Cleve and Soul

Benji, my youngest decided to put a year between school and Uni, so has been at home, and working locally with the plan to travel the world, flights now all booked, he'll be off in 7-8 weeks, then Uni. All change.

It's been nice having him around, he demands little, a guitar, some drums, food, a few friends and he's happy. The space has seen him change in some ways, working in the local hardware store with older folks has given him a less youth centric view of the world and I think he's found some good role models there too.

Anyway I suddenly realise that he's not going to be around much longer and probably not around like this again and I ought to enjoy the moment. So this weekend we indulged our mutual passion for a bit of music.

Friday night we went to see Whiplash at the movies, my treat, his thing. Intense, it had us both uncomfortably transfixed from the first beat. A great script, stylish cinematography, great music and a theme about striving for greatness, and when does pushing become abuse? We both want to see it again - to engage with the themes perhaps or just to enjoy it. Great film.

Sunday night we went to listen to Cleve Freckleton, his treat, my thing. One of the local restaurants under new management has engaged Cleve in a monthly residency for a bit of Sunday night soul and this was the first. It was quite wonderful. I wasn't in the 70's much in to soul music, but as my elder bro had money and so vinyl I got to hear a lot and  find now I know all the music Cleve played, every word, and just kicked back and enjoyed his gritty vocals. He had a couple of younger proteges aged 14 and 17 who did a couple of covers and a self written number each, real talents I think. Cleve clearly loves the music, had a good and engaging patter which suited the intimate venue well, and good food and a few drinks, there was even dancing.....

Nice to have some soul in father son relationship.