Today’s studio-blog is about Island’s Fallout Shelter and is dedicated to Jess Roden and the invaluable help he has been. This has been my favourite, (of the 54 so far,) to write.
A singer from Kiddy, a band that had a shot and a 13-year overnight success.
by 17 Comments
Crikey, that’s a book in itself.
Thanks. Two sittings. I just so enjoyed the research. I was in touch with Jess when I was there, during the week, sending him photos of the studio and the pub. Nothing’s changed.
Great blog Niall. Mate of mine at college was a big fan so I have a few tapes of his albums. Really great singer – I particularly liked “Big Sally” on the live album. Annoying the live album isn’t on Spotty.
Don’t get me started. I did ask Jess but he has no idea either. The live album is just brilliant.
And thanks, @Twang.
Hadn’t thought about Jess Roden in years.
Classic example of a brilliant artist who bafflingly never
came anywhere near achieving the success his talent merited
Played with his band at Exeter University. Talked about in the bar for the whole of the next week; “Did you see….?” ” Absolutely briliant….” “Fantastic band… amazing vocalist….”.
Lovely memory, Foxy.
Does he still play, Niall?
@retropath2 @fentonsteve @twang @jaygee @Vulpes-Vulpes
No. He sent me a lovely sound file, during the first lockdown, of him singing Tim Buckley’s Dolphins, in his kitchen with an acoustic, asking what I thought. It was so beautiful and I urged him to make it public but, no he doesn’t play live anymore.
When John Cartwright died, a couple of years ago, Jess sent me a lovely bit of video of John playing drums, (his first love, even though he was a brilliant bassist in the JRB.) It was joyous. JC’s death hit Jess hard, as has every death from that band. He sent me a lovely message yesterday, saying that sending me his memories of St. Peter’s Square had meant a week of reminiscing. He then said that what I’d written was just about everything he’d been thinking about, which made me so proud. He has Covid at the mo, so I’ve got everything crossed for him. I’ve never met him but he’s become a lovely friend.
From Jess, yesterday:
WOW! Thank you so much Niall. Having been in touch with you in relation to this, I’ve been reminiscing over this past week and what you have written is absolutely everything that has been going through my head.
I tested positive for C19 on Wednesday so I’m not feeling great at present. You have made me feel whole lot better!!!🙏
Many talented performers are much less sure of themselves than you might think. And many – I’m looking at you, Liam Gallagher – are far too sure of their own abilities.
My very limited experience in A&R is often little more than “That’s good. You should record that one.”
Nerd point: Dolphins is a Fred Neil song. TB’s is the definitive version, though.
Sterling work as per from the Niallster.
Thanks.
Splendid piece of investigative journalism there Niall.
Jess Roden Band was a big favourite of mine in the mid-70s.
I thought that the gig they played at Birmingham Town Hall (side 2 of the live album) was their last ever. But apparently not.
I recall after that gig meeting some people on the bus who had just been to see Bryan Ferry at Birmingham Odeon. They weren’t interested in me and my girlfriend having just seen Jess Roden, and were almost patronising in their belief they had been to the better gig.
There was no point in arguing with them, but I knew they were wrong.
Great memories, @Carl