EXCERPTS FROM A MUSICAL EDUCATION – TALISMAN RECORDS, TUNBRIDGE WELLS - PART ONE
Once upon a time, in a world far, far away (Tunbridge Wells in the 80s) there was a record shop called Talisman Records.
The memory of this place evokes incredibly strange feelings in me.
I will attempt to explain the reasons below....
I was an unhappy teen at a shit grammar school. My parents were splitting up – home was a heavy place to be, school was demeaning, records and the world of music were my sanctuary and my escape from the pain of life.
It was around '84, I was 13 years old and hungry for weird music to float my depressed dome.
Sounds dramatic – but you'll have to forgive me, this place was an alladin's cave of musical treasures i've seldom experienced since.
I can't remember the exact first time i went there, but it was part way up a hill in a road almost directly opposite TW rail station – though, as often with low rent areas where independent record stores could afford to set-up (still often the case) was easily missed.
It was a second hand shop – but the stock was absolutely superb.
Curated according to the taste of the owner, the mysterious 'hippy' Fiona – she operated a really partisan musical operation – if it was good, it was in. Regardless of genre.
And if it was odd, unusual, challenging, obscure – it was heralded by Fiona herself.
If you went in because you liked, say, Punk but you were only aware of the Damned, or Exploited, or Peter and the Test Tube Babies or whatever, Fiona would recommend other punk bands you had yet to discover. Deeply hidden more underground bands often.
I would look through the racks, pick a record due to it's intriguing sleeve, or band name etc and ask Fiona what it was like.
I did this with a copy of 'Entertainment' by Gang Of Four one day. Fiona said 'Just buy it. If you're disappointed, bring it back next time'.
Was i disappointed? What do you think?
Or I might say – can you recommend any dub? I'm curious about it but want some proper gear - and i'd leave with 4 or 5 Scientist / Prince Jammy original Greensleeves Lps with their wicked cartoon illustrated sleeves and concepts. Dubbed right up.
To attempt to flesh out the picture...
here's a list of bands and styles etc i was introduced to personally by her.
Faust, Caravan, Soft Machine, Scientist, Misty In Roots, John Coltrane, Vonbridgi (Icelandic Punk Band i can find scant information on – did i dream it?), Birthday Party, White Noise, Parliament / Funkadelic, UK Decay... (i'll stop here as my head is throbbing at so many things trying to rush through)
and i could pick up good condition copies of records by the likes of
Hawkwind, Beefheart, Wire, PiL (early stuff – I dont dig after 'Flowers Of Romance'), Lee Perry, Crass and anarcho punk in general, Cabaret Voltaire, Throbbing Gristle, PTV, Foetus, all the goth stuff – Sisters / Cure / Banshees / Bauhaus etc, Iggy Pop, White Noise, MC5, the Pebbles / Nuggets compilations of 60s trash, Stooges, David Bowie, i bought the very first self-titled Sonic Youth mini-LP there, Buttholes, Husker Du, Ramones, Sly Stone, Suicide, Einsturzende Neubaten, Nurse With Wound, she even had a fair bit of NWOBH and Rock in general....
This was a shop that had Trout Mask Replica and Heart Of The Congos in the same window display or other things of that ilk CONSISTENTLY.
The music always sounded great in the shop – if she played you an excerpt from a dub lp then she would TURN UP THE BASS. She was getting as much pleasure from these records as anyone. She liked the 'product' she sold and that was infectious in the BEST possible way.
Fiona was also encouraging of young people being in bands regardless of musical prowess and was not in the least bit snobbish or elitist about being 'down with the counter-culture'. She exemplified a truly broad mind that knew no boundaries. She clearly LOVED music.
Once you were a regular she would have certain things stashed for you in particular though no pressure to buy, though I almost always did. And would sometimes tape me things she couldn't get her hands on from her own collection, which I was really touched by.
In a world that seemed oblivious to my needs, and starved of attention – the fact that someone thought about me, in their own private time and at home, and made that (perhaps small in some people's eyes?) effort really meant a hell of a lot to me.
If she offered you a tea you felt really privileged. A small gesture that displayed acceptance.
At the time I felt as if it were possible for me to live in Talisman – I would have packed my bags at home immediately.
NOW THAT'S SERVICE.
Donga