Something for the Weekend 2
The depth of my suggestible, distractible brain - easily caught in wormholes, chains of light connectivity and tipping dominoes of interrelationships - has been brought home to me once again these last few days.
Last week, having bought new shoes, I got home to the news that Tony Sirico had died. In the sea of perfect casting that is The Sopranos, he shone as Paulie Walnuts, perhaps my favourite TV character of all. I played a few of the many scenes he lit up, including the one below. Since then, every time I tie the laces of those new shoes, I think of him. And then wash my hands.
[Warning: numerous swears]
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by songs where the words are spoken rather than sung. A few months ago I discovered Prefab Sprout’s I Trawl The Megahertz. It passed me by when released but as I love the rest of their work, I put it on as something to listen to while testing recipes for the next book. I blew me away. I read about it and, for once, a little background adds to the beauty: Paddy McAloon - singer and songwriter of Prefab Sprout - was housebound and all but blind for some of 1999, due to detached retinas. Late night radio documentaries, chat shows and phone-ins caught his imagination enough that he recorded conversations from these programmes, extracted snippets, added words and phrases from elsewhere, and used them to form the basis of the album. The words from those late night radio shows are spoken by Yvonne Connors. The music is more classically orchestral than their usual work, but there is a peculiar thread nonetheless.
Predictably, it had me playing other spoken word songs I hadn’t listened to for a while, and hence the playlist below. Click to play it. It finishes with the lengthy title track from the Prefab Sprout album, which I think is a quiet work of genius. I hope you like it.
One last thing, you remember the post about the piano that is perhaps the most influential musical instrument in history? Well, last week in Cornwall, nosing around online for somewhere to eat near Porthleven, I read up on the place that looked most likely, and it is owned by the daughter of the person who started Trinity Studios, where that piano did its incredible work. What are the chances. Alas she was away; next time I hope to say hello and find out more about what might have happened to that piano.
Happy weekend to you.
The amazing Prefab Sprout/Paddy McAloon album snuck out under the radar a good few years ago, but I missed it until just before the pandemic.
Agree also with Ken about PSB - they are always a treat to see live.
A few other suggestions for spoken word songs: " What It Is" and "Jacket Hangs" by the Blue Aeroplanes , "The Copper Top" by Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat, and "Taxi" by Arborist.
I totally empathise with your wormholery, Mark. When that eyebrow moment happens, it's pretty hard to resist and is one reason why I have enjoyed Spotify from the very beginning. That ability to let go and follow the swirling currents of music from across the globe has procured many a musical treasure.
Spoken word songs are interesting. They have a special way of drawing you in. Demanding your attention rather than being background entertainment. Did you find any more of note?
I've already saved the Prefab Sprout album and wonder if, by way of returning the favour, you have come across 'Public Service Broadcasting'?
If you haven't, 'The Race For Space' is a good place to start. Think OMD sampling but ramped up to another level entirely. It's a different take on the spoken word theme but, with JFK setting the tone, I think that you'll enjoy the journey.
Their latest album is a little off-track but follows their own wormhole with an electronic trip to Berlin.
Have a good one!