“About September 1973, I was doing a gig for the Birmingham Streetpress in Moseley (Birmingham) at Fighting Cocks and after the gig started to hitch my way back to Coventry. Most of the buses had finished and i walked into the center of Birmingham around Digbeth and hardly a car went by. This was Birmingham right. Tired and despairing of a lift home to Coventry (or even part of the way), I sat down on the curb strumming Vanity Fair‘s Hitchin’ a Ride. Out of the blue came a car – I never expected it to stop but when I got in, I noticed a guitar in the back! It was John Golding, the Daventry folk singer who had also had a gig in Birmingham that night and was travelling back to Daventry and so passing by Willenhall in Coventry. How neat was that! I didn’t know John up til then but we had a good chat and I went to see him perform in Coventry at the Antelope Folk Club in Coventry. John had just made an album and I gave it a plug in Hobo Magazine.” Trev Teasdel
About 1994 John Golding was getting nowhere with major record companies. They liked his material and gave him studio time but said his songs were just not commercial enough for general release. So John set up his own production company – Cottage Records and launched his first album Discarded Verse.
Read more in this Coventry Journal cutting from March 15th 1974
And the follow on in the Coventry Evening Telegraph when Decca took an interest.
Rod Felton’s advert in Hobo Magazine mentioning John Golding (although spelt incorrectly)
All My Words Were Taken Away
John Golding appeared on Whispering Bob Harris late night show for BBC Radio 1, along with Barclay James Harvest from 1974, here’s I Might Change.
Another – John Golding produced by Bob Harris
1974 album
Tracks on Discarded Verse
John Golding in Brinklow 2005
English singer songwriter John Golding. From the album Photographs released in 1974 on Atlantic Records and produced by Radio 2 DJ Bob Harris.
1976 album on Cottage Records
Those Being Far Away From You Blues
Sleep Easy Tonight
What They Say (About You)
It Only Hurts When You Laugh
Floor Singers Blues
Why Don’t You Let It Be Me
Nothing At All
Discarded Verse
I Was Dreaming
Whither Away And Die
Getting Over You
The Good Times Always End
From the 70's through to the present I remember listening to Photographs and I still play some of these songs. I love the songs and think JG was one of the best singer songwriters of the time. Does anyone know if I can get hold of the CD?
As far as i know Bob, it's only available on the original vinyl which was a limited edition. there are several sites selling it 2nd hand for around £30 ish including Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/photographs-LP-JOHN-GOLDING/dp/B0057R99Z8/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1420996650&sr=1-3
Is there anyway to contact John I would love to know what he is doing now.
Sorry, I don't have a contact for John, haven't seen him since the 70's. Maybe someone who views this will be able to help!
My name is Fay Presto. I would love to be able to tell John that he made a difference to my life. When I was eighteen… 1966, Abingdon folk club, I bought a record, Discarded verse. I had no expectation of ever becoming an entertainer, but I liked his work as a regular punter. Roll forward in 1988, now forty I did enter the world of 'Show Biz'. I thought the world of entertainment would solve some deeply personal conflicts, and indeed it did but there were rough times to get through and 'Bad Gigs' was so true. As a magician I have since performed around the world. Patty Clapton booked me for Eric's 40th Birthday. In the garden at Buckingham Palace Paul McCartney hailed me as a genius, at Stings Wedding Billy Connelly thought I might be a good opener for his shows, Diana was a fan and all the time discarded verse was on my i-tunes among the songs that kept me going. Thank you john wherever you are..
Hi Fay, What a great story, I do hope John sees this. I will add it to the main post to make it more visible. I have no idea where John is now but I had a look at your website and the video – amazing, well done and thanks for sharing your story with us. If John does turn up here I will draw his attention to your comment for sure. Thanks, Trev teasdel – site admin.
Well i can't let a post about the mercurial songsmith JG pass me by without comment. This brilliant lyricist and performer of heartfelt music reaches my DNA with every spin of so many of his recorded verses. I'm picking up vibes that this unassuming genius never actually realised just how special he was and just how deep the impact of his songs enriched otherwise dull lives. Not sure who actually owns the copyright of Johns back catalogue mostly on his own cottage records label so it may well be him or if he has found a more responsive and appreciative audience upstairs so a family member may pick up the mantle . With this thought in mind how wonderful to contemplate a COLLECTIVE VERSE compilation cd / hi def bitrate download . For its only by blowing the cobwebs of Johns considerable legacy that the unenlightened can also appreciate his wonderful talent and also like me eulogise . Contacted John via a YT post some years ago bestowing the virtues of Photographs being released on cd , a week later he had sent me a copy without charge , I love you mr Golding thanks for nourishing an impoverished life through your songs . respectfully lol bishop aka macman.