My memory of St Ann’s Court has been challenged! In the late 60s I was working at the music publisher Novello in Soho Square. We also had offices in Wardour Street and the quickest way to get there was via St Ann’s Court which was the filthiest, sleaziest hangout imaginable. The only way to get through without event was to pause, take a deep breath and walk briskly! I’m so glad to have read your post!
That’s such a fantastic (for me at least) memory, thank you so much for sharing it. The alley gets narrower too towsrds Wardour St doesn’t it, so it must’ve made it doubly unpleasant
a big fan of yours since the River Cottage days. And only discovered sub-stack last week. This is an amazing story and so well told. I shared it with a friend who loved it too. loving Spice as well 😁
Thanks Andy, that’s the best thing to hear! For some reason I ended up 3 decades without a turntable but kept most of the vinyl as ‘next year’ was the one I’d get the turntable. Thankfully last year was and it’s such a joy
I realise that yet another comment might verge on the stalking side of things, but, having listened to this playlist from my covid sickbed, I’m a bit in awe, Mark. The wonder that is your bringing together of all these threads of history .. that piano on Life on Mars was the same one as Hey Jude?! And Perfect Day?, And You’re So Vain?!
How fabulous is that. Not a rabbit hole, more a warren of fascinating facts. I’m off to listen to that playlist and to see if I can hear the rude words
So much of our cultural history packed into one small space! Thanks for sharing this, Mark. The history of this studio would make an interesting book as well as a playlist.
I wonder why the BBC chose to commemorate David Bowie rather than any other artist who worked there.
Well thank you thank you. Maybe not just for nerds
My memory of St Ann’s Court has been challenged! In the late 60s I was working at the music publisher Novello in Soho Square. We also had offices in Wardour Street and the quickest way to get there was via St Ann’s Court which was the filthiest, sleaziest hangout imaginable. The only way to get through without event was to pause, take a deep breath and walk briskly! I’m so glad to have read your post!
That’s such a fantastic (for me at least) memory, thank you so much for sharing it. The alley gets narrower too towsrds Wardour St doesn’t it, so it must’ve made it doubly unpleasant
Well that’s my Monday morning playlist sorted - fascinating. Thank you for delving into the story.
My pleasure, and thank you
Same here - isn’t it a fab post?!
Just wonderful
This is actually fascinating. My apologies for only half listening when you were talking about it! x
I’m so much more interesting in not-real life x
Aren't we all
Perfect Monday morning joy. Thank you for this nugget of gorgeousness ☀️ (I’m a bit of an audio nerd).
Thank you Natalie!
Bloody hell that’s all very wonderful isn’t it. And I’m *not* a nerd. Very cool indeed.
Loved this. One of my favourite alleyways, it always felt special, magical. And now I now why.
Thanks Mark, it’s got a peculiar character hasn’t it! Merry Christmas to you
a big fan of yours since the River Cottage days. And only discovered sub-stack last week. This is an amazing story and so well told. I shared it with a friend who loved it too. loving Spice as well 😁
Thanks Simon, I much appreciate it. And so glad you are enjoying Spice
Great story - I've always loved that piano on Perfect Day.
Thanks Maggie. Me too - it’s partly the sound and partly what’s being played and I just can’t help but think that how it sounds inspires great playing
Brilliant, thank you. Wonderful excuse to crack open a beer and get the vinyl out. On a Monday evening too - made my day!
Thanks Andy, that’s the best thing to hear! For some reason I ended up 3 decades without a turntable but kept most of the vinyl as ‘next year’ was the one I’d get the turntable. Thankfully last year was and it’s such a joy
I realise that yet another comment might verge on the stalking side of things, but, having listened to this playlist from my covid sickbed, I’m a bit in awe, Mark. The wonder that is your bringing together of all these threads of history .. that piano on Life on Mars was the same one as Hey Jude?! And Perfect Day?, And You’re So Vain?!
Of course.
It all makes sense.
Amazing. ... magic moments. Thanks Mark
Oh no, sorry about the covid sickbed. I hope you are on the mend. And thank you - please multicomment away!
I just LOVED this . My era my youth and I knew quite of few of the nuggets but not about the piano . Thanks 👌
Thanks Emma. The piano is such a thread through it all isn’t it
How fabulous is that. Not a rabbit hole, more a warren of fascinating facts. I’m off to listen to that playlist and to see if I can hear the rude words
There’s a little ‘oohh’ a couple of seconds before, like he’s dropped something. I need to get out more
That’s exactly the level of detail I like
An update from my friend who found this:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5548832_241-beatles-the-hey-jude-bechstein-grand
So much of our cultural history packed into one small space! Thanks for sharing this, Mark. The history of this studio would make an interesting book as well as a playlist.
I wonder why the BBC chose to commemorate David Bowie rather than any other artist who worked there.