Actor Nigel Planer is joined by a group of powerful friends – and the result: a breathtaking single/video combo.
Release Date: 29th November 2024
Label: Self Release
Formats: Digital
NIGEL PLANER & NEIL INNES…
I suppose that this all started around 12 years ago when a bunch of mates – Adrian Edmondson, Phil Jupitus, Rowland Rivron and the great Neil Innes decided to pool their – considerable – musical talents to perform, mainly for fun but for a little profit too, as The Idiot Bastard Band. On occasion, The Idiot Bastards would be joined by Nigel Planer – Neil the Hippie from The Young Ones or, if you prefer, Den Dennis, rhythm guitarist in Bad News – the spoof heavy metal band of Comic Strip fame.
With The Idiot Bastard Band, Nigel would perform such gems as Dr Strangely Strange’s Strangely Strange but Oddly Normal and the Dad’s Army Theme but what’s important for this story is that the experience helped cement Nigel’s friendship with Neil Innes.
Mr Innes, of course, sadly passed away in December 2019 and, in May of this year, Nigel Planer decided that he’d like to pay tribute to his fondly remembered friend by recording a version of Neil’s song, Let’s Be Natural. Nigel commissioned Innes friend/confidant, artist Harry Pye to round up a band of musicians to accompany him on the recording and The Values – initially Harry Pye (vocals), Paul Speare (horns), Francis Macdonald (drums), Sam Ingvorsen (bass) and Julian Wakeling (acoustic guitar and vocals) – were born.
LET’S BE NATURAL
The version of Let’s Be Natural – one of Neil Innes’ finest songs (it featured in the 1977 TV film, The Rutles) – that Nigel and The Values produced was respectful and thoroughly heartwarming, prompting a flow of compliments from the critics. Author and journalist David Sheppard called the recording: “Charmingly understated and quietly beguiling – further proof that Neil Innes was Mother Nature’s son,” whilst poet John Hegley found the song and video to be “Cheering and warming.” They’re both right.
SLEEPLESS IN SOUTH LONDON
And, now, it’s time for another song and video combo from Nigel Planer and the Values. Sleepless In South London is a fascinating package. The song – with lyrics from Harry Pye and music by Mikey Georgeson – is captivating in its own right; a gentle, easy-going country-flavoured song, enhanced by the laid-back country-styled guitar licks and mellow bass lines of guests Johnny Turnbull (The Blockheads) and Clare Kenny (formerly of Amazulu).
Harry Pye’s lyrics are the kind that you feel compelled to take away and study deeply. With lines like “Is it OK to be stumbling, and stupid and naïve? Is it OK to be anxious? Is it OK to be me?” deal with the pangs of crushing self-doubt that affect us all from time-to-time but I’d suggest that, to get the maximum impact from what Harry is trying to say, you’ll need to listen to the song quite a few times. And, to help you realise that impact, Nigel delivers the lyrics in an unembellished – but by no means deadpan – way that’s guaranteed to aid your concentration.
a song and visuals to savour
But, where this package REALLY comes together is when song and video are absorbed simultaneously. The video, curated by Harry Pye and featuring the work of a throng of artists is utterly captivating. It takes the form of a slide-show of portraits and I guarantee that you’ll love trying to put names to the faces that flash in front of you as the song plays. OK – Ian Dury and Camila Batmanghelidjh are easy – see if you can identify the other 18…
There’s so much to take in with Sleepless In South London; you’ll enjoy savouring the song and studying the video, and you’ll want to play them over and over again.
You can start your enjoyment of Sleepless In South London right now. Watch the video and hear the song here:
Nigel Planer online: Official Website / Facebook / X (formerly Twitter) / YouTube
Harry Pye online: Official Website
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