|
Book Review: Pool and its role
in Asian Communism
by Lang Reid
I first came across Colin Cotterill’s work with his first
novel, The Night Bastard, which I described as a brilliantly written and
deeply disturbing book. When I saw “Pool and its role in Asian Communism”
(ISBN 974-8303-76-4, Asia Books 2005) on the Bookazine shelves, I grabbed it
with both hands, hoping this would be as good.
It begins in a billiard ball factory, with an aging Waldo, the Negro quality
control officer training his replacement, a young Asian girl named Saifon.
The opening chapters build up the characters into very believable people,
with author Cotterill ‘narrating’ in a “deep south” style which fits the
characterizations, and does not appear forced.
During the first half of the book, you are left wondering just where “pool”
and “Asian communism” comes in, but this very quickly becomes obvious as the
action picks up and Waldo and Saifon come to Thailand and then on to Laos.
Laos, because that was Saifon’s home originally, a country being torn in
every direction politically, as the “phony war” (now conveniently forgotten)
was held on the Laotian soil. When political ideology is replaced by common
sense, the true suffering of the ordinary Laotian can begin to be
appreciated. For the children, displaced and abused, political ideology has
much to answer for.
The crux of the story comes in Saifon’s dealing with her own psyche, damaged
from having been a trafficked child too, when she was eight years old. At
first she thinks she is crusading for the groups of children who had also
suffered, and were still suffering, but finally at one point, she realizes
that getting the traffickers identified was actually her own catharsis.
The identification of one and the resulting Thai trial, marred by corruption
(not unknown in Thailand even today) is pure theatre, but the way the truth
comes out later brings a smile to the reader.
However, with two main characters, Aldo too had his story and his background
that was there to haunt him, and his catharsis come out as he and Saifon
discuss their lives. Aldo may not have been trafficked, but he had no less
of a psychological scar that needed to be healed.
What starts off as a very “simple” book ends up as one of the deepest and
darkest books you can read. Whilst it is a work of fiction, there are real
people on whom the book’s characters are based, including one in particular
mentioned in the author’s note at the end of the book.
In those notes, Colin Cotterill has written, “War is not a natural last
resort of conflict. It is merely the evidence that man is not intelligent
enough to solve problems through dialogue and reason.” That phrase should be
enshrined and sent to the leaders of every country in the world. Never have
truer words been uttered.
For B. 450, this book is worth it, even if just for that last quotation
alone. It is a disturbing book that will move you to tears. An excellent
read from a highly skilled author, who incidentally now lives in Chiang Mai.
Mott’s CD review: Robert Plant and The Strange Sensation
Mighty Rearranger
Mott the Dog
 5
Stars *****
At last after twelve studio albums (including two special collectors
editions for fan club members only) since the break up of the world’s
greatest rock ‘n’ roll band, Led Zeppelin, after the tragic death of
drummer John Bonham, Robert Plant has released an album that stands up
to the work of his illustrious previous band. The Mighty Rearranger is a
mighty album which should be included in any record collection of people
that like serious rock.
There are many mitigating circumstances why Robert Plant has made such a
successful return to the scene. Firstly, on this collection of works
Robert Plant has not been afraid to admit his history, and influences. I
am not for a moment suggesting that he has gone out and tried to create
an album that sounds like a new Led Zeppelin album, but on the other
hand he has not allowed them to stand in the way either. Quite naturally
Robert Plant was the lead singer and one of the main songwriters within
Led Zeppelin, so of course there are moments which are very Zepplenish,
but so what? There are also many other influences on the album: Robert
Plant’s fanaticism with Moroccan music is heard, with a lot of use of
modern technology to give each song a very up to date sheen. There is of
course a lot of purely original Robert Plant in there to.
But most importantly, although this album will be known as the new
Robert Plant CD, it’s actually credited to Robert Plant and The Strange
Sensation, and the boys in the band have made no small contribution to
the album.
After the demise of Robert Plant’s previous band ‘Priory Of Brion’ in
2001, he wasted no time getting a new band together calling them
‘Strange Sensation’. Now the nucleus of the band has been together for
over four years, and they are as tight as the All Blacks back row.
Little idea was given of how successful a union this was going to be
when they released their first album together, the quite frankly
appalling ‘Dreamland’ (2002), a collection of hurriedly put together
cover versions that lacked any soul or direction.
But after almost two hundred concerts as a band this has already been
put behind them. All twelve songs on the album are originals, with
thankfully not a cover version in sight. The writing, conceiving and
creating of each song is credited equally amongst the band; so is the
mixing, recording and producing. So for the first time since his
Zeppelin days Robert Plant finds himself in more of a band situation,
and if this is the result long may it continue. Not one note is wasted
here. The dual guitars of Skin Tyson and Justin Adams weave in and out
of each song providing the necessary textures.
For those of you missing the old rock ‘n’ roll thunder of the Zeppelin
days you will not be disappointed by the bluster of ‘Tin Pan Valley’ or
the title track. In fact any song on this collection could have fit into
the Led Zeppelin catalogue.
Clive Deamer has the impossible job of no matter how much time has past,
John Bonham left huge footprints to follow in when you are drumming for
an ex-Zeppelin man, but instead of avoiding the issue this very talented
skinsman meets the problem head on. If a song requires some percussion
that resembles the style of the great man, then that is what the song
gets. There is no use being coy about it, the job has to be done, and
I’m sure the great man himself would have approved of the job done here
by Clive Dreamer. Although, of course, for most of the time he just
sounds like the very good musician that he is.
John Baggott plays all the keyboards and is the man probably the most
responsible for giving this album it’s cohesion, setting up a wall of
intricate keyboards and allowing the guitars and Robert Plant’s vocals
to sparkle over the top.
The find of the album, though, is the bass playing abilities of a
certain Billy Fuller, who is such a unique bass player that I would go
as far as to say he has created a completely new way of playing the four
string. His work can be heard all the way through the album, but is at
it’s most prominent best during second song, and first single off the
album, ‘Shine It All Around’ where he achieves a bass sound that can
only be described as filthy. He is even allowed enough space for a short
solo.
Unfortunately, due to all musicians having such tight schedules these
days, well the good ones anyway, since the recording of this album there
have been two changes to the Strange Sensations line up: Billy Fuller
moving on up the rock ‘n’ roll family tree to be replaced by Robert
Plant’s old cohort Charlie Jones, and Skin Tyson being replaced by Porl
Thompson, who had played with Page and Plant on their reunion tour. It’s
a pretty fair swap in both cases I feel.
This must not of course take the focus of attention away from the main
man himself, Mr Robert Plant, aka Percy to his friends (a reference to
his affection for gardening and Percy Thrower, the man behind the
gardening programmes on the British Broadcasting Television network. Led
Zeppelin’s gardening exploits whilst on the road are nearly as well
documented as their music). Robert Plant is now in his sixth decade, and
although he can still belt out a rocker with the best of them, he uses
the new maturity in his voice, that only comes with the accumulation of
years, to full effect. He’s not kidding when on ‘Shine It All Around’ he
sings “These are the best days of my life/Bright, strong and golden’, or
perhaps more tellingly on ‘Tin Pan Valley,’ showing his new re-found
confidence and comfort with the past. “I come from Tin Pan Valley, and
I’m moving right along/I live in a former glory, so long ago and
gone/I’m turning down the talk shows, the humour and the couch /I’m
moving onto higher ground, I’ve found a new way out.”
Mighty Rearranger brings out all the best nuances of the Plant vocal
chords using all his middle eastern phrasing, other worldly voices, soft
blues accents, gorgeous psychedelic swooshes, and the customized heavy
rock roar, plus, as an extra bonus, there is some devilish harmonica
playing during the title track.
‘Brother Ray’ was a late addition to the album, giving us a genuine
heartfelt tribute to the great Ray Charles, starting out with some great
barrelhouse piano before leading into the main body of the song. So
don’t click your CD off as there is a ten second gap between sections,
where the band get into something much more modern.
The Mighty Rearranger does not miss a trick. Not only does it have great
impact upon first listening, but it also grows on you more and more
after each new listening. If you have been put off the solo work from
Led Zeppelin’s old singer with his previous dabbling with such diverse
musical styles as doo-wop, synth pop, and even bass and drums, give
‘Mighty Rearranger’ a try. If you enjoy class you will enjoy this.
Musicians
Robert Plant: Vocals and Harmonica
John Baggott: Keyboards, Electronica, Moog bass
Clive Deamer: Drums, Bendia
Justin Adams: Electric Guitars, Lap Steel, Bendia, Tehardant, Bass
Skin Tyson: Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Lap Steel, Bass
And Introducing Billy Fuller: Electric and Double Bass
Songs
Another Tribe
Shine It All Around
Freedom Fries
Tin Pan Valley
All The Kings Horses
The Enchanter
Takamba
Dancing In Heaven
Somebody Knocking
Let The Four Winds Blow. Mighty Rearranger
Brother Ray
To contact Mott the
Dog email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mott-the-dog.com
|
