Simon Raymonde
In One Ear: Cocteau Twins, Ivor Raymonde and Me
(Nine Eight Books)
Simon Raymonde, bassist and co-writer with Cocteau Twins from their third album in 1983 until they split up in 1997, co-founder and now owner of Bella Union Records—home of Fleet Foxes, John Grant, Father John Misty, Mercury Rev and a host of others, and son of Ivor Raymonde who as a musical arranger and songwriter worked with everybody from Dusty Springfield to Ian Dury.
To be honest, after their first two albums I wasn’t much fussed by Cocteau Twins but Raymonde is a charming, easy going raconteur and the stories he regaled us with are entertaining but not sensationalist or indulgent. The story about Cocteau Twins playing the US Lollapalooza Festival at the invitation of Metallica’s Kirk Hammet, and having to play between The Ramones and Soundgarden is particularly funny…
Also starting Bella Union Records as a sort of new 4AD Records and striking it lucky by signing Fleet Foxes including their then drummer Josh Tillman aka Father John Misty, and so on, plus Raymonde’s continuing musical involvement with his band Snowbird, plus composing film music, and in band management.
However, the quarter of this book about his father Ivor is the most fascinating. Musical archaeology at its finest. Simon Raymonde admits that when he was young he didn’t really appreciate what his Dad did, so having Scott Walker round for tea, or finding out his Dad co-wrote many of Dusty Springfield’s early hits meant little to him. It wasn’t until his mother died in 2014 that he discovered the autobiographical tapes his father had recorded before his death in 1990. Listening back through them, Simon Raymonde finally came to appreciate what his father had achieved. Not only as a songwriter/arranger, but also as a big band pianist in the Joe Loss Orchestra, including tours to the USA just after WW2, featuring a visit to the legendary Birdland Club in New York on its opening night in 1949; Raymonde snr’s acclaim as a record producer, including working with a very young David Bowie. Not to mention as an actor alongside Tony Hancock.
As an aside, whilst researching this article I discovered that Simon Raymode via Bella Union has released two compilations of his fathers best collaborations called ‘Paradise: The Sound of Ivor Raymonde’, and ‘Odyssey-The Sound of Ivor Raymonde Vol.2’ and both are absolute treasure troves of delight.
So enjoy Simon Raymondes writing style and story but absolutely luxuriate in his fathers work. In One Ear is a lovely book and highly recommended even if you’re not keen on Cocteau Twins. If we gave hearts to books this would be 5 all the way!