Robert Wyatt's 'Shipbuilding' (with Madness' Bedders on DB) - lovely

[Clarky]

A propos of nothing in particular, here is a lovely performance of the haunting 'Shipbuilding' by Robert Wyatt. Wriiten by Clive Langer and Elvis Costello (who recorded a less beautiful version IMHO), it might not be a song that will resonate with the younger crowd but at the time of the Falklands War it was very harrowing and heartfelt.

Has Mark Bedford (Bedders) on double bass too, which is a rarity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6T9qp9XbRY

[stinson]

Remember this from years back . Never spotted Bedders on db!

[flyfisher]

Fans of 'shipbuilding' may be interested in this recent episode of the BBC Radio 4 'Soul Music' series that was all about the origins and development of the song.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r0g4h

Edited March 17, 2013 by flyfisher

[grahamd]

Beautiful. Had this on 12", didnt realise for a long time Wyatt hadn't written it himself

[flyfisher]

He didn't, though it was written for him - see my previous post.

Edited March 17, 2013 by flyfisher

[franzbassist]

That takes me back....

[fatback]

Bought the 12" and was instantly besotted by the db sound. Took me a lifetime to get round to getting one. Idiot = me.

Great post Clarky. I've never seen a performance of this version.

Edited March 17, 2013 by fatback

[wriggers]

Thanks for that Clarky. It's made my afternoon

[steve-soar]

Great post, Clarky.

[Stacker]

Thanx for the memories, Clarky. I remember watching this back then and found it such a moving song. And, yeh, the Costello version ain't a patch on this. Didn't even know he'd c-o-wrote it until years later.

[Stu-khag]

I had no idea it was the guy from madness on bass.I love songs like this. Social history at its finest. The war is long gone but those lyrics resonate and give a snapshot of that period in time.
(I'm now 31, discovered this song about 12 years ago on a rough trade compilation and it still gives me goosbumps)

[Jigster]

Didn't realise what an amazing drummer the guy was until following some Soft Machine links after Kevin Ayers died last month. What a band!

Carrying on the theme of covers perhaps better than the original - have always favoured Joe Strummer's version of Redemption Song to Marley's [size=4] [/size]

[size=4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvnHFl2WuEE[/size]

[KevB]

Quite like Costello's version myself, each to their own I guess.

[The fasting showman]

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1363608260' post='2014575']
Quite like Costello's version myself, each to their own I guess.
[/quote]Yes I like both versions too. Chet Baker playing on the Costello version is a bonus.
Gonna have a listen to Robert Wyatt's 'Sea song' now, thanks for reminding me!

Edited March 18, 2013 by The fasting showman

[lojo]

Sorry if this is not connected , but the song makes me feel like this one does

http://youtu.be/XCbcItIV9Gw


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XCbcItIV9Gw

Edited March 18, 2013 by lojo

[Cosmo Valdemar]

Such a beautiful song, and a heartbreaking performance. Agreed, the Costello version doesn't come close.

[wateroftyne]

It's a lovely tune.

On the subject on the Falklands, here's a fave of mine. Featuring a North-East legend called Frankie Gibbon on bass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkD5pKU7WsE

[molan]

Haven't heard this for ages. I also have the original 12" - must dig it out