1971: Humpy Bong, an important personal milestone...
'Don’t You Be Too Long' – recorded by Humpy Bong - 1970
Salut, fellow travellers
This week, I’m deviating slightly by featuring ‘Don’t You Be Too Long’; a song by a man who was a huge influence on me - Jonathan Kelly. I met Jon, (whose real name was Ledingham) during the closing years of the Smile era; I’d auditioned for Colin Petersen’s band Humpy Bong, and Jon was the main writer, as well as sharing vocals and guitar. Colin was the drummer, (originally from the Bee Gees) and for the first couple of recordings, we used session players to complete the team. The ‘mission statement’, if you like, was what I had been looking for in those declining days of Smile - I’d begun to fall out of love with heavy rock; I didn’t realise it at the time, but it was mainly because so much of it doesn’t have strong rhythmic underpinning. When rock began, it was called rock ‘n roll, and I liked it, because it bounced, and was dancy. (Chuck Berry’s music had strong rhythm) To be fair, the strength of heavy rock is its dramatic character, although what has come to be referred to as the ‘groove’ is very often absent. (Not always, but it isn’t a prime requisite of the style).
Take a listen to
‘Don’t You Be To Long’ and ‘We’re Alright Till Then’
‘It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)’
The title of a Duke Ellington composition from 1931 which gives a clue as to what ‘the groove’ actually is; At the beginning of the seventies, new styles and expressions were springing up, that grew from the blues, Motown & American soul music, disco, jazz, and rock ‘n roll; at that time, as I suggested, a lot of rock had begun to lose it’s ‘roll’, and the musical community that Humpy Bong was a part of, was focused on a developing hybrid style, although it would take some years for Jon Kelly to create a band that really ‘grooved’, the seeds were sown, and the bouncing rhythm of Don’t You Be Too Long’ is an indicator of what was to come.
Leaving His Roots Behind
Jonathan Kelly was a brilliant songwriter, performer and thoroughly good bloke. His origins in Ireland had seen him rise to prominence as a folk balladeer with a very respectable following on the circuit. His stage presence was immensely appealing, and the anecdotes surrounding his wonderful songwriting made up the complete entertainer. I’m not sure if I ever fully understood why he signed an English/Australian management deal, although it is true to say he had probably gone as far as he could as a local artiste, and the world at large was ready. In support of my suggestion that the musical styles were changing, it’s worth listening to John’s own version of ‘Don’t You Be Too Long’ from his eponymous debut album. It’s a completely different treatment, more firmly associated with his earlier style, a bluegrass banjo reinforcing the folksy flavour.
Never Look Back
John is sadly no longer with us, but he has left a legacy of great work. I urge anyone to check out his songs - it’ll be well worth it. I count myself lucky to have known him. It was a turbulent and inward-looking period in my life, but John was a supportive and loyal friend, and did an awful lot to help to crystallise and mentor my approach to the world, and music. It’s something for which I’ll be forever grateful.