Mike d'Abo tells how he came to write Handbags and Gladrags for first Chris Farlow then Rod Stewart and finally the Stereophonics. Live at the Hurlingham Club 12.04.16
This is such a powerful song. It speaks to individual disappointment, the reflections of age and the folly of youth, and even generational realities in society. It is cryptic at points and filled with passion and emotional depth about seemingly mundane moments that are more meaningful than they appear, like a young person skipping school. I absolutely believe him that it was given by God.
Always loved the song and the piano and now we meet Mike d"Abo and see that he is truly a star! What an amazing story, and on one take?! Thank you, now I have to learn this on piano.
Man music is so wild, it’s like certain gifts just come down from god and even the person writing can’t explain it. Incredible and it transcends races, ages, sexes and it’s just pure humanity. Part of the human condition is music - what makes us unique.
I would have given my eye teeth to have been there to listen to Mike,s tales how magic lost on those who don,t get it.. music composition and this si a song that brings tears to my eyes as having grand children and one who has given us so much pain, still we love her and she is becoming a good kid the song says it all
A so beautiful piano riff that reminds me of the great Nicky Hopkins. But mike d'Abo is also a great piano piano player. And still sings with a beautiful voice!
Well he wouldn't be playing guitar in Jeff Becks group would he ? Joking aside Ronnie Wood used to play bass before he turned to playing lead guitar with The Faces.
The story about how this guy came up with the meandering lyric is not particularly interesting, but the story of how Rod Stewart came to record the song I found very interesting (not to say exactly riveting). I have a few objections, however: 1) "Grandad" certainly does NOT rhyme with "handbag" or "glad rag". 2) There may be a button labeled "oboe" on that dreadful contraption this guy's playing, but it's w-a-y too much of a stretch to call the result an "oboe sound". 3) For that matter, the "piano" sound is pretty awful too (just not AS awful). Why can't the Hurlingham Club invest in an actual real piano? 4) Around the time Rod Stewart became very popular with his "Every Picture Tells a Story" album, his older recording of "Handbags and Glad Rags" actually did get quite a lot of radio play. This was the early seventies.
Fully in awe. Yes, Mr. d'Abo should have rented a real grand piano along with an oboe. And Mr. Wells should pay the bill. Who is able to please everybody? Mr. Wells? I don't think so, does he?
