Topic: Richard Dawson

[Filler.]

Went searching for a Richard Dawson thread but bizarrely couldn't find one... so let's set that record straight with a rendition of 'Civil Servant' from 2020

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/piXBms2yhcI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/piXBms2yhcI</a>

[Chip Evans]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/4ysFZHzdYp0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/4ysFZHzdYp0</a>

A treasure

"Hoooooowwwww my heart goes leaping, like a hare a cloudburst"

[Filler.]

A treasure

Indeed.




So it was at 5pm today that the final cut off of whether you were postponing again to go to Greenman happened. A good long while spent agonising resulted in a postponement but then a sudden change of mind last night.

On 21st August I am 50, and Richard Dawson is playing, and Hen Ogledd are playing later that night. I've wanted to take my kids (11+8) to a festival since before they were born so this would have been heaven, plus the kids really like Hen Ogledd ever since a zoom Hen Ogledd thing (plus me playing them alot). And Bulbils have played such a massive part in my life I wanted to 'be there' you know?

I am re-envigorated... no.. let's do this. Not 2nd jabbed etc and a bit ... i dunno... everything... but hey ho, let's go!... Sam's lot are going... we need this.

Two weeks ago tho we bought a puppy. I say we... more they. Didn't check the FAQ's about it. Worried about what it would be like for her but fuck it... it'll be fine.

Ah... FAQ's no dogs allowed. Slump. Can't go.


... aaaand next up is a live version of Richard Dawson's Dead Dog in an Alleyway (31 Jan 2020)...


<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ATm7iBdsXsM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ATm7iBdsXsM</a>






^note: 1. Have taken a version of this from the same set as that opening track as the whole thing is brilliant.

2. It also has Richard Dawson talking about coronavirus 31 Jan 2020 .

[Filler.]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ESF0pC5yURU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ESF0pC5yURU</a>


am not a great fan of his videos. His songs paint totally different things in my head to anything I see in them. But love to see him with that wooden guitar of his...

[Chip Evans]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/GQVlNt6DAxY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/GQVlNt6DAxY</a>

Was the last gig I was at too. Was to fly over and see him in the Barbican 4 days after lockdown was announced here also - with Circle, who he's releasing an album with soon. That was going to be bucket list stuff. And I've rolled over Green Man to next year so he's the next band I'm missing too. Gutted I'm missing Hen Ogledd with the kids.

Correct decision on tinder, Jake.   

[Filler.]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ESF0pC5yURU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ESF0pC5yURU</a>


am not a great fan of his videos. His songs paint totally different things in my head to anything I see in them. But love to see him with that wooden guitar of his...

Fuck yes! Never send that to someone you might want to bed    That was absolutely brilliant.

[Filler.]

Up there is the Dawson I saw at ATP. Hard to convey but the love I felt for him was nuts. He just destroyed everyone.

[Filler.]

Bonnie Prince Billy, Sir Richard Bishop et al, your boys took a hell of a beating

[Djozer]

He's fucking ace, and it's possible I never would have got into his stuff apart from the RAWK yearly music threads (despite, weirdly, his favourite pub in Newcastle being mine too, and having a couple of musical mates there who used to move in the same circles and apparently vaguely know him), so thanks guys!

Gutted that I've still never seen him live. Was supposed to go to a gig of his in March of last year, was gonna be the first gig I'd been to in ages too, but then the obvious happened.

[Filler.]

Oops.

Tell her you can listen to it together if she allows you to do whatever you want to her in bed. It's a gambit but...

[Filler.]

He's fucking ace, and it's possible I never would have got into his stuff apart from the RAWK yearly music threads (despite, weirdly, his favourite pub in Newcastle being mine too, and having a couple of musical mates there who used to move in the same circles and apparently vaguely know him), so thanks guys!

Gutted that I've still never seen him live. Was supposed to go to a gig of his in March of last year, was gonna be the first gig I'd been to in ages too, but then the obvious happened.

I was given the option of 'you go with the kids, I'll look after the dog' in that tone of voice that said 'you fucking dare', so shouted up to the kids 'do you want to go?

Ah... fucking hell.


Hen Ogledd is the big ticket at GreenMan... get your seats early! x

[Filler.]

That was amazing, absolutely love it.

Ah it's just 100. Brilliant.

[Filler.]

I fail to see how she wins there. With my scarlet skull lodged firmly between her thighs like the deputy headmaster to Miss Bartholemew

sounds winning to me!

[Filler.]

... and if like me you take your kids to football this is our anthem...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/NkSvn23fbAg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/NkSvn23fbAg</a>

[Chip Evans]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/5O9BXeFm_yg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/5O9BXeFm_yg</a>

[Filler.]

Chip and Filler, check your DMs

Brothers. Heart Emoji.



As pinged to me by Chip today... a Bulbils cassette is out!.. https://bluetapes.bandcamp.com/album/blue-forty .. which has my (and their) favourite album 'Journey of the Canada Goose' on it. Not sure what number it was but was in my RAOTY. 63 albums in 18 months is really good going, this was in the middle, No. 30.

https://bulbils.bandcamp.com/album/30-journey-of-the-canada-goose

[Filler.]

Bulbils were the best thing about Lockdown. I had an immediate connection with something outside my four walls. I kind of enjoyed the first 2 months because there was great weather - i had a garden - and I wasn't a nurse. Plus I had this connection with a pair of lovebirds in the north of england who discussed musical ideas, album art, font stuff... I loved it. Then within 24 hours they'd put something up. Or 48, or 72. It was industry and full of love. I needed them. They were like Lux Interior and Poison Ivy to me.

[Chip Evans]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/lKOF9Fsspr8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/lKOF9Fsspr8</a>

This is my favourite one I think. This, or Nothing Important.

[Filler.]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/lKOF9Fsspr8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/lKOF9Fsspr8</a>

This is my favourite one I think. This, or Nothing Important.

Magic.

[Chip Evans]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/1KNkuqUe5r4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/1KNkuqUe5r4</a>
Full show. But the version of Scientist is magic. Rearranging if Beggar is perfect too.

Couple of pigsx7 in live band + all of Hen Ogledd

Full band version of the Vile Stuff too

[Filler.]

Right I'm gonna have a night of Hen Ogledd. I really should get into more than just 2020 and Vile Stuff

Don't forget Bulbils!


https://bulbils.bandcamp.com/




You may know them, but in case... 63 albums since lockdown. Richard Dawson + Sally Pilkington. Partners in music and love. Both in Hen Ogledd.


They meant so much to me. It felt like I was being personally texted by them... hey Rob, we've just recorded 30 0r 45 minutes of music plus designed an album cover for your enjoyment for you, would you like to listen to it? For nothing?

Really?! I caught onto it 8 albums in but after catching up I was soon in that territory of being disappointed that a new album wasn't released. It was rarely a daily thing, but it almost was. I loved spending time thinking about what they were discussing about musical ideas and album cover design and how the recording was to be done. They meant the world to me.

https://bulbils.bandcamp.com/album/30-journey-of-the-canada-goose



My favourite moment tho of that initial lockdown  and finding a space where Bulbils were going to help me get thru it, was when suddenly a Bulbils track ended and a seriously hard thrash death metal song kicked in. It was maybe album #18 and it sounded like Bulbils and 4 others had managed to get together and deliver THE MOST ASTONISHING moment of 2020. Drums, bass, vocals, guitars... but it wasn't Bulbils. It was just some random song. God that was good tho.

[Chip Evans]

I'd heard of Bublis but not been through their music.

Could you pull out a few tracks to get me started? Anything "2020"ish?

None of it is really like 2020. It's more like meditation. Long slowly building ambient kind of things. Very melodic but simple for the most part. no real singing as such. Oohs and aahs. I love them for running on the rare occasions I listen to anything when I'm out.  Easter Bunny was an early highlight for me, I go back to it a lot. Handy for listening to in work too. Never gets too obtrusive but you can't get quite immersed if you zone into the pieces.

https://bulbils.bandcamp.com/album/15-the-easter-bunny

Got a bit obsessed with them in the first lockdown too. There was the daily race to purchase it before the guy dressed as a nun on Bandcamp. Was a great anchor every day. Trying to fit in a listen to it and check with Rob what he thought.

[Filler.]

I'd heard of Bublis but not been through their music.

Could you pull out a few tracks to get me started? Anything "2020"ish?

It's such an odd one. My critical evaluations to music reached zero during lockdown but to get that Bulbils hit connected me. I don't think it's something to go back on and revisit  as such, because it was so immediate. For me, I was getting sent a love letter and frankly didn't care much about evaluating it, just loved receiving it. Having said that, I want to sit down and burn each CD one day as a momento.

Blue Tapes released a few Bulbils songs recently that included my own personal favoutite 'Journey of The Canada Goose.'

https://bulbils.bandcamp.com/album/30-journey-of-the-canada-goose

[Filler.]

Just hearing the first notes of 'Journey of The Canada Goose.' throws me into a place. God I love these.

[Chip Evans]

Gig last night was fucking amazing. His support act was this young welsh guitarist and she absolutely hypnotised me. Amazing all round.

The lighting sucked so he just told them to turn the lights up and the show was so intimate. Some great back and forth with the crowd too, I probably was a little lairy but both times I said something he made a good wisecrack back

Someone asked for Fulfilment Centre and he goes "I've never done that live" and I shouted "well do it now then" and he chuckles and plays the first four bars... thought we were gonna get very lucky but alas, twas not to be.

I need to go see him again, and again. And again.

Yeah he's never done Fulfilment Centre or Black Triangle. Would love to see Black Triangle too.

Sounds a great night

[Filler.]

Sounds great Jake. Where did you see him? Who was the Welsh guitarist? And was Dawson on his own or with a band? With a band I imagine?

Also - why has he (they?) never played Fulfilment Centre or Black Triangle? Intruiging.

[Filler.]

It was at the crescent in York, low roofed working mens club style venue.

God yes I'd love to see Black Triangle too.

The guitarist was called Gwenifer Raymond. So talented I nearly went to see her again last night.

Sounds great. Really enjoyed Gwenifer Raymond's LP of last year today. Can tell she'd have been a great support.

[Chip Evans]

I absolutely adore Henki. Wish it had a few more songs - it's some of his absolute best vocals. Anyone noticed in the interviews they are saying Dawson is now a full time member of Circle? So there might be more to come.

Thought the album would be a bit more batshit - I'm slightly surprised by how restrained it is. They use the number of musicians to add loads of layers rather than volume. Only real complaints I have is it never gets to full on ferocious riffy Circle and you lose some of the angles of Richards guitar playing. 

Overall though it's a mini triumph. Going to have to try see this album live.

[Chip Evans]

Did anyone listen to his live set on Radio 6 last week?

They read out my email, but unfortunately not to him

Didn't hear it myself. I think Filler gave it a listen though. What was your email?  A big gush anyway?

[Filler.]

I absolutely adore Henki. Wish it had a few more songs - it's some of his absolute best vocals. Anyone noticed in the interviews they are saying Dawson is now a full time member of Circle? So there might be more to come.

Thought the album would be a bit more batshit - I'm slightly surprised by how restrained it is. They use the number of musicians to add loads of layers rather than volume. Only real complaints I have is it never gets to full on ferocious riffy Circle and you lose some of the angles of Richards guitar playing. 

Overall though it's a mini triumph. Going to have to try see this album live.

His vocals are great o this aren't they, especially towards the end. I love it too - very listenable at the moment - I'm in that nice space where I've got to know it but still taking new joy out of it. First 2 or so (fragmented) listens I thought, this is RD plus a backing band - not quite that - but it certainly felt he was the head. Until maybe the penultimate track? (the one that begins with P) where they seem to come together as one. I don't know much Circle so could be talking out my arse here. I thought it would be more batshit/metally too, but then I thought RD's 2020 would be more in your face with Pigs7 aboard. Took me a while to get over that disappointment but i came up smiling eventually. Have come up smiling with this too.

Will we ever get that angular guitar playing from RD back again I wonder? He's so smoothed out now. I just can't see him taking the roof off again with a battered wooden guitar alone on stage. Not sure his throat could take it.

Would love to see more RD/Circle stuff tho. Exciting thought.

Did anyone listen to his live set on Radio 6 last week?

They read out my email, but unfortunately not to him

Really enjoyable set. Next time sign it off as jake from Rawk. 'Where's Rawk Jake?' Might become a thing

[Armand9]

just surfing threads and fell into this, dont know the guy, gave it a listen, not for me tho i've only heard the youtube vids posted here but something did strike me, that he reminded me strongly of something that i couldnt quite place then it was oh yeah, of course

young peter gabriel in early genesis, sounds on paper an odd comparison but if you know early gabriel, i think you'll see it quite easily, even down to the comedy elements in his choice of cadence and lyrics

[Filler.]

just surfing threads and fell into this, dont know the guy, gave it a listen, not for me tho i've only heard the youtube vids posted here but something did strike me, that he reminded me strongly of something that i couldnt quite place then it was oh yeah, of course

young peter gabriel in early genesis, sounds on paper an odd comparison but if you know early gabriel, i think you'll see it quite easily, even down to the comedy elements in his choice of cadence and lyrics

I love this.

My first love of music was  sparked by Genesis's Abacab so we're brothers somewhere..

[Red Raw]

So how are folks getting on with The Ruby Chord?

Have to say I am somewhere between enchanted and entranced. Dawson's is voice almost impossible not to submit to but the melodies are quite happy to rip you out of somewhere you've just got comfortable, only to dump you somewhere utterly alien.

Marvellous.

By chance I saw he was playing St Georges in Bristol in May and grabbed a couple of tickets. It is a former Commissioners' church (built by the government for the poor) which was acoustically renovated to a very high standard a few years back at great expense. It is a reasonably unique venue with a bar in the crypt - I am really hoping it will lend itself to the music and the man.

Might have to find someone to go with me though - Mrs Raw is not a fan (yet!)

[Jean Girard]

So how are folks getting on with The Ruby Chord?

Have to say I am somewhere between enchanted and entranced. Dawson's is voice almost impossible not to submit to but the melodies are quite happy to rip you out of somewhere you've just got comfortable, only to dump you somewhere utterly alien.

Marvellous.

By chance I saw he was playing St Georges in Bristol in May and grabbed a couple of tickets. It is a former Commissioners' church (built by the government for the poor) which was acoustically renovated to a very high standard a few years back at great expense. It is a reasonably unique venue with a bar in the crypt - I am really hoping it will lend itself to the music and the man.

Might have to find someone to go with me though - Mrs Raw is not a fan (yet!)

It's such an oddity even by his standards isn't it? I love The Hermit and what he was trying to do with the language in it. Also how he was trying to make that whole intro work. I've seen reviews where they've said it's just unfocused noodley noise - but he's said the whole opening was composed and that the other musicians were under strict instructions as to what he wanted them to do. He was trying to make it seem pixelated, like a character in a game waking up or something. It's a serious achievement. So many mini-moments in the song. The pause after 'Each throbbed with its own aurora' before they all come back in - kills me, pure joy. The 2 a cappella sections too. And then that gorgeous outro.

to be honest I've only listened to the rest of the album about twice - particularly like the outro of Museum and the 80s metal bit in Tip of an Arrow. It's hard to get past opening on a 41 minute song. I think I'm just treating it as 2 albums. I really want to get to know the Hermit first. 


Did you get to see the film? 

Incredible how he just keeps confounding your expectations. He's not done 2 albums the same, but they are all utter alike because of his voice at the middle of them. From Nothing Important, to Peasant, to 2020, to Henki and now to this. There's not many more consistently excellent runs of albums in recent times. 

[Red Raw]

I think I read the 'noodling' review and thought it was a bit shite - seemed to miss the point entirely. Not that there is anything wrong with the '3  minute single' genre but for artists and innovators the format is there to be challenged as much as any other aspect of the music.

Its a pity really - it is often hard these days to make the time it seems to listen to works like this from start to finish. I love digital music but the convenience seems to have bred impatience. I read some stats about people not being arsed even to hear out a single song on Spotify without skipping on for something else. Like a crack addict experiencing diminishing returns from each successive 'hit'.

I haven't seen the Hermit film yet but Dawson is an accomplished story teller and I look forward to seeing how the visuals affect the barely formed narrative in my own head.

I think Dawson is one of those artists where you get out what you put in and I am trying to give this one the time it needs/deserves.

[Filler.]

Stuck on side C to write this..

The Hermit is a beauty. I haven't got my head around that one yet. Went to Bristol to watch it with a Q&A with Dawson few weeks back- was suppossed to be a bit of a romantic weekend away with my wife that didn't happen- long story

Was so good to see the new song + a film in a cinema setting. 40 minutes and it could have gone on longer.


As for the LP... I've got a few more listens to do which I will be doing

[Boston always unofficial]

In session on Marc Riley show at the moment.It's o.k for me but not sold on the genius of it all.

[jackh]

In session on Marc Riley show at the moment.It's o.k for me but not sold on the genius of it all.

Caught a few bits of that and really enjoyed it, but then I've enjoyed what I've heard in the past.

Weird that "ok" won't show in your post...