Happy Birthday John Cleese

Today is John Cleese's 85^th birthday. To celebrate Harry Pye is unveiling his new collaboration with fellow artist Rowland Smith. The title of the tribute is "Cleese and Chapman Diptych." Their artwork makes reference to two great artists of the past - Francis Bacon  and Agnola Bronzino, and two great comedy writer/performers John Cleese and Graham Chapman. Francis Bacon's intense portraits can currently be seen in the exhibition Human Presence at The National Portrait Gallery. Meanwhile, next door at the National Gallery you can see Bronzino's painting An Allegory with Venus and Cupid which partly inspired the famous foot from the opening credits of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Whilst a student at Winchester School of Art in the 1990s, Harry Pye wrote his dissertation on the Monty Python team and has always been fascinated by the unique creative relationship Cleese had with Chapman. Their partnership resulted in such classic sketches as The Dead Parrot. Originally, Cleese wrote a skit about a dodgy toaster. It was Graham Chapman who suggested it would be funnier if the toaster was switched for a parrot.  

Pye says "For me, these paintings are about being in the spot light. Sometimes we all find ourselves in a situation where we can feel like a chat show guest that's under pressure to be interesting and amusing. If you go on You Tube you can find many fascinating interviews with both Cleese and Chapman. The two that really stick out for me are  the one where Chapman is with Michael Parkinson and he really opens up about his alcoholism and the other one is from 1979 when Cleese argues about the film Life of Brian with the Bishop of Southwark. One of the best things Cleese ever wrote was the eulogy at Chapman's funeral. He makes is crystal clear how important Chapman was to him and how much he was influenced by him. Francis Bacon said he wanted to make paintings that unlock people's feelings and change their views on life. I feel watching Python changed me and unlocked something in me. Also, Cleese said "what I love about writing with a partner is that you get to places you'd never get on your own" I relate to that too - It was great to work with Rowland Smith on this tribute to John and Graham. We'd both like to wish Mr Cleese a very happy 85^th Birthday."

Photo Above: Rowland Smith holding Chapman portrait.

Photo Below: Harrry Pye holding Cleese portrait.

Johnny Turnbull releases fantastic new album Never Mind The Frolicks

 

Johnny Turnbull’s brilliant guitar playing has featured on many much loved albums by The Blockheads, Bob Geldof, World Party, David Stewart, Paul Young, and Talk Talk. This month sees the release of his fab new solo CD “Never Mind The Frolics“ which is available from: paypal.me/Nevermindthefrolics 

Q: My favourite lyric from Never Mind The Frolics is “All the world is quiet, all the world is still, Everybody is praying that their God will pay the bill, Everybody Is Hoping For The Perfect Happy Pill” – how did they come about?

Johnny Turnbull: “The words to ‘Perfect Happy Pill’ came on a morning walk in Crouch End. Twas a still, calm morning and words just flooded in. Emma-Clare helped me a bit with the title. Dave Stewart told me Songs  are just post cards to yourself . I think he may have been quoting John Lennon but anyway it’s a good line of thought . Don’t fret too much when inspiration hits just go with the flow is always the right way."

Q: Everything Is Broken’ is an amusing song that reminds me of George Formby – are you a fan of Mr Formby?

Johnny: “I enjoyed writing ‘Everything is Broken’ on my drives to the studio. We had moved to an old cottage near Derby and most things needed attention. So it was all true. I had the tune on Ukulele for a while and yes I am a big George Formby fan."

Q  ‘Figure It Out’ is a sweet love song – have you been lucky in love and do you have any advice for young lovers?

Johnny: “Figure it out started at Karl Wallinger’s studio Seaview. He recorded me on acoustic and he played a bass on Moog. Karl also suggested I tweak the lyric here and there. He was a fabulous producer -arranger and a dear friend. My advice to young lovers would be to try to stay in love and to love like you’ve never been hurt.”

Q: The first 3 minutes of ‘Anniversary Bash’ is quite gentle music accompanying a singer whose pondering the rights and wrongs of a band who does a crown pleasing show that consists of trips down memory lane but then there’s a fantastic 2 minute jam at the end. Can you talk about what inspired the lyric or would you rather keep it mysterious and ambiguous?

Johnny: “Anniversary Bash is an out take from Blockheads album ‘Where’s The Party?’ I took a monitor mix at the end of the session .It’s good to have a mix even if the song doesn’t make it on an album. I love the jam on the outro. Gilad Atzmon plays beautiful Soprano lines and Dylan Howe on drums mashed it up nicely. Mickey Gallagher on electric piano, Norman Watt-Roy on Bass, Chaz Jankel on Moog. The lyric was originally about Eric Clapton. I played at his Hall of Fame event in New York at the Armoury. I was in Spiritual Cowboys with Dave Stewart. I spoke with Eric after sound check. He was kind and very relaxed even though his life must have been complex and tinged with sadness.  The other influence was Ian Dury at the Palladium. His last ever concert with The Blockheads and special guest singers.” 

Q: To my ears both ‘Little Ray of Sunshine’ and ‘Flirting With Mountains’ are quite Beatle-esq – they wouldn’t be out of place on later albums by The Fabs such as Abbey Road. Have you met any of The Beatles or worked with them? Do you get a little star struck when you meet your heroes?

Johnny: ‘Little Ray of Sunshine’ also started out at Karl Wallinger’s studio many years ago.  I had the tune and Karl was mumbling words including the title. We never finished it sadly … When Karl died I decided to write more words .The night before his funeral I finished it and sang it to his family. They approved so I tagged it on the end of the new album.   I may have borrowed a few Paul McCartney chords for this one but I don’t think he would object. The last time I saw Paul I told him I had bought all his records and he said thanks mate…I did meet all the Beatles. Paul and Ringo were very kind and relaxed. Ringo let me play his drum kit when I was recording Kai Olsen’s album at Tittenhurst studios. The snare drum still had a piggy packet taped on the skin from years ago. I was chuffed to bits... John Lennon asked me to help find his glasses late one night at The Speakeasy club London. We found them and he was grateful a little bit drunk at the time...Twas a late night lock in and most people had gone home….  George was always moody to me and I think I know why. We both fancied a beautiful woman.. I don’t want to mention the girl’s name so we will leave it at that. Bless him.”

Q: Karl Wallinger died in March of this year aged just 66. You played in World Party with him for quite some time. Can you share a happy memory of working with Karl and do you have a favourite World Party song?

Johnny: “The Beatification of Saint Karl….We were recording ‘The Whole of The Night’ I was using my Gibson Melody Maker guitar which is easy to play but to Karl’s ears sounded a bit thin so he put it through his latest bit if trickery and got a fantastic sound which inspired me onto bendy tricky licks .We celebrated with a fat one and a cup of Tea. On my first solo record ‘Quantum Frolics’ Karl loved the song ‘Love and Magik’ so he stayed up for hours sorting out my vocals and did a wonderful mix.' 

The Blockheads (whose line up is now: Chaz, Mickey, and Johnny with new boys John Roberts (drums), Dave Lewis (sax), Nathan King (bass), and  singer Mike Bennett) will be playing lots of live shows in  2025. If you can't wait till then... You can buy tickets for 

14/12/24: Dingwalls, London

22/12/24: Chinner's, Southend on Sea

28/12/24: Hub Club, Hampton

For more info go: HERE

           

Sleepless Artwork

Above: Nigel Planer (drawn by Francis Macdonald) on Lead Vocals 

Above: Francis Macdonald (drawn by Francis Macdonald) on Percussion

Above: Johnny Turnbull on Lead Guitar (drawn by Harry Pye)

Above: Clare Kenny on Bass (drawn by Harry Pye)

"Is it wrong to get it wrong sometimes and is it wrong to be confused?

Is it wrong to feel abandoned and feel like you’ve been used?

Is it ok to be angry, or foolish or naïve?

Is it ok to be frightened – is it ok to be me?

Just one slip and I let my feelings all come undone

now I'm someone feeling sleepless in South London

I heard the warnings but I chose to shun them

I'm just someone feeling sleepless in south London"

Above: Humphrey Ocean: Telecommunication. oil on canvas 73x92cm, 2004

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Above: Humphrey Ocean: Neighbour’s Wife

. oil on canvas 73x92cm, 2004

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Above: Cathy Lomax: 'Isolation Era Film Diary 4: 23.03.20 She was conflicted’, 2020, oil on paper

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 Above: Cathy Lomax: 'The Mike Todd Diamond Ear Pendants', 2017, oil on gesso panel.

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Above: Cathy Lomax: 'The Mike Todd Diamond Ear Pendants', 2017, oil on gesso panel.

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Above: Lee Maelzer: 

Hayden Looking Sideways, 2024, pencil on canvas, 40 x 31.5 cm

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Above: Lee Maelzer: Crossed Arms

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Above: Lee Maelzer: Asleep

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Above: Lee Maelzer: Red Hat

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Above: Marcus Cope: "The Lie" oil on paper

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Above: Marcus Cope: "One of the Lies" oil on paper

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Above: Harry Pye; Sleepless (a.k.a. "I Can't Forget Where My Lips Have Been") Acrylic on canvas

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Above: Harry Pye: 'Hard Times' Acrylic and marker pen on canvas.

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Above: Harry Pye: 'I Can't Get Out of Bed' Acrylic on canvas

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Above: Harry Pye: You Don't Have To Save You Love Me

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Above Harry Pye & Rowland Smith: Breakfast in Bed

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Above: Harry Pye & Rowland Smith: I Still Miss Someone

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Above: Julia Maddison

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Above: Julia Maddison

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Above: Julia Maddison

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Above: Seaton Sluice Woman

Marie-Louise Plum

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Above: Sandra Turnbull

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Above: "Sleep is not my friend" by Sandra Turnbull

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Above: "Bed is Torture" by Sandra Turnbull

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Above: "Sleepless" by Sandra Turnbull

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Above: Black Dog by Fabienne Jacquet

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Above: Clouds by Fabienne Jacquet

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Above: Twisted by Fabienne Jacquet

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Above: You Do Loneliness Really well by Fabienne Jacquet

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Above: John Heywood-Waddington

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Above: Lazy Day by Kathleen Thompson

Above: Bob London

Above: Bob London

Above: Bob London

Above: Bob London

Other artists who are hopefully going to make work for the video include; Georgia Hayes,  Geraldine Swayne, & Janette Parris.