The River Will Rise Again...

It is THREE weeks before exams for me. Somehow, I ridiculously made the decision to UPSKILL myself back in June last year.  Now do not get me wrong, education is largely one of the most important things one can receive and it should NEVER be turned down, saying that the slog of grafting is painful and outright boring for the most part.  I find myself saying things like, ‘It’ll be worth it/it’s something to fall back on/a professional qualification will open doors (doors to where exactly? Narnia would be nice…)” and so on.

Anyhow, it's not long now until these exams are upon me, as I said THREE weeks BUT instead of spending last night doing some required reading on heaven forbid Business Strategy,  I finished 'A Northern Soul' by Jimmy Nail. Cue the absolute disdain from any late TWENTIES something Brit.  The horror. The looks of disappointment.  Within seconds I've seen the change on the faces of those around me on the train from WELL INTERESTED to sheer disgust as I pull out the book from my handbag.  Now I am not sure where this comes from.  Sure the man is no giant in show biz.  He is hardly a drop dead gorgeous star (now or even back when he was a little more well known).  But he has something. Something that got me. Somehow.


I reckon I have a few people to thank in my life for introducing me to JN and instilling - yes that is exactly what it was, instilling in me a great fondness for his work - musically more than the acting if I'm honest.  If I have heard his song Big River once I can assure you I have heard it at least TEN THOUSAND times. Not even an exaggeration. My parents - the good hosts that they are used to throw wonderful dinner parties (they still do and honestly there is nothing quite as good as a Honey Home Dinner Party).  Anyway, the table would be set, delectable smells coming from the oven, a cool breeze blowing through the patio and my dad choosing the music for the evening.  That was until Uncle Ken arrived at which point if Big River was not blaring from the speakers it soon would be. And it would be on REPEAT. Over and over again.

As a little girl I would often be "asleep" in bed at this point - meaning I was peaking around the curtain watching the grown-ups laugh and dance and sing.  At some point that changed (when my parents gave me alcohol I think) and I would be one of the adults laughing and dancing and singing.  The result is that to me a good party will always have a little bit of Jimmy present - and I doubt this will ever change.  A night cannot be successful without someone belting out "for this was a biiiiiiiiiig river, I want you all to know...." just a little off key.

His story has touched my life. What a testament to Right Time, Right Place. Alarmingly honest about the ups and downs (mostly downs in reality), he writes a masterpiece that will remain on my bookshelf for years and years to come.

And in my heart I know it will rise again,

The river will rise again.

Big River - Jimmy Nail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_519h95XFs

Ain't no Doubt - Jimmy Nail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iF47M3YDlg

Crocodile Shoes - Jimmy Nail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APJwMLvZYZU