#david smale

[suzyhazelwood]

[tattooed-alchemist]

This is David Smale, the guy who single-handedly revived the English saffron trade after it lapsed into total obscurity.  I once saw a time-lapse video of people planting rows of corms on his farm, and it was normal where they got covered in dirt at the end. I’ve never ever seen corms sitting out on the surface of the ground the way you see it in this video, and I wonder if that’s something they did just for the filming.

Looking at the corms and the flower development, he plants more shallowly than I do, that’s for sure.

[jockitch-blog]

david smale

[jockitch-blog]

david smale

[designscene]

STRANGENESS AND CHARM by PATRICK LACSINA for DESIGN SCENE

[fotosurge]

David Smale, March 2015

[tahoeonstage-blog]

“Come tomorrow, will I be older? Come tomorrow, may be a soldier Come tomorrow, may I be bolder than today?

Now the trees are almost green But will they still be seen When time and tide have been?

Fallin’ into your passing hands Please don’t destroy these lands Don’t make them desert sands”

– “Shapes of Things,” the Yardbirds

Although the Yardbirds first self-written song to reach the singles’ charts was released in 1965, issues of the day really haven’t changed.

“Shapes of Things,” which featured feedback from Jeff Beck’s guitar, is widely considered, the first psychedelic rock song. The Yardbirds performed at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe June 21, providing a flashback to the songs from the group’s short heyday, 1964-67. It was the contemporary Yardbirds fourth recent appearance in the South Shore Room. I am lucky to say I have been to all of them, and the sound was the best it’s been. It might have been the band’s best performance there, as well.

Singer-harpist Andy Mitchell performed with a loud yet tasteful confidence, which surely is a challenge for filling the spot of the late Keith Relf. Original Jim McCarty played as greatly as his peer Ginger Baker, and without the drama. His work on the drums was the highlight of the show. He and bassist David Smale kept the rhythm tight and never rushed.

While the Yardbirds are best known for lead guitarists Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, the original guitarist was Anthony “Top” Topham, whose parents made him quit because he was just 15 and they didn’t want to travel. Topham lamented he would have earned twice the wages his father made. But he had a good career as a session player and performer. Topman became a Yardbird again 50 years later when original rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja left for health reasons.

Now 66, Topham, the second guitarist, was allowed a solo on “My Baby,” and he played it flawlessly.

The gunslinger nowadays is Ben King. We have watched him grow from young prodigy. “I’m A Man,” applies to King, who at times made his Les Paul sound as if his first name was Albert.

The Yardbirds debut album featured covers by bluesmen Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, Slim Harpo and John Lee Hooker. As it evolved and the guitarists revolved, it became the pioneering rock band. Its last album included the song “Glimpses,” which Page rearranged to “Dazed and Confused” with Led Zeppelin.

The Yardbirds played their greatest hits during a set that was longer than a typical South Shore Room show. Songs included “Five Long Years,” “Drinking Muddy Water,” “Smokestack Lightning,” “Train Kept-A Rollin,’ ” “I’m a Man,” “Heartful of Soul,” “For Your Love” “Back Where I Started,” “I’m Not Talkin,’ ” and “Over Under Sideways Down.”

It was a rock ’n’ roll history review with contemporary relevance and revelry.

Editor’s note: Photography by John C. Cocores

Timeless Yardbirds soar with vintage rock “Come tomorrow, will I be older? Come tomorrow, may be a soldier Come tomorrow, may I be bolder than today?

[e-p-i-m-e-t-h-e-u-s]

Please help me build a small boat One that'll ride on the flow Where the river runs deep And the larger fish creep I'm glad of what keeps me afloat The water sustains me without even trying The water can't drown me, I'm done With my dying.