As I mentioned on an earlier post (the one I accidently deleted) at the Green Man I had the pleasure of meeting one of my all time heros, Joe Boyd (actually 'meeting' maybe a slight exaggeration, he signed my book while I grinned at him inanely.)
For many years he has been somewhat of an enigma to me, I had discovered reading the liner notes of many of my favourite albums that they all had something in common, they were all produced by Joe Boyd and were on Witchseason productions. The albums in question, Leige and Leif by Fairport Convention, Bryter Layter by Nick Drake, The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter by The Incredible String Band and Stormbringer by John and Beverley Martin all have an unmistakeable natural quality, a quality that brings to mind shoeless walks in the countryside, with tree canopies overhead and moss underfoot.
Only a year or two ago I discovered yet another 'Boyd' classic 'Just Another Diamond Day' by Vashti Bunyan, which in my opinion is one of the most perfect albums ever made. It was the re-release of this album that seemed to create a renewed interest and appreciation of the music of Witchseason productions. An appreciation that beforehand seemed unduly sparse.
In January BBC 4 ran an excellent series called 'Folk Brittania' (which incidently is being repeated on BBC 2 at the moment) that explored the British folk scene from Ewan MacColl to modern day folk artists. It featured Joe Boyd, talking about many of the bands he worked with, and at last I could put a face to the name.
The programme also had an accompanying series of concerts at the Barbican, one of which I attended, (Vashti Bunyan, Bert Jansch, Mike Heron, Adem & King Creosote all in the same line-up was a right treat I can tell you!) Joe Boyd was doing a talk there to promote his new book. Unfortunately I missed it as I was a just few minutes too late and the auditorium was already full. Anyway all was not lost because when I read that he would be doing a talk at the Green Man I vowed to go and see him, buy his book and get it signed, which is exactly what I did.
Anyway to my point! I am currently 'devouring' his book 'White Bicycles- making music in the 60's' and it is such a fantastic read. Not only did Joe Boyd help create so much wonderful music, he also started his career as a tour manager for Blues and Jazz artists in the early 60's AND started up the UFO club in London. In his book he even goes on to explain how he got the all the lush, earthy sounds you hear in his recordings. He has a story and a half to tell and what's better, he tells it well. Sorry to go on but if there is one thing I can enthuse about...
If I haven't sold it to you yet here are a couple of reviews;
'What a wonderful book! I was so engrossed I missed my train station. A gripping piece of social history and the best book I've read about music in years' BRIAN ENO
'Joe Boyd knows' KATE BUSH