I was lucky enough to work with him once - I was part of his support act at a gig back in the early nineties - He had always been a big hero of mine, and he turned out to be an incredibly friendly person(I knew he would) - I'm so glad I got to meet him
I always feel that beneath the adulation (and his music was brilliant ) , there was a tale of a slow descent into alcoholism with Jake, and I'm guessing that came with the usual temper and potential for violence. His drink sodden end, was certainly not an edifying spectacle. Hard but there it was.
I'll be eternally grateful to the wonderful Cerys Matthews for introducing me to the world of Jake, I grew up in the 70s and I'll never understand how I managed to miss him. I blame my parents!
when i was a kid me and a friend james met jake outside a theatre, and he sat and chatted with us on his own. my friend wanted to be an actor so jake talked him through being an entertainer. he was so great to meet.
Just heard this on DoubleJ - an Australian online radio station on a show called Liquid Lunch hosted by Tim Rogers from You Am I - classic Aussie rock band
I remember hearing Thackray at the Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells (!) many years ago....it was a memorable evening (even though he had a streaming cold), but I can't help feeling that he was happier in these smaller venues....
The difference between Jake and other comedy songwriters of this genre who he is at risk of being lumped in with is a certain sensibility. It's not cynical or throwaway. It's full of feeling and engagement.
+Banacek60 Chord Because Trolls are everywhere, and most have no sense of culture or appreciation of someone (almost) unique..(Georges Brassens was his big hero. I live in France, and they are very similar. Both were giants of chanson).Not enough Jake out there.
Lyrics: The Castleford Ladies' Magical Circle meets tonight, In an upstairs aspidistra'd room that's lit by candlelight, Where Elizabeth Jones and Lily O'Grady And three or four more married ladies Practice every week unspeakable pagan rites. Dressed in their Sunday coats and their flowerpot hats, Respectable middle-aged ladies - running to fat, at that - There's Elizabeth Jones and Lily O'Grady And three or four more married ladies, Each with a Woolworth's broomstick and a tabby cat. But they don't waste time with a ouija board or a seance now and again, no. And three or four more married ladies Prefer to be tickled by the whiskery chins of bogey men. Their husbands potter at snooker down the club, Unaware of the devilish jiggery-poke and rub-a-dub-dub, While Elizabeth Jones and Lily O'Grady And three or four more married ladies Are frantically dancing naked for Beelzebub. And after the witches' picnic and the devil's grog, After their savage pantings, their hysterical leap-frog, well, And three or four more married ladies Go back home for cocoa and the Epilogue. So be careful how you go of a Saturday night: If you see a little old lady passing by, it very well might be Or one of those satanical ladies. Their eyes are wild and bright, their cheekbones all alight. Don't go where they invite, Because the Castleford Ladies' Magical Circle meets tonight.
More than 15 years after his death and still a sad, lingering loss of talent. Did you know he was recording his 2nd album at Abbey Road in the studio nextdoor to the Beatles at the same time in 1970? As talented as the Beatles are, it seems some musical ear or other forgot to listen in to Jake, doesn't it?
Interesting comment about comparing Thackray and The Beatles. But, basically, you can't ;) I too find it extremely weird that Thackray wasn't more successful and that he's not held in much higher esteem. Many have pointed out that if he'd been born in France, he'd be stamped into the French cultural consciousness as a legend. And, of course, there's no debate, he was a waaaaaaay more gifted lyricist than any Lennon and McCartney or any of the 'rock' songwriters (in my opinion, Dylan included) but... he could never have come up with the soundscape on 'Revolver' or 'Sgt Pepper' or written the music for 'Helter Skelter' or 'Happiness Is a Warm Gun'. And nor would he have wanted to. Pretty much the same reason why, even if they _had_ heard his genius, The Beatles wouldn't have wanted to sound like Jake either.
I was lucky enough to work with him once - I was part of his support act at a gig back in the early nineties - He had always been a big hero of mine, and he turned out to be an incredibly friendly person(I knew he would) - I'm so glad I got to meet him
I always feel that beneath the adulation (and his music was brilliant ) , there was a tale of a slow descent into alcoholism with Jake, and I'm guessing that came with the usual temper and potential for violence. His drink sodden end, was certainly not an edifying spectacle. Hard but there it was.
Absolute genius - unfortunately completely under appreciated.
One of best and original singer/songwriters England has ever produced. Magical and brilliant
One of the 20th Century's true geniuses.
Happy Heavenly Birthday Jake. ❤️🙏
Wonderful Jake. Wish there were singers as witty and subversive today.
New Math- Bo Burnham
I'll be eternally grateful to the wonderful Cerys Matthews for introducing me to the world of Jake, I grew up in the 70s and I'll never understand how I managed to miss him.
I blame my parents!
when i was a kid me and a friend james met jake outside a theatre, and he sat and chatted with us on his own. my friend wanted to be an actor so jake talked him through being an entertainer. he was so great to meet.
Bollox
I heard this today for the 1st ever,
I missed this for 39 years of my life.
Hope I have another 39 years so I can play over and over again.
I love it....I`m from Castleford!!
absolutely wonderful! We won't see his like again, there's simply no one that good really.
Went to see Jake live at the bridge hotel in newcastle, he was too drunk to perform but regailed us with some superb chat.
What year was that? I wish I had seen him. I think he's absolutely tremendous.
Just heard this on DoubleJ - an Australian online radio station on a show called Liquid Lunch hosted by Tim Rogers from You Am I - classic Aussie rock band
Fond memories. Such a nice man and a severely underated artist.
I remember hearing Thackray at the Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells (!) many years ago....it was a memorable evening (even though he had a streaming cold), but I can't help feeling that he was happier in these smaller venues....
I saw him at the long-gone Tramshed in Woolwich in the late '70s. Superb. ❤
Superb you are sadly missed Jake
Heard this on radio 2 now can't stop playing it!
Likewise
Astonishing talent.dark folk. Love it .rip Jake.much missed.
The difference between Jake and other comedy songwriters of this genre who he is at risk of being lumped in with is a certain sensibility. It's not cynical or throwaway. It's full of feeling and engagement.
sadly forgotten...genius
saw him at well hall open theatre early 70s still remember it
A true master at work...
So did Jake copy Mike Harding or was it the other way round. A lot of similarities.
Utter genius!
This is one of the most wonderful Jake Thackray songs of all, and they are legion. Also full marks for your youtube name.
So be careful how you go of a Saturday night :)
Just fantastic.
Excellent! Thanks!
Fabulous! How can there be dislikes for this? did they push the wrong button?
+Banacek60 Chord Because Trolls are everywhere, and most have no sense of culture or appreciation of someone (almost) unique..(Georges Brassens was his big hero. I live in France, and they are very similar. Both were giants of chanson).Not enough Jake out there.
+kwenzini Did you know that he managed to get Brassens to perform a concert in Wales, despite a near three way language barrier?
I believe so. I have the recording I'd be happy to get it to you when I can dig it out.
Just simply not clever enough to understand.Its not their fault.Jim.Liverpool.
In my specific case, that is exactly what happened. I hit the dislike button by accident.
Thanks so much for posting this. Love Jake, grew up ;istening to him. A legend!! xx
Always good to hear the man.
What a great wordsmith, from a Castleford resident!
There aren't many songs referencing our town! 😆
Thanks for the upload u two brained genius
master
Love this :)
Lyrics:
The Castleford Ladies' Magical Circle meets tonight,
In an upstairs aspidistra'd room that's lit by candlelight,
Where Elizabeth Jones and Lily O'Grady
And three or four more married ladies
Practice every week unspeakable pagan rites.
Dressed in their Sunday coats and their flowerpot hats,
Respectable middle-aged ladies - running to fat, at that -
There's Elizabeth Jones and Lily O'Grady
And three or four more married ladies,
Each with a Woolworth's broomstick and a tabby cat.
But they don't waste time with a ouija board or a seance now and again, no.
And three or four more married ladies
Prefer to be tickled by the whiskery chins of bogey men.
Their husbands potter at snooker down the club,
Unaware of the devilish jiggery-poke and rub-a-dub-dub,
While Elizabeth Jones and Lily O'Grady
And three or four more married ladies
Are frantically dancing naked for Beelzebub.
And after the witches' picnic and the devil's grog,
After their savage pantings, their hysterical leap-frog, well,
And three or four more married ladies
Go back home for cocoa and the Epilogue.
So be careful how you go of a Saturday night:
If you see a little old lady passing by, it very well might be
Or one of those satanical ladies.
Their eyes are wild and bright, their cheekbones all alight.
Don't go where they invite,
Because the Castleford Ladies' Magical Circle meets tonight.
I'm from Castleford but I don't recall much devil worshipping going on. This may be the only song ever written about the place and it's a real gem.
You are obviously unaware of the devilish jiggery-poke and rub-a-dub-dub…
ace
Thanks !
Do we know what song it was that requested, but which Jake couldn't remember the words of? O the joys of live performances!
More than 15 years after his death and still a sad, lingering loss of talent. Did you know he was recording his 2nd album at Abbey Road in the studio nextdoor to the Beatles at the same time in 1970? As talented as the Beatles are, it seems some musical ear or other forgot to listen in to Jake, doesn't it?
The Beatles were never together in a recording studio after 1969.......
Floyd recorded 'See Emily Play' at the same time the Beatles were recording next door. Different story but same punch; the Beatles are overrated.
It is your bag on the Beatles,of which I find slightly odd,but this is about Jake Thackray.Jim.Liverpool.
Thackray's 2nd LP ('Jake's Progress') came out in '69 (not 1970) so maybe The Beatles were doing 'Abbey Road' when he was recording it.
Interesting comment about comparing Thackray and The Beatles. But, basically, you can't ;)
I too find it extremely weird that Thackray wasn't more successful and that he's not held in much higher esteem. Many have pointed out that if he'd been born in France, he'd be stamped into the French cultural consciousness as a legend. And, of course, there's no debate, he was a waaaaaaay more gifted lyricist than any Lennon and McCartney or any of the 'rock' songwriters (in my opinion, Dylan included) but... he could never have come up with the soundscape on 'Revolver' or 'Sgt Pepper' or written the music for 'Helter Skelter' or 'Happiness Is a Warm Gun'. And nor would he have wanted to. Pretty much the same reason why, even if they _had_ heard his genius, The Beatles wouldn't have wanted to sound like Jake either.
genius man
A story of wickedness and devil worship out there in the wilds of Castleford....
It still goes on!
most people wont know where castleford is theyre missing part of the joke.
Biffbangpow when I sent this to Randy Schartiger, I described the small, run down former mining town in Yorkshire. Hope you liked it, spread the word.
I’m sure I saw Jake at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield, on the same bill as Harvey Andrews in the early ‘70s , can anyone confirm this?
Any more clips from this show? If so, please post!
TRY 'DAVID A BALLARD. A MAN OF WORDS.'
cant find him
No.
O if only Jake were around to give us his witty and subversive take on the Brexit nonsense!
Imagine Arctic monkeys having some sort of talent in musicality...you get Jake !