The Smiling Revolution
Ahh - the Global Village Trucking Company - or 'the Globs' as we knew them then.
Worthy successors to Brinsley Schwartz, I always thought.
UPDATE MAY 2008 - new rips, better quality with artwork here
Global Village Trucking Company - Live At Dingwalls
http://rapidshare.de/files/22614729/Globs_live_at_dingwalls.rar.html
http://rapidshare.de/files/22613654/Globs.rar.html
posted by Witchseason at 5:15 pm
40 Comments:
Well thank you. It's nice to hear someone stiil enjoying it.
Jon Owen
I'm Jason Stewart, Simon Stewart's son (the drummer of the globs).. its nice to know people r still listening
I'm dead chuffed to get these comments - thanks guys.
I had the priviledge of seeing the GVTC twice during the early '70,s .Both concerts are firmly etched in my memory !which isn't bad for a 50 year old ! I still own both pieces of vinyl and would like to track them down on CD if anyone can help ? thanks
I was part of that smiling revolution way back then....great album and band.
Great to find this little bunch of posts, and to see Jon Owen on here...I did come across a photo of you playing at a wedding last year! There's not much on the net about the Globs...even the links above to rapidshare.de (presumably they were the music as mp3s) have been deleted for lack of use. Crying shame! Check out jameslascelles.com and meiganfayre.co.uk
With time on my hands, off work with a hand injury, I've transferred the album and the side of greasy truckers to cd, cleaning up the sound manually click by click 'cos I don't like the results of denoising software, it kills some of the life in the music. It was a lotta clicks and a lot of time, but the result ain't too bad, a bit of high-end rustle in a couple of places...software treatment was able to get rid of that but overall I preferred the original so I let it be. I did a scan for the cd cover too. Listening to the music intently was a joy anyway, and sure got me smiling big-time. If any of the anonymouses above come back here and would like a copy, write me at nevillesmith@eircom.net (put Global Village or something in the subject line) and I'll bung you a copy in the post...you can send me something nice in return.
I hope I'm not treading on any toes here, I can't see an official release being likely, and I can justify the time spent to myself if it contributes to the common good!
Remember the message...love your neighbour!
Nev
I just figured something...the links just below the album covers above are inactive, but if you go to the 'Ups-A-Daisy' link at the bottom of the page you'll find your way to a download of the complete works (the album and the side of Greasy Truckers). Good man Witchseason!
Nev
i have the lp and the dingwalls 1/4 disc share. nothing touches it and all these ahem 30 or so years later it is still a must listen to, especially "everbody needs a good friend" altho the copy I have had burned to cd jumps DOH!
Hi Witchseason,
Just want to say thanks for sharing all your good music -- and most especially the Globs...
Does that ever take me back!
In the early 70s I was living with a small gang of likeminded souls in a house out in the sticks in Norfolk, and the Globs were always our favourite. I think they were based in Suffolk, or south of Norfolk, same difference, and we got to see them playing at all kinds of obscure rustic venues. For a while we were sort of glob-heads (a la deadheads), though mostly too stoned and broke to travel too far…
It’s tempting to say it’s too bad they didn’t stay together longer. But for me that one album and a bit just perfectly encapsulates a perfect moment in time. They moved on, I moved on (to the other side of the planet), but I can’t seem to leave their memory behind…
Anyway, I'd been wanting to hear their music again for quite a while now (somewhere, I have the albums stashed away, but not where I am right now). And now that they’re on heavy rotation on my ipod, the beautiful thing is it sounds just as good as I'd remembered. Great chops, always loved the right royal sound of those keyboards; strong, strong vocals; and beautiful extended grooves. But most of all, it was the sheer enjoyment they generated that I won’t forget…
So, nice one Witchseason, many thanks – and even more so to the band themselves. See you out there dancing on Judgement Day!
Cheers,
Taro Nombei (as they call me here…)
I used to live a few miles away from the Globs in Suffolk and I think we were spoiled, they (and successors JOB, Cuckoo etc) were always playing at the local free festivals. Barsham, Bungay, Geldeston village Hall
I remember going to their farm to interview Jon for the Waveny Clarion
Anyway thanks for the MP3's and nice to know that the Globs are still remembered
regards
Roger
I remember going to see the the GVTC twice in Oxford at Mayfly festivals and I will never forget it. I was 14 and I smoked a Carrot chillum and lsietened in wonder as the clouds slipped away and the sun came out to the sound of Smiling Revoultion.
Many thanks to the Globs for those most wonderful memories and music.
Roger C
Golabal Village Trucking Company
live at The Loaded Dog, Leytonstone High Road
Sunday 18th Novenber 2007
being filmed by BBC 4 for the sequel to documentary from 1973!
I am terribly sad to have learned only at the last moment that the GVTC are doing a gig, 'cos it's too short notice for me to get across the channel to be there! Maybe it's time for their management to start a website publishing their movements: if Clapton can do it, why not the Globs? Maybe because Madame Karma is a floozy...
Love, and see you on Judgement Day with a smile,
Andy Kay
Sorry about that Andy.
It was all very last minute and low key. Getting all the band into the same place at the same time is not the simplest task in the world.
I really don't know what chances there are for future ventures but the gig has been filmed and recorded with ups and downs, warts and beauty spots. (six hours rehearsal!) There is a chance that some may get uploaded somewhere The BBC4 programme will come out in the new year and I will post the date here when we know.
Thank you very much to all those who did come and excuse me witchseason for invading your blogsite.
Jon O
Damn, I missed it - in bed with the flu or something. Big buggery. Hope to see the doc when it's out - and you can hijack my blog any time you want mate.
J.
I always loved the Globs, but I'm not surprised they didn't last - I saw them many times at free festivals and only once at a paying concert (ironically that was the least inspiring performance of those I saw), so i don't know how they managed to survive.
I've had the LP for years, and more recently managed to replace my long lost Dingwalls album via eBay. If I ever start a reissue label, GVTC will be the first band I'd like to put on CD. And I'd like to have "I'm gonna be dancing on Judgement Day" played at my funeral.
Thanks for the downloads witchseason. I think I must be one of those people who shared the house with Taro Nombei... Hi Robbie if you're passing by here again. The gig I remember best was a church hall in Attleborough in the middle of the week. Any more news on this BBC documentary? I wouldn't want to miss it.
Cheers
Paul May
Well hello again to you all.
The latest I hear is that the series that the show is in will begin in mid April but not confirmed yet. The other news is that emails are flying all over the world strongly hinting at some appearances during the summer months. Nothing definite but if you know your friendly local festival organiser then a little lobbying could be useful. I would love to play away in Southwold again!
Regards
Jon O
First summer news. Global Village Trucking Company playing at Glastonbury on thehursday night in the Green Road Show tent. Other spots are possible.
saw global umpteen times. i fondly remember a gig at a disused airfield and jon owen singing, accapella, "at the seaside, the seaside". so any more news on the tv show. and more gigs? couldn't stand to go to glasto nowadays.
BBC 4 is provisionally (but firmly so) for 13 May at 9 pm.
check out new site on myspace-
www.myspace.com/globalvillagetruckingcompany2008
With very grainy new video from Loaded Dog (not BBC). A cache of old footage has been unearthed, shot by John Hoppy Hopkins in 73/4 including a 9 1/2 minute clip live in Granchester Meadows.
And I am still singing 'Seaside'!
Jon O
Well blimey a Globs related blog (note the anagram) after all these years. Must have seent he back 20+ times and out them on a few myself. Thanks for positive references to the Mayfly festival...
The loaded Dog gig was great despute the tech problems (plus ca change after 30 years.....) and looking forward to the Croissant Neuf tent on thursday at Glastonbury and the Tv next week. If anyone has photos from those legendary 70s gigs (Mayfly, last 2 windsors) I'd love copies...
Just seen the trailer on BBC4 tonight (9th May) I am looking forward to next tuesday. I saw a trailer for the whole looking back at BBC docs last week, and went to the BBC4 website. NOTHING. I wish the BBC can do things right, and have plenty of advance information.
I used to see the Virgin Greasy Truckers 2 LP set around a lot in the 80's, and it was cheap sometimes Vigin had it for £2. I picked up several, squirrel that I am, but failed to pick up the Globs LP. I did a bit of work for Hoppy in 1985, I am delighted to see him with the fruiyts of his Video work (I think there is a piece in it (International Times) about him embracing this technology. How is Hoppy, is he still into moving picture media and keeping up with the changes?
This is probably going to be getting a lot of hits in about an hour and a half from now... Could I request a re-up? Great blog, by the way.
Sorry
I have forgetten my name for this blog so I must return to being anonymous. Well yes Chris we were always a bit ahead of the times while being backwards too.
To the point Medora, George and myself went to visit Hoppy and Sue a couple of weeks ago they are both well if maybe not quite so hoppy.
He spent several months in 73 following us around and videoing. We saw a piece live from grantchester meadows on a tiny black and white screen. he has a load more but it is totally unsorted and has to be baked to be viewed (I know the feeling but maybe with me it's just half)and transferred. So this may be a labour of love for someone some time. We are going back to visit again some time soon
we may be able to transfer the one we saw but picture and sound not great-but it is Hoppy an icon for us all! check out his new book of photos from 60s now available I think. It is great!
And thank you all for watching last night- well if you did!
jon o
nice work guys! Do you need a roadie for glasters?
Kanga
Did the glob. vill. truck. co. play a gig in the Blue Mountain fair, in Cardiganshire, Wales in about 1975? I was there, and am sure I have seen them in the 70`s. It was a really hippy event,and wonderful weather and a great time.
Blimey! Can it really be 35 years since the Globs played at my 25th birthday party at Maidens Bridge village hall near Enfield. I've got some photos somewhere.
Dear Globs
I was two in 1973 - just heard about you through the Beeb documentary.
Anyway, just wanted to say I am digging the music and found it really inspiring to see what you are all up to now. Continuing to walk the path in your various ways.
Hope to catch you at Glasters.
Nice one
Padma
Kanga, do you need a jeeves to help with your jiving, whilst your're roadying this year?
A great little programme, where's the rest of the 1973 film!
That cottage - absolutely idyllic, what were the circumstances in getting use of that one, and getting them back then?
Just listened to the Dingwalls Greasy Truckers side of the Globs, what a tight gig
Deepinder (diplommaticpermissiondeepi)
RE;the idyllic cottage. does anyone know exactly where it was and is it still there? being as i live near there now i'd like to go see.
Wacthed the doco on bbc iplayer last night. Really enjoyed the music and the amazing footage from back in the day. Take Care all, Benny.
Especially for Jon Owen and indeed Jason Stewart.
It was great to see you and the guys again Jon, albeit on telly. I emailed Medora at work but no reply as yet. If he can't remember who I am I won't be too upset since I've been admiring his holograms for a decade without realising it was him. Jason, please ask your dad to get in touch - Mike has my email.
I happened to live within a few yards of Simon Stewart for most of 1969-72, and had the delight of hearing (and occasionally promoting) most of the bands he was in between '69 and the Globs. Despite the claims of the Mayfly people the first Oxpens free concert was in 1969, organised by me, my friends Kathy Fox & Barbie Norden (we were Oxford BiT, an offshoot of Hoppy's London organisation), along with Simon Stewart and his household of the time. I can remember that along with Simon's band we had Skin Alley & Edgar Broughton and (I think) June Tabor singing in an acid-rock band. Curiously, Simon's set was largely taken up with a lengthy version of Season of the Witch.
I can remember the first time I heard Simon in a good band - jamming in Southmoor Road in Oxford, in '72 or so. I think it was prior to the Lascelles joining up, and the standout thing for me was Mike's guitar, which seemed to bring out something light in Simon's drumming imagination. After that it all got better and better and better.
It really does give me great pleasure to see the Globs generating such a reaction. They are a lovely bunch of guys and deserve all the good things said about them in your splendid blog, Witchseason. They not only make good music, they do it for good reasons.
I don't know if I'll get to Glastonbury - I live in Shetland, a tediously long way from England - but I hope that the thousands upon thousands of Globs fans that must be scattered around England make it there and make the Globs aware of how much they meant and still mean to a generation.
Cheers guys - Ken Beer
It's taken me years to discover the Globs music. I'm James' younger brother and remember the band when they were about even though I was 9 when they split up!
The music didn't hit a naive lad who enjoyed a bit of Abba at the time, but James showed me the BBC doc recently and I loved the music. I've dug out the album he gave me when it came out (I was 10 or 11 I think) and I've been playing it solidly for days. Great songs, great playing, and such a shame it didn't work out. The approach of refusing to sell out no matter the cost was what did for them in the end. If they'd signed a deal they could have been something.
Ah well... at least I can just remember them being around.
To van man
I lived in a little converted cattle truck right next to "the idyllic cottage" during the Glob era.
It was called Beehive Cottage and is situated on Wortham Ling.
Memories, memories sweet memories... saw gvtc in cambridge. In Granchester meadows and I think they played at a gig at Peterhouse with somebody like brinsley shwartz or bees make honey and a band called severed head and the neck fuckers
Just stumbled on this blog .... late as usual. Just want to say thanks to the Globs for many happy memories. Most notably at Brunel University where a couple of friends and myself were the only looners dancing all night. Now living in Thailand but just listening to ' Watch out ...' has brought me out in goosebumps. Damn lifes too short to come around again so best to make the best of what we have.
Travelled from Newcastle On Tyne to see the band at a small festival in Durham in the mid-70s and still have the LP in the loft somewhere amongt over 3000 other vinyl LPs (not all in alpha order unfortunately). Keep on truckin'.
Travelled from Newcastle on Tyne to see the band at a small festival at Durham in the mid-70s and still have the LP in the loft with over 3000 others (unfortunately not all in alpha order).
Couldn't remember the Greasy Truckers album title, been driving me nuts. Thanks for the post.
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