I don’t know too many songs by the Verve that rock my world, as I got into Britpop kind of late. Bittersweet symphony is really pretty, even though they sampled it from the Stones. What a great lick right off top: kind of like tea garden music, inviting you in to have a cuppa and relax. Hard to imagine Keith Richards relaxing with tea when you reference him passed out in a chair in the two rose belt buckle shot by Annie Leibovitz circa 1975. But the riff is beautiful and timeless, so give full marks to the Verve for using that sample to put them out front of all of their peers in a crowed scene. Lucky Man is even prettier, so pretty I even sang it at a wedding.
I got the call to work Richard Ashcroft at Abbey Road Studios one time, and was psyched to be there, as one would be. Other than the Beetles, so much more music, movie soundtrack post production and general magic was created there. Pink Floyd created one of the greatest ever pieces of music there, in Dark Side of the Moon.
We loaded in down the ramp, through corridors to a studio in the basement. It was to be recorded live for a television special with a bunch of different crews there. Vidiots were laying track for cameras, audiots were running cables to mixing desks that we brought in, then lampys light it all up. We scurried around humping wedges to their desired spots, uncasing guitars, drums and everything else to beat the clock. Empty flight cases were stored outside the studio, down the hall out of site.
My crew boss signalled for us to leave the studio, as crew were not supposed to be in camera shot. I looked at my boss/friend with puppy eyes, asking if I could stay in the room for the taping. He agreed only if I found a spot and didn’t move a muscle for the entirety of the gig. Some of the Verve were Ashcroft’s backing band, the drummer and bass player I think. The rest of the band was rounded out by top session players, who came in relaxed and prepared. What a joy to watch. No bother at all.
Then Richard Ashcroft entered the studio, followed quickly by the start of the program. The guy was surrounded, almost protected from all of the pitfalls and slimy bullshit that comes with his territory, by a bubble. An aura that I could actually see, almost feel. It was iridescent, almost real if you wanted to trick yourself and really dig it! What a happening to witness and remember, and to be inspired by.