Country Joe and the Fish Electric Music for the Body and Mind – 537 Essential Albums number 12.

Posted on by Opher

Country Joe & the Fish Electric Music for the Body and Mind – 537 Essential Albums number 12.

537-essential-rock-albums-cover

I wrote this book to attempt to crystallise my thoughts on the best Rock albums of all time. Having lived through it all – from the fifties right through to the present – having see nearly all the major acts live (most in small clubs) – and having run the country’s first History Of Rock Music class and written books on it – I felt that I was in a unique position to express an opinion.

Country Joe and the Fish were one of my favourites. This is an extract from the book.

  1. Country Joe & the Fish – Electric Music for the Body & Mind

I can still remember the first time I heard Country Joe & the Fish – Barry Melton’s unique West Coast Acid guitar sound completely blew my skull off. On top of that was Country Joe McDonald’s smooth crystal clear voice. Mike played it to me in his tiny room and I instantly knew that this was something completely different. It was a toss up between this album and the follow up ‘I feel like I’m fixing to die’. They are both equally brilliant in my ears. I went for this one as it was the first one I had heard and it made such an impression on me. It epitomised San Franciscan Acid Rock with its political edge and super tripped out music that sent your mind soaring.

I was introduced to this by my friend Mike who worked in the same bread factory as me. He was in to the whole West Coast scene and was attempting to grow his hair as long as he could. I remember that he refused to brush it because he was certain that would create split ends and the hair would break off and not get so long. Country Joe and Captain Beefheart were his favourite bands.

The stand out tracks for me were ‘Not so sweet Martha Lorraine,’ ‘Flyin’ High’ and ‘Porpoise mouth’ but I loved it all. The long trippy sound they created on ‘Grace’ and ‘Bass strings’ was so redolent of the times with Barry Melton’s spacey guitar. For a time they were my favourite band.

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9 thoughts on “Country Joe & the Fish Electric Music for the Body and Mind – 537 Essential Albums number 12.”

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Poetry – A Soundtrack

Posted on by Opher

A Soundtrack

 

There’s a soundtrack to my life,

Illustrating my feelings,

Feeding my mind,

Nourishing my spirit.

 

A soundtrack to love.

A background to work.

 

It is the music,

Intertwined with memories,

That gives colour,

Awakens emotions,

Stokes the fires inside,

To bring me fully alive.

 

That soundtrack contains my essence.

 

Opher – 2.1.2020

 

 

As I have grown up music has played a huge role in my development. The lyrics, the poems, the sounds, have entered into me, expanding my vision, intensifying my experience.

Now, when I hear a certain track, it conjures up memories, feelings and thoughts.

Music is inextricably linked to my life and inner being.

Roy Harper – The interview with Music Week.

Posted on by Opher

Roy Harper – The interview with Music Week.

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This is a link to the interview Roy has just done with Music Week.

http://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/interview-roy-harper-talks-reissues-turning-75-and-going-back-on-tour/066082

Nick Harper – The Wilderness Years – Reviews

Posted on by Opher

Thank you to all those who have bought the book and left such great reviews – every one a 5 star!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Two old friends, one take newly told.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2020

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is not just a book, it is a Labour of love. Opher has known Nick for most of Nick’s life. He has a pride in him like a father, or at worst the best of teachers (though he will deny having taught Nick anything.) The book was intended as a companion to three L.P. Collection. It is more than that. Much more. It is the story of a songwriter, musician and maverick. It tells of a man who is committed to two things, his family and his musical integrity. The former should be the first consideration for any person with a family, the latter the method to support and provide for the former. Music is love. I have known Nick since 1984, but not as Opher does. I do not have bragging rights, but I know who he is. Looking back I realise he was enigmatic. I watched him over the years. I saw him to from passenger to team player to engine driver in his musical journey. Biscuits playing from very good to superb and peerless. His songs have taken a simi?at journey. His style has woven down many lanes, albeit closely linked. Through them all you hear Nick’s character.This story was familiar to me, like talking to an old friend. But there was more. The story is bigger than what I knew, the songs more complex, and intellectual.
If you know Nick Harper’s music, this book is essential. If you don’t, this is a guide to some of the most satisfying stuff you will hear this side of Killing Joke, classic 60s and 70s songwriters, modern day guitar wizzkids. A great read in easy style, with delightful interview responses from Nick himself to put flesh and blood to the story. Designed as a companion, but stands up by itself as a great little biography. Not just another chord in your song.

 

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5.0 out of 5 stars A cracking escape into Harperspace

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The Short Review:
Great little book; whether you’re familiar with the music of Nick Harper or not, this is a worthwhile and entertaining read about one of the finest living British musicians and songwriters.
Accessibly written in an engaging style and with numerous direct contributions from Nick (Harpic) Harper himself and some very cool photographs, this book examines Nick’s work and contextualizes it against his life, the Universe and everything he holds important– including remarkable charity work.
Buy it… ideally buy Nick’s three-album retrospective too…and take a journey into Harperspace.

The Longer Review:
As above; but framed against this background…
Nick once corrected me to the effect that “No-one here is a poor-man’s anything…”, when I played support to him and dared suggest that I was simply a low-level copy of another singer-songwriter who bears his surname. Nick was effusive about the true artistic value of original and self-driven artists; I learnt and grew in confidence from that straightforward endorsement at close-quarters.
My experiences of Nick early in his solo gigging career led me to believe that he is an important and often overlooked talent whose fans and followers know as a humourous, thoughtful, exciting and dynamic entertainer whilst remaining a grounded and private individual.
Opher’s fine book takes a deeper look into what it is that constitutes the magic of Nick’s work, and the man himself; a lovely man I’ll readily buy a pint for any time we cross paths.
Anyone who considers themself to be a lover of music will be rewarded through reading this – and enlightened about what it can mean to be genuinely creative and original, too.

 

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man and his Music

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I’ve always enjoyed reading recollections of bands/musicians that I like and this book by Opher Goodwin is a fabulous insight into Nick Harper’s creative process, personal relationship with his work, development of his style and back stories to some of my favourite songs; with anecdotes and touchstones along the way illuminating the man and his music.

Most centred when he’s creating or performing, shutting out the frustrations and intrusions of the world for a while, focused on what he enjoys: that’s the happy place for the best of intrinsic creatives and is born out in his music and his innovation.

I’ve got to know Nick over the years as a fan and a friend, through his albums and his live performances, and by what feels like a process akin to osmosis. This book coalesces all of those and more into one place: I feel I know him even better.

The Man and his Music: inseparable.

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are a fan…You will not be diappointed!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 February 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Really great read…It just flows…I was on page 48 before the need for a brew kicked in…You imagine yourself a fan…But I have learned so much about Nick and his process…As well as Opher…As a writer…He is so good at evoking time and place…As well as Nick’s multi-faceted character! Don’t want to spoil it…By giving too much away…But it is the perfect companion piece…To Nick’s songs and music!

Thank you for something I will re-read…And re-visit! Cheers Opher and Nick!:):):)

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars A lively and fascinating insight to a great musical talent

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Opher Goodwin has provided great insight into the work of Nick Harper, a unique musical talent. Much of the book consists of verbatim quotes from Nick himself, which gives a great feel of authenticity and also makes for quick and easy reading.

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice one Opher.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 February 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Informative, well written and a joy to read. My knowledge of Nick was very limited but after reading Opher’s book I feel that’s been put right. I would recommend this to hardened fans as well as, like myself, recent converts.

 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 February 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great book well written

Nick Harper – The Wilderness Years is available from Amazon or directly from me

Drop a line to Opher Goodwin at opher@hotmail.co.uk

I’ll be happy to sign you a copy.

Nick Harper book – The Wilderness Years available now.

Posted on by Opher

If anybody would like to order the Nick Harper book – The Wilderness years – directly from me, I have some copies in and would be happy to sign them.

Drop me a line on opher@hotmail.co.uk

The book can be ordered from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=nick+harper&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

Nick Harper and Jakko Jakszyk perform Radio Silence

Posted on by Opher

A beautiful version of a brilliant song – two brilliant musicians.

The Blues Muse – Belfast – Stiff Little Fingers – Rebellion

Posted on by Opher

The Blues Muse – Belfast – Stiff Little Fingers – Rebellion

The Blues Muse works his way through Punk in Ireland with rebellion and the troubles.

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Belfast

If ever Punk had been invented for a reason then Ireland was surely it. The ‘Troubles’ had been rumbling on since the turn of the century, had their roots back with Cromwell and even before with William of Orange and then way back to 1609 with the imposition of Protestant Scots into Ireland. In the seventies it had reached the height with bombings, knee-cappings, killings and an insurmountable war waged between the IRA, who wanted a united Ireland under Irish rule, and the British government who wanted British rule for Ulster and the protestant North. As an outsider I looked at it with amazement. It seemed incredible to me that Ireland was suffering such sectarian violence when the people were always so nice and friendly. But then I wasn’t Irish.

I walked through Belfast and it was scary with its barbed wire, bricked off roads, brutal grey despair only brightened by political slogans and defiant gaudy murals celebrating victories, hunger strikes and militia. It looked and felt like a war-zone.

But this was the environment that the kids had grown up in. Segregated, threatened, strip-searched, frisked and with the constant threat of violence and death from all sides.

It was fertile soil for a Punk Band and Ireland had a rich musical history. The wonder is that only two bands really emerged. While the Undertones were good and produced that brilliant ‘Teenage Kicks’ which was one of John Peel’s favourites, they never really dealt with the politics. They left that up to the other of Peelies favourites – Stiff Little Fingers.

I could only imagine the bravery of those young lads as they bellowed their fury at both sides and hit out at the stupid violence, repression and threats that they were subjected to. They made no distinction. Nobody has put it better.

It took guts to stand up to the IRA and tell them they had a suspect device, to harangue the British Army for their disrespect and disdain and to ignore the very real threats and warnings. They literally took their life in their hands for their music and held out for a vision of a better future.

Where the Sex Pistols talked of ‘No Future’ they sang about an ‘Alternative Ulster’. Instead of joining in with the politics of separation and hatred they sang about ‘Barbed Wire Love’ and hit out at racism in ‘White Noise’. This was my kind of music. It hit the heart, head and glands. It had substance, balls and quality. Punk didn’t come much better.

I watched them play in Belfast. They had ignored threats from the IRA, talk of a bust by the Brits and carried on through a bomb threat. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. They were young kids but they played their hearts out and Jake’s voice was hoarse and in ribbons by the end, the young kids in the hall packed it out and threw themselves around with gusto. Stiff Little Fingers were putting all their frustrations and anger into words and power chords. Nobody did it better.

This was what Rock music had always been about – rebellion!

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If you would like to purchase The Blues Muse, or any of my other books please follow the links:

In the UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Opher-Goodwin/e/B00MSHUX6Y/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1479943367&sr=1-2-ent

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blues-Muse-Opher-Goodwin/dp/1518621147/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479943367&sr=1-1&keywords=opher+goodwin

In the US:

https://www.amazon.com/Opher-Goodwin/e/B00MSHUX6Y/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1479943510&sr=1-2-ent

https://www.amazon.com/Blues-Muse-Opher-Goodwin-ebook/dp/B01HDQEMQ6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479943567&sr=1-1&keywords=opher+goodwin+blues+muse

https://www.amazon.com/Blues-Muse-Opher-Goodwin/dp/1518621147/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479943578&sr=1-2&keywords=opher+goodwin+blues+muse

For all other countries please check out your local Amazon outlet.

Same Shoes – Roy Harper lyrics – A song about James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Cuba!

Posted on by Opher

A deep song!

Nick Harper – The Wilderness Years – now available digitally on Kindle!

Posted on by Opher

Nick Harper – The Wilderness Years – now available digitally on Kindle!

For those who prefer to read or look at the photos in a digital format – or simply can’t wait for the postman to deliver.

In the UK:

In the USA:

In Canada :

In India:

 

Richie Havens – The Klan – lyrics about the terrorism of the Klu Klux Klan.

Posted on by Opher

Richie Havens – The Klan – lyrics about the terrorism of the Klu Klux Klan.

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In this day and age it is easy to think of terrorism as something perpetrated by religious fanatics, brainwashed and packed off with their bombs to blow up innocent people in trains, planes, mosques and buses. That is not always the case.

The Ku Klux Klan were a terrorist organisation with the sole intent of maintaining White Supremacy by instigating terror in the Southern Black population.

They used hoods, burning crosses, pseudo-Christian rhetoric and gibberish and weren’t above threats, beatings, shootings, arson and lynching to make a point. They ruled through terror.

It took a brave man to stand up to the Klan. Their reach was long, forgiveness none and retribution vicious.

Where evil lives it is up to all good people to stand up and oppose it!

The Klan

The countryside was cold and still
There were three crosses upon the hill
Each one wore a burning hood
To hide its rotten heart of wood

And I cried
Father I hear the iron sound
Hoofbeats on the frozen ground

Down from the hills the riders came
Lord, it was a crying shame
To see the blood upon their whips
And hear the snarling of their lips

And I cried
Mother I feel a stabbing pain
Blood flows down like a summer rain

Each one wore a mask of white
To hide his cruel face from sight
and each one sucked a hungery breath
Out of the empty lungs of death

And I cried
Sister raise my bloody head
It’s so lonesome to be dead

He who rides with the Klan
He is a devil and not a man
For underneath that white disguise
I have looked into his eyes

Brother, stand with me
it’s not easy to be free