It’s been a very musical week. Martyn the Artist and I battled the storm to get to Somerset House for The Jam exhibition: About the young idea. Now, I wasn’t a Jam fan when they were originally cool. I liked a few of their songs at the time – mainly the more commercial stuff like Bitterest Pill and English Rose. I joined in a lot of the anarchic-type conversations at college and discussed politics and youth’s disenchantment with the state of the country, government, nuclear disarmament – but it was much in the Young One’s vein, repeating things Rik Mayall had quoted.
A main reason I didn’t buy The Jam’s albums was how they looked. I didn’t find their angular faces and sharp haircuts attractive. Ben accuses me of being musically-shallow in this respect – and he’s right, I suppose. At that time I was dancing around my bedroom to Wham! with their bright-teeth, floppy-haired Hawaiian shorts videos and wearing my distressed leather boots and a rah-rah skirt.
Now I love The Jam’s music and have a huge amount of respect for Paul Weller – in fact, he’s my new musical hero. Martyn bought me a CD of the group’s greatest hits and I’ve been playing it all weekend. Apart from when I’m getting ready to go out, when I’ve been playing my other new favourite old album: Tapestry. There’s a reason for this, too.
On Thursday I went along to Beautiful, the Carole King story currently being played out in a theatre in Aldwych, thinking I’d know three songs. As it turned out, I knew all of them – and more! I had no idea she was such a prolific songwriter. Songs I’ve sung – quietly, muttered under my breath or shrieked loudly to other people’s discontent – are credited to her and her ex-husband’s lyrical talents. She wrote for the Drifters, the Monkees, Aretha Franklin and a whole host of musical royalty. I barely knew her name before, and yet it turns out she dominates a good percentage of my iTunes library.
I posted on Facebook that I was at the show, and my friend Simon (with a beard) whatsapp’d to tell me that she was a nasty piece of work in real life. I didn’t know that. Still don’t – I’m taking his word for it though, as he’s super-clever and I guess the music business was as cut-throat in the 70s as it is today; people probably needed an edge to get on.
So it’s been a week of music and partying. From my mum’s special birthday celebrations (and thanks to the many Facebook friends who sent birthday wishes – some who know her, some who don’t) to Jo and Lawrence’s 50 Shades of Silver wedding anniversary party. They made the funniest spoof video of 50 Shades – very, very clever. Hoping that will appear on Facebook today. Jo and I started singing together when I was seven years old; while we clearly missed out on a career in music, it’s now evident that she could be the next big Hollywood star. (Thanks for a fantastic evening J&L!)
Thanks too to David and Dawn for Kerrie’s 30th birthday barbecue last night. I must remember to eat breakfast, chocolate, something, anything next time before Dawn puts one of her own-recipe cocktails in my hand…
So how to close…? Jam or Ms King? Jam or Ms King?? Jam or Ms King??? I really can’t decide.
Okay, so I have quoted Paul several times in previous blogs (but probably Carole too). It’s pouring outside, so I’m going with this: “Looking out on the morning rain, I used to feel so uninspired. And when I knew I had to face another day, Lord, it made me feel so tired. Before the day I met you, life was so unkind, but your love is the key to my peace of mind.” If you’re looking for social media inspiration and the peace of mind that your business can have a more visible presence on-line, call me to find out how I can help you. Or ask me here, as always: @WeekendWitch.
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