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: 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?
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.”
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
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