by Lang Reid
Asia
Books have decided that Lang Reid must play golf, with a copy of The
Complete Guide to Golf in Thailand arriving on my desk (Blue Mango
Publishing, Bangkok, 2004, ISBN 974-91847-9-3). Their editorial staff have
obviously never seen me play, or they would not have sent it. On an
initial flick through, it did not appear to have a section called “How
to Instantly Improve”, but it did seem to have everything else!
At a tad short of 300 pages, all glossy colour, it is a
weighty tome edited by Craig Witney. This gentleman is apparently the
coach for the Thailand national team and has held that position for ten
years. He also is a US PGA professional coach, so is someone who knows
which end of his club to hold as well as at which end of the course to
begin. He is now several eons beyond my golf abilities.
Basically each course covered in the guide has one page
dedicated to the contact details, address, email, etc., and then a
description of the course and a scorecard showing par for each hole and
the length of the hole.
The next page gives details as to the course designer,
when it was opened, how many holes, the nominated ‘par’ and total
yardage. Green fees for guests and visitors are given for both weekdays
and weekends, plus caddy fees, golf cart fees, which credit cards are
accepted and icons for the facilities offered. There is also a TGA Course
Review Score (explained in the editorial at the front of the book) and a
map of how to get there.
The book is divided into geographical regions, being
Bangkok and Central, Pattaya and Rayong, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, Khao
Yai and Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket and Hat Yai, Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin,
and then another called ‘Other Golf Courses’.
Interspersed through the geographical sections are
other chapters covering the editor’s views on the Best courses in
Thailand, Handicapping systems, Green speed, Professional golfers and
Women’s Golf in Thailand. At the end of the guide there is also an
alphabetic index of all the courses covered in the book.
Being a very amateur golfer, I gave the book to a
fanatical friend who plays golf at least once every week. His initial
comments were that the guide, despite its ‘Complete Guide’ title, is
not ‘complete’ as there are many courses not included. The TGA ratings
scale was he felt, subjective and consequently not all that relevant, but
the detailed thumbnail maps were excellent, as he admitted to often
getting lost trying to reach new courses.
The review copy came direct from Asia Books and the RRP is B. 795.
Whilst for the (extremely amateur) golfer such as myself, B. 795 seemed a
hefty price, for my seriously dedicated golfer friend this was not viewed
as expensive. “B. 795 is less than the price of a round of golf,” said
he. He also said, “I would probably buy it just to know where to go when
I am away from home.” A (real) golfer has spoken.
Part One – Small Faces fill large places
by Mott the Dog
5
Stars *****
What a glorious band. Formed out of the ashes of
‘The Small Faces’ and ‘The Jeff Beck Band’, nobody could have
predicted the influence this lovable bunch of rogues would have on Rock
‘n’ Roll history.
When Steve Marriot left ‘The Small Faces’ in
early 1969, he left his band mates without one half of the song writing
partnership, the guitarist, singer, and front man, so on paper not much
left then. However, long time band mate Ronnie Wood was keen to step
into the breach (incredibly, Ronnie Wood had been playing bass guitar in
the shadow of Jeff Beck in his band for the last two and a half years).
He brought along his friend and vocalist from his previous gig, a
certain Mr. Rodney Stewart, who at the time was so lacking in confidence
on stage that he would often sing with his back to the audience. Amazing
when you consider what a microphone wielding strumpet he was going to
become over the next couple of years.
After brief rehearsals the band, under the shortened
name of ‘The Faces’, set out on the road, recording a debut album
along the way (First Steps, March 1970). Although this album was poorly
received both by the general public and most of the critics, by the end
of 1970 they had built a reputation as one of the most awesome and
lunatic live acts on the circuit. And 1971 was to be their Year.
Going from playing gigs at concert halls and college
dates at the beginning of the year, by Christmas they were selling out
arenas all over the world. Record sales went the same way. Nobody has
been more prolific before or since. In that one scintillating year they
released three albums. First the half live - half studio effort ‘Long
Player’, which stormed up the American charts, giving them their first
single hit as well in ‘Had me a Real Good Time’. Then came the
international breakthrough with Rod Stewart’s solo album ‘Every
Picture Tells A Story’ (a Faces album in all but name), which topped
the charts around the world. So did the single from the album ‘Maggie
Mae’, which remained on top of the charts for weeks and was being
played everywhere you went. Their appearance on English T.V. program
‘Top Of The Pops’ had to be seen to be believed. They made no
pretense of playing their instruments to the music they were supposed to
be miming to, instead They spent their time kicking oversized footballs
into the crowd, falling off the stage, and letting English radio Disc
Jockey John Peel (a non-musician) pretend to play the Mandolin solo in
the middle, while Ronnie Lane mugged up behind him.
So when it was announced that there would be one more
Faces album before Christmas, expectations were high, and the boys did
not disappoint. Never has rock music been put across in such a
charmingly fun way.
First up is ‘Miss Judy’s Farm’, a great fat
slab of Rock ‘n’ Roll from the combined pen of Stewart/Wood, giving
the band a chance to stretch their wings. A driving riff from Woody
fires the song into life before the plonk of Ronnie Lane’s bass comes
into drive. Kenny Jones’s no frills drums lend solid support to the
song, while Ian McLagan - in old fashioned Rock ‘n’ Roll style -
sensibly sticks to the piano to duel with the lead guitar breaks. Then,
of course, on top of this you have the gravel voiced whoops and yelps of
that now full of confidence Rooster of the Vocals - Rod Stewart,
preening his way through the lyrics with a wonderful sureness inspired a
generation. After two minutes of the song, Woody slows the whole
entourage down to a snail’s pace before the entire band roars back in
to bring the opening song to an exciting conclusion, with each artist
battling to be heard.
Continued next week…
Musicians
Rod Stewart - Vocals and Harmonica
Ronnie Wood - Guitars
Ronnie Lane - Bass and Vocals
Ian Mclagen - Keyboards
Kenny Jones - Drums
Songs
Miss Judy’s Farm
You’re So Rude
Love Lived Here
Last Orders Please
Stay With Me
Debris
Memphis
Too Bad
That’s All You Need
To contact Mott the Dog email: [email protected]
Mott’s CD review: The Faces - A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse