Connolly’s Corner

Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙚𝙨𝙩 – 𝙆𝙚𝙡𝙚 𝙁𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜

Charles eats stars for breakfast…

Alan Turing. One of the great minds of the 20th Century. I will be bold enough to claim that his brain even surpassed those of our more recent greats, Billie Eilish and Oprah Winfrey. But you’re welcome to argue that point, should you so wish. It just occurred to me that some of you might not know who Alan Turing was. Turing was a technological genius. He developed The Bombe (not the atomic kind); responsible for cracking the Nazi Enigma code used throughout WWII. It is questionable as to whether we would have won the Second World War without Turing. A vital asset, therefore! Note that we are not currently in the middle of a Third World War, while Billie Eilish and Oprah Winfrey just happen to be around. Coincidence…? Yes. A completely unrelated “coincidence”. Turing is also hailed for being the forefather of the computer as we know it. But this was all in the past. Most people were not familiar with the name and he went the way of obscurity. That is, until relatively recently as he has popped back into chit-chat over the last 15-or-so years. Was this because people thought it was about time he was truly recognised for his achievements? Well, I suppose there was a bit of that. But mainly, it was because he was gay. Never mind what he actually did! The point is, he was persecuted and prosecuted for being gay in a time when it was illegal to be gay. And so we now rectify that matter by praising him to the sky for being gay. I can see a flaw here…

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝘿𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙮 – 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙩 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡

Charles quotes 10cc: “Art for Art’s Sake”

I had the privilege of seeing 10cc at the Royal Albert Hall, back in 2019 when things were normal and we could enjoy such things without wondering if we were threatening our health in doing so. We’ll get back to that form of life soon enough – just a matter of time. I told you this for absolutely no reason other than to tell you this (told for telling’s sake). But the band’s famous message, originally coined in the early 19th century in France (l’art pour l’art), really made me think. Art for Art’s Sake. Art for the sake of art. No statements, no morals, no politics. Just art to enjoy. Art to enliven the soul. Speaking of things returning to normal, I am hoping that when things open up here in London I will be able to visit a gallery or two. The artist David Hockney, has always intrigued and irritated me. I very much like how he started in the 60s with his Splash paintings, but then quickly went off him. For decades his art didn’t excite me. In fact, it didn’t really move me in any way – it was simply there, and my eyes drifted over and past it. What irritated me was actually the general public praising him for the mediocre work of his middle years. This century however, he has come back strong, starting with his tree paintings in the mid 00s (I say ‘paintings’ loosely as he mainly works digitally these days). He is a man of nature. Like the old greats (Monet, Renoir etc.) he is obsessed with light and feel. The passing of time, and how this changes our surroundings through the seasons. A splash of colour; a dose of light. This is pure art – art for art’s sake. I am hoping to see his new summer exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in the coming months. For those who don’t know, Hockney is an extremely famous artist from England. For those who don’t know, England is a country in Britain. For those who don’t know, Britain is also a country, because we’re weird like that.

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙢𝙖𝙣’𝙨 𝙇𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 – 𝘿𝙤𝙢 𝙋𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙧

Charles plays a word game…

Justice. It’s a funny thing. We say it’s not revenge. We say it’s not. We say things like “They can’t get away with this. It’s just not right”. And we’re right in saying this. If wrong has been committed, the wrongdoer should go back in time and undo their wrong. But since we don’t yet have time machines, we have to deal with it another way. Punishment by beating…? No no no. We are a civilised society. Or so I am told. Ask them politely not to do it again? “Say you promise”… Unlikely to work. So prison then. But what if their crime is so much worse than, say, stealing a car, or even high level fraud? Say it’s something like… MURDER!! Well, it’s the chair for you. At least in some states. But in Britain, we have no such punishment. Prison for theft, prison for murder. Just simply more time. In fact, in Britain the last execution was 60 years ago next year. Now THAT’S a cheery thought! Who says I don’t bring you joy. Let’s go back to the “good old days” of the 19th Century and further…

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 – 𝙀𝙙 𝙀𝙖𝙜𝙡𝙚 (𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩. 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮)

Charles crosses his fingers and touches wood as he covers a cover.

As I switch on, switch off and switch on the light again, a blind man sways with a smile from behind his electric piano. He rounds off a soothing ballad and segues into a funky number. Something changes in the air. From clouds of cirrus to bolts of loytneen, there’s a storm a-brewin’. A god is in charge and the genius is at work. I speak of Lord Stevie of Wonder. One of the greatest people in music lending us one of the greatest riffs ever known to man, and not a guitar in sight! Superstition is perfection from beginning to end. Unbetterable (ahem). This is clear to almost any musician. So why cover it…?

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 – 𝙑𝙞𝙭 𝟐𝟎

Charles Connolly is unwell…

Let’s see how this goes. Like Jeffrey Bernard, I am currently not very well. Nothing terrible. I’m not dying, or anything, but it was all rather sudden. On Sunday, I was carrying on with a mix/production for a client. All was relatively normal throughout the day. Lunch was late but hearty. The music continued its journey through my mind with every bite. I was “in the zone”, and feeling perfectly normal. Or as close to normal as a thing like me can be. As you can probably tell from that last line, I’m not exactly feeling “wordy”. Words are NOT flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup. They are instead missing the cup entirely or occasionally sticking to the brim. It is more like constipated drizzle than endless rain. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, I was feeling normal whilst immersed in music. Noyce. In my element, one could say. But then towards the evening, I coughed. Now, coughing is not particularly a sign of anything, in fact we do it all the time. Particularly we asthmatics. The word asthma reminds me of Jack Lemmon in The Odd Couple when he is attempting to clear his sinuses. Thma. Thma thma thMAA! If you have no idea what in God’s name I’m talking about, do watch the film – it’s worth it. Ugh, I really am like a meandering tangent today. So, I coughed. It was different though. I felt it in the centre of my chest. It banged like a distorted timpani drum. Instantly I knew this was not normal and that I might be starting to get ill. Oh bugger. I am never ill. I am almost never anywhere I could catch anything (i.e. outside). Maybe it was just one isolated oomphy cough. A “man’s cough”. But no. It happened again. I continued with my mixing and arranging and whatever else I do most days. But over the following hour or so, I started to feel dirty. Dirty on the inside. You know those satisfying before and after cleaning videos? This was the before. Then as the early evening became later, my head started to get all stuffy and bunged up. You know that feeling all too well. We all do. I just so rarely GET this! The lower back started to ache and I became fragile. This must be what it’s like to be old. It gives us a glimpse of the wonderful days ahead. Bloody awful.

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝘽𝙮 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 – 𝙍𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣

Charles refuses to go…

I am somewhat known for my regularity. Without fail and without the need for prodding, poking or coaxing, I will deliver another instalment of my column (article/piece/chunk). But this has been a weak week. I have become irregular. Things have stopped working and come to a standstill. Let me explain.

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This week, Brad (aka Mercury Teardrop) takes over 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 to pay homage to N.A.S. legends Charles Connolly and The Blindfold Experience, and to dive into ‘The Key’, their brand new single.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙚𝙮 – 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚

Brad does his bit…

As I think back to my favourite musical collaborations from my youth, a few significant ones still stand out. As some of you ‘N.A.S.-ers’ may already know, I’m someone who is firmly planted in middle-age and have been active in music, in various ways, over the past four decades. However, despite loving playing live in a band, writing and producing, I am first and foremost a life-long music FAN. I love music from many eras and most genres (disclaimer: I have sincerely tried to enjoy Country, but most of it, I just can’t get into, Sorry!). Growing up, I never understood why most people I knew seemed to like only one type of genre; or, at least a relative lack of diversity in musical taste. Honestly, it seemed completely silly to me. I loved all types of music and always took every opportunity to explore my curiosity. I grew up on a steady diet of 60s and 70s Rock, Jazz, Psychedelic and Folk. I recall roadtrips with my family listening to albums like Hejira by Joni Mitchell, Band on the Run by Wings, Blue Moves by Elton John (one of my faves), and so many more. But I do recall a few times my parents fell in love with songs that seemed to have a unique sense of novelty, the duets! And, in the 70s and 80s there were a lot!

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮 – 𝙀𝙧𝙞𝙘 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙚𝙡 𝙅𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨

Charles takes it easy…

Why do I work hard? Why do I take it so seriously? It’s WORK, for God’s sake (that could be taken in two ways…). Well, why should I take ANYTHING seriously, for that matter…? I mean, as long as it isn’t hurting anyone, why not be silly and float aimlessly through life like a butterfly…? All relatively decent questions, but what’s it all about? Huh. Another question. Well, this is just something I’ve been pondering lately. When you’re young, it’s all about fun and wasting time. That’s what youth is for. Then you get a bit older, and you start to panic. You knuckle down to the point of exhaustion. This continues for quite a while, and perhaps gets even worse. But there comes a time when you realise mortality, and you start to feel you owe yourself a little bit of selfishness. Sod the partner, sod the kids, sod work. Okay, not sod ANY of them (that’s absurd) – because “sharing is caring” (bleurghh). My point is, that up until this point, you have basically been doing your life a certain way for other people. To make sure your partner is comfortable, relaxed, happy, content and at ease. To make sure your children have the best start in life, and that they don’t quite yet have some sort of crushing or debilitating mental disorder. To make sure your work colleagues like you, and more importantly to make sure your boss is pleased with your performance so they’re not quite ready to sack you. Never give them a reason.

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 – 𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙨 𝙆𝙖𝙧𝙡 𝙈𝙘𝙉𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮

Charles remains blunt yet pointy…

Last week I made several points; and I’m sure you did too. I thought that would have been enough for the time being, but it seems there are yet more to uncover. Let’s call this an unofficial “part two”, as I seem to like ordering things by number these days. Let us say that last week was unfinished business. Last week I spoke of 2024 being my new found discovery of classical music. Better late than never, as they say. Saturday evening was a special little treat for my mother, my girlfriend and myself. We went to see the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The programme comprised an overture by Verdi, a piano concerto by Rachmaninov (yes, THAT piano concerto), and finally, the pièce de résistance: The Planets by Holst. The whole concert was wondrous and very special indeed. Basically flawless, but in a good way. It was organic and very real indeed. Jupiter (if you are familiar with The Planets) had me watery-eyed and tingly all over. Despite the hall’s vast size (capable of holding 2,700 people – and it was jam-packed), the sound was surprisingly dry. Although a purist might not go for this lack of humidity (reverb), I found it refreshing. Refreshing because most concerts and almost all traditional recordings of a symphony orchestra are full of the sound of the room. Everything usually lingers in the air quite a time after it has been played. But not in the case of the Royal Festival Hall. This meant that there was more clarity and precision in the sound. While this might not be ideal for Verdi and Rachmaninov, it was certainly most welcome for Holst. You see, The Planets is often very rhythmic and tight. There are many spiccato notes which might be lost in a large hall that actually sounds like a large hall. For those who might be unaware, here is a brief rundown of three articulations for strings. Staccato is a brief bow of the string. Staccatissimo is an even briefer one. While spiccato (the briefest of all) is more of a bounce – as soon as the bow has hit the string, it is back up in the air. And it is THIS articulation that might have been somewhat lost in a wetter room. Cue the sprinkler jokes…

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Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly – an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.

𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙩 (𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣) – 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙇𝙞𝙯 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨

Charles deals the cards…

Are you religious? Are you spiritual? Do you believe (in life after l- shut up, Cher)? Is there a Heaven and a Hell? Will God reward you for your good deeds on Earth? Will the Devil smite you for being a bad, bad girl. Do you believe in witchcraft? Do you believe in magic? Do you believe in fate? Do you believe in destiny? What about séances, tea leaves, and fortune tellers? Are you superstitious? Very superstitious? If so, there’s nothing more to say; the devil’s on his way… Do EYE believe in any of this…? I feel that one of the biggest problems almost all of us incur in life is the very thing that can sway one towards belief. Which in turn usually enhances said incurrence. And what is it…? Fear. Fear is rife. Fear is everywhere, and with all of us, pretty much. Fear of doing the wrong thing. Fear of making the wrong decision. Fear of spending too much money. Fear of not having enough money. Fear of letting someone down. Fear of climate change. Fear of harm. Fear of world politics. Fear of natural disasters. Fear of what others might think. Fear of God. Fear of the future. And THIS is the crux of the matter. The future. Fear of the consequence. Good old conscience making life more difficult than it already is.

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