Cess-Pete Doherty Continued

Alright enough of the Wussy introspection, lets get back to ranting yes?

I know he's an easy target, but I'm sorry until he stops glorifying drugs and ruining the lives of all whom he influences - including very young people and gets Media attention to boot (whilst cavorting with all the fit birds, to add insult to injury...yes it is my business dude) I reserve the right to have my rant.

I was reading the Free LondonPaper (otherwise referred to as the scourge of the Evening Standard) and read a gem of a letter which interested me for its reference to Cess-Pete as wait for it..."that Oxygen-Waster". There is no better way to describe it and lack of detail on the writer has only just deprived her of being named in my will.

I shan't analyse the phrase for its speaks for itself- i.e something so completely useless that it is a waste of the most readily available chemical element available on the face of the earth - genius!!

The JCB Song

You may or may not have heard The JCB Song by Nizlopi, the two man band from Leamington Spa, anyway the song was released in 2005 and quietly stormed the UK, earning the band a certain quiet and fanatic cult status, eventually pushing their album to number 1.

I first watched the video of this song a couple of years ago, but only listened to the sing properly for the first time on sunday and all I can tell you is that I was reduced to tears- rather shamefully I must admit.

The song is basically the reminiscence of a 5-year old, Dyslexic kid who was bullied at school on account on his condition by both the teachers and as you would expect-kids. He recalled his dad picking him up from school early in his JCB digger and his relief and feeling of safety thereupon. Particularly touching being his visions of his dad as a giant or Bruce Lee, who would protect him from his fears, particularly telling being the line about I wish a Tyranosaurus Rex would eat up all the bullies, teachers and their pets.

What moved me was the simplicity and honesty of the lyrics, the synergy and the obvious deep emotional bond between father and son, a simple story of paternal affection and the need for a child to see a hero in a parent- In particular the following lines "He's probably had a hard old day but he's still up for a laugh" and "I'll tell my mates my Dad's BA Barracus only with a Nonchaku like Bruce Lee". Okay, okay Its a silly old song and I'm a softy but its honest simplicity and truthful account of a real life story of loving family is moving, if your mind and heart are open enough to absorb it.

I was in a bit of a mood for the whole day, thinking about the subject of parental love, thoughts of my two children -who I was obviously missing, memories of my own childhood- co-related to the present, memories of a more innocent time et al. In particular I thought about friends and loved ones who had lost loving fathers and mothers fairly early or even recently such as Old Pedantic, Toks and The Delectable Designer and I considered myself fortunate to have both parents still alive and realised equally what a wonderful gift that was and the simple fact is that memories cannot be stored real-time, you can't go back to your childhood, photos and videos will never be a substitute for a life lived and experiences and emotions felt.

Please value those you love, step out of self-indulgence and make that phone-call or pay a visit home as often as you can, parents and indeed children will not be there forever treasure every moment because this very second you're experiencing will never come back again.

This is what this song meant to and did for me. It truly is a wonderful piece of work and I can only say its ironic that the single was deprived of Number 1 in Xmas 2005, by Shane Ward.

On a less serious note I was loathe to admit to those around me on sunday i.e Big Mike and the Energetic Environmentalist why I was in such an Introspective mood, least of all that I was moved to tears by a pop song, however researching the band on the Internet, I came across the following reviews on Amazon from people in similar circumstances i.e Straight, Rugby playing Dads- and felt a little better-

I CRY LIKE A BABY EACH TIME, 3 Feb 2006
By Philip Barry - See all my reviewsI'm 34, straight and a dad of a little 8 month son. We were both watching MTV and this cartooney vid comes on for some reason I HEARD the lirics by the end of the song my son was crying. He had never seen his Dad cry before. I'm half English half Greek living in Greece for the last 5 years so I had no idea that this song had exploded in the UK. Went to every record shop in Athens and no one had heard of the JCB song so I got it off the internet. Still makes me cry. Having read the other reviews I realise that it does something different for every fan/listener. For me its the memory of the god like perception I had of my Dad but also the painful realisation of his normality when growing up. It also makes me think of the way my son, who I adore, will perceive me. I hope I'm his Bruce Lee. This is one of my all time favourite songs and all the others are time tested classics. I hope there is more of this to come from Nizlopi.

By "il_direttore" - See all my reviewsThis single is fantastic - to be honest, it sums up childhood memories of me and my dad when he came home from work, and it does bring a tear to my eye sometimes! And I'm 16 stone of solid Gaelic footballer! If you haven't seen this pair live yet, you really should do. Their combination of hip-hop beatboxing and Luke's truly sublime voice make them unmissable.Please buy this, or, even better, the wonderful album, and even if you only like them because of their name, you'll be telling ALL your friends about these blokes who sing about diggers!

By Stott (Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviewsThe first time I heard this song was on teatime Radio 2, earlier in the summer. I was just parking up to meet my sister in law. The song came on and I had to stay in the car to continue listening. The build up to the song was enough, but when I heard it, I was laughing and crying at the same time. Eventually, when I got out of the car, I could not speak to my sister in law. I was trying to tell her about the song, but I couldn't speak! I was crying. I love music, but I don't think I can remember any song doing this to me! Thankfully, the DJ also gave the website address of the video (www.jcbsong.co.uk) and immediately went home to watch this excellent video - absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!!! My kids love it - my dad has a farm, and we all work on it in one way or another, so the kids spend loads of time on tractors, diggers, bobcats, etc... it is just great! I also took the opportunity to buy 2 cd's - one for me and one for my brother. After two days of continually playing the JCB song and video in the office, I had to relent and get some work done!
It is just great!

Bless it!!, 15 Dec 2005
By A CustomerThis is just one of those songs that gets you write there without being really sentimental. Anyone who ever spent a day with their dad when they were little can't help but be touched by this song...this better be number one!!

I guess I've made my point, please take time and watch the video on Youtube, another truly moving experience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3WhQB7Hq0Q

Random Thoughts Pt 3 revisited

In response to requests for clarification, I will say that reference to prejudice in the afore-mentioned post refers to Black on White racism. In short, we as Blacks or Asians should not fall into the same mindset as those who we criticise.

Simply put its not acceptable to be offended about racism and then feel justified in displaying the exact-same conduct against others. In all truth I find this patently offensive.

Nuff said.

Poor Old Gordon

"With great power comes great responsibility" The quote from Spiderman, ironically used by Gordon in the course of his speech at the Labour party Conference, Jesus, little did he know..

Anyway to cut a long story short, isn't it strange that the one thing he wanted the most has become the most painful chalice and which has provided him with his life's greatest test. Basically now the buck stops at his door and he has to swallow the bitter pill of responsibility that power prescribes.

I in truth am not overly over-awed by David Cameron's speech, the fact that a man is able to speak ex-tempore for 75 minutes is not a test of leadership, its a test of oratory. No one has yet analysed that speech with the level of detail that Brown's policies have been subject. The truth is that I am not convinced that the Tories have exceeded Labour in substance, all they have done is out-politicked Labour, which is probably a good thing and is most definitely a warning/baptism of fire for Gordon Brown- Britain wants substance and not spin and if you choose to politick and spin, be prepared to take the knocks that transient and weightless politics provide, you can't outspin the spin doctor- David Cameron. In all truth, Cameron is probably the most phoney, slick and insubstantial character ever disembowelled from the foul innards of the Tories, however Spin is his thing and if you can't beat him then don't compete.

Gordon's greatest USP has been his workmanlike approach, which was briefly sacrificed on the altar of expediency and err..vanity. Labour Leaders can no longer afford to sacrifice statesmanship for form and false flair, the hand-writing is now on the wall and in truth Cameron's speech may well be the best thing that happened to Labour since Michael Howard's friendly but politically unwise advice to Gordon Brown, many years ago on Labour imagery and focus which gave rise to New Labour and the demise of Tory Leadership of the country- if of course they're listening and not spinning yarns of sycophancy in Labour's usual style. Bullshit the country if you feel like but learn not to bullshit yourself.

Olufemi Sanyaolu- Keziah Jones

Have you heard of Olufemi Sanyaolu? I thought not, but have you hard of Keziah Jones? Probably more likely.

Keziah Jones is the alter ego for one of the UKs most talented Guitarists and Singers,whose hits Rhythm is Love, Million Miles from Home and Liquid Sunshine propelled him into recognition in the 90s and of which he still enjoys a huge Cult following in the UK, Europe and increasingly in the USA.

I was at a small African gig in Kilburn, when this skinny, fella in a sleeveless T-shirt and Fedora walked in with my friend Sax Player Ayo Ordia and incidentally at the same time I was doing a Fela Kuti song, when I recognised him, we adapted the song to his hit "Rhythm is Love" which was the signal for the brother to jump on stage and belt the song through, no airs no graces and ceremony- true class! We had a long chat later about his plans and lost touch till I went to his gig at the Jazz Cafe in 2003, which was packed to the rafters and which left even me hardened Gig-head open-mouthed, I wondered how he packed so much kinetic energy into that wiry frame.

Born in Nigeria to a Millionaire Industrialist dad, he was sent to Public school in the UK atthe age of 8, but by the time he approached his teens, he got bored still with the whole grind ("I had to find a way out of all that bullshit, and music was it!") and taught himself to play the Piano and Guitar and whilst still in his early teens threw himself into the Gig and Busking circuit of London and Paris ("Lose all time, love your mind, free your soul!") . There he was discovered by Phil Picket and signed up to a record deal, where his first major hit album Blufunk is a Fact was recorded. Just in case youre in any doubt this guy was a Hippy through and through.

Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Sly Stone and by Fela Kuti, his trademark high energy Guitar riffs and incredibly vast and sweet voice/range.texture make his live shows an experience in themselves.

Critically acclaimed for his incredibly complex Guitar phrases and high energy delivery (vocal and Instrumental) his albums are a collectors item all over the world for true afficionadoes of Alternative Funk and Indie Rock.

Also a Poet and Photographer, he has in more recent times spent his time in the USA pursuing his art quietly and from the look for things enjoying himself thoroughly as only "Rugged International"- (his nickname) is capable. His last album "Black Orpheus" enjoyed mixed reviews but he is still a favourite on the touring circuit and I remember being barely able to get a ticket for his show at the Jazz Cafe.

More recently we have been back in touch again on Facebook, where he quietly hides under his real name. Im still trying to convince him to work on the Fatai Rolling Dollar Funk album, who knows?

I strongly recommend a visit to his website http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13793651.

Also heres a link to his Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kKZxbgBL68

Random Thoughts

Prejudice takes different forms, no one has the right to the high moral ground, there are so many ramifications to this concept that its difficult to ascribe either a start or end-point.

In all there is the propensity for narrow-mindedness and base prejudice, all it takes is a decent self-audit. As they say, the more things change the more they stay the same.