There aren't too many silver linings to the clouds of lockdown, are there? Quiet roads, clear skies and birdsong, sure. But it's raining at New Amusements Towers this morning, and there is greyness all around, in everything. Where to find a positive, then?
Well, it's inconsequential, in the grand scheme of things, but the slew of artists doing broadcasts from home, of various qualities, has been interesting. For example, last Thursday David Gedge of The Wedding Present did an acoustic hour from his house, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. If you missed it, here it is, courtesy of the horror-show that is Facebook:
Yes! The boy Gedge has stopped dying his hair! And the sky hasn't fallen.
Also interesting to note how different artists have approached the whole "perform from home" thing. Some have gone very earnest in their endeavours, using lighting to their best advantage, shooting in high definition, using fancy mic's and editing trickery to look and sound as good as possible. And then there's the Modfather, Paul Weller, who just sits around his house, playing old tunes, whilst someone (presumably his missus) films him on their phone. Example:
Amazing to think that song is 28 years old. Time marches on, eh?
The really interesting thing for me, as a guitarist, is getting a close up of how my musical heroes play their songs. I'm watching their hands as much as the rest of them. And since we're talking musical heroes... here's Johnny, with an even older song:
And as we're all here studiously watching social media posts to learn chords (and realising that all my musical heroes are old men with guitars), here's another bloke in his sixties, playing a guitar in his locked-down house, singing to his partner, Juliet, but sharing it with us all. What a way to end...
A great set of clips. Yes, old men playing guitars but what a set of songs they've got between them. Johnny Marr especially showing the magic in his fingers.
ReplyDeleteYes, Johnny Marr was, is and ever shall be The Man, in my book.
DeleteLovely, uplifting stuff. Seeing these three talented men makes me feel good about being part of the same generation too.
ReplyDeleteHaving closely studied those various hands at work now I hope you're practising hard, Martin :-)
I have, as it happens. Not least because Mr Gedge has solved a little puzzle in My Favourite Dress for me. Which I can now play, in its entirety!
DeleteI missed the Gedgemaster but will watch it on your link later on,cheers. Quite strange seeing him without dark hair that we've been familiar with for over 3 decades!
ReplyDeleteTop quality from Messrs. Bragg and Marr as ever.
I'm most envious of your guitar skills as would love to be able to play anything Weddoes related. My plan to learn during lockdown has been defeated
I fear by having to still go to bloody work. A very poor excuse but I'm sticking to it...
Never too late to start, mate. Especially when motivated by playing songs that you love.
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