Clarky Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinson Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Remember this from years back . Never spotted Bedders on db! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamd Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Beautiful. Had this on 12", didnt realise for a long time Wyatt hadn't written it himself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 (edited) He didn't, though it was written for him - see my previous post. Edited March 17, 2013 by flyfisher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 That takes me back.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wriggers Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Thanks for that Clarky. It's made my afternoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Great post, Clarky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu-khag Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 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) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigster Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 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] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Quite like Costello's version myself, each to their own I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The fasting showman Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 (edited) [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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Such a beautiful song, and a heartbreaking performance. Agreed, the Costello version doesn't come close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Haven't heard this for ages. I also have the original 12" - must dig it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.