Julian Henry has been releasing records as The Hit Parade since the early 80s, starting his pop career with possibly the greatest run of 45s in all of independent music (collected here). His latest LP on JSH Records, "Cornish Pop Songs", is a tribute to Penwith; its history, its people and its attitude. It's a terrific album, and one which has recently received positive coverage from -among others- The Cornishman & The Western Morning News. But what's the appeal? Why Cornwall? Here's why:
What
drew you to Cornwall & its culture?
I like
exploring Britain. I first visited Penwith after reading about it in books. I
like the fact that it’s a remote spot with its own identity, and all the flashes
I’d seen of Cornwall from afar – Virginia Woolf, Betjeman, Du Maurier – gave me
a sense that there was something hidden behind the holiday homes and sandy
beaches. When I was young I remember my parents talking about Cornwall as if it
was distant land where people ate ice cream all day without a care in the world.
It was paradise at the far end of the railway line, and Cornwall still
represents hope and sunshine to me today.
I would
say infrequent. I’m an outsider looking in. I know West Penwith well enough to
feel comfortable every time I’m there.
Some of
the songs have very specific reference points which only locals will "get" (the
Garage in Drift, Swordfish pub, the Stevensons etc). Is there a significance of
these people/places personal to you, or are they just "vehicles for the idea"?
My songs
are shaped by what I see in front of me. When I stood outside the old garage in
the village of Drift I was thinking about migration, how people had moved from
this remote spot over many centuries towards Bristol, Exeter and London to
search of fulfilment and gain. The cars that pass the garage today back and forth
from Land End still indicate the desire for self-improvement. Everyone wants to
move somewhere where the prospects will be better. They want a view. But why not
return to the Garage where the dead cars lie rusting in the rain? There’s plenty
to do, the people are friendly and the pubs are great. I’m fascinated by the A30
and the stories that this road tells.
Can you
make a pasty?
No, I’m
useless in the kitchen.
Aw, shame. Cornwall
has quite a vibrant cultural scene, so did you consider recording the album in
Cornwall? using local musicians?
It’s a
jolly idea. There certainly a lot going on in Cornwall. But I wrote this in my
gloomy flat in Paddington and recorded it in south London with Ian Catt. I can’t
pretend to be local. I’m an outsider looking in. A friendly face at the
window.
Has
there been much interest from the locals? Any dates planned in the
area?
Given that
most of our records have been greeted by a deafening silence and the occasional
cry of ‘you’re bloody rubbish!’, I would say that the early signs are promising.
No one has yet called it rubbish.
Do you
prefer Jelbert's Ice Cream to Roskilly, or vice versa?
I’m not
much of a foodie. But I do like that Jelbert’s place in
Newlyn.
Me too. One song on the album, "Ghost of
the Fishing Fleet", seems to be quite pessimistic about Cornwall's future. What's
the solution?
Cornwall
should be a National Park with outsiders charged a toll when they cross the
Tamar. The fishing industry, those heroic men in boats, the coppermen, the women
of Newlyn, as well as the artists, writers and creative community, should all be
celebrated. Tourists like me should be frisked at the border and tested on their
knowledge of the history of Cornwall. This is about identity. Cornishmen and
women must be full of hope for the future.
Where is
your favourite place in Cornwall & why?
There’s an
obscure spot up on the cliffs near Lamorna Cove we call the B Rock. It’s a
hidden rocky outcrop near the coastal path that was obviously used by the
military or something years ago. It’s buried in the gorse but a letter B has
been carved into the granite so I go up there with my children for picnics on
sunny days ...you can appreciate Cornwall’s history from up there, looking out
to the sea. The old granite quarries where they dug out stone to ship up to
London, the rocks down below where Laura Knight painted. Tater Du
lighthouse is just along the way and it’s great to watch the fishing boats
chugging round to Newlyn. It’s a wonderful view.
Thanks Julian. Here's the wonderful "Zennor Mermaid" from the LP, which you can purchase here.
