No Other: A poem for Gene Clark

5d76387c7dd58.jpg

He is always eight miles high and always low,

and never in between those poles of chemical elation/haunted hurt –

that craggy boy, the Byrd that cannot fly but soars

on gravitas of baritone; that odd one out with tambourine,

the mystic misfit and the bashful stud.

 

Harold Eugene Clark the newest Christy Minstrel,

Missouri balladeer and cuckolder of Papa John.

He is always high and always low,

a seeker after peace, the bard with the Ferrari and guitar,

a handsome dad of handsome boys,

with oceans in the pools of deep-pained eyes

and nervous sober laughter as the bottle beckons and the needle calls.

Thus Harold Eugene Clark heads back to canyons and cocaine

and arms of other blondes.

 

We had to cut him loose, for even Crosby could not help

that tall and sorrowed man,

that lonesome shadowed soul

found splayed upon the kitchen floor.

A half-century of RBP podcasts

Version 2

In this week’s episode of the Rock’s Backpages podcast (the 50th, no less), Mark, Barney & Jasper pay tribute to the late Nick Tosches, discussing pieces by him on Captain Beefheart (1981) and his great biographical subject Jerry Lee Lewis (1982).

They then discuss the week’s other free pieces, which concern the annus metallibis that was Motörhead’s 1979 – the year of both Overkill and Bomber. They also lament the passing of original ‘head guitarist Larry Wallis, who last month departed the stage for the final time.

The week’s new audio offering being a 1993 conversation with Long Beach OG Snoop (Doggy) Dogg, lost trios paranoias hear clips from Steven Daly’s fascinating interview and reminisce about the impact of Dr. Dre’s languid beanpole prodigy.

New library highlights considered by your hosts include Disc‘s Rosalind Russell on Sweet’s Brian Connolly, Glenn O’Brien on the (temporary) shuttering of NYC landmark Max’s Kansas City and Susan Corrigan on her abiding love affair with Madchester. After Jasper samples some Señor Coconut from 2002, the RBP “team” bows out for another week.

P.S. Don’t forget to enter our great giveaway at rocksbackpages.com/giveaway for a chance to win an RBP book or subscription.

A Waits in your ear

Word honchos Mark Ellen & David Hepworth have kindly invited me to talk on their very jolly podcast about Tom in the week of his 70th birthday. So on Monday December 2nd, I’ll be trotting up to north London to wax Waitsian with the two of them… as well as to listen to the evening’s main attraction: chief Guardian pop critic and Elton John’s amanuensis Alexis Petridis. More details hereWaits night.jpg

Joni comes to Cheltenham

Well, not quite. But I’m taking part in a celebration of the life & music of Our Lady Of The Canyon, helping to launch Canongate’s new Mitchell book Morning Glory on the Vine. Also available for signing will be copies of Reckless Daughter, the Rock’s Backpages anthology of Joni interviews and reviews. All part of the Cheltenham Literary Festival next Sunday evening…

The long and winding Road

In this week’s episode of the Rock’s Backpages Podcast, my very dear old pal Mat Snow (far right) comes to Hammersmith to discuss the Beatles’ swansong album Abbey Road… as well as the week’s new audio interview (with Blondie from May 1977) and plenty more besides. Hear Mat & me (far left) reminiscing about the NME, MOJO and, erm, Little Dean’s Yard! (Also featured in pic: podcast co-host Mark Pringle & whizzkid producer Jasper Murison-Bowie…)

In the magic mountains

A perfect mid-August weekend of rugged bonding in the Brecon Beacons (Glyn Tarell) & Black Mountains (Hay Bluff) with my beautiful sons Jake, Fred & Nat… and my oldest & dearest pal Christian. A belated and hugely generous birthday prez from my boys (and a fab lunch and hike with Xtian). Thanks one and all of you, it will remain one of the happiest memories of my life.

L.A. comes to London Fields

LO.LA._Strange Days.png

Do join Lloyd Bradley and myself for this conversation about the “strange daze” and “weird sins” of rock’n’roll El Lay at Second Home in London Fields. My SoCal tomes Waiting for the Sun and Hotel California will no doubt come into play… I believe it’s free admission, though I for one shan’t be providing my services gratis!

The RBP podcast with Richard Williams

IMG_2236.jpg

In the lastest episode of the Rock’s Backpages podcast, Jasper Murison-Bowie (left) and I talk with very special guest Richard Williams about his long & august career as a writer, editor & author… and about Easy Rider, Arthur Lee, Albert Ayler, Laura Nyro, Melody Maker & much, much more. Richard gave me my first break as a music writer when he (and Ian Birch) gave me some reviews to write for MM in 1979. I owe him more than I can ever express. His taste and erudition have been beacons for me for at least 45 years. Thank you, sir.

The RBP podcast: Dylan Jones on Jimmy Webb and ‘Wichita Lineman’

40.jpg

Joined by GQ editor (and sometime i-D contibutor) Dylan Jones, Mark & Barney talk in the new Rock’s Backpages podcast about Dylan’s new book The Wichita Lineman: Searching in the Sun for the World’s Greatest Unfinished Song and celebrate ‘Lineman”s composer Jimmy Webb and the song’s original singer, the late Glen Campbell. Dylan explains how he came to write the book and the three men enthuse about Webb’s ability to tell stories in song and in person.

After listening to a clip from a 2005 audio interview with Webb himself, wherein he laments the lack of complexity in contemporary pop and discusses his use of harmony and chords, Mark and Barney quiz Dylan about hiring Boris Johnson as car correspondent for GQ magazine. Talk turns briefly to politics as they consider how Dylan’s acquaintance David Cameron might now feel about calling the 2016 referendum.

Mark presents highlights from the week’s new library pieces. These include an interview with Robin Gibb shortly after he left the Bee Gees, a report from the Wailers’ first trip to London, and a Diana Ross press conference about the album she recorded with Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards.