Show Notes
When 18 year old Mark Watson met the American jazz musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron after a gig in Liverpool in 1984 little did he realise that the star was going to play such an important role in his life. Mark had just been released from 9 years in the care system and could barely read or write. Nevertheless he WAS streetwise and blagged his way into the backstage area of the Royal Court theatre in the hope of shaking Gil's hand and praising him for his performance. Something about Mark's character affected Gil and he invited him to become a roadie with the band and over the years their relationship blossomed and Gil became his friend and mentor. Fast forward to 2022 and Malik al Nasir ( Mark changed his name when converting to Islam 30 years ago) is doing a PhD at Cambridge University and has just released a book - Letters to Gil - describing the impact Gil had on his life and telling HIS story about how the musician saved him where the care system in the UK had failed. Malik is this month's guest in the Misadventures in Music podcast with Ian Prowse and Mick Ord - both huge Gil fans. It's a genuinely astounding story about generosity of spirit and the power of music." Track Listing "Cane" from the album "Secrets" based on a novel called "Cane" by Gene Toomer about post slavery segregation in the rural south where he grew up. It aligns with my fathers experience in the cane fields of Demerara in Guyana. The song is adapted from the characters in the book and poems about them. "Karintha" and "Becky". "Washington DC" from the album "Moving Target" This was the song that first introduced me to Gils work and caused me to go to that fateful meeting at the Royal Court Theatre in 1984 which forever altered the course of my life. "On from a broken home" from the last album "I'm New Here". I was with Gil when he wrote this poem in 1988 whilst we were on tour in the US with Ritchi Havens. I'd been telling Gil about my issues and he said "you're not the only one with issues" and proceeded to read me what he'd just written. That was 88 but it didn't get released until 2010. "Immigrants - Free at Last" by Malik & The O.G's (Song features Gils drummer Rod Youngs & Gils percussionist Larry McDonald). It was my response to the xenophobia that we faced growing up by people always telling us to "go back to where you came from". After working with Gil I attained the knowledge to answer that trope.
More from Misadventures in Music with Ian Prowse & Mick Ord
As Britain's first all-Black British soul group to achieve major chart success in the 1970's, The Real Thing broke new ground and created a string of unforgettable hits, including "You To Me Are Everything", "Can't Get By Without You" and "Can You Feel the Force?" Chris Amoo has been their powerhouse vocalist since the beginning and is still performing to packed crowds today with fellow founder member,Dave Smith.Chris takes us through The Real Thing's career from their early beginnings in Toxteth to the pubs and clubs of Merseyside, winning the tv talent show "Opportunity Knocks", falling out with presenter Hughie Green (who didn't?) and then hitting the UK number one spot with "You To Me Are Everything". Their songs have been covered by Mary J.Blige, Courtney Pine and Philip Bailey.Chris is a natural storyteller and an inspiration to anyone who loves music, especially soul and funk.
Jah Wobble joins Ian Prowse and Mick Ord for a fascinating and often hilarious conversation covering Public Image Ltd, John Lydon, the birth of punk, bass playing, Liverpool, creativity and a lifetime spent making music on his own terms. Best known as the original bassist with Public Image Ltd (PiL) alongside John Lydon, Jah Wobble helped create one of the most influential sounds of the post-punk era. But as this conversation reveals, his story stretches far beyond punk. From growing up in London and witnessing the emergence of the Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood's legendary SEX boutique, to finding himself at the centre of one of the most important musical movements of the twentieth century, Wobble reflects on a remarkable career with honesty, humour and insight.
From Liverpool to Nashville and back again, Siobhan Maher Kennedy's musical career spans 40 plus years, taking in River City People, who hit the singles charts with "California Dreamin'' in the '80's and then released 2 albums before riding off into the sunset. Her tales of taking a charabanc load of scousers to one of Richard Branson's exclusive parties and her guitarist's encounter with Mike Oldfield are LOL moments in this lively and fascinating interview with one of Nashville's - and Liverpool's - finest.
Nothing Can Hurt Me Any More' is the recently released - and critically acclaimed - album by Michael Weston King, singer-songwriter and one half of the country duo, My Darling Clementine, along with his wife Lou Dalglish. Two years ago their lives were rent asunder following the death of their 6 year old granddaughter Bebe King - the youngest of three children murdered in the attack at a dance class in Southport. Eight other children and two adults were seriously wounded in the incident which received worldwide coverage and was followed by riots on the streets of Southport. Michael's album, released on Bebe's birthday on April 4th, has been highly praised by Elvis Costello who's described it "a beautiful, complex piece of work". It's an uplifting and hopeful collection which reflects pain, anger and love, as Michael explained to Misadventures in Music.
In this episode of Misadventures in Music, Ian Prowse and Mick Ord are joined by singer songwriter Noel Burke, best known for stepping into one of the most challenging roles in British music history when he became the frontman of Echo & The Bunnymen following the departure of Ian McCulloch.Noel reflects on joining the legendary Liverpool band during a period of immense change, working alongside Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson, and the challenge of performing songs that had already become part of British music folklore. He shares candid memories of touring with the band, winning over audiences, and finding his place in a group with such a devoted following.The conversation also explores Noel's early musical influences, his time with acclaimed Irish band St Vitus Dance, the realities of the music industry, songwriting, creativity, and the lasting impact of Liverpool's remarkable music scene.Along the way, there are stories about the post-punk era, life on the road, the pressures of following a celebrated frontman, and the friendships and musicians that shaped Noel's career. The discussion also touches on the late Pete de Freitas, drummer Damon Reece, and the often-overlooked chapter of Echo & The Bunnymen's history that Noel helped write.Thoughtful, honest and often very funny, this is a fascinating conversation with a musician who found himself at the centre of one of the most talked-about transitions in British rock.If you're interested in Liverpool music, post-punk, songwriting, music history, or the untold stories behind iconic bands, this is an episode you won't want to miss.