Pete the Poet

[jdgm]

Pete Brown, English poet and lyricist, died 19th May after much struggle with cancer.   He was 82.

He wrote the lyrics of "White Room", "Sunshine Of Your Love", "Politician",  "I Feel Free", "Deserted Cities Of The Heart" and many more epic Cream songs.  When they split he continued working with Jack Bruce; "Songs For A Tailor"  contains "Theme For An Imaginary Western" which is one of their finest collaborations, as well as "Rope Ladder To The Moon".    Bruce's 1st 3 solo LPs might be classed as pinnacles of 'art-rock' or something like that; however you categorize it, they are quite unique with Bruce's sometimes operatic vocals completely inhabiting and animating Brown's extraordinary lyrical poetry.   It's not for everybody - but at the time it was inspired.  

Pete Brown was already an 'influencer' in the mid-60s.  He appeared at the Albert Hall with  Ginsberg, recorded 3 albums  on the Harvest label, and had John Mclaughlin and (later) ace Scottish guitarist Jim Mullen in his bands.    His autobiography is worth reading.  For every superstar there are 2 or 3 lesser known guys like Pete Brown who are part of the tapestry and made their mark, connected with  or changed things somehow.    His death shuts yet another door from the present to the past.

Brown changed things by putting his words into millions of minds; how many forum members right now can quote a line or 2 from a Cream lyric?

 

BTW - re "Sunshine Of Your Love"....I still say it's "When mice close their tired eyes"...

 

"Theme For An Imaginary Western" was inspired by Bruce's time with the Graham Bond Organization and is an allegory for going on the road in a band during the 60s and 70s:

When the wagons leave the city
For the forest and further on
Painted wagons of the morning
Dusty roads where they have gone

Sometimes travelling through the darkness
Met the summer coming home
Fallen faces by the wayside
Looked as if they might have known

 

Oh, the sun was in their eyes
And the desert that dries
In the country towns
Where the laughter sounds

 

Oh, the dancing and the singing
Oh, the music when they played
Oh, the fire that they started
Oh, the girls with no regret

Sometimes they found it, sometimes they kept it
Often lost it along the way
Fought each other to possess it
Sometimes died in sight of day

 

Oh, the sun was in their eyes
And the desert that dries
In the country town
Where the laughter sounds

 

 

R.I.P. Pete you truly were one of the BEST.

 

 

 

Edited May 22, 2023 by jdgm

[Karloff]

Always loved Theme from an Imaginary Western. 

Great lyricist.  Rip

[tx-ogre]

Sad news.  RIP Pete.

[merciful-evans]

Sad news. Wonderful fellow.

A fine track from 'A Meal You Can Shake Hands With in the Dark'. Pete Brown & his Battered Ornaments

 

[Whitefang]

He did come up with some good lyrics.  Tha's sad news indeed.

Rest In Peace, Pete

Whitefang