Picked up a copy of this yesterday… looks an interesting read – a full review will follow. It’s available on Amazon here.
Check out my Reading list.
MOD: From Bebob to Britpop
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Monthly Archives: May 2018
Durand Jones & The Indications
I don’t often post about music on here. But occasionally something or somebody comes along that I have to share… And you need to check out this Band. I was lucky enough to catch Durand Jones & The Indications last night, in a great venue – The Waiting Room – a tiny room beneath a pub in Stoke Newington (can’t remember the last time I paid £6 for a gig either – bargain of the century!).
They blew me away. Durand Jones’s vocal is up there with all the great soul singers I love – on occasions, it was as if he was channelling Donny Hathaway, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding – and these are not names I bandy about lightly. He’s really that good. He’s got a great, authentic delivery, and you really felt he was experiencing the essence of every song.
The band were tight – really tight – working as a unit – the drummer was an absolute machine. The rhythm section reminded me of Muscle Shoals’ finest – and the horns – tenor sax and trumpet – were Stax like in their attack – but mellow and gentle when they needed to be. There were shades of King Curtis as well – really nice stuff. Under it all was some beautiful floaty, hammond style keys.
The Indications have more than one great singer in the band – When the drummer Aaron Frazer guested on the lead vocals (Check out “Is It Any Wonder” below) it was incredible – think Sam Cooke meets Smokey Robinson – and as Durand himself said “The voice of an angel – how do I follow that?” he DID though!
It’s hard to say enough good things about this band… I’ve seen a LOT of bands at a lot of gigs over the years. I’m not into comparisons and superlatives – BUT I reckon this is the BEST band I’ve seen, and the BEST gig I’ve been to.
If you get the chance – do yourself a favour – and go and see these guys. Buy their records. They’re the real deal.
World first – Video evidence of an Electric Lambretta under development!
In another first for the Lambrettista Blog – here’s the first – leaked* videos of the New ELECTRIC Lambretta Vendetta!
It seems that Lambretta have teamed up with electric scooter pioneers (and Red Dot Design Award winners) NIU – There’s not a lot of data to share at the moment – although it’s rumoured that Token Hu – Vice president of NIU (and formerly of Frog Design and Microsoft) is heading up the project personally. I expect that as much as an electric powertrain they will be bringing their innovative Smart technology to the project.
I’ve posted a few times about electric vehicles (EV) on the blog before – and firmly believe they are the future of transportation – on two wheels or more. So, what you see here is truly the next generation of Lambretta – a brand that is going to be as relevant and innovative in the 21st century as the 20th. Exciting times!
This is the next step in the evolution of the Lambretta. Remember where you saw it first! Stay tuned, and I’ll share more information when I can.
*Feel free to share – but please don’t ask where I got these videos – I have to protect my sources!
Lambretta LN125 Battery Query…
Luke wrote to me with a query about a 2014 LN125.
The battery is disconnected. And the saddle is closed. He needs to open the saddle but can’t without battery power. Catch 22. How can he open my saddle without battery power?
I know less than nothing about these machines… but if you can help, please post your answers in the comments!
Trying to trace Martin Wilkinson…
Peter Hartentt got in touch with the blog, trying to track down a ‘great old mod’ by the name of Martin Wilkinson – last known whereabouts nr. Newport on The Isle of Wight. He’ll be in his 70’s by now, and he used to be ‘mad about scooters’ – he’s also shared an image from this site on Pinterest – so there’s at least a chance he’s reading this. Well, anyway Peter now owns Martin’s old Lotus Elan (jealous!). If you’re Martin… or you know him, get in touch via the blog and I’ll pass on your contact details.
New site – Diary of a Detour
Ali, of the Midhurst Detours SC, wrote to me (a while back I must admit) with details of her new website “Diary of a Detour“. She’s been going on the rallies since the early 80s and will be including rally write-ups and other scooter tips and photos – add it to your reading list!
lambrettista.net 