Richard Williams reveals “the peak moment of Western civilisation”
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- Опубліковано 9 вер 2024
- This episode’s about the exceptional life and times of pioneering music writer and author Richard Williams, behind him the jacket John Cale sold him for a fiver. Memories include being in a band supporting Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, a Junior Jazz Critic competition (judged by Philip Larkin?), watching John Lennon record with Phil Spector, interviewing Bob Marley in 1973, life at the Melody Maker in the early ‘70s, the full story of the Roxy Music demo and “pulling girls off Charlie Watts at the Albert Hall in Nottingham while dressed in my school uniform”. Richard’s wonderful blog, the Blue Moment, can be found here …
thebluemoment....
/ rwilliams1947
Books by Richard …
www.amazon.co....
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What a lovely interview. A quietly spoken, understated man with a ream of fantastically interesting stories. Even David and Mark seem to defer to Richard as the "senior" man.
A very charming, almost shy man. Lovely discussion
"See that jacket? That belonged to John Cale." Tremendous interview, fascinating stories & insights. Thank you Richard, Mark, and David.
So wonderfully understated. What an interview. Please have Richard back again soon.
Great stuff! 2 singles that I recall having great B sides - "I Knew I'd Want You" on the flip side of the Byrds' "Mr Tambourine Man", and "You're All Around Me" on the flip side of The Walker Brothers' "Love Her". I only found out a few years ago that the latter flip side was co-written with the late Lesley Duncan.
Wonderful to hear that fecund period of the 70s replayed with such warmth!
Excellent stuff - what a lovely, relaxed conversation.
I remember reading Richard's jazz pieces in the Melody Maker way back, which I always enjoyed. He also gave us a nice write up one time which was the first decent feedback we'd had. Great chat by the way.
Lovely man. Great interview. The thing I like about Mark and David is that they let their subjects talk without interrupting.
Fantastic interview and fantastic Richard.
I vividly remember Richard’s article about the Roxy Music rehearsal and enthusiastically bought Virginia Plain immediately on its release. IIRC the cinema was the Granada in Wandsworth Road, only recall as I lived near there as a nipper.
A thing of beauty. Thank you!
Wish he'd been asked why he had to quit school.
Fascinating interview.
Great conversation - humility, integrity, knowledge and excellent stories - and the Blue Moment is a wonderful space to read fantastic writing and music recommendations - thank you
Great again men........ Richard Williams, such an early respected Critic and early memories...Dont talk about, Van Morrison......
Lads, What a fabjoyus interview this was. Drummers in groups with not much kit. Ringo has said when he started playing in different groups at dance hall's on a Friday or Saturday he only took 1/2 his drum kit with him. He alway's had to leave the gig to catch the last bus and he couldn't lug a full drum set home. I think this must have been in the late 50's. Cheers, Chris Perry.
I've been waiting for this one. Happy Sunday!
Just for your information i was an Island Records employee (sales/promotion team) from 1985 to 1993 , so its very interesting to hear of richards early years at Island..
Fantastic. Again.
In all the imaginary interviews I’ve given, in my head since I was 13 in 1989, when asked what the greatest record of all time is I’ve answered “Tracks of My Tears”. Nice to hear someone else give the right answer!
Super stuff. Mark made a good point about CV/look in terms of info to go on for reviews, and I guess interviews too to some extent.
Wonderful.
First class thanks ❤️
Wash board, boiler for the washing and a mangle with wooden rollers to press the excess water out of the washed items before being hung out to dry.
Very understated,but insightful Richard,not even a word about TOGWT…..Perhaps for the next time ?Thanks.
I moved to East Twickenham from Coventry more or less by luck; and what luck! I nearly ran over Pete Townsend on my push-bike in Twickenham near the White Swan pub. Unfortunately Eel Pie Island was no longer a music venue however there is a wonderful documentary about the good old days of the hotel here on UA-cam.
that was a good one, plenty of understatement, Back in 1979 when he was editor of the Melody Maker and I was in Paris Richard asked me to track down Malcolm McLaren who he had heard was making porn movies with under age kids!... it didn't take long before Malcolm and I were drinking beer in a tabac in Les Halles before going out postering... that's only the introduction to the evening....
Why no records behind you why change location?
Maybe David, Like Dylan, Springsteen, Stevie Knicks & the rest, is selling off his catalogue, as is de rigueur!
Have you been kicked out of your attic Dave?
Wearing a school uniform at aged 17?
Nottingham High School c1964 Sixth Form was probably Suit with School tie - no cap required. His move to ,the Nottingham Evening post and early Journistic apprenticeship would have been interesting.