Music / 1967
Preview: 1967 – Summer of Love, Kings Weston House
Whatever the lyrics say, it was actually 50 years ago today that Sergeant Pepper taught his band to play…and so did a lot of other people who went on to become seminal figures in the invention of rock music.
When musical activist and former Moonflower Jesse Vernon looked at his record collection he realised that there was something about 1967: “I noticed it was kind of a theme among my favourite albums by people like Velvet Underground, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, they all came from that year. After 50 years it seemed a good moment to celebrate that time.”
Now, when most people plan a celebration it may involve a few mates and a playlist: but when Jesse does things, he does them big. For one thing, he has an entire orchestra at his disposal, plus he’s chummy with the people who run the excellent Kingsweston House, the amazing stately home in Shirehampton. Put those together with his boundless musical energy and you have something truly spectacular.
is needed now More than ever
The Fantasy Orchestra presents 1967, Summer of Love is a special selection of psychedelic music from that seminal year, arranged for a 40-strong electro-acoustic orchestra and 20-voiced choir. Ever wanted to hear Strawberry Fields Forever played live with real cellos? You got it, and lots more besides.
Glam cellos for a Bowie number
“It’ll be a great party,” Jesse confidently predicts. “If you get there early enough there’ll be games in the grounds, everyone will be in fancy dress, we’ve got an open mic slot (but only for songs from 1967)… there’s visuals in the House, (psych rockers) Asteroid Deluxe are doing a set as well.”
Finding Kingsweston House as a venue last year was perfect for the Fantasy Orchestra, it seems. “It really suits the aspirations of grandeur the band has, with those big steps and the views right across the Severn to Wales. And then there’s us all frolicking around in a big old house built for rich people, but without the rich people – that’s cool.”
A sombrero-toting Jesse gives encouragement
The Fantasy Orchestra started four years ago when Jesse wanted to make Ennio Morricone’s music the theme of one of his Greatness nights at The Cube. “We needed a bigger house band, and I was encouraging people to re-find those instruments from the bottom of the cupboard or coal sheds or whatever. It was meant to be a bit of a higgledy-piggledy band, a mix of professionals who deign to do it and amateurs who dare to do it. It can be a bit wobbly when a tune starts but once it’s going then the ceilings fall in, the floors explode and it’s full steam ahead.”
A Gaucho Nativity, apparently
Over the years the repertoire has included sets of Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and Beatles numbers as well as general psychedelia and a Gaucho Nativity suite (?!), with suitable fancy dress codes and occasional celebrity guest vocalists whipping up a party atmosphere even before the equally colourful audience arrives.
It’s all a bit hippy really, but Jesse’s not entirely comfortable with that word. “When I was growing up it was an insult and it still makes me flinch. I suppose (his first legendary psychedelic band) The Moonflowers was fairly Summer of Love, but with a pinch of salt and a dash of 90s postmodernism too.”
There’ll be no inhibitions about hippiedom on the night, though, with readings, happenings and a love-in expected between the band sets. If you missed out on the first Summer of Love this could be your chance to free your inner hippy and be there (or be square).
1967, Summer of Love featuring the Fantasy Orchestra, Asteroid Deluxe and DJ John Stapleton takes over Kings Weston House on Saturday, June 17. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/events/227368414413771
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