There are a few British artists that I really like that put me in a quandary. I want them to have been more successful, get their just rewards etc on the one hand but then part of me is happy that they remain on the fringes unloved by the masses. Left to please me and a select band of followers around the country who all believe in their God given talents.
For the record I am thinking of the likes of Ian McNabb, Martin Stephenson, Plainsong and Iain Matthews and Stephen Duffy and The Lilac Time.
Someone who can write a song as good as this with a melody to die for surely should have shot to stardom?:-
https://youtu.be/LQ6YqK6P8Ms
SteveT says
Try again. Like this:-
Diddley Farquar says
Should’ve done better…
SteveT says
FFS:-
https://youtu.be/LQ6YqK6P8Ms
Sitheref2409 says
Martyn Joseph.
As heretical as this may sound, RT.
I’m happy with my small stable of bands right now who may go on to be huge, but when they tour here come to nice smaller venues: WWPJ, Frightened Rabbit, Twilight Sad
And Teddy Thompson
Moose the Mooche says
I saw Martin Stephenson a couple years ago at Fruit in Hull, a fantastic tiny venue. If he’d had anything like the success he’s deserved that probably wouldn’t have been possible.
Quandry. Justice versus, er, my personal enjoyment.
Gary says
Although after loving every single track on Boat To Bolivia I bought a few albums (Gladsome Humour & Blue, Salutation Road, Yogi In My House) and found them largely disappointing.
Moose the Mooche says
You should still try and catch him live, as should anyone who has ever liked him at all. Even if he did call Hull “The world’s worst place” on his Lilac Tree album.
He’s right, of course, but steady on old son.
ruff-diamond says
Hull the world’s worst place? Errrrr Nerrrrr!!!!
Sewer Robot says
Maybe the ideal is to be like Edwyn Collins and have one big stonkeroo to give you some financial security while remaining free to do your thang at your chosen pace.
I suppose for someone who has written dozens of songs, “Streets of London” syndrome casts a disagreeable shadow, where you wish people would appreciate your other stuff, but it’s nice to know that the next cheque is coming too..
welshbenny says
Love.
Gary says
I think David Sylvian should really be acknowledged as being the greatest artist of all time in any field ever in the history of everything.
Fin59 says
I think people tend to dismiss him as Bowie lite with a Ferry twist. Something not dissimilar to Numan, Gary.
Although, perhaps not quite as ardent as you in your admiration of him, he is more, I agree. Far more.
Gary says
Here’s what I love about the chappie:
1. Of all the artists whose music I loved as a youth, he’s the only one who continues to produce music that fascinates me.
2. His attitude to music (and stardom and commercial success) I find very admirable.
3. Solo and with others he has produced more ‘perfect’ albums (that I love every track on) than anyone else.
4. He does so many collaborations. SOOOOOOOOO many. I like that.
5. I’m going to get really pretentious-sounding here and say that, while , Gentlemen, Tin Drum, Brilliant Trees, Gone To Earth, Secrets and Dead Bees entertain me spectacularly and Flux & Mutablity sends me to blissful sleep every night, Blemish and Manafon speak to me (strike a chord with me, fascinate me, whatever) on a deeper, more personal level than any other music I’ve ever heard. Ever.
Tiggerlion says
Wow! That’s a serious post, Gary. I’d describe Blemish as a cry of anguish and Manafon as dark and moody. They are very far from a warm, comforting listen!
Gary says
I don’t know why it is they appeal to me so much, Tiggs (@tiggerlion). There’s definitely a lot of pain in Blemish; Amazon reviews talk about how ‘difficult’ they both are as albums. Yet I found them both instantly accessible and they just really drew me in. More the music than the lyrics. It just works for me.
As young Fin (@fin59) points out above, he’s often compared to Bowie and Ferry. But other than being English and having a baritone voice, I don’t think the comparison is particularly valid. I think he’s far more comparable to Tom Waits. They both almost deconstruct what a song can be by using various sounds and noises to provide backing for their voices, instead of what is traditionally considered ‘music’. With both the voice is often the only clue to the melody. (Plus both have used Marc Ribot on guitar). Although I prefer Sylvian’s results (which are undoubtedly more ‘modern’ sounding, with computers and samples as opposed to Waits’ bones and household objects) I see a definite comparison.
Check out ‘Somewhere’ (West Side Story/Blue Valentine) as fed through the mind that created Blemish:
Tiggerlion says
Well, at the very least you have got me listening to Blemish with new ears! Still finding the guitar a bit hard going.
Gary says
May I suggest, listen especially to How Little We Need To Be Happy (on Blemish). Sylvian, on Blemish and Manafon, is very much into improvisation. The guitar on this track is first take improvised (as are the vocals and the lyrics). I love the guitar. It kinda sums up what I love about the album. (Bonkers, pretentious, not for “citizens”,)
Gary says
May I suggest, listen especially to How Little We Need To Be Happy (on Blemish). Sylvian, on Blemish and Manafon, is very much into improvisation. The guitar on this track is first take improvised (as are the vocals and the lyrics). I love the guitar. It kinda sums up what I love about the album. (Bonkers, pretentious, not for normal people).
Gary says
Oops, double post. I couldn’t remember the word (that I loved) from another thread for ‘normal people’. Citizens? civilians? Something like that.
Gary says
Ps. The remix album “The Good Son vs The Only Daughter” is really interesting. Blemish set to more conventional music.
Zanti Misfit says
I can’t agree with the OP about Stephen Duffy. In the grand scheme of things, Duffers has had sporadic success and has held a respectable, critically acclaimed profile throughout his whole career, from his ex Duran Duran, ‘Tin Tin’ days to hitting pay dirt in 2005, co-writing an international best selling album for Robbie Williams.
Oh, poor Stephen, my heart bleeds.
That Me Me Me single was top too. I bet most Afterworders must hate this. Arf.
Zanti Misfit says
Re-read OP.
Oh, we’re talking about being proper famous? I misunderstood.
Soz.
thecheshirecat says
It’s so easy when you’re a folkie, as everyone fits that template.
*Looks forward to front row seats for Lau on Sunday night*
Baron Harkonnen says
It`s too late now to ever change but the late great Jackie Leven comes to mind. I saw him play live over a dozen times but never to more than 100 people at any one time. His recorded work will always be there and it is second to none.
When you think about it Nick Drake only started to achieve recognition 25 years after his passing.
SteveT says
Talking of which I am going to see Michael Weston King sing the songs of Jackie Leven and Townes Van Zandt at the Kitchen Garden Cafe in Birmingham in July. The venue holds maybe 75 to 100 if it is full. There is someone under appreciated singing the songs of two legendary under appreciated artists and frankly can;t wait. Should be a great night. Oh and Michael Cosgrave is accompanying MWK.
Kaisfatdad says
Jackie and Townes? Now there’s an unexpected mixture. Lucky you.sounds very promising.
Peanuts Molloy says
Diesel Park West deserved to be more successful than they are. It’s not too late.
Pessoa says
Kevin Ayers seemed to be someone with the talent, charisma, and good looks to have been a giant of 70s, but it took a rather different course. Maybe he preferred it that way, yet the final interviews ( especially the one in Word) sounded so sad.
Ralph says
Some artists had their taste of fame but still enjoy playing the smaller places even though they don’t need to. Benny Gallagher springs to mind
Nowadays a song being placed in a TV series can provide as good a stream of income as a “hit” single
DogFacedBoy says
Elvis Costello could have been much bigger star in the States if it wasn’t for that drunken bar fight
ruff-diamond says
He seems to have carved himself out quite a comfortable niche over here despite that though…
nogbad says
Yes to the Diesels.
The Bible
Wreckless Eric
Eric Matthews
Michael Head
Sorry I’ve just discovered that I no-one who I really like sells any records.
I’ve tried – really I have I even listened to the new Blur and it’s their best record, but it IS still only Blur.
#weirdo
Fin59 says
On threads like this, I tend to say Foy Vance.
So, I’ll say it again. Foy Vance.
And Love And Money.
And Boo Hewerdine.
Rigid Digit says
Henry Priestman
He’s been in The Yachts, Its Immaterial and The Christians (indeed wrote just about everything they did).
Production duties and/or session keyboard player for Ian MacNabb, Echo & The Bunnymen and The Mighty Wah (and probably anyone else who went into a Liverpool recording studio). Written stuff for BBC, adverts and X Box games.
First solo album came out 30 years after first single with The Yachts, and second arrived 5 years later (2014).
duco01 says
Yes, a good call on Henry Priestman, Mr Digit. Nice choice.
But (pedantry alert!) the band were called “Yachts” , not “The Yachts”.
deramdaze says
David Bowie.
Brilliant run of 45s from ‘Liza Jane’ to ‘Free Festival’ (‘Holy Holy’ if you must) and then…..yikes.
I’ll get me coat.
Tiggerlion says
Is that why you are called deram days?
ruff-diamond says
Anyone remember Ranger?
Black Celebration says
I think the Farmers Boys had a brief period of being on the cusp of success. They just needed one killer song at the right time, I think.
Janice says
I’d agree with many of the above too, but especially Ian McNabb. He has written some amazing songs over the years and whilst it’s mostly Icicle Works songs, if any, that get radio airplay, he has written more as a solo artist. I too find it a real shame that he hasn’t had more success, but I also like being able to see him play a blinder of a gig in a tiny venue with a bunch of real stalwarts.
What I also admire about Ian and others like him is that they keep the faith. Despite dwindling audiences and incomes they keep going,
they keep producing new material, which must take a strong sense of self-belief that I don’t think I would have in their situation.
James Blast says
ver ‘Back
Beany says
Blimey Mr. Blaster. That was rather pleasant (for you). I could have sworn you were going to say the Scottish Band but… *winky face*
I raise with you with The Lemon Trees. I really liked these and went to see them playing live. Formed by Guy Chambers before he went off to co-write Angels and many other hits for Robbie and others.
James Blast says
Good grief Beanz! If you don’t know me by now, you will never ever know me…
Beany says
I’ve got your number MasterBlaster but keep on keeping on. I added the winky face so that others don’t confuse our joshing. Any man who is partial to a dash of John Wetton is a mate o’mine. Just don’t mention the Qango fiasco at the Alamo inferno.
James Blast says
Yeah we don’t want to be accused of a spat, followed by flouncing! 😀