Yardbirds guitarists

For one band, The Yardbirds,  to throw up three great guitarists is amazing, but the subsequent diversity in output from Messrs Clapton, Beck & Page could not be more marked.   Having dabbled with various rock variations, solo and with Cream and Blind Faith, Clapton is now solidly in a blues groove and doing very nicely, thank you.  Page has really developed along similar lines from his work with the Yardbirds through his work in Led Zeppelin and in subsequent collaborations.  Perhaps Jeff Beck has been the more experimental with his move through heavy rock to a more jazz based approach, often out of the limelight.  If you were to ask me for a favourite track from each, then it would have to be ‘Bell Bottom Blues’ from ‘Layla & other assorted love songs’ for Eric, ‘Kashmir’ from ‘Physical Graffitti’ for Jimmy and ‘Freeway Jam’ from ‘Blow by Blow’ for Jeff. Any thoughts?

Pretty Things returning after 39 years

This Friday sees the return of The Pretty Things to the Isle of Wight, first visit since the IW Festival in 1969.  Of course we have Dick Taylor, lead guitarist, living in Ventnor, so hopefully the turn out will be good for what should prove to be a good gig.  I’m attending with my son, 18, heavy metal fan (well, lots of us have been there…) and we’ve both had the benefit of guitar lessons from Dick in the past.  If you look at youtube there are some great videos of the band, recommended viewing.

Vinyl makes a comeback

A recent trip to Normandy found me in a junkyard; I couldn’t resist buying an old Philips portable record player and now the search is on for decent Lps, 70s being my favourite vintage.  Ok, the player suffers a bit from wow and flutter, guess I’ll replace it if I see something better in a charity shop, but the thrill of handling LP covers again and carefully sliding out the disc again is wonderful!   Stumbled upon a drive sale at the weekend and I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw that the home owner was a local music promoter;  needless to say the LPs on offer were very interesting and at 50p each, half a dozen were added to the collection.  Sitting writing this listening to JJ Cale, having already fingered Joni Mitchell, Jeff Beck and Focus this evening (if you’ll excuse the term).  Oh Heaven!

You’ve heard of the Bestival….

…. well Mrs Wighteye is suggesting an event for large mammaried women …. Breastival……any takers?

Ah memories!

I came across a book about Reading Festival at my local Waterstones, with reviews of the festivals back to the early seventies.  Having attended three or four times in the mid-late seventies I scanned the photos for any sign of myself with long hair, but to no avail.  However, I hugely enjoyed the photos of festival-goers in the noddy, diving around in the pools of mud.  It brought back great times and the memory of my platform shoes losing their heel in the sticky mud!

Listening to Hawkwind’s ‘In Search of Space’.

The man that can do two things at once!

I went along to Little Sicily at WOMAD to see Nathan Flutebox Lee, not knowing what to expect;  when I found out that he played flute at the same time as doing beatbox I was amazed!  Now, I’m someone that’s not really into beatbox, rap etc, but this guy is incredibly talented and was highly entertaining.  He has a humility about him as well, willing to share the stage with members of the audience and encourage others.  Watch .. or listen out for him.

All the world’s a stage….

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a really big festival, this year saw my first visit to Womad at Charlton Park.  I was a little overwhelmed by the size of the evnt, but had a great weekend.  We arrived on the Thursday and were able to see Lee Scratch Perry in the Siam tent, his set was hugely enjoyable; yes, his voice was cracking up a bit at times, but there was a real feel good factor to his music.  The photo catches the atmosphere within the tent rather than what’s happening on stage – we were simply too far away to get any decent shots.

WOMAD here we come!

Well done Little Cat’s Dad, he’s secured us tickets to go to WOMAD this year, a first for either of us.  We’re both interested in world music and up for new musical experiences, so I’m looking forward to a great time.  Now I no longer feel guilty about leaving Mrs Wighteye on her own, for she has the delights of Paul Weller at Osborne House while we are away.  we had our first kiss to Paul Weller (or was it Bryan Adams?) laying in the long grass on the riverbank opposite the Isle of Wight Festival in 2003.  Happy days!

Free Jazz

Great to catch some free Jazz today at an Isle of Wight Jazz Festival fringe event;  Third Man were the trio in question and a write up can be found on the Wighteye blog at http://wighteye.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/isle-of-wight-jazz-festival-fringe/

Third Man are an island band and deserve a wider hearing, they are currently gigging at a variety of island venues.

Listening to Eagle Eye Cherry’s  ’Desireless’ in the car, though plagued by youngest son to play ‘Before these crowded streets’ by the Dave Matthews Band whenever he is present; he plays along on my harmonica!

Shakey live at the Hammy Od

Just returned from London having been privileged to see the legendary Neil Young live at Hammersmith Odeon, or the Apollo as it likes to be called now.  We were treated to a 75 minute solo acoustic set followed by a 90 minute electric set with his band.  Neil has such an extensive back catalogue to draw from, particularly memorable from the acoustic set was ‘Old Man’, Neil was in good humour and there was much calling out from the audience, the atmosphere was highly charged.  Whilst the acoustic set was reflective, Neil really rocked out in the electric set.  For me, highlights were ‘Hey Hey, My My’, ‘Tonight’s the Night’ and a fine ‘Fucking Up’ with a long rabid guitar solo and extended feedback.  This was the final gig of a 51 date continental tour and Neil didn’t look like someone that had relatively recently been at death’s door.  Keep on rockin’ in the free world!