I know there are some fans of Mr Hitchcock on this site so thought there will likely be some interest in this – an announcement of his memoir 1967.
Below is lifted from Pitchfork;
n a press release, Hitchcock says, “1967 is the point when I and the world went through the change. It was all just blissful synchronicity as I grew nine inches in 15 months, just as Dylan was electrified and pop groups turned into rock bands. Arguably as much was lost as was gained, but at the same time, you had Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd and others producing music that couldn’t have even been described three years earlier. You had the Beatles wearing suits and ties producing inaudible shows with tiny amplifiers, in many ways playing to the old rules of showbiz, and then suddenly up came Dylan with his thousand-watt PA and Jimi Hendrix with his Marshall stacks, and the whole thing erupted.”
Here is the link
https://www.robynhitchcock.com/1967
It’s also being published by Little Brown Books who always do beautiful editions
I look forward to reading this.
Me too
Me too
ATM Robyn Hitchcock:
I’m a late convert to Mr Hitchcock’s work (though I really liked Underwater Moonlight years ago without realising it was him). The self titled LP has remained on high rotation since it came out though I found Shufflemania less satisfying.
Given his many and varied labels, I haven’t been able to identify those albums regarded as peaks in his catalogue, or find a one-stop best of. My main jams are Youtube videos, particularly I Often dream of Trains, Madonna of of the Wasps, So You Think You’re in Love. Oh, and I really liked Jonathan Demme’s film. Vinyl seems hard to come by.
Any suggestions as to a peak album I can investigate? Is there consensus on what’s considered canon?
Often dream of trains is the one I know the best. Couldn’t find it on record, but I did get a reasonably priced secondhand CD with extra tracks on it a few years ago (eBay, discogs, I forget where).
Jewels For Sophia is my go to every time. I have them all though.
As a long time fan with all this albums and those of the Soft Boys, I’d say investigate Element Of Light as a starting point. If you like Underwater Moonlight it should be right up your street.
The albums he did with the Venus 3 a few years back are also pretty good.
If anyone ever deserved one of those two-CD career overviews, it’s our Rob
Ole Tarantula. Sublime. He was singing that last year live.
You beat me to it, & sublime is spot on, there isn’t a weak track on the whole album.
R. graciously signed my copy a few years back & said he was quietly chuffed at how it’s regarded by those who buy his stuff.
Wonder if the Three Beetleites get a mention.
https://falsememoryfoam.blogspot.com/2023/04/neurotic-boy-outsider-dept-posh-boys.html
Kershaw sessions is a good intro.
A&M era albums with The Egyptians – Perspex island, zGlobe of Frogs and Queen Elvis are all good poppy R.
After that, there’s so much to choose from, it’s hard to make a call
He’s in the UK in a couple of months playing lots of little venues like country churches. I hope he has some merch this time.