I don’t know if Boo Hewerdine still lives in Cambridge, but he used to drink in my local, The Empress. Fentonsteve probably knows it. My mate Richard was a huge Bible fan, and would gush at Boo every time he saw him. But the only time I saw him on stage was accompanying Clive Gregson at the Junction.
He’s lived in Littleport for a few years now, having moved out of Cambridge to Ely about 15 years ago. At this rate, he’ll end up Oop North in King’s Lynn.
I too was at the Hewerdine/Gregson gig at the Junction. That was a magic night – probably the moment I realised my pal was a living genius. He still can’t wire a plug, though.
He still collects everything he has a credit on. His basement/demo studio used to include a shrine called The Shelf (one of those grey metal racks you might have in a shed). Argentinian promo 7″ single of Mahalia? Boo’s got it.
Now that everyone and their dog covers his songs, and he’s busy as a session player and producer, it is extended by several large packing crates.
From the gig Uncle Wheaty posted above (sponsored by McEwans lager & broadcast on late-night ITV, here’s The Bible doing Steve Earle’s ‘Even when I’m Blue’:
Two faves which don’t seem to be online are B-side Bubblehead and 1993 comeback EP track Mosquito – there was a promo video made for lead track Dreamlife, but that’s not on the ‘tube either.
This is my favourite BH track (in fact it’s one of my favourite tracks ever), written with the late Laurie Freelove. It’s not available on Spotify or YouTube but should be available on the NHS. It’s wonderful.
I see it’s now on Soundcloud thanks to StevoMusicMan. Is that you @fentonsteve?
Foxy: it’s on the expanded version of Boo’s first solo album, Ignorance, which is available direct from him for £8 via the store on his website. Recommended.
Peanuts: Boo’s co-written a lot with Duke Special, but not that tune.
Good, wholesome and worthy is how I categorise Mr Hewardine, with or without his Bible. Like a healthy breakfast. And thus a bit dull. Don’t get me wrong, I like its pleasantness and admire the construction, but having seen him live a few times, I am always gladder when he is playing alongside someone a bit livelier. Lawks, he makes the otherwise insufferable Eddi Reader, a wonderful singer, an annoying performer, bearable in a live context.
Spurred on by its appearance on emusic I gave Eureka a couple of spins and while the singles are outstanding over a whole album I have to agree with @retropath2. Five marvellous singles (Mahalia/Crystal Palace/Honey Be Good/Graceland/Skywriting) but after that some falling off. Sorry as he’s clearly a very nice person. Can’t answer to his solo stuff.
I saw him at Manchester Uni twice with Gary Clark. The first time he was playing solo and me and my then girlfriend had no idea who he was, but when he played a Bible track we thought it was a great choice of a cover version. When he later played another we thought he was pushing it doing two covers of the same band, although he was doing them as well as the band did them and sounded like the singer from the band too. It was only after another track by the Bible that it dawned on us he could possibly actually be the bloke from The Bible!
On a similar theme, me and said girlfriend were in a pub in Barnsley and there was a band on. A few tracks in they played a Jam song my girfriend recognised. After a couple of further songs from The Jam that my girlfriend recognised she declared them a rip off of The Jam. It’s only then I pointed out to her that they were, in fact, a Jam tribute band and wondered why their name of Eton Rifles, along with the big ‘mod’ logo on the drum hadn’t given that away!
The UK’s answer to Steely Dan if you believe some of the early press coverage.
I never fail to be uplifted by the incidence of a Boo Hewerdine song (or as we know him in our house, Eight o’clock Hewerdine). We probably have fewer unsigned versions of his albums than autographed ones. He sang also backing vocals on one of our songs once. Yeah, you could say I’m a fan…
This is one of my favourites of theirs, a strong cover version, It has a nice arrangement and a good vocal by Boo, plus the sax is great.
The Bible ‘Abraham, Martin & John’
Uncle Wheaty says
Uncle Wheaty says
Uncle Wheaty says
Full concert from their peak here.
Enjoy!
Billybob Dylan says
I don’t know if Boo Hewerdine still lives in Cambridge, but he used to drink in my local, The Empress. Fentonsteve probably knows it. My mate Richard was a huge Bible fan, and would gush at Boo every time he saw him. But the only time I saw him on stage was accompanying Clive Gregson at the Junction.
fentonsteve says
He’s lived in Littleport for a few years now, having moved out of Cambridge to Ely about 15 years ago. At this rate, he’ll end up Oop North in King’s Lynn.
I too was at the Hewerdine/Gregson gig at the Junction. That was a magic night – probably the moment I realised my pal was a living genius. He still can’t wire a plug, though.
Lemonhope says
Boo bought one of his own albums from me on eBay recently. It was a very surreal experience
Moose the Mooche says
It wasn’t called “Fly Fishing” by any chance?
Lemonhope says
That made me spit out my Rum n juice
fentonsteve says
He still collects everything he has a credit on. His basement/demo studio used to include a shrine called The Shelf (one of those grey metal racks you might have in a shed). Argentinian promo 7″ single of Mahalia? Boo’s got it.
Now that everyone and their dog covers his songs, and he’s busy as a session player and producer, it is extended by several large packing crates.
Sitheref2409 says
I love his wonderfully named “…my name in brackets” greatest hits.
fentonsteve says
From the gig Uncle Wheaty posted above (sponsored by McEwans lager & broadcast on late-night ITV, here’s The Bible doing Steve Earle’s ‘Even when I’m Blue’:
fentonsteve says
Two faves which don’t seem to be online are B-side Bubblehead and 1993 comeback EP track Mosquito – there was a promo video made for lead track Dreamlife, but that’s not on the ‘tube either.
Peanuts Molloy says
This is my favourite BH track (in fact it’s one of my favourite tracks ever), written with the late Laurie Freelove. It’s not available on Spotify or YouTube but should be available on the NHS. It’s wonderful.
I see it’s now on Soundcloud thanks to StevoMusicMan. Is that you @fentonsteve?
fentonsteve says
Not me, but I think I might know who it is.
Vulpes Vulpes says
That’s gorgeous – where is it from, I’m keen to invest?
Peanuts Molloy says
Hi @vulpes-vulpes As far as I’m aware it’s only available on this four track CD from 1992. Amazingly it’s not on his “Best Of”.
It’s easy to buy though: https://www.discogs.com/sell/list?master_id=448670&ev=mb
Interestingly (to me, anyway), whenever I play it, which is often, it reminds me of this, which I invariably play next:
fentonsteve says
Foxy: it’s on the expanded version of Boo’s first solo album, Ignorance, which is available direct from him for £8 via the store on his website. Recommended.
Peanuts: Boo’s co-written a lot with Duke Special, but not that tune.
Peanuts Molloy says
Thanks for this @fentonsteve (@vulpes-vulpes)
I’ve just ordered Ignorance plus a copy of The Bible’s Dodo CD, also for £8 despite being £49.99 on Amazon!
I also see he’s playing a gig at a little used venue in Leicester soon. I will be there (if I can find how to buy tickets).
Vulpes Vulpes says
Top tip @fentonsteve!
I’ve just done exactly what @peanuts-molloy did.
I’d baulked at the stupid second hand asking price for Dodo too, but Boo is selling signed copies for £8. Result.
retropath2 says
Good, wholesome and worthy is how I categorise Mr Hewardine, with or without his Bible. Like a healthy breakfast. And thus a bit dull. Don’t get me wrong, I like its pleasantness and admire the construction, but having seen him live a few times, I am always gladder when he is playing alongside someone a bit livelier. Lawks, he makes the otherwise insufferable Eddi Reader, a wonderful singer, an annoying performer, bearable in a live context.
fentonsteve says
Good, wholesome, worthy and a bit dull probably sums me up, too. Perhaps that’s why we get on so well.
moseleymoles says
Spurred on by its appearance on emusic I gave Eureka a couple of spins and while the singles are outstanding over a whole album I have to agree with @retropath2. Five marvellous singles (Mahalia/Crystal Palace/Honey Be Good/Graceland/Skywriting) but after that some falling off. Sorry as he’s clearly a very nice person. Can’t answer to his solo stuff.
Peanuts Molloy says
I’m guessing you won’t be at The Hub at St Mary’s next month then @retropath2 – I’m not sure how lively Heidi Talbot is!
retropath2 says
@peanuts-molloy : Heidi is good, actually. Or her last album was: https://atthebarrier.com/2022/05/24/heidi-talbot-sing-it-for-a-lifetime-album-review/amp/
fentonsteve says
Another vote for Heidi Talbot. She probably won’t remember me, but do say hello.
Paul Wad says
I saw him at Manchester Uni twice with Gary Clark. The first time he was playing solo and me and my then girlfriend had no idea who he was, but when he played a Bible track we thought it was a great choice of a cover version. When he later played another we thought he was pushing it doing two covers of the same band, although he was doing them as well as the band did them and sounded like the singer from the band too. It was only after another track by the Bible that it dawned on us he could possibly actually be the bloke from The Bible!
On a similar theme, me and said girlfriend were in a pub in Barnsley and there was a band on. A few tracks in they played a Jam song my girfriend recognised. After a couple of further songs from The Jam that my girlfriend recognised she declared them a rip off of The Jam. It’s only then I pointed out to her that they were, in fact, a Jam tribute band and wondered why their name of Eton Rifles, along with the big ‘mod’ logo on the drum hadn’t given that away!
Skirky says
The UK’s answer to Steely Dan if you believe some of the early press coverage.
I never fail to be uplifted by the incidence of a Boo Hewerdine song (or as we know him in our house, Eight o’clock Hewerdine). We probably have fewer unsigned versions of his albums than autographed ones. He sang also backing vocals on one of our songs once. Yeah, you could say I’m a fan…
Lemonhope says
This is one of my favourites of theirs, a strong cover version, It has a nice arrangement and a good vocal by Boo, plus the sax is great.
The Bible ‘Abraham, Martin & John’