As a stickler for adhering to old wife’s advocacies, GJ Strachan faced an (admittedly small) conundrum yesterday afternoon. This infinitesimal poser manifesting during discussions with a friend about 1970’s UK punk band The Sex Pistols.
The episode playing out when he asked if I can recall the title of Pistols’ only studio recorded album. Despite being acutely aware the punk collection was labelled ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’, as I like to follow the adage ‘Never say never’, I was torn whether to fill my buddy’s knowledge void, or feign ignorance.
Eventually, though, deeming my utterance of the word ‘never’ wouldn’t bring foul serendipity into my life, I revealed the title of John Rotten and his anarchic cabal’s collection of musical malcontent…… Five minutes later I tripped over the dog, in the process spilling my lunch and bruising my ego.
Yesterday, after driving over to Leeds from the Scarborough campsite which has been home for most of July, I spent the evening with my fragrant chum Sarah attending an outdoor Nile Rodgers/Chic gig.
This audio treat bequeathing us and thousands of other Yorkshire folk an upbeat playlist of the grammy award winning writer/producer’s toe-tapping creations.
Feel good music which time never ages, played by accomplished performers from Rodgers on guitar (and lead yowsaherer), singers Kimberly Davies/Audrey Martells, drummer Ralph Rolle, bassist Jerry Barnes, keyboard player Richard Hilton, along with an accomplished brass section.
The power exuded from Kimberly Davies’ voice was of such velocity it must’ve jeopardised shattering windows at the nearby Leeds General Infirmary. Particularly during the concluding vocals of refrains ‘I Want Your Love’ and ‘We Are Family’.
During the band introduction at the end of the gig, Nile Rodger’s revealed to an upbeat audience Ms Davies, who also pursued a solo career, recently had two number 1’s…… I’m no doctor, but that sounds like a water infection to me.
Audrey Martells’ voice is gentler, but no less integral to the synergy of the group’s sound. Her hand shapes performed with the linear grace and elegance of late French mime artist Marcel Marceau.
Her seemingly constant smile, even when she sings, overtly displaying the joy this gig bestows her…… Unlike Kimberley Davies, her regularity of passing water wasn’t touched upon by Mr Rodgers.
Ralph Rolle provided a drumming masterclass throughout. As a rotund, exuberant, black man the drummer, he is as visually unlike David Bowie as you could possibly get. However, he provided the vocals on a splendid cover of the late Londoner’s hit ‘Modern Love’ (the original produced by Rodgers in the 1980’s). I doubt Rolle has a future as a Bowie tribute act, but I’m sure the quality of his drumming will ensure he’s never out of work.
Jerry Barnes’ bass line underpins each of Nile Rodger’s upbeat disco riffs. Producing a bass sound as smooth as a Gregory Porter vocal, or a pint of porter beer (stout). His mid-song ‘jam offs’ with Mr Rodger’s one of many highlights of this splendid evening’s entertainment.
All in all, it was a fabulous night. Our dancing alone taking my fit bit steps above yesterday’s 10,000 target… When I say our dancing contributed to achieving my step target, I of course mean mine. As impressive as my phone’s health monitoring is, I don’t believe it has a feature allowing me to track Sarah’s daily steps… That would be insane!
As the Ossett lass gets regularly chased around fields by groups of dirty old man, Benny Hill 1970s style, I would dread to think what steps she clocks up daily… All I can say is, her new penchant for dressing in a nurses outfit will have certainly up that step count.
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