Roy Harper
Nick Harper
John Lennon
Leon Rosselson
Tom Robinson
Kirsty McColl
Christy Moore
PJ Harvey
James Varda
Billy Bragg
Bert Jansch
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Ian Dury
Ray Davies
Robin Williams
Pete Townsend
Mike Heron
Jack Bruce
Pete Brown
Elvis Costello
Wreckless Eric
Mark E Smith
Jon King
David Gray
George Harrison
Johnny Rotten
Joe Strummer
John Cooper Clarke
Dave Gilmour
Jake Bugg
Peter Green
Syd Barrett
Nick Drake
Dave Mason
Stevie Winwood
Davey Graham
Duster Bennett
Donovan
Mick Jagger
Keith Richards
Hugh Cornwall
John Renbourn
Wilko Johnson
Paul Weller
Pete Shelley
Roger Waters
Richard Thompson
Shane McGowan
Jake Burns
Van Morrison
I am presently working on a book with Nick. We aim to put it out as a companion to a three album vinyl ‘Best of’ set that should be out early next year.
I have now completed a first draft of the book and am looking for some more photos to add. If you have a couple of nice photos and would like to see them featured in the book please contact me through the blog.
Cheers – Opher
Back in the days of yore when magic abounded in the land, when all was shrouded in the mists of ageless mystery and the world yearned for a saviour, a Jedi of mythical potential stepped forth.
‘What the hell am I doing here?’
He proclaimed, blinking in the bright lights.
There in the fantasy swirling fogs of befuddlement on the Costa del Humber the lone knight strode forth with knees slightly tremulous and girded the fabled dispeller of silence to his chest.
In voice clear and fragile he further bewildered a huge mob who had assembled to ask why with his bending, flickering fingers, vocal pronunciations and assemblage of phonetics.
A roar went up for on that knight, despite lack of manger, a new hope was sprung forth to save us from the gloom of corporate control.
Our reluctant hero had suffered his first exposure to the harsh world outside and taken the first teetering steps of a long journey in search of a grail that was ever found. Every journey begins with a first step, it was always thus, and this was it.
Many a poor fool lays abed at night chastising themselves for missing such adventure. They hold their manhood, or womanhood, cheap and cry lackaday, for they were not there then, neither can they recreate the magic of such an incarnation, for the egg only hatches once.
Yet of those stout fellows who assembled on that battlefield of yore, a handful still live to tell the tale, a tale that grows ever longer in the telling and is adorned and embellished with yet more wondrous acts of valour and endeavour.
And on this morrow they once more assembled to pay homage and were captured in Merlin’s pixels for all time. These are but a handful of the many who exulted on that memorial day. Yet they are strong, firm and resolute (If a little greyer and more wrinkly) and hold forth for many a battle more.
The Jedi still stands tall and mighty and dispenses spells to audiences. His troupe still breathe the firmament and stride in his wake to guide the beast that is termed train, strain the melody and deign to gather the phrases.
Who knows what the future holds for they too are shrouded in mystery.
In brief – the picture is Opher, Tim, Nick and Karl. We were there at that first gig in Hull. Eddy and Rich were also here but eluded us for the photo. Not to worry.
For wondrous are the ways of the world and there are many worms still to vanquish, beasts to battle and epic odysseys to be carried on. Without such embattlement the forces of evil will swamp us all and steal our souls.
I leave you with a call to arms – rise up all who can still dream and slay the beast that is mammon (metaphorically) so that we may have life unfettered and a world to live it in!!
Rich & Lou
Nick is the most extraordinary guitarist and songwriter and should be the biggest thing around. unfortunately he is yet appreciated on that scale. But then, that can only be to our benefit. We are able to appreciate his brilliance in small intimate clubs like the Back Room in Cottingham.
The gig sold out well in advance and they were turning people away from the door! That’s always sad. My only consolation for all those people who didn’t get in is that Nick has promised to come back and do another gig in the same venue soon!
The night did not go without hitches – Nick’s guitar developed a fault prior to going on and had to have emergency repairs. It took out some of the driving bass sounds but that irritated Nick more than it did the audience. It did nothing to stop people being mesmerised by the brilliance of his unparalleled skills. Paul, who runs the place, and is no mean guitarist and performer, was heard to say ‘How the hell does he do that?’
Nick never ceases to amaze me. I have seen him perform for twenty years now and he continues to grow and become better and better. It is hard to believe how. His voice, with that high range is phenomenal, the guitar and range of skills is beyond anyone else I’ve seen and the song-writing goes ever on.
It’s always a privilege to catch him live.
Thanks to Rich and Lou for the organisation. Nobody knows how much time and effort goes in to putting on an event like this – from the bookings, liaison, posters, tickets, sales, promotion, and general organisation. Who’d be a promoter? But then if nobody did it we’d never get to see the performers and live music would die. Thanks Rich & Lou. You made it possible!
It was also nice to see so many old and new friends turning out to support live music and catch a close-up of the wonderful Nick in action. Together at the gig were a number from Nick’s first ever gig (his first gig ever!) in Hull back twenty years ago – Liz, Rich, Tim, Carl, Eddy and Me!
Great also to see Dexter, Ian & Liz, Chris Barratt (who came in response to my blog – hope you enjoyed it and it was worthwhile!), Mike & Sue, John and Doreen.
There’s never time to talk and catch up at gigs but it is always nice to exchange a few words and smiles.
Thanks to Paul for the great venue and nice beer!
Thanks to Richard for the great support act! Great guitar and humour.
The photos are not brilliant as the lighting was not too conducive. There are a couple that Rich processed that are great though. Thanks Rich.
It was also great finally getting to meet the legendary Paula McBear who came all the way from Edinburgh but is neither Scottish nor ursine! Paula does a great job keeping everyone up to speed and was delightful!
It is good to spend the evening boggling at genius in action and feasting the eyes and ears! I’m already looking forward to the next one!
Thanks Nick – I loved it!
Lastly – a reminder that Rich & Lou’s acoustic Loudhailer events take place at the Back Room every first Thursday of the month! Nice friendly vibe, great music and company. Well worth a visit! Here’s the link:
Friday 13th March – a week today!! The fabulous Nick Harper will pluck, twang, bend and trill. It will, as usual be a marvel for all to behold!!
Be there or be square!
Men abed will hold their manhood cheap if they were to miss this breach!!
What sound from yonder Back Room breaks? Tis evening and tis Nick!!!
The venue is tiny! The atmosphere will be amazing! The tickets are few and will be lijke gold dust.
I can’t wait!!!
A life is made up of a long necklace of moments. The art of it is to make every one of those beads as perfect as we can make them, to appreciate them fully and live them to the full. Even the worst of days are precious, the mundane boredom, the pain, the grief are all life.
We have this one life and all its moments are magic.
James has produced poetry and music that does justice to those moments. Chance and Time lays out the preciousness of life and love in stark relief to the prospect of its limits.
The album is in itself a gift. We should make of it what we can for life is fleeting.
May This Moment Ever Glow
A bright moon in a May sky
And the air hung with lilac
From a chimney pot
A blackbird sings
The last song of twilight
Though the air will colder grow
And frost will glaze the garden hoe
And one day it will snow
May this moment ever glow
A summer wood reveals the truth
No beginning, no end, only change
From the treetop
A white admiral glides
To the light on the floor of the glade
Though the cold north wind will blow
And one by one the beach huts go
And one day it will snow
May this moment ever glow
Some days, are full of light
Some days, are hard to bear
Most days, are somewhere, in between
Take them all as gifts
Make of them what you can
A sparrow hit the window pane
Dropped to the ground without a sound
Cupped in your hands
With your sweet breath
It flickered, it fluttered and it flew
Though shadows soon will be cast low
And August seem a long time ago
And one day it will snow
May this moment ever glow
James Varda erupted into oblivion in around 1988 and has largely been unheard of ever since, which is utterly bemusing. I first saw him as the support for Roy Harper, who was impressed enough with the angry young man to offer him a rare opportunity opening the show, and liked him from the first verse. He stood awkwardly and played his guitar with his head on one side looking shy. But his songs gave the lie to that. They were powerful and full of poetic imagery and passion. The songs rang and there was a hint of Dylan’s snarling tongue. His black clothes and attitude were redolent of that early polka-dot shirt and angry stance. He spat the words out. You don’t normally pay too much attention to the support act but James was riveting. He was tall, wiry with skin tight trousers and pointy shoes like an angry James Dean. Off-stage he was delightful, intelligent and interesting.
His first album Hunger confirmed the stature. Andy Ware at Awareness Records had done a good job transferring the stage power of those songs onto vinyl. There was strength to them. I revelled in it right from the start.
James promoted the album with numerous gigs and radio appearances. He was getting great reviews and media interest and was causing a bit of a stir. Yet despite all the recognition and accolades the album reputedly only sold five hundred copies leaving James at little disillusioned and consumed by self-doubt.
During the recording of his second album Awareness Records went bust. Andy offered the tapes to James who threw them away in a fit of picque and gave up.
James decided to call it a day. He dropped out of the business.
James resurfaced years later with the release of a couple of delightful albums. The style had changed. He was less aggressive and more wistful but the talent had not changed. They weren’t quite the force of his debut but their soft, melodic style was appealing.
The tour de force was the last album. James had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and it prompted him to pour out all his considerable artistic and emotional energy into one last cathartic gem.
It’s all there. Chance and Time is a masterpiece of poignant intensity that soars through the majesty of life. A suitable legacy if ever there was one. There was never been anything quite like it.
James has not yet been recognised as the major talent he is; but he will be.
