FEATURE:
The Mysterious Harry Houdini
IN THIS PHOTO: The cover of Kate Bush’s fourth studio album, The Dreaming (1982)/PHOTO CREDIT: John Carder Bush
A Del Palmer Playlist
_________
THIS year started sadly…
IN THIS PHOTO: Del Palmer and Kate Bush together in London in September 1985 launching her fifth studio album, Hounds of Love/PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Hogan/Getty Images
for Kate Bush fans. Someone who impacted and moulded her career and music more than most people, Del Palmer, died. He had been ill for some time, though it came as a massive shock for everyone. Not only were Palmer and Bush in a relationship for many years and were a rock for one another. He was a member of her band and performed on most of her studio albums. He also became her engineer. His credits include Hounds of Love, The Sensual World and her most recent album, 50 Words for Snow. That 2011 album has special relevance now. The final one he worked on with Kate Bush. He was with her for so long. From friendship in the 1970s through to this wonderful working relationship that blossomed for decades, there were few as important to Kate Bush as Del Palmer. She trusted few others to work with her, such was her attachment and faith in Del Palmer. He in turn could not work with other artists, as Bush’s talent was unique and so powerful. They were really meant for one another! This is what Kate Bush wrote in reaction to the news:
“It’s hard to know what to say… He was a big part of my life and my work for many years.
It’s going to take a long time to come to terms with him not being here with us.
He was incredibly creative – talented in lots of different ways. He was a brilliant musician, bass player, a great artist – he was always drawing. Once he covered a whole recording consul in cartoons. It took him days and it looked absolutely stunning.
He taught himself to be a recording engineer, engineering several of my albums and later releasing his own.
The image above is a mosaic that Del made. He called it Tree of Life.
I’m going to miss him terribly.
Kate”.
Some may not know that Del Palmer is the only other person apart from Kate Bush to appear on an album cover of hers. On 1982’s The Dreaming, the man with his back to camera is Palmer. He was playing the role of Harry Houdini. The is a song on the album, Houdini, that talks about the escapologist and his wife, Bess, kissing him and slipping a key to him that way. A key on her tongue. The cover depicts Kate Bush with a key on her tongue embracing Del Palmer. Palmer played on that album and was a really important part of her music. To honour him, I will end with a playlist featuring songs that he played on. I have also included a few where he engineered too. A mixture of his talents. As a bass player and staple of her creative and musical team, Del Palmer leave this massive void. We will remember him and everything he gave to us. To showcase that, here is a collection of songs where Del Palmer’s magic is…
VERY much in the mix.