Andrew Kay: Banabana banabana
It’s almost two years now since I stopped driving and got rid of the car and for the most part it’s been a change I have not regretted.
Losing the expense of tax, insurance, parking, fuel and general depreciation has meant that I have more available cash, and buying a season ticket for the buses and the occasional taxi comes nowhere near the expense of running a car, nowhere near. I have also discovered that booking early on the train is both cheaper and more relaxing than driving to Somerset to visit mum, although the train journey can be a little bit of an ordeal and I have spent far too much time in Warminster Station for my liking.
“The one thing about not having a car is that I really miss a nice trip out to the Sussex countryside, pottering along lanes, visiting pubs and teashops”
The one thing about not having a car is that I really miss a nice trip out to the Sussex countryside, pottering along lanes, visiting pubs and teashops, farmshops and the small towns where I could trawl antique shops and charity shops.
I was on one such trip a few years ago. Friends had American visitors and they asked if I could entertain them for the day as they were busy preparing for a party that evening. I was happy to oblige and invited along my good friend Mr L to join in the fun.
I didn’t make a real plan but we headed off in the general direction of Lewes. Along the way we took in a wide range of cultural landmarks. Now I’m no expert on such matters but after 25 years in the county I do have a reasonable knowledge of the countryside around here.
The Americans were fascinated, or at least they did a good impression of being fascinated, as I told them about Mount Caburn, The Bloomsbury Group, Cuckmere Haven, Lewes Castle and the Long Man of Wilmington, which itself seemed to fascinate them. And we stopped at The Giant’s Rest for rabbit pie at lunchtime which they thought was terribly British.
After lunch we pottered off again and headed through Litlington, a village that had been home for many years to the British and Hollywood film star Dirk Bogarde. They liked that fact a lot.
As we headed back to the coast Mr L said that going on a trip like this with me was like being in a travelogue from the 1960s. The only thing that was missing was a soundtrack of songs performed by The Swingle Singers. I’m not sure the Americans really understood what he was talking about, but we laughed like drains.
About a week later the postman delivered a parcel, and inside was a recording of The Swingle Singers greatest hits, a gift from Mr L. I opened it and memories came flooding back. They were the most remarkable performers and they had a sound that was truly unique. A few days ago I received an email that filled my heart with the same kind of joy.
The Swingle Singers have a new album out called Weather To Fly. Well, I had to download it and see if the old “Swinglers” were as swinging as ever. I’m pleased to report that they are, and that the new album has a fine mix of music that is thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable, if at times rather bizarre (I’m not sure about beat-boxing at the best of times).
Now I am making programmes for Latest TV I must resist trying to use The Swingle Singers as theme music on everything that I do.
The Swingle Singers, Weather To Fly, released September 2013 on Harmonia Mundi.
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