemed so important —Well mister, they vanished right into the air

 27. The Who – Eminence Front

Not an obvious choice I’ll grant you but for me it’s up there with The Who’s finest, check out the synthesiser repetitive loop and the lead vocals by Pete Townsend. Great for night time driving.

 28. A Murder Of One – Counting Crows

A great song from a great band that always deliver the goods, not overtly as successful as there should be but always high on my playlist.

 29. Candles In The Rain (Childless Mothers) – Darrell Scott

Darrell’s Crooked Road album was stunning and continues to give me maximum enjoyment, most of his other output is heavily bluegrass and country but Crooked Road crossed over the boundaries as was my album of the year in 2010

 30. Man Of A Thousand Faces – Marillion

Taken from the bands, This Strange Engine, and features the incredible vocals of Steve Hogarth. I’ve always heralded the post Fish line-up as the best and this track shows why.

 31. The Stairs – INXS

Inxs with Michael Hutchence, an incredible front man who I personally saw twice, both times turning the barn like Wembley Arena in to a small sweaty club. Loved this song then and do to this day. Sadly missed singer who had so much more to give and should be remembered for his work rather than the manner of his death.

 32. Forever Autumn – Jeff Wayne/Justin Hayward

The War Of The Worlds music has always been in my collection from its release and this number always stands out. Please avoid the 2012 remake at all costs.

 33. Blue Train – Jimmy Page & Robert Plant

The Page Plant project should have continued but I reckon that Plant had written his heart and soul into Walking Into Clarksdale and had nothing else to give. Many emotional highs and lows on the album and Blue Train is my favourite.

 34. Moments of Pleasure – Kate Bush

Eccentric)? Maybe, but an artist of incredible ability. I saw this performed live on The Wogan Show, loved it then and love it now. Her best.

35. That Smell – Lynyrd Skynyrd

In my youth I always loved the Southern Rockers and it is still a guilty pleasure….I avoided the obvious songs and went for this cut from the bands final album, has a great feel and hook to it and I still can’t whistle like Ronnie Van Zant.

 36. Afraid Of Sunlight – Marillion

Working the night shift as I do, the title track from their 1995 album always sounds great driving home at 6am in the morning. Probably, their best album.

 37. Waiting For My Child -Patty Griffin

This heartbreaking standard performed by Patty is an instant classic. Love it to bits.

 38. Shining In The Light  – Jimmy Page & Robert Plant

Opener from Walking Into Clarksdale has many fine memories for me but none more embarrassing than that appearance on Jools Holland where you can see me dad dancing away behind the amps.

 39. Shadow Of The Sun – Paul Weller

For me, Wild Wood was the Modfathers greatest album and this impractical is the best.

 40. Sheep – Pink Floyd

I’ve chosen this over the more popular ones for its wonderful lyrical quality and that descending guitar chords sequence at the end.

 41. Playin’ In The Dirt – The Robert Cray Band

I could have filled my top 50 with the blues, I love it and am constantly searching out new finds. I’ve chosen Robert Cray because Playin’ In The Dirt is fun and was kind of a signature song for me twenty years ago.

 42. Summer (The First Time) – Bobby Goldsboro

Songs are about memories, about our past and this all-time classic from Bobby sure brings back memories, but my memories are not of a beach hut in California but more like above a vegetable store in Wellingborough Road, Rushden but “She was 31 and I was 17, I knew nothing about love, she knew everything” sounds about right.

 43. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right – Rod Stewart

A superb song, so strong and also, so close to my heart.

 44. Paint It Black – The Rolling Stones

Hard to pick a favourite Rolling Stones track but this one is up there with them all.

 45. Leavin – The Allman Brothers Band

As I said before, I’ve always had a soft spot for the old Southern Rock and this much underrated track, for me is one of the Allman Brothers best.

 46. The Mystics Dream – Loreena McKennitt

What do you mean you’re never heard of her?…shame on you all. Irish/Canadian harpist and vocalist in the good old New Age/Folk tradition. She moves through styles with ease and this track takes us to Marrakesh with drones and hypnotic trance like sounds capes that’s a joy to listen to.

 47. Lonely Boy – Andrew Gold

Naff maybe….but a fine song and one that’s a particular favourite…looks it’s my birthday so it’s my choice!.

 48. Wild Dogs – Tommy Bolin

Underrated guitarist who had a promising career until it all ended in the traditional heroin overdose….such a waste of talent. Such a promising start and a great track.

 49. Where’s The Ocean – Toni Childs

Californian born singer songwriter now based in Australia who I have championed for many a year without much luck. I actually know of only one other person who likes her (Hi Stephen). Full of originality, Toni has released four albums since 1988, all critically acclaimed but none chart with any sort of success. Along with Joni Mitchell this is one lady I’d love to see live.

 50. Take Me Back – Van Morrison

We will finish with Van Morrison and 9 minutes of pure Van the man at his laid back best. I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the music and “play some harmonica”

Thanks for listening.

Gary Foy – February 9^th 2013

Thank you Mr Birthday Boy!

What a great list – have a great day and happy 50^th birthday to you from all of us…

DL  

Until next time…

Keep listening, keep reading…

Dave Lewis/Gary Foy

February 9th 2013.

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