Wallet
from Best of Barry Starr: the part I played by Mermaid Guitar
about
***the biography continues***
03 Wallet (Folks, Rock!, 1996, Track 6)
Wallet was a staple of those early college and cafe shows in the US. Again it bears the uncomplicated stamp of Barry’s early days before all the fame and misfortune (as he called his third album, see notes to Tracks 7 and 8). The song is another infused with harmony and humour (see notes to Tracks 1 and 2), most commentators suggesting this is rare in the BS oeuvre in that there is no hint of irony, with the bare instrumentation reflecting this.
He’d written it before we left New Zealand and I was the first person that Barry played this one for, just the two of us at Doug’s Dad’s church. The rest of the band were late for practice (some clown had syphoned off Bet’s petrol tank) and he asked if I’d like to hear it while we waited. I’ll never forget sitting on Doug’s Alron bass amp as Barry sat across from me, looking straight at me. This beautifully simple rendition formed the basis for the recording itself, committed to four-track two days after the first rehearsal, which was how we did things in those days (a far cry from his final studio album, Fools, freaks and me, see notes to Tracks 9 - 11). I insisted that we shouldn’t mess with the simplicity of the tune and didn’t play any vibes, leaving it to Bet, Doug and Barry to provide all the backing on this one. Barry reluctantly agreed.
Oh, how I wish this song had been about me! But it was about some other girl who lived about an hour away in Balclutha, meaning he mooned around whenever she was away. I forget her name but she was always on his mind in the summer of ‘96. Bitch.
03 Wallet (Folks, Rock!, 1996, Track 6)
Wallet was a staple of those early college and cafe shows in the US. Again it bears the uncomplicated stamp of Barry’s early days before all the fame and misfortune (as he called his third album, see notes to Tracks 7 and 8). The song is another infused with harmony and humour (see notes to Tracks 1 and 2), most commentators suggesting this is rare in the BS oeuvre in that there is no hint of irony, with the bare instrumentation reflecting this.
He’d written it before we left New Zealand and I was the first person that Barry played this one for, just the two of us at Doug’s Dad’s church. The rest of the band were late for practice (some clown had syphoned off Bet’s petrol tank) and he asked if I’d like to hear it while we waited. I’ll never forget sitting on Doug’s Alron bass amp as Barry sat across from me, looking straight at me. This beautifully simple rendition formed the basis for the recording itself, committed to four-track two days after the first rehearsal, which was how we did things in those days (a far cry from his final studio album, Fools, freaks and me, see notes to Tracks 9 - 11). I insisted that we shouldn’t mess with the simplicity of the tune and didn’t play any vibes, leaving it to Bet, Doug and Barry to provide all the backing on this one. Barry reluctantly agreed.
Oh, how I wish this song had been about me! But it was about some other girl who lived about an hour away in Balclutha, meaning he mooned around whenever she was away. I forget her name but she was always on his mind in the summer of ‘96. Bitch.
credits
from Best of Barry Starr: the part I played,
released April 1, 2013
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about
Mermaid Guitar New Zealand
If you like it: enjoy it. If you really like it: pay what you feel. Each album has bonus material for download.
Mermaid Guitar music is not earnest navel-gazing. It's indie rock with humour and hidden depths.
discography
-
Jan 2020 -
Nov 2016 -
Apr 2013 -
Jan 2011
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