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: “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 a John Lennon quote about songs being like postcards which is a good line of thought. Don't fret too much - when inspiration strikes just go with it - 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?

‘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?

“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 (who now consist of Chaz, Mickey and Johnny with new boys John Roberts on drums, Dave Lewis on sax, Nathan King on bass, and singer Mike Bennett) will be playing Dingwalls on the 14th of December. To see all their tour dates for next year visit: HERE