Me (aged 40): So what did you think of that song then? Did you like it?
Him (aged 11): He sounds a bit sad and depressed.
Me: Why do you say that?
Him: Perhaps he just realises he can't sing very well?
Me: That's a bit unfair!
Him: But it is true.
Me: ...
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So who were Gentle Despite? Well, they were mainly Simon Westwood and Paul Gorton. At least one of them could sing a little bit. They came from Leeds. The song below was the third track on their second, and what would be final release entitled 'Torment to me' (Sarah 45). It came out in 1991. The last three minutes of this song... where to even begin? It just shows me the way home, you know. The path is lit up by the shimmering guitars, the tiptoeing bass, and, I'm convinced of this, the restrained xylophone or glockenspeils or vibraphone etc. I mean, even more than that spectacular Peel Session recording by The Field Mice (which will be the subject of a future essay from myself, soon), it represents, in a perfect form, everything I love and adore about this kind of music. You are sent to another time, where you can just close your eyes and be at (relative) peace with yourself and others. The voices, yes, they do stop sometimes. I guess, overall, this music is my version of those click-clacky Executive Toys that sit on oversized desks in large office blocks. You know, the ones that are supposed to prevent stress from taking over and, rather ambitiously, preventing heart attacks. Anyway, shutting the fuck up for a moment, if you decide to chance a listen, I recommend headphones, to catch the creeping nuances and devious interplay - those tiny wee subtle bits that fall inbetween the hops, jumps and cracks of an ageing piece of vinyl. For that is, indeed, what it is made of. Another time, another place, our Sarah.
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Gentle Despite - 'Shadow of a girl' (6.35)
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PS. Unusually, for me, the image above has nothing to do with the words or the music. It's the holidays right now and I was just out with D and R (and their visiting Granny) the other day and noticed the pin-on-thingie in this gift shop. It just made me laugh. Out loud. And I even smiled.
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I need one of those badges to wear to work, it'll make people think twice about messin' with me!
ReplyDeleteWhy stop at a badge though? You could also adopt the tres trendy Buckie, Blade + Bru uniform to seal the deal? Ya dancer! :)
ReplyDeleteThey've started selling Irn Bru in the canteen actually! I'm mystified, but I should probably have a can on my desk just to reinforce the stereotype. Sometimes I wear tartan shorts, just as a reminder to folk, but I like the sound of an actual uniform.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was having a very angry rant about something the other day, my boss stepped away fearfully and said 'Oh god, you've gone all Glasweigian'. Proving the sentiment of the badge, then... M'oan the 'weegies!
A Bru can on the desk, at all times, is probably a good idea - to throw at any stray bampots, as much as to drink, should the need arise.
ReplyDeleteI'm from the North East of Scotland, originally, but the West Coast is my long-adopted home (I escaped aged 17 to attend Paisley Tech as it was then known). History lesson over.
And I just love it here. Glasgow. You know, 'Please rain fall' and all that. :)