That Day Became a Year

The moment is almost upon us, the hostelries of Leeds are checking stock levels and polishing their glasses in anticipation of the latest instalment of the annual BlogCon, which commences on Monday. I understand that Alyson has already booked us into a couple of splendid looking eating establishments and I've no doubt at all that John Medd is ready to guide us towards the finest alehouses the city has to offer. C will be there, Ernie too and I believe that Walter is flying in once again. I'm a little hazy as to who else is joining in the fun, though needless to say everyone is welcome. Those that can't be with us this time around will be missed that's for sure and will have a glass or two raised to them over our three days together. As usual I've done little by way of research myself, I'm more than happy to go with the flow. As long as I have coffee in the morning, a beer in the evening and good company throughout the day, I'm all set.

Leeds born surrealist, absurdist and all round genius Glen Baxter died in March, a couple of weeks after his 82nd birthday. Baxter's work has loomed large in my life since the early 1980s and several volumes sit on my shelves to this day. I don't believe there's any official recognition of his heritage in Leeds, but there certainly should be.  

Be Bop Deluxe - Surreal Estate

Friday Photo #47

Last Monday, a year on from our first get together in Edinburgh, a handful of bloggers descended on the fine city of York for 48 hours of food, conversation and laughter. And what a complete joy it was. Alyson, C, Charity Chic (+ Mrs CC), John Medd (+ Mrs M) and I were all present and correct once again, while Martin, who was unable to attend this time round, was sorely missed. Recollections to follow, I've no doubt.

Aside from shots of the participants, I took virtually no photos in York, so here's one I submitted to the BlogCon'23 WhatsApp group while en route to our rendezvous, taken while standing on Peterborough railway station, with a ticket for my destination.

Be Bop Deluxe - Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape

Be-Bop Deluxe

Across their five studio albums, Be-Bop Deluxe existed at the meeting point of a veritable Venn Diagram of musical styles and influences. From the glam infused art-rock of 1974's 'Axe Victim' and the following year's 'Futurama', through the prog-lite of their two 1976 LP's 'Sunburst Finish' and 'Modern Music' to the final, new wave inspired swansong that was 'Drastic Plastic' in 1978. For all this apparent stylistic chopping and changing, Bill Nelson's songs were consistently accessible and often downright catchy. Take 'Maid in Heaven' from 'Futurama' for instance - 2½ minutes of pop perfection.

Be-Bop Deluxe - Maid in Heaven

Revolt Into Style

Be-Bop Deluxe's 1978 LP 'Drastic Plastic' was Bill Nelson's attempt to embrace the UK's burgeoning New Wave scene, but the group's fanbase appeared less than impressed. As a result of this relative failure, Nelson disbanded Be-Bop Deluxe, retaining just keyboard player Andy Clark for his next venture. In the event, Bill Nelson's Red Noise released just one LP, 1979's 'Sound-On-Sound', after which Nelson commenced a prolific solo career that continues to this day. 'Sound-On-Sound' contains some great moments though, not least the band's second and final single 'Revolt Into Style'.

Bill Nelson's Red Noise - Revolt Into Style