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| From | "Jaimie Vernon" <bullseyecanada@hotmail.com> |
| Subject | LIVERPOOL PART 2 - ADVENTURES AT THE BBC |
| Date | Sun, 27 May 2007 17:41:20 -0400 |
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LIVERPOOL Part 2 - ADVENTURES AT THE BBC
With 12 hours sleep under my belt I woke up close to noon and headed
straight for the Travel Inn’s restaurant for lunch. Had a hearty Salsa
Burger with fries and a Coke. Shoulda brought packets of white vinegar with
me….the malt vinegar that Brits prefer just doesn’t cut it. I’ve got 20 year
old socks that smell better than malt vinegar does.
With the eating out of the way I grabbed my video camera and took a walk
along the back of Albert Dock that is adjacent to the River Mersey (cue
Gerry & The Pacemakers). The water is as brown as dirt, but interestingly,
the tide was out and the river was a good 200 feet from the breakwater I was
standing on. Nothing but mud as far as the eye could see.
Strolled into a mechanic house that has been converted into a pre-WWII
tenement recreation complete with sitting room, kitchen, bedrooms and
bath…but no toilet….that was, apparently an outdoor affair back then.
Authentic accouterments in each room as well like toys, pictures, furniture,
and food stuffs. Two stories high which surprised me, but Liverpool and most
of Britain still has these houses in abundance.
Walked several blocks up Paradise Street at Hanover and into the BBC
Merseyside headquarters where, upon arrival, one merely has to enter the
sliding glass doors, passed the reception desk and into a large foyer area.
Which I did, uncontested, and where, low and behold, legendary British
Invasion historian and BBC DJ Spencer Leigh
(http://www.spencerleigh.demon.co.uk) was aiding the recording engineer in
getting ready for a live broadcast of International Pop Overthrow bands.
British singer/songwriter Susan Hedges was at the grand piano doing a fine
gospel number of her own as the crew adjusted microphones. Her mother and
father were nearby brimming with pride at their daughter’s soundcheck.
Spencer recognized me from the day before at Lennon’s and wondered aloud
where Ralph Alfonso and Dave Rave might be because he had some autographed
books for them: ‘Wondrous Face: The Billy Fury Story’ and ‘The Best Of
Fellas: The Story Of Bob Wooler’. I didn’t know where the boys were though I
suspected they were helping The Diodes make their way back to London where
they were due to play another show later this week. Spencer gave me the
books to forward them when I returned to Canada and we proceeded to discuss
the Canadian music scene…and specifically my performance at IPO and Bullseye
Records in general. After graciously taking my new solo CD he asked what
tracks he might programme should he like what he heard. I gave him a rundown
of the material I was doing live and they would be the best representation
of what I sound like to a new audience. After giving a little background on
my career he introduced me to Susan Hedges’ father as we discussed the
collapse of Goldrush Records in England who recently folded because of the
collapse of their CD store business and subsequent label output…including a
new Susan Hedges record that she’ll now have to release herself.
Up next was a Texas group featuring singer Johnny Lloyd Rollins who looked
like Chris Isaak but sounded heavenly with an almost young McCartney/David
Gates pure pop vocal style. He doubled on acoustic guitar and piano while
the bassist leaned on occasional harmonica. Very nice post-rockabilly
material.
After taking it all in getting a mini-tour of the BBC studio I was ushered
into the gift shop where Doctor Who is God (apparently). Had to phone the
Missuz and see what she wanted me to buy. Alas, the DVD’s are all in PAL
mode so I couldn’t even bring back stuff that hadn’t aired in Canada yet.
From the BBC I strolled back up to Clayton Square where the Montreal-styled
street vibe exploded across a promenade and several courtyards. Checked out
the Virgin Megastore and decided that paying the equivalent to $38.00 CDN
once you converted the GBP wasn’t worth it for ANY CD. So instead I headed
back up to Queen’s Square train station and a comic shop across from it
called Nostalgia & Comics to grab something for my kids. The prices weren’t
any better for a Canadian there!
Up and around the block on Lime Street and back down Victoria and I was full
circle from where I had been last night….the Cavern Quarter. Guess it was
time to finally go into The Cavern Club and see who was playing at this
day’s International Pop Overthrow performance.
Wending my way down the four flights of stairs (that’s right folks….the
Cavern is below sea level ….hence the name), I immediately hit a wall full
of people blocking the entrance. The bar was completely full….and I wasn’t
able to get a view of the stage. Up and over my head I fired up the video
camera and attempted to get shots of who was playing. It was loud. It was
rocking. It was absolutely stinkin’ hot. I don’t believe the oxygen in the
room has been changed since the Beatles played there back in the early ‘60s.
The spring jacket I was wearing to protect myself from the eternal grey of
the British skies was now a serious impediment to my motor skills.
I clawed my way through the mass of humanity to the wall that divides the
club in half. Passed this wall people were sitting comfortably in chairs at
small tables, smoking, drinking, ignoring the deafening entertainment.
Across another entrance way I spotted festival organizer David Bash and he
greeted me with a big smile. I asked him how it was going and he said he had
to leave and get to the BBC where he was being interviewed by Spencer
Leigh!!!
I hitched my wagon to David’s speedy exit and we chatted about the Festival
on our brisk walk back down to the BBC. I decided that I would go to support
him and the acts that Spencer had already soundchecked for the formal
broadcast at 6:30. And then I could just scoot back to my hotel down the
street once it was over.
We arrived at the Merseyside studio to find the foyer area was now filled
with chairs…and a lot of people. Very OLD people as it turned out – I
believe they had been around when the original BBC was founded . But, hey,
an appreciative audience all the same. Johnny Lloyd Rollins was once again
on stage and we had 10 minutes before showtime. Spencer came by to greet us
and give David a schedule for when he was to be interviewed.
Rollins and his Texans did a fine 4 song set, David did his trusty sales
pitch for the IPO (in its 5th year in Liverpool which deserved the big
applause the audience gave him), and several more acts followed. David left
as the IPO portion of the show was pretty much over. Susan Hedges was next
up and as she prepped Spencer put me on the air briefly to discuss the state
of record labels as it related to Susan’s current quest for a new one. We
briefly touched on the state of MP3 downloading, radio in general and the
fact that my label was no longer exclusively doing classic rock re-issues,
but expanding its roster of original acts (including myself) to tap into a
more youthful market. Susan Hedges played her wonderful set of ballads and
rockers and I made my exit. Alas, the broadcast was live so I never even got
to hear it back on the radio.
Upon returning to Albert Dock I took some video footage of the Granada TV
studio that stands beside the facility and dropped into the Pumphouse Inn
for a bite of dinner. Steak & Ale pie with chips and veggies. Another great
meal. Stuffed, I retired to my room tired but satisfied. Another fine day of
stuff under my belt.
NEXT TIME: There Are Places You’ll Remember…
Jaimie Vernon,
President, Bullseye Records
http://www.bullseyecanada.com
SWAG:
http://www.cafepress.com/bullseyecanada
BULLSEYE LIVE 365 RADIO:
http://www.live365.com/stations/bullseyerecords
Author, Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/
http://www.myspace.com/jaimievernonsmovingtargetz
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