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Clip of the Week

Judge Smith (or Chris Judge Smith as he used to be called) is an English songwriter and singer who often highlights little known subject matter as the central theme for his musicals and songstories. He was a founder and former member of the enduring prog band Van der Graaf Generator with Peter Hammill, who he met at Manchester University in 1967. This piece doesn’t pretend to be a full and thorough examination of his fruitful output over 50 years, so for example I won’t be looking at his stage productions in the 1970s. This is just a ramble through his back catalogue, picking out a song here or there along the way… (READ ON)

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This Week’s Book Choice

John Higgs begins his consideration of two of Britain’s most enduring cultural properties with a coincidence in their creation. With both Dr. No, the first Bond film and Love Me Do, the Beatles first single being released on the same day in October 1962, it allows him to consider both in tandem and their impact on British society across the following decades. By analysing the Beatles alongside the very different world of James Bond it allows for a very different take on such an already well-covered topic while considering what they say about Britain’s relationship with subjects such as class, politics and masculinity.

In “Love And Let Die: Bond, the Beatles and the British Psyche” by John Higgs (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2022), Higgs argues that while they would continue to cross paths culturally the Beatles and James Bond represent two very different aspects of the British psyche. The Beatles, he says, represent love while Bond represents death. With that in mind it’s no surprise that the Beatles come out of the book looking better than 007, nor that Bond of course was no fan of the Fab Four himself.

Higgs has consistently proven himself to be an excellent cultural historian and here he once again creates a very readable, well-argued book that showcases his ability to find new nuggets and anecdotes about even the most well covered topics. By finding interesting connections, unearthing new details and providing a wider cultural context, Higgs has produced a book that should have plenty to appeal to both aficionados of the Beatles or James Bond and those just interested in the impact of two British cultural behemoths.

John Laking

Read all our previous book reviews here.

Toppermost Recommends

Annie Dressner press photo by Simon Weller

Annie Dressner is a singer-songwriter, originally from New York City but now living in Cambridge in the UK. Brimming with razor sharp wit, emotional poignancy and glorious melodies, Annie’s straightforward lyrical style, smart wordplay and lilting vocals offer listeners a front row seat to her captivating stories. She has released four studio albums and her music has been played extensively across UK national radio, including a live session for Gideon Coe on BBC 6 Music.

The new single, Dumb Boy, is an anthem for all who have ever had to deal with someone who’s messed them around without any regard for their feelings. Its lyrics tell the story of the reality of the chase and pull of the potential someone shows you, only to realize that even though they were not worth your time, you still like something about them – holding on to that little glimmer that made your heart flutter. When it ends, you’re left with the bittersweet taste of what once was or what could have been. It’s a song that makes you think about your own self-worth and how much you should put up with – learn to love yourself before some ‘dumb boy in a band’. It’s very relatable if you’ve ever been stung.

Dumb Boy is the first release off Dressner’s upcoming 5th album produced by Peter Bruntnell (title & release details to follow). You can catch Annie on tour this spring in a string of dates across the UK with renowned Scottish singer songwriter Kris Drever who has invited her to join him.

Last year’s single, For The Thrill Of It, featured Kathryn Williams and is a scathing commentary about sexual harassment within the music industry. The track received critical acclaim including multiple plays by Gideon Coe and Marc Riley on BBC 6 Music.