Who inspires me 4: Robert Wyatt

This week I have been recovering from an operation which has given me plenty of down time for reading. In just a couple of days I devoured a new biography of Robert Wyatt by Marcus O’Dair called “Different Every Time”. It’s a wonderful book – full of well researched insight into Robert Wyatt informed by extensive interviews. I have been mad about the music of Robert Wyatt since the mid 70s when I stumbled across that angelic voice through a series of links. I’m also really keen on Robert Fripp, Brian Eno and Gong. All of these provide links to Robert Wyatt. I think the first time I heard Wyatt singing was on a track from a Daevid Allen (Gong) solo album called Bananamoon. I was transfixed. The track, ‘Memories’, has been recorded a number of times by Wyatt – each time slightly different, each time stunning.

Hearing it sent me rushing out to buy an album by him. I came back with “Ruth is Stranger that Richard” and was educated in jazz – it wasn’t the easiest listen, but I loved what I heard. Then I heard “Rock Bottom” – a magnificent piece of work which creates a totally unique space all of its own. With guests including Mike Oldfield and Ivor Cutler it was a curious and beautiful work of fragile beauty.
I was hooked. Since then I have mined his work – both as member of Soft Machine, Matching Mole and also his solo career. He whimsically describes himself as a minimalist, saying that at least he doesn’t produce a lot of material, unlike others who hardly live up to the name.

I love his singing voice, the instrumentation and the eclectic way he scavenges from all types of music. He is wonderfully humble.
The biography divides into two parts – before and after his fall from a window at a party that left him in a wheelchair. As I read through the book I realised just how much Robert Wyatt has inspired me and in so many ways. From early and obscure work singing poems by ee cummings, and extracts from James Joyce (both to be found on an album on Brian Eno’s Obscure Record label), to his fantastically uncompromising political songs – it’s all done with such conviction and total belief.

Then there are the singles which brought him close to being recognised in the mainstream – especially his cover version of “I’m a Believer” in the 70s and his version of the Elvis Costello and Clive Langer song “Shipbuilding” about the Falklands War in the 80s.

It’s staggering to hear that he still suffers from horrendous stage fright and has hardly appeared live for at least a couple of decades.
He and his wife, Alfie, are an inspiration in their clear vision and total commitment to their art (Alfie is an artist and has created all of his cover art since they met).

On so many levels, Robert Wyatt’s voice has been a constant for so much of my life – reminding me why it is important to follow our hearts, why we need to speak up about things, and why we should never lose our sense of humour.

Thank you, Robert.