Greg Price is a man on a mission. Also known as Layabout, the vocalist and bass guitarist from South London is making music for a new generation. With co songwriter Pharaoh Black and vocalist Robyn a new genre is being created in a place steeped in the history of some of the most famous Pirates. Punk Reggae is a genre that takes the legacy of Jamaica’s rich history of trade and anarchy and unleashes it in musical form. Not trying to be anything old but with respect of the past, not trying to be something other than a new music for an ever changing world but forged in the culture of Jamaica but with a hint of South London swagger. I was lucky enough to chat to bassist and co creator of Layabout Black about this new adventure and found him to be knowledgeable, hopeful and creative. A polite savage making music to transport you to a different place. Enjoy.
Greg lake performing I Believe in Father Christmas
I have long felt that Greg Lake (melody) / Pete Sinfield s (lyrics) I believe in Father Christmas is one of the more creative modern Christmas songs created in my lifetime. I have never been a huge fan of
Emerson, Lake and Palmer, but I am a big fan of Greg Lake s carol, which is much more than just an ode to the British Santa Claus.
The song is a short statement on the Commercialization of Christmas juxtaposed against the known world conflicts of that time: Vietnam War, Six Day War, various Communist influenced halocausts, etc. It was a most difficult period as evidenced in John Lennon s So this is Christmas as well. A significant component of this song is the Lieutenant Kije Suite by Russian composer