Old Man Riva

They’ve been at it again...

Hope this doesn’t derail the thread - and genuine apologies in advance to darkandrew if I do! - but with the discussion regarding the departure of the mighty Derek Forbes and Michael McNeil it’s worth bearing in mind how things could have turned out had they been able to get their producer of choice for the Sparkle in the Rain album, Alex Sadkin. For me, it’s the last album I liked of theirs, albeit I find it patchy, to say the least. That said, there are a number of fine Derek Forbes moments on their. These snippets of two demos have been on the internet for a while and as a fan of the band up to that point I am genuinely disappointed that the album didn’t follow this route, rather than the course Steve Lillywhite took them on. Book of Brilliant Things kicks in around the 3min mark... A Derek Forbes story. Back in a bygone age (circa 1983/84) me and some mates were in a band and sent a load of demo tapes out to various record companies, including Virgin Records - this is when they were based in/around Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove area. We received a letter (I think) from a guy (again, I think) called Ronnie Gurr and were invited down to Virgin to discuss the demo. Picture us ecstatic and planning how to compete with the likes of Simple Minds, Comsat Angels and bands of that ilk who we were fans of at the time. We met with Ronnie (a fine Scottish gentleman) and were listening to the demo in Virgin’s offices when the door bursts open and in walks Mr Forbes with a huge grin. “Can you turn that fu*king racket down. My granny is trying to sleep next door!” (I’d ask you to apply a thick Glaswegian accent to that, for best effect), and then promptly leaves. ”It’s Derek Forbes”, I muttered, to no one in particular. “He’s great”. ”That was Derek Forbes of Simple Minds”, said Mr Gurr. He then went on to tell us all about how amazing Simple Minds were, how they’d just set a record for appearing at Hammersmith Odeon, and turned the music down (pretty much to off!). We all just looked at each other and waited for the earliest moment to leave!! So to paraphrase the great Scooby Doo show finale: “And we woulda got away with it if it weren’t for that pesky Forbes”!! Still love him...

I’d agree. And in relation to this thread, pretty much every bass line on Remain in Light is repetitive (in a positive way).

Great review! I went with my wife, who it’s safe to say isn’t generally a fan of the type of music that Snarky Puppy play, and she was absolutely blown away by the whole evening, as was I. Also, there appeared to be huge affection from the crowd towards the band and it felt like a real celebration of their career so far. It couldn’t happen to a nicer (or more talented) bunch..!

James Honeyman-Scott’s solo on Private Life is one of my favourite ever guitar solos. Just thought I’d share that interesting fact!!

He was so good at that rolling, repetitive groovy bass line. His lines on tracks like The American, Love Song, Big Sleep, King is White... really add such a lot to the music. Didn’t like them at all after he left and they ventured into stadium territory.

In Trance as Mission by Simple Minds. Another excellent Derek Forbes moment...

That’d do me. Definitely something I could vote for! Though I can confidently say I’d be waiting a long time before I could make it sound anywhere near as good as young Mr Dart does!!

The album, A Song for Paul, is well worth a listen - if you like that track then I reckon it’d be right up your street. I can’t think of an album I’ve liked so much for a long time...

Four strings; one p/up; no batteries!!

Someone recommended this lot to me recently, and I’m forever in their debt. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Ghost Funk Orchestra...

... a marriage made in heaven. Warning: it may lead to Colin Moulding envy!

“If Pete Way had ever played in a showband”...

Blimey, he was good...

Just bought a wonderful Fender Custom Shop P-bass off Kevin. Kevin was a pleasure to deal with - excellent communication, completely straightforward and everything done with the minimum of fuss. I can’t recommend highly enough! I visited his home to try the bass and was made to feel really welcome - and found a fellow Roxy Music fan into the bargain! Buy with complete confidence from Kevin - a credit to Basschat!

Starting the day with this...

Yeah, definitely one of the odder choices of covers I've heard over the years. Probably done with the best of intentions (i.e. he was a fan of the song) but he was always on a hiding to nothing taking that on. This is good, for fans of this type of thing...

I’ve always thought Bowie’s version on Young Americans was a low point on an otherwise excellent album. I think it’s truly rotten, and I say that as someone who idolises Bowie and can find many ways in which to defend The Laughing Gnome - though I still haven’t found a way to explain away his ‘interpretations’ of Iggy’s Tonight or the Beach Boys’ God Only Knows! It’s a shame he just didn’t stick with The Gouster... Re. Beatles covers, I always liked Shirley Bassey taking on Something. Adding a certain something different to the original, in a positive way, unlike, say, Paul Young when he took on Love Will Tear us Apart!

Whenever I hear Zappa solo I feel sure he was a huge influence on Prince.

Been posted on here before, but absolutely no harm in posting it again! Something a bit more recent that you may like...

“UK Prime Minister makes alternative travel arrangements after refusing to use Eurostar for crunch Brexit talks”

Now that’s a line you don’t hear every day..!

Stuck in his local A&E after putting his back out again breakdancing?

Most of John Cooper Clarke’s output springs to mind. In a (really) good way. Not really random but I never tire of hearing the lyrics to the chorus of Bowie’s Drive-In Saturday. “His name was always Buddy And he’d shrug and ask to stay. She’d sigh like Twig the Wonder Kid And turn her face away. She’s uncertain if she likes him But she knows she really loves him. It’s a crash course for the ravers It’s a drive-in Saturday...” Also love Jagger’’s “My best friend, he shoots water rats, and feeds them to his geese” line in Live With Me.