Artwork by Peter Blake - yes him of the Sgt Pepper cover The Blockheads come to sunny Southend this Saturday, heading up a bill that features Camera Obscura and Billy Bragg's Big Busk (I'll be taking my Martin DX1 along for that. Although live music is just one segement of an all day arts festival known as Village Green, taking place in Chalkwell Park - literally a five minute walk from home.
Last time I saw The Blockheads dear ol' Ian Dury was still out front and on his final visit to Southend during the Mr Love Pants tour. For all their punk/pub rock roots and associations the Blockheads are really proto Acid Jazzers (fatback drums, squealy synths, soaraway solos and finger-blistering basslines) twinning the free form flow of Jazz Funk with the sweaty energy of Punk, and able to switch between either without missing a beat. They are simply the finest set of sizzling of musicians you'll ever see live. So if you're round and about Southend way this Saturday why not pop along - the full programme of events is available here.
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Wake Up And Make Love With Me
Ian Dury and the Blockheads Dance Little Rude Boy
And you can grab Macca's Blockbusting version of I'm Partial To Your Abracadabra right here..
Have a peep at Norman Roy-Watt's incredibly heady bassline for Rythm Stick - stunning stuff.
20 comments:
Crikey that looks like a good day out and it's going to be sunny too. I'm nipping over to this massive record fair at Olympia, hoping to unearth some crucial vinyl. Bouncin' to that Blockheads bass, oh yeah.
Love a record fair - Have you got your list ready? Piley and I used to go a local Sunday morning one with raging hangovers. I think the last thing I bought was Prince's Black Album..
Village Green should be a scorcher - although I'm hoping The Blockheads leave Plaistow Patricia off the set list as I'm taking the Mini-Mondos along
PS - Mrs M was at the red carpet launch last night hob-nobbing with Jarvis Cocker while I'm at home doing nit-checks!
Ah, the Blockheads - always good stuff.
As you know, I'm not a big fan of ye olde music festival, but if it's only 5 minutes away AND has the Blockheads headling, you can't really go wrong can you? Camera Obscura should be good too.
Sounds like you are going to have a great time. Have lots of fun.
I had never heard of them before. I like what I'm hearing here. Cool clips.
Enjoy the weekend. Cheers!
We're all blockheads!
Have a good un!
I'm not one for festivals and outdoor sprawls either Cocktails, but this is more of a one day event - it even wraps up at 10. Smashing!
Sipping, strumming and shaking a leg are all on the menu this weekend keith - have tear-up yourself.
Have you tried the Blockheads last album Ten More Turnips from the Tip Simon? It's a belter.
Blockheads are very new to me Mondo, and I love 'Dance Little Rude Boy'! Also, your weekend sounds amazingly fun. You're going to go see one of my all-time-faves, Camera Obscura! Hope they play 'Razzle Dazzle Rose' for you... :)
Oh that is magic Gabbi - I don't know as much CO as I should (read:any)they're headlining tomorrow. And at sunset - I may some take some pics for you..
Ian Dury - what a classic guy - and I remeber when "Hit me with your.." was top of the pops! A very good era for music as I recall!! This looks like an awesome event - I'm sure you'll have a ball!
Well that was a blast. i haven't seen the Blockheads for 25 years and they were almost as good as they were back in the day. Only Ian being there would have made it perfect.
Jupitus on vocals gave it the edge as he really knows what to do with a crowd. Norman bassed us into submission with some wicked licks.
Blinding day all round with Bragg's Busk In going down a storm too.
What a day!! a beauty and a belter Sam - they did all the hits Reasons to Be Cheerful, What a Waste, Sex and Drugs and Sausage Rolls
Magic wasn't it Marmite - a fab, fab day The Blockheads were a knockout Billy Bragg was fantastic and how about singing A13 right next to the A13 - apparently they showed Yellow Submarine in the next field to close the event - and would you believe one of the film's animators was playing in the tee-pee tent
was a great day, really enjoyed it. The Blockheads were a blast, and I can't help but feel they would have made a better headliner, as they really had the crowd in the palm of their hands. I didn't fimd Camera Obscura all that interesting i'm afraid. I'm sure they are very good and talented, but it all sounded rather samey to my untrained ear. Each to their own.
See you there next year!
P
Yeah Blockheads really should have headlined - can you imagine a few scoops later with all the buzz - they'd have taken the roof off if there was one - PS have a peep at this clip P - you'll spot me and the missus at 00:40
Ha! You're not singing!
I'm concentrating on me chords maan! (the guitar's out of shot) Mrs M (blonde hair)is doing the singing and dancing for both of us
Hey Mondo! Follow up comment... :) How was the festival? Did you love love my band 'Camera'??
But how did the nit checking go??? I'm feeling itchy already
x
All clear Ally - huzzah. And I used a proper nit-comb on the mini-mondos and everything.
Thought it was a great day. Shame about the PA during the Blockheads set though. Definitely stepped up a gear when Phil Jupitus came on and joined them I thought. First time I've seen Billy Bragg and was well impressed. Looking forward to next year.
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