Whatever else it is remembered for, 2016 will be the year when respect and retrospection for whole lives and careers were trampled in the rush to be first to announce that some voodoo curse had claimed another victim
Certainly wasn’t my intention to “be first”. I awoke very early here in France and in a semi-comatose state thought nobody had yet commented on Len’s passing. I was going to say that yesterday for the first time in probably ten years I played Jennifer Warnes’ covers album but I didn’t.
Sorry Mr Wrongness that was not meant as a dig, just an observation that so many first reactions on social media are ‘Another one!’ rather than ‘Oh what a shame he’s died’.
Thanks for reminding me of Famous Blue Raincoat, I’m listening to it now.
My sister works in a charity shop, and last night asked Mr B to pop in at the weekend to look at something that just came in she thinks he’d like. A blue Burberry raincoat.
Just listening to that song, I’m trying to work out what’s going on. Len’s wife has had a fling with his best friend, I think, and he’s writing to tell the friend he’s forgiven and welcome to drop by anytime. But are the couple still together? He says ‘I see Jane’s awake, she sends her regards,’ but also ‘Jane came by with a lock of your hair.’ This has always bothered me for some reason.
Obvious really. Len lives across the road from his ex-wife, a hairdresser, who knows he’s stalking her so taunts him with messages for her former lover, communicated via the medium of flag at four in the morning. Phew.
First version I heard was by Jennifer Warnes. I assumed it was addressed to her husband/lover and that Jane was a friend of hers who had the affair. This may have been an incorrect interpretation.
Leonard admitted the song was confusing, and not quite perfect. I like the mystery myself; it is not quite graspable as a narrative – a bit like real life really.
BTW the line “Did you ever go clear?” is a reference to Scientology. “Going clear” means achieving a higher status in that nefarious cult. Makes the song even harder to understand I know…
Lodestone of Wrongness says
I’m off to do a count of all my friends….
retropath2 says
Or a bucket list of those still standing.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Sorry , I was still to sleepy to recognise there already was a thread going on
chiz says
Whatever else it is remembered for, 2016 will be the year when respect and retrospection for whole lives and careers were trampled in the rush to be first to announce that some voodoo curse had claimed another victim
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Certainly wasn’t my intention to “be first”. I awoke very early here in France and in a semi-comatose state thought nobody had yet commented on Len’s passing. I was going to say that yesterday for the first time in probably ten years I played Jennifer Warnes’ covers album but I didn’t.
Foxnose says
don’t fret – leonard was lovely and if you liked him then you are too.
chiz says
Sorry Mr Wrongness that was not meant as a dig, just an observation that so many first reactions on social media are ‘Another one!’ rather than ‘Oh what a shame he’s died’.
Thanks for reminding me of Famous Blue Raincoat, I’m listening to it now.
minibreakfast says
My sister works in a charity shop, and last night asked Mr B to pop in at the weekend to look at something that just came in she thinks he’d like. A blue Burberry raincoat.
chiz says
Is it notorious in any way?
Just listening to that song, I’m trying to work out what’s going on. Len’s wife has had a fling with his best friend, I think, and he’s writing to tell the friend he’s forgiven and welcome to drop by anytime. But are the couple still together? He says ‘I see Jane’s awake, she sends her regards,’ but also ‘Jane came by with a lock of your hair.’ This has always bothered me for some reason.
minibreakfast says
Not yet it isn’t.
Perhaps Jane lives opposite and Len has a pair of binoculars.
chiz says
And Jane’s learning semaphore
minibreakfast says
Now you can sleep at night.
chiz says
Obvious really. Len lives across the road from his ex-wife, a hairdresser, who knows he’s stalking her so taunts him with messages for her former lover, communicated via the medium of flag at four in the morning. Phew.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Ever tried listening to any other Jennifer records? After the splendour of FBR, now that’s a real challenge!
No offence taken, Chiz. I’ve been wandering about in a bit of a daze all day; Trump then Len, may have to open the bottle early today…
dai says
First version I heard was by Jennifer Warnes. I assumed it was addressed to her husband/lover and that Jane was a friend of hers who had the affair. This may have been an incorrect interpretation.
Artery says
Leonard admitted the song was confusing, and not quite perfect. I like the mystery myself; it is not quite graspable as a narrative – a bit like real life really.
BTW the line “Did you ever go clear?” is a reference to Scientology. “Going clear” means achieving a higher status in that nefarious cult. Makes the song even harder to understand I know…