The death has been announced of Peter Skellern.
His album Astaire is a gem; warm, gentle and charming. Here’s his performance of The Way You Look Tonight.
Peter Skellern RIP
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Musings on the byways of popular culture
Always loved this
Lovely record, almost funky, in a very restrained, English way…
Sorry to be so obvious, but this is just a gorgeous record – brass, choir, lead vocal. One of the great debut singles.
It is. I am sad to hear this news.
I had a thought which I expressed here a while ago that You’re a Lady must have been seen and enjoyed by Neil Tennant as it sounds so much like a slow PSB song.
This is one of those records that I like to listen to but wouldn’t tell anyone because they might not understand. I too like the lushness of the arrangement and the song itself – musically it’s beautifully constructed. The move to the 9th chord in the verse is gorgeous (at 0:40).
Found this today, via the Guardian obituary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2eDuGBalAY
He became a priest. Who knew?
Always loved Astaire – it was the soundtrack to my kids’ early lives. The combination of his warm, gentle voice and the Grimethorpes was genius.
At age 12, it was one of the first albums I bought with my own money. Rock’n roll! 😀
Whereas I, a little older at 15 or 16, borrowed it from the library and taped it. Killing music, etc. Can’t have heard it for around 25 years or more and was enjoying it until the choir joined in.
One of my favourite songs though and I always thought he sang on one of my favourite albums, the Blade Runner Soundtrack, but on checking I find he only wrote the lyrics to One More Kiss, Dear, whilst it was sung by Don Percival. I’m a little disappointed by that, I don’t know why!
My copy of Astaire is here in front of me. Top Hat has a middle ten instead of a middle eight. Who knew? Peter Skellern did, and celebrated it. Overlooked, but not under appreciated by anyone with decent lugs. Top quality, proper musician. RIP indeed.
Anyone remember Oasis? I recall getting their only album from the record library. Quaint restraint.
Much better than their later stuff when they went electric…….. As ever the spoiler was Hopkin’s warbly voice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(Oasis_album)
I do remember that record. Some of them (by that I mean Tristram, the mop-topped tympani player) were in Sky, the Tocatta hit makers.
The same Tristram from George and Mildred?
Or Rumpole Of The Bailey?
I think he was also a vet.
All laughter aside, I have just looked him up properly and he is Tristan – apologies. Played timpani on A Day in the Life!
Puts me in mind of a future thread: shit names in pop.
Here they are, with Julian LW, the brother of the accursed Cats Hitmaker on cello and the really famous Herbie Flowers on bass.
At the time Mary Hopkin was married to Tony Visconti, The Dame’s BFF and producer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KewzkwA6k1M
I know someone who played with him in the 70s and, having worked with dozens of bands and artists from many points in the pop’n’roll universe, said PS was the nicest guy he’s ever worked with.
Was it Peter Skellern who seemed to be constantly on Pebble Mill at One in the late 70s/early 80s?
“Your A Lady” was one of those rare pop songs that your parents actually liked as well.
Yes, but none of your friends did.