Peter and Jeremy - Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 23/6/2023

  by Lisa Torem

published: 30 / 8 / 2023

British producer/musician Peter Asher, former member of 1960s folk duo, Peter and Gordon, has re-fashioned his popular audio-visual act by partnering with Jeremy Clyde. Similarly, to Asher, Clyde also came to fame as part of a 1960s folk team, Chad (Waller) and Jeremy. In fact, press back in the day, frequently mistook one duo for another because of distinctive eyeglass wear and soft, romantic balladry. The confusion became a run-on joke during the team’s patter. Because Asher and Clyde both lost their musical partnerships, it seemed logical to team up. They had played the same circuit for much of their early careers, and helped promote each other through interviews and sharing of gigs. And because both men are seasoned performers, we got to hear them rehash the songs that made each group popular. During the course of their two-act performance, they showed visuals of career highlights and comical TV spots. But what strongly strung the visuals together was the repartee and the fact that both men displayed a solid grounding in pop culture history. They also poked fun at each other. For example, when an image of Asher’s office came onscreen complete with awards and top-selling records, Clyde murmured; “Gold, gold, gold. It’s like Trump Tower in there.” Iconic Beatles music publicist Derek Taylor received full shrift when the hosts talked about his warm sense of humor and his propensity for playing practical jokes. In fact, much of the material was based on The Beatles’ history because of Asher’s early connection to Paul McCartney. Asher’s sister, actress Jane Asher, dated McCartney for years, and McCartney also lived in the Asher family home in London. He wrote songs that Peter and Gordon made into hits, such as ‘A World Without Love.’ The duo played hits from their prospective groups but also played ‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran, which Asher pointed out, was written by a young man putting himself in an old man’s shoes. Asher also talked about his role of producer for James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. Unexpectantly, a lot of film talk took place during Part 1. Apparently, the Austin Powers series used Peter Asher as a prototype: the over-sized black-framed glasses and boyish haircut appeared on screen, of Asher and Power’s quirky protagonist. Yet those glasses harkened back, according to Asher, even earlier to Asher’s hero, Buddy Holly, whose early fare was also included in the sets. Given his tall stature and booming voice, it came as no surprise to find that Jeremy Clyde enjoyed a prosperous side hustle as a movie star. After describing a particularly dark role, Asher quipped; “You have to admit, Jeremy does die very well.” But Asher didn’t fall far behind. He and his siblings were also actors, but mostly during his childhood days. Clips of Robin Hood movies got a few laughs from the audience. While the evening was generally rife with levity, there were times that the talk turned serious. Especially, when Asher talked about post-World War II rationing in the U.K. which, he confirmed, didn’t end until 1956. Yet that fact helped the team turn a corner with the audience. Asher explained that the youth, coming out of that grim era were ripe for change. They propagated the “Skiffle” movement, in which a family tea chest, washboard, cheap banjo or guitar and a few simple chords were all that was needed to form a neighborhood band. Asher and Clyde then concentrated on the rise of rock ‘n’ roll, singing ‘I’m All Shook Up’ in homage to Elvis Presley. “We went mad for Elvis,” they concurred. Pianist/guitarist Jeff Alan Ross did an astounding accompaniment. They also sang and provided the witty back story for the novelty song, ‘Lady Godiva’ by songwriter Mike Leander. While Asher had played both acoustic guitar and bass previously, he picked up an instrument he referenced as “a bastard child of the banjo and ukulele.” Ross outdid himself with timely honky-tonk. Asher explained his role in setting up the Indica Bookstore in London, where Lennon first encountered future wife, Yoko Ono, at an art opening. It was there than Lennon got acquainted with the I-Ching, which he’d later reference in a solo album. Their combined efforts at Del Shannon’s ‘I Go To Pieces’ was a sonic sea change, as the words are about a bittersweet love affair. The funkier ‘No Other Baby,’ ‘Run Devil Run’ and ‘Don’t Want To See You Again’ were inspired by former Beatle Paul McCartney’s extensive catalogue. When Clyde took the spotlight and sang Chad and Jeremy stunner, ‘Willow Weep For Me,’ written in the 1930s, audience members commented later on his flawless baritone. The droning guitar and striking piano enhanced his nostalgic rendition. Other Chad and Jeremy ballads, from 1963-1964 ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ and ‘A Summer Song,’ revealed subtle chord changes and harmonies. Another milestone in Clyde’s career continues to center around ‘The Bottom Drawer Sessions” in which Clyde’s collaboration with wordsmith, David Pierce, yielded four albums of original material, which Clyde will eventually morph into seven. According to Asher, John Lennon groused at the first phrase, ‘Please lock me away and don’t allow the day’ of early McCartney ballad, ‘A World Without Love.’ Ironically, their loss became Peter and Gordon’s celebrity gain. Although the song was unfinished at the time that Asher first heard it, Asher took notice of its potential. He urged McCartney to finish the lyrics and asked permission to record the song for their debut album. ‘A World Without Love’ became Peter and Gordon’s first No. 1 hit, and made them initial members of the historical British Invasion. While there was more narrative than actual music in the first half, the stories were wildly entertaining, and far more repertoire was revealed in the second half. All in all, Peter and Jeremy, through combined creative efforts, did their other halves proud. Photos by Jim Summaria www.jimsummarai,com

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