What You Already Know

Forty five minutes of Bernard Butler and friends to usher in the weekend.  

 

Bernard's playing at the Bristol Beacon tonight (8th) and there were about 30 tickets left when I looked, if you're quick. I won't be there but I have had the pleasure of seeing a couple of his gigs in the past, neither with Suede and neither performing his solo material.

It was a surprise (well, to me at least) that after a couple of albums on Creation at the end of the last century, Bernard's third solo album Good Grief arrived 25 years later, on 31st May. You can buy it here.

 

I've only heard/seen the single Living The Dream so far, but it's very good and immediately transports me back to the sounds of those previous albums, People Move On (1998) and Friends And Lovers (1999). 

 

Living The Dream is an apt title, as Bernard's been far from idle between solo albums, as a collaborator and a producer. But, it's good to see him step back up to the microphone and share new songs. Anyone who has - or will - catch Bernard on tour is undoubtedly in for a treat.

So, for this 10-song selection, I've intentionally avoided any songs by McAlmont & Butler; his partnership with David McAlmont deserves a selection in it's own right. 

 

And whilst I've plucked three songs from the album that Bernard recorded with Catherine Anne Davies aka The Anchoress, there's nothing from his more recent album with Jesse Buckley. A very straightforward reason for this: I own the former but not the latter.

I also couldn't resist featuring two of the three tracks from the EP that Bernard released with Edwyn Collins in 2001. I mean, why not?

Not an obvious choice to fire up the weekend, perhaps: some quite downtempo, reflective, 70s West Coast America (albeit in the shade) moments; hang on to the end though and you'll get the customary Butler guitar wig out to reward your patience.

And I've also been impressed by Bernard's barnet. Those locks are immaculate.

 

1) My Domain: Bernard Butler (1998)

2) You Light The Fire: Bernard Butler (1998)

3) In Memory Of My Feelings: Catherine Anne Davies & Bernard Butler (2020)

4) Everyone I Know Is Falling Apart: Bernard Butler (1999)

5) Live To Tell (Cover of Madonna): Catherine Anne Davies & Bernard Butler (2020)

6) Can't Do That (The Hoover): Bernard & Edwyn (2001)

7) Smile: Bernard Butler (1999)

8) Message For Jojo (Single Version): Bernard & Edwyn (2001)

9) The Breakdown: Catherine Anne Davies & Bernard Butler (2020)

10) Autograph: Bernard Butler (1998)

 

1998: A Change Of Heart EP: 1

1998: People Move On: 2, 10

1999: Friends And Lovers: 4, 7

2001: Message For Jojo EP: 6, 8

2020: In Memory Of My Feelings: 3, 5, 9  

 

What You Already Know (44:45) (KF) (Mega) 

 

 

Note: Today's cover star is Glenn Ford, in a scene from 1966 film Rage, directed by Gilberto Gazcón. Ford plays an alcoholic, widowed GP who has wound up in a small Mexican town. 

 

He's looking super sweaty and flushed because his character's just been bitten by a dog and rabies is beginning to kick in. Ably assisted by Stella Stevens, the film focuses on Ford's efforts to get medical help before it's too late. Oh, the irony.

 

Absolutely nothing to do with Bernard Butler, but I watched it the other night and was struck by this image and the lighting.