In appreciation of Kevin Coyne

[mudshark]

In the mid 70's or so I got to hear the music of Kevin Coyne. A true English original. Sang the blues like no other (he was compared to Joe Cocker, but Kevin was far better), complete nutcase, iconoclast, consumer of alcoholic beverages in biblical proportions, socialist, maverick composer and writer of lyrics. Britain's answer to Captain Beefheart, perhaps. For several years he worked as a psychiatric nurse and that theme can be heard in many of his compositions. The song Let's Have a Party is taking the piss out of his label boss Richard Branson without Richard knowing it. He was one of the early signings at Virgin, along with Mike Oldfield. The label tried its best to get him into the mainstream, but it was never going to work because the guy simply didn't give a shit. Kevin had admirers in giants like John Lydon and Will Oldham. I lost sight of him in the early 80s, when he probably also lost sight of himself. His marriage broke up, moved to Germany, dried out and stayed there. He still recorded albums thereafter but became better known for his paintings which, apparently, are still making small waves in the European art scenes. Many of his album covers are designed by him.

His best-known album is probably Marjory Razorblade, and that's a very good one. So are Millionaires & Teddy Bears and Bursting Bubbles. A personal favorite is In Living Black & White (live), with a fantastic rendition of his 'hit' song Eastbourne Ladies. He was too awkward and uncompromising to make it big, but he sure had the talent. I read somewhere that somebody in the Doors management asked him to follow in Jim Morrisson's footsteps, but I can't imagine that being true. Ray & Co. certainly would have gone out of the frying pan into the fire.

Coyne remained in Germany and died in 2004 after contracting some lung disease a few years before. He wasn't that old (OK, just looked it up: born in 1944 somewhere in Derbyshire, so he was around 60). During his illness he continued touring, tubes and oxygen tanks in tow. His friends and family simply couldn't stop him. He'd always followed his own path and sure wouldn't stray from it on the final yards.

Roy Harper, Syd Barrett, Robert Wyatt, Kevin Coyne: 4 English icons who were/are brilliant in their own right. All of them suffered from depression, all were heavily addicted to something at some time in their lives. I hope they were all born in/around Derbyshire, so we could say that it must have been something that was in the water.

Is there any love for Kevin Coyne over here?

[naughty boy]

Yes! True English eccentric, unique style, great voice. Love Marjory Razorblade and keep meaning to get hold of the stuff that came earlier.

i saw him in Germany in 1999 and he was long past his best - huge belly, grumpy, shouted at the audience in German as he arrived on stage. The band who backed him were a bunch of musos with braces and ponytails and they played rote versions of old rock 'n' roll classics and it was a shambles. However the solo set he started the concert with was gripping - guitar on his lap fully flat, playing with his thumb.

Songs like 'Marlene' should be heard by everyone. Lydon's a fan, for what it's worth.

[The Fish]

Hallelujah. discussion on someone great and a welcome respite from all the prog. A true maverick genius.

I'd recommend Dynamite Daze as maybe the best place to start.

[naughty boy]

That's a great one, yeah.

[Walk In My Shadow]

Night ferry from Ostend to Dover. Morning train to London Victoria arriving at 6.00 am, nothing open yet.
Onto the Virgin shop in Oxford Street, the first one, the one above the shoe shop.
Marjorie Razorblade double LP aquired (amongst other vinyl).

Those were the days!

[cheifwhat]

I was introduced to him by Slider I believe. I have Marjory on vinyl. A fine album

[The Slider]

Yes - Marjory Razorblade was a big Mojo4Music era favourite.
I have all his stuff and I enjoy it, but truthfully I almost never play it.

[Rorschach]

I've got Marlene and Eastbourne Ladies on a playlist I've played a lot over the last couple of years.
Without him sounding remotely like Jake Thackray, I sort of lump them together with the likes of John Otway, Julian Cope and Robyn Hitchcock. Offbeat English guys who plough their own furrows and all capable of brilliance while never quite sounding like anyone else.

God bless 'em all, I say.

[Jimbly]

Big Jackie's song about Kevin.......hotel toast

[never/ever]

I have Marjorie but never ventured too much further.
Now listening to Dynamite Daze, enjoying that a lot- cheers Fish!