I haven't heard of Richard Dawson, but listening to 'Wooden Bag,' and knowing your love for Callahan (and Townes), I can totally see why he is one of your faves. He has that quirky, perceptive, and strange approach to how he tells the story (judging simply on one track, mind).
I am sure you are a big fan of Daniel Johnston. Are you familiar with Michael Hurley (who now lives in Oregon)?
Thank you, Michael. You're right, that quirkiness appealed from the outset. I really hadn't heard anything like his songs when I started seeing him perform on the Newcastle scene in the mid-late 2000s, and I've not heard anything since that has the same combination of elements (which are expanded and enriched on later material).
You're also right about me being a fan of Johnston and, yes, Michael Hurley. I discovered Hurley mostly through Honest Jons record shop in London, as they were one of the places that consistently stocked his albums and others released by Mississippi. You've inspired me to pull a couple of those out and spin them. Thanks!
Hurley still pops up in town and plays at a beloved Portland bar that is known for its folk, country, blues, and Grateful Dead-inspired bands and musicians. I think he lives out near the coast, however.
I'm returning to this comment thread to note that I went to see Richard Dawson at the Glasshouse in Gateshead two days ago and he played Michael Hurley's 'Wildegeeses' as a tribute to the late singer-songwriter. I see there's a version available on YouTube form another gig earlier in the tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQSADCB2Jto.
Mississippi Records hosted a memorial for Michael on May 4. They had a BBQ outside the record store, provided a microphone, and allowed people to sing and share how his music touched their lives. When there were no performers, the record store played his albums. It was very well attended and a joyful afternoon of song and conversation about Michael.
Interesting read, Richard, thanks. Haven't heard of this laddie before, will definitely check him out. You mentioned George Perec, one of my literary heroes. Love him. His novels can be a bit daunting, Life A Users Manual and A Void in particular, but as you know are well worth the effort. Readers of your post might be interested in his volume of essays, compiled by John Sturrock, called Species of Spaces and Other Pieces, wherein (as the blurb states) he 'contemplates the many ways in which we occupy the space around us, [and] depicts the commonplace items with which we are familiar in an engrossing, startling way' - chiming with the subject of your piece perhaps. It's a wonderful collection, endlessly fascinating, a book I have enjoyed for many years, my dog-eared edition a constant companion on my travels.
Thanks, Martin. I hope you like his work. My favourite albums are 2020, The Magic Bridge, Henki (collaboration with Circle - very proggy) and The Ruby Cord (warning: starts with a 40-minute song [which I happen to adore, though it took several listens and different experiences]). Critics' and other fans' favourites appear to be Nothing Important (which I'll write a bit about in a couple of weeks) and Peasant.
I love Species of Spaces. I've used the title text as a reference point in several academic things I've written and taught, and I even wrote a rather odd article influenced by it for a journal called Literary Geographies: https://www.literarygeographies.net/index.php/LitGeogs/article/view/74.
I haven't heard of Richard Dawson, but listening to 'Wooden Bag,' and knowing your love for Callahan (and Townes), I can totally see why he is one of your faves. He has that quirky, perceptive, and strange approach to how he tells the story (judging simply on one track, mind).
I am sure you are a big fan of Daniel Johnston. Are you familiar with Michael Hurley (who now lives in Oregon)?
Thank you, Michael. You're right, that quirkiness appealed from the outset. I really hadn't heard anything like his songs when I started seeing him perform on the Newcastle scene in the mid-late 2000s, and I've not heard anything since that has the same combination of elements (which are expanded and enriched on later material).
You're also right about me being a fan of Johnston and, yes, Michael Hurley. I discovered Hurley mostly through Honest Jons record shop in London, as they were one of the places that consistently stocked his albums and others released by Mississippi. You've inspired me to pull a couple of those out and spin them. Thanks!
Hurley still pops up in town and plays at a beloved Portland bar that is known for its folk, country, blues, and Grateful Dead-inspired bands and musicians. I think he lives out near the coast, however.
I'm returning to this comment thread to note that I went to see Richard Dawson at the Glasshouse in Gateshead two days ago and he played Michael Hurley's 'Wildegeeses' as a tribute to the late singer-songwriter. I see there's a version available on YouTube form another gig earlier in the tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQSADCB2Jto.
Mississippi Records hosted a memorial for Michael on May 4. They had a BBQ outside the record store, provided a microphone, and allowed people to sing and share how his music touched their lives. When there were no performers, the record store played his albums. It was very well attended and a joyful afternoon of song and conversation about Michael.
Interesting read, Richard, thanks. Haven't heard of this laddie before, will definitely check him out. You mentioned George Perec, one of my literary heroes. Love him. His novels can be a bit daunting, Life A Users Manual and A Void in particular, but as you know are well worth the effort. Readers of your post might be interested in his volume of essays, compiled by John Sturrock, called Species of Spaces and Other Pieces, wherein (as the blurb states) he 'contemplates the many ways in which we occupy the space around us, [and] depicts the commonplace items with which we are familiar in an engrossing, startling way' - chiming with the subject of your piece perhaps. It's a wonderful collection, endlessly fascinating, a book I have enjoyed for many years, my dog-eared edition a constant companion on my travels.
Now, I'm off to investigate this Dawson fella.
Edit: That's Georges of course! Typing this after a long day!
Thanks, Martin. I hope you like his work. My favourite albums are 2020, The Magic Bridge, Henki (collaboration with Circle - very proggy) and The Ruby Cord (warning: starts with a 40-minute song [which I happen to adore, though it took several listens and different experiences]). Critics' and other fans' favourites appear to be Nothing Important (which I'll write a bit about in a couple of weeks) and Peasant.
I love Species of Spaces. I've used the title text as a reference point in several academic things I've written and taught, and I even wrote a rather odd article influenced by it for a journal called Literary Geographies: https://www.literarygeographies.net/index.php/LitGeogs/article/view/74.