Skanking with The Reggulaters at The Horns.

After a really bad day there was no alternative; we had to get out of the house;

And see 'The Reggulaters' and there have been some changes.

Best of all, we had a chat with Carl Gaywood who used to play drums with 'The Skasouls' and now is with 'The Reggulaters' - these days they really are the dream team.

I can't think of a better way of forgetting our troubles than having a night of authentic Trojan Ska; 

The band were on great form and although I kept telling myself I needed to stay sat down I did have a couple of dances, especially to Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder they come".

This seems very appropriate at the moment;


The Harder They come.

Well, they tell me of a pie up in the sky
Waiting for me when I die
But between the day you're born and when you die
They never seem to hear even your cry

So as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine
And then the harder they come
The harder they fall, one and all
Ooh, the harder they come
The harder they fall, one and all

Well, the oppressors are trying to keep me down
Trying to drive me underground
And they think that they have got the battle won
I say forgive them Lord, they know not what they've done

'Cause, as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine
And then the harder they come
The harder they fall, one and all
Ooh, the harder they come
Harder they fall, one and all

And I keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead you can't
But I'd rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave

So as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine
And then the harder they come
The harder they fall, one and all
Ooh, the harder they come
Harder they fall, one and all
Hey, the harder they come
Harder they fall, one and all
What I say now
What I Say now

What I say now
What I say, one time
The harder they come, the harder they fall, one and all
The harder they come, the harder they fall, one and all.

 

That's a fighting song from Jimmy Cliff!

And then I got given a present which I'm looking forward to listening to;

It was a really great night, nice to be driving home at midnight.

The Reggulaters are playing a lot of gigs these days - catch them if you can!

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me; neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Midnight cruisers; Stanley Dee at The Horns.

Well, I've been told it's likely that Chemo starts next week although I haven't got a date yet.

We decided to take a trip out in the cold all the way to Watford to see Stanley Dee at The Horns;

Which is one of the few great pub venues left in this part of the world - good sound system and even a mirror ball or two;

Stanley Dee perform the hits of Steely Dan and have a loyal following in this part of the world, who get off on the Dan's quirky and strange take on the world set to some sophisticated Jazz sounds;



The band were in great form even if we missed a couple of our favourite numbers as they tried out a few less well known ones.

Here's the fabulous horn section playing at 'The Horns';

We've watched the group grow over the last few years - they are now up to eleven and The Horns is one of the few venues able to contain them on the same stage.

The band members are;

Don Ellis Drums, Mark McCormack Bass, Keith Jones keyboards, Derek Walker Saxophone, Steve Joy Trumpet, Flugelhorn and Acoustic Guitar, Darren Spicer Guitar, Katie Ayres Vocals, Jen Good Vocals, Amelia Rendall Vocals, Cavan Daly lead Vocals, Paul Davey Saxophone, 

Stanley Dee don't just capture the sophisticated sounds of Steely Dan, they are also a lot of fun.

For a Thursday in Watford it doesn't get much better.

We saw some familiar faces - people like us who secretly love this music and still want to catch it live. There was dancing and plenty to sing along to as well.

Great guitar solos, some fine music from the brass section, instantly recognisable keyboards and four vocalists too.

A great night out which only ended at midnight.

Sadly, I was hobbling back to the car by the end of it!

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Still just about moving with The Reggulaters down at The Horns.

It used to be me that dragged Robyn out - these days Robyn's doing the dragging.

We went to see 'The Reggulaters' at 'The Horns' down in Watford.

They were on cracking form - the second set was brilliant.
This is hardline Trojan Ska - 1969 pure and simple.

No nutty sound of 'Madness', no 'Two-Tone' (which I love) just Trojan.

Good strong bass line;

Fine Brass section;

Great keyboards....just a lot of fun;

 

 

Most of the old favourites are there but since I last saw them back in September, they've added a few more. There's more Reggae but they still did 'Return of Django', so that's alright.

 

I haven't been out that much recently - my music scene is dying a bit and venues have been closing this year.

 

 

The last time I was at 'The Horns' I had a walking frame with me. This time I was moving a bit - so much so that someone in a worse state than me (is that possible?) came up and said; "At least you're still moving a bit".

 

Which I guess is true.

 

And we left 'The Horns' at midnight, which isn't such a bad thing either.

 

Neil Harris

(a don't stop till you drop production)

 

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

 

Contact me:  neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

 

 

The Crimson Tie.

So where did I see this fine pair?

On Thursday we took a long trip out to 'The Horns' at Watford. Now one of the last few great music venues, it has a fine sound system and a tradition of good bands.

We were there to see 'Stanley Dee', an amazing 11 piece band that just plays 'Steely Dan'.

And, given that my musical origins are in Punk and Robyn's are in Smooth Jazz and Heavy Metal.......it shouldn't surprise anyone that we meet i9n the middle and both like 'Steely Dan'.

I'm not too mobile yet and the pub was packed.

As I could only take photo's of about 40% of the band (as usual - there are 11 of them) here's their logo which has them all.

Steely Dan wrote about the underbelly of America but did so with beautiful, stolen Jazz riffs that meant their stuff got mainstream airtime.

You may not know it but you know Steely Dan.

They mixed middle of the road sounds with provocative subjects; it was a kind of punk....honestly it was!

'Stanley Dee' is the only tribute band I would ever go to see.

They have a great brass section;

 

 

 

 

Great guitarist;

And, if only you could see them, four fine vocalists, a drummer, bass and keyboards player. For all I know they may still be recruiting.

 

They are a lot of fun;

 

 





















And I was wearing my special "Steely Dan" tie - I was once at a Stanley Dee gig and someone came up to me very knowingly, pointed to my red tie in a conspiratorial way whispered to me; "Crimson Tie, heh?" and walked off.

He'd misheard the lyrics to 'Deacon Blues'
   
I'll learn to work the saxophone
I'll play just what I feel
Drink Scotch whisky all night long
And die behind the wheel
They got a name for the winners in the world
I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon Blues

It's quite normal to get the lyrics wrong - everybody does.

But now I always wear a red tie, all the same.

I was pretty much shattered after about three hours on my feet - but I made it.

I'm definitely back!

Neil Harris

(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

The Reggulaters at the Horns.

 

 

 

As you can probably guess, this is the logo for The Horns in Watford. Voted best live venue in the South-East by several polls, it's got a great sound system and once in a while it's well worth making the long trek over there to see a great band.

 

Like, for example;



The

Reggulaters

As you can see, looking fairly dapper.

Like the Ramones T-Shirt!

It's the real old authentic Trojan records sound of the 1960's, played just the way it should be; great Bass and Guitar, a fine Saxophone, Drums and Keyboards to die for.

All that's missing is a trombone but as I don't like them - who cares?

Great atmosphere in The Horns, entirely due to an audience that came together just for Ska and wasn't disappointed by the time the doors shut.

Skinheads, Mods, me and Robyn and a rather mellow Rastafarian. And this guy;

 

Good crowd, good atmosphere, good night.

 

Neil Harris

 

(a don't stop till you drop production)

 

Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

 

Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com



The Reggulaters at The Horns, Watford.

........

The reggulaters

........

You have no idea how bad a day I had – a whole day driving up and down and round and round, with a bad back trying to sort things out for my Mum before she comes out of hospital. No food, lifting things I shouldn’t lift, waiting and driving and driving and waiting.

I collapsed at about 4 o’clock and woke up at 7 30pm feeling ill and lousy.

By 8 00 I was aching and off, driving more miles around the M25 to Watford.

When you’re ill and fed up even Watford is exciting.

On Thursday it wasn’t exciting, it was great.

 

The

Reggulaters

For a long time I’ve either been ill or there were problems and I missed this band. Hardline Ska and Rock Steady from the extensive back catalogue of the Trojan Record label, including some that I haven’t come across.

This was very much the ‘spirit of 1969’, which is not really my thing – hardline Skinhead stuff.

But Skinheads have changed a lot over the years. The Watford Skins gave this lone mod from out of town a really friendly welcome.

 

As you would expect, a lot of classic stompin’ stuff – Desmond Dekker’s ‘It Mek’, ‘007’ and ‘The Israelites’. There was Toots and a lot more besides.

But when a band plays ‘The Upsetters’ ‘Return of Django’ there is no hope for me. It is still the coolest song ever written. Am I wrong?

I was deeply envious of the three ladies who were celebrating before heading for Great Yarmouth for a long weekend. That’s ‘Skamouth’ – three days of Ska, Rock Steady, Reggae and I suspect a certain amount of mayhem and madness.

This band may come from Kentish Town but they often play as far west as Hayes and (subject to the odd health problem) I’m going to be there to see them again. Their Ska is pre Reggae but also ignores the whole Two-Tone influence of my youth. This is heavy on the bass, heavy on the Skank, a real labour of love.

The word I'm searching for is authentic.

m

Neil Harris

(a don’t stop till you drop production)

Jackin' up in the toilet with Stanley Dee and Steely Dan.

Well I finally went and did it, I ended up in the smallest toilet in the world, jackin’ up to the music of Steely Dan and that’s going to take some explaining.

Before there was punk or ska or any much else in my life there was Steely Dan (Walter Bekker, Donald Fagen and an ever changing line up of musicians). The music was rocky but heavy on style and stolen modern jazz riffs. Unfortunately, the Jazzers didn’t like the loud guitars and the hippies didn’t like the jazz.

In fact that old fashioned harmony and melody was just a thin cover for a bleak underworld of sinister characters in dangerous situations. The heroes were drug dealers, serial killers, gangsters and the marginal.

They played smooth music that sounded just right for respectable people but then they had to go and spoil it with their own particular brand of subversion. I loved it.

When it was popular it wasn’t very popular, and since they had their one and only hit in 1976, it’s been downhill ever since. They didn’t tour much back then – it was too hard to reproduce the sound they got from session musicians in the studio. 'Cult following' does not do them justice. Did I say I loved them?

So I’ve driven over 20 miles to get to Watford, a town so far on the edge of London it fell off. I was at ‘The Horns’, a very old pub enclosed by modern hi-rise buildings. Good sound system and some great acts – why did I never go there before? I would rate it the best venue this side of the small London ones.

Back in October/November I’d put this date in my diary but I didn’t really imagine that I’d still be on my feet and well enough to make it. In another universe I’d have just waited for them to play a bit closer to me but time is short now, no putting good things off.

I was right, it was well worth it. I got there early, and that was just as well too. I got a seat at the side of the stage, and was using the free wi-fi while the band set up. With the pub filling up very quickly, it was soon packed out. I think there were more Steely Dan fans there than I ever imagined I would see in one place.

This was Stanley Dee and they are;

•Don Ellis – Drums

•Mark McCormack – Bass

•Keith Jones – Keyboards

•Derek Walker – Saxophone

•Steve Joy – Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Acoustic Guitar

•Darren Spicer – Guitar

•Katie Ayres – Vocals

•Jen Good – Vocals

•Amelia Rendell – Vocals

•Cavan Daly – Lead Vocals

They were playing on their home ground in front of a mixture of locals and Steely Dan Fans. Believe me they knew the words and there was dancing too!

Despite the purpose built stage, there still wasn’t enough room for this ten piece band of four vocalists, a very fine brass section, synth, drums, bass and an excellent lead guitar. I tried to get a good place to take a photo, but after plunging into the heavy crowd it was no better. I only just got back to my seat. If I’d wanted to get all the band in I’d have needed to go out onto the pavement. This is Keith Jones on keyboards in a quiet moment.

 

They did the more basic early stuff as well as the complicated newer stuff. Donald Fagen’s solo album ‘The Nightfly’ even got a moment. It was a performance for real fans, and I’m afraid I think that includes me.

This must be the only occasion when the lead vocalist did a Q and A with the audience on these unique lyrics;

Q) “Is there gas in the car?”

A)

 “Yes there’s gas in the car,

I think the neighbours down the hall know who we are”.

 

Steely Dan never compromised and neither do Stanley Dee; not on the sound nor on the choice of tracks.

Side one had a good range of the less well known including one of my favourites, ‘Dr Wu’.

Bad Sneakers was a joy too.

Jackin’ up in the toilet? That’s a very Steely Dan thing to do – I need an injection every day and when it was due I had do it in the worlds smallest toilet, heaving with too many people. Very William S. Burroughs.

As I struggled back to my seat, side two started with all the famous hits. Great sounds (FM-No static at all, Do it again, Reelin’ in the Years) but again no compromises – they also did The Caves of Altamira and Kid Charlemagne and they aren’t ever going to be popular except with me.

‘My old school’ was a stomper;

“California….tumbles in to the sea,

that’ll be the day I go back to Annendale”.

Also, luckily, there were no Bekker wigs, no looky-likies. This was just great music played and sung by musicians with smiles on their faces.

 

 

Just too much fun and so good. That was in spite of having to drive back through pouring rain. Of course what attracted me in the first place was the whole crazy idea of a ten piece Steely Dan tribute band, too big for any stage and never any chance of being economic.  Their secret? Its for fun.

On the 24^th of January they play Jagz in Ascot – that’s a lot nearer to me, a posh club in a posh area and it may well be my last chance to get thrown out of or barred from a club.

I am strongly tempted to take another stroll into the weird and slightly unnerving world of the Dans – we’ll see how I feel.

Meanwhile, tomorrow I am going to provide a public health message on how to dispose of used syringes, creatively.

Neil Harris

(a don’t stop till you drop production)