Jim Capaldi – Whale Meat Again

29th July 2022 · 1970s, 1974, Blues, Music

Let’s celebrate the Commonwealth Games like they did – with some miusic from Birmingham. Not Sabbath or The Streets, and not the organisers’ choice of Duran bloody Duran. Not even UB40 or my preference, Steel Pulse.

The less stellar name of Jim Capaldi would not have rung too many bells at the opening ceremony, even if he were alive.

Not many rock drummers made a name for themselves as solo artists. And while Capaldi only enjoyed one hit single – a confusingly jolly version of Love Hurts – he found the time to knock out 15 albums under his own name: far more than he managed with his band Traffic.

This is the title track of the only one I even remember the name of, and that’s probably because of the terrible pun.
At the time, in 1974, Traffic were getting jazzier and Capaldi was getting bluesier, working with the Muscle Shoals Band who had played on so many Southern soul hits.

Despite his position behind the drum kit for Traffic, Capaldi co-wrote songs such as Paper Sun (their first hit) and Dear Mr Fantasy, and had a mellow and soulful voice when given the chance to use it.

This is a sloppy ramshackle affair that reminds me of John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band. Perhaps they’ll close the Commonwealth Games with a mass singalong.