Man of the people?
Just before Christmas I came across a news story that made me laugh, so forgive me for a brief foray into British politics. Nick Clegg, the new-ish leader of the Liberal Democrat party* appointed an advisor to help him connect with the needs of everyday people. And who did he choose as his commonplace person, his everyman, his regular Joe? Brian Eno, that’s who.
Yes, we’re all thinking of the same Brian Eno here. The Brian Eno who has no idea how much money he has made or possesses because his wife/ manager takes care of that. Brian Eno who thinks it utterly normal to drop in on Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson because he’s passing and then has a moan about their sofa. Brian Eno who wants to compile a photobook of Belgian noses. Brian Eno who once decanted his own urine into an empty Chablis bottle and drank it because he realised he’d never tasted it before. Yeah, that Brian Eno Man of The People.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Eno. I love Roxy Music, I love his solo work and his production frequently turns me towards bands I would have given short shrift. I think the man’s a genius and I don’t use that word lightly. I’ve envied his daughters and his protégées and one Saturday morning, after finishing ‘A Year With Swollen Appendices’ his diary of 1995, I considered starting a small world religion based on his teachings (…well, it was only a quick thought.) But I admire him precisely because he’s an original thinker, a talented artist and possessed of a wonderfully lateral mind. That he is anything but commonplace is his chief charm and the reason he’s worthy of respect. Much as I love the idea that someone in the ranks of the Lib Dems believes our island is full of people who think just like Eno, I know this sadly isn’t the case.
Maybe that’s the plan though, a template for a weirder Britain. Check it out, if the next time you land at Heathrow and find it flooded with ambient sounds you’ll know something’s afoot.
*For our non-British readers: the Liberal Democrats are not, as their name might suggest to those of you used to American political language, the left leaning party. Rather they are roughly at the centre of the political spectrum and the smallest of our three major political parties.
As a British voter, my first reaction is *huh?*, my second is I can’t wait to see the manifesto after this advice and my third is to vote for this party! Actually, I’d probably have voted Lib Dem anyway, but this might seal it.
That is awesome. I just hope the (U.S.) Democratic nominee is wise enough to pick David Byrne for the same job.
Not to quibble and probably just as ludicrous, but Eno was hired to advise the Liberal Democrat party on how to appeal to young people, not the “common man” (I’m sure there’s some crossover between these groups though). Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/19/nclegg519.xml
Sounds like a good idea to me. Just think, if the labour party hadn’t pissed billy bragg off a few years back, he might be culture minister now…
… and how about jim davidson for conservative spokesman on foreign affairs!
I was confused actually Kevin, because I saw that Telegraph story too, but Newsnight went for the man of the people approach.
Also - wow! British people reading 17 Dots! Where have you been guys?
And Mick, I’d be very amused if that Jim Davidson thing did happen.
Hi Anna, i found 17dots early in the summer. i like reading the articles, but felt compelled to answer the one about Brian Eno.
P.S. you’ll know when jim davidson comes to power, the book burnings and witch trials will be front page news!
Actually, I’m from Kansas City.
Just happened to see the Eno story on a another blog that I read.