Al Docker was a leading light on the Coventry Scene in the early 70's - lyricist / poet / drummer with various bands including Tsar / self taught piano player and organiser of the local band nights at Coventry Arts Umbrella. He was a great networker when networking wasn't as easy it is now with the Internet. It involved wandering from Cov pub to pub and other places where musicians and creative people gathered. He was one of my early mates and got me started out on the music scene after leaving school.
I met him at D.F. Gibbs on Foleshill Rd. He was an apprentice TV engineer and I was an apprentice Electrician. In 1969, at 18, I wanted to get involved with the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club after seeing a poster for their Transcendental Cauldron Arts festival at the Butts Technical College. Al was already a member and putting organising the band nights. I went down with him one night and got pretty involved myself.
CASTLE STONES – Al Docker (of Tsar) Piano Song 1972
Underfoot, your castle stones will crumble at my weight.
A mere desire to set afire your callous selfish gate.
But – wait! How can it be? The strength that I command
Is not enough to call your bluff and take your precious land
So rise above my peace, my love, pretend they don’t exist.
And smash the trash that dares to ask the strength about your fist.
You send your guards towards our parks.
They uproot love, they leave their mark.
But love leaves seeds (you waste your hours)
But not enough to dull your powers.
So go your way, must it be ours?
Your stains may linger on the flowers.
You called me Freak: I call you MAN
I give the best insult I can!!!
NEWLY ADDED JULY 29TH 2007 - Al Docker's original draft manuscript for this song which he jotted down as he wrote the song on piano at The Shilton Cottage c 1971 / 72
The IS Al Docker's band in the 90's (Truro, Cornwall) - he played keyboards, wrote some of the lyrics and tunes and drove the van. Worth a listen.
Is it just me ????? I find a tremendous resonance between this and Mother Gaia
Posted by: BroadgateGnome | 03/04/2007 at 12:52 PM
Looks like cool stuff . Am in Prague for a few days with no sound - so will listen when I get back. Thanks for this.
Dennis
Posted by: Dennis Burns | 07/29/2007 at 09:25 PM