postcard

19/06/06
Correspondence from - Our man in --- Chaing Mai - Thai North

So I gets back at 11pm and the band, 'Friends of Took, is in full flow, doing a blinding rendition of Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle". I'd been hearing about this local guitar virtuoso in a number of places. The Chiang Mai locals treat him like a national treasure, you can tell. I'm all eyes for this guitar player (they're my favourites) and I've got notes here about 'great technique, no histrionics, no Morphing of any description. You see, this is music, not a sexual assault on one's person. I've got written down here some lame looking metaphor about getting into a car and knowing straight away if the driver's bad, good or fabulous. Anyway the kid's great and flawless, and (the true mark of greatness), making it look so easy. Did a beautiful verion of Steve Miller's "Take the Money and Run" from the 'Fly Like an Eagle' album.

So. How sad am I? I'm in the corner taking notes!!!!!!!!!!!! This piqued the interest of mine hostess, so she comes over and says "'S'up G?" or the Thai equivalent, and we get chatting and I mention I wanna do a little piece on them bladyblah, for a website bladyblah, and she says "oh, Took will like that. When he gets here!" "Say, when who does which now???" This kid, brilliant as he is, isn't the man at all. The real Khun Took slouches in, nearer to 12 midnight. Effortlessly exuding rock + roll. Not from in front of the mirror, but from playing round the world. Including some dues-paying years in Clapham South, as he calls it, Brixton and Battersea. The landlady introduces us and we get chatting away. Such a sweet bloke. Should have seen his face light up when I told him about that matey in Shillong, Northern India who puts on the day-long Festival of Dylan music every May 24th for Bob's birthday. You could see Took wondering what claims might be made on his time round about NEXT May 24th. Grinned down at the floor and breathed a quiet "Yeah!"

So, somehow it must have slipped out that I was in fact the most brilliant singer in my house, cos after a blistering warm-up of Clapton's "Further on up the Road", he calls me up to the mic, and I tore "Wonderful Tonight" a new ass. I had the feeling it went quite well, and there was noticably new respect from the waitress bringing me my 7UP's. Well, he SEEMED to look more respectful. He also seemed to look like a waitress!!!!!!!! But, truly, I was only damping down the whole scene.

Because that's when they truly unleashed. Such a Jimi, but NOT a Jimi, reworking of "All Along the Watchtower". His right hand a pure blur at times. Stalwart support from the other guitar and the keyboard giving plenty of that Doors-sounding backnoise on his Korgi M15. You can see why Took is even mentioned in the Lonely Planet guide. As soon as I saw the waitress showing another punter his CD, I had to buy it. Recorded one night live here at the Brasserie by his cousin who runs monthly gig's down in the backpacker stronghold of Khao Sanh Road in Bangkok. Took was horrified to see me with it later. He reckons "Oh no, not that, that's shit." Who does HE sound like? He did the best "Like a Rolling Stone" I ever heard. I remember Swordfish dropped it cos the timing's so difficult. YOU trying singing it without Dylan's vocals to guide you. He OWNED it, this guy. Then a 10 minute eerie atmospheric intro to Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing". Very distinctive drum opening here, and this drummer got it spot on. My least favourite Dire Straits song, but you didn't want to know that. I'll think differently when I hear it from now.

But they had saved the best for last, of course. About 20 scintillating minutes of a truly brilliant "Jessica" from the Allman's. Took and his young protege trading licks that old Duane and Dicky Betts would have been proud of. Remember? Boy did I remember. It brought me right back to when Nicky Horne used it for his theme tune on his Capital Radio show in the 70's and 80's. "Your Mother Wouldn't Like It" is right."
Sean

"So, I went over to scout this here Brasserie in daylight. It's about a 5 minute ride, out through Chiang Mai's Old City wall and moat and over the river. Past the infamous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, it actually backs on to the river and would make for glorious Sundowners, looking west across the water. But there was no-one out back when I got there later at 11pm. (I had, by the way, stumbled on a Pakistani cafe in the interim, serving Balti and stuff. I had a prawn byriani, and a roti with dip that nearly shot the roof of my mouth off. If you attacked someone with that much garlic in Britain, you'd be for a custodial sentence, no sweat. Although Blair and Lord Falconer will be looking for prison sentences for bad spelling next.)

I'm on Bali ahead of schedule. Now, I don't know about the rest of Bali, or even Indonesia, but it seems every male child and man over the age of 14 here in Sanur can play a flawless "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Freebird", and "Hotel California" guitar outro without breaking sweat. They're all taught Gamelan at school and Rock 'n' Blues is meat and drink to them. If anyone brought their guitar here they'd never see the hotel before daylight. I ain't joshing.
I'm here 10 days so far now. Didn't play with any bands both Sundays cos everyone's watching the Grand Prix's, but the other 8, I've played 3 different pubs, including the British Consulate, with 7 different bands, doing Doors, Cocker, Eagles, John Denver, Reggae and some Joe Walsh. Am knackered but loving it.
Played with a band last night, vocalist was a Chris Rea sound-alike and the guitarist makes Tuck in Chiang Mai sound like a fumbling fool. Full review to follow. I will feature large as the pretty-boy front in most accounts.

I'm very sad to relate I may never be allowed to leave the island of Bali.
Now that a few people have heard me and Andy's version of "Hallelujah", the
British Honorary Consul, a musician himself Mark Wilson has revoked my
passport, so I'll always be available to play in his band every Tuesday.

On September 14th Kenny and I will once again be gracing this Sceptr'd Isle, this Demi-Eden.
It is usual at this time to launch somewhat of a new "season", when some new blood from the Music colleges come try their luck, and the older hands make a reappearance. In light of the relatively 'new' management, it would do us all some good if we made an extra big effort, altogether, and got the place rocking wholesale again.
I will be coming straight from Heathrow about 8pm and it would be totally superb if you guys could make it a grand old Jam night to remember.
SEPTEMBER 14th. Your lives may never be the same again.
Please spread this through your music contacts and let's get it rolling.

Cheers
Sean