WHEN COLIN MET LINDY

Regular readers will be aware of the pivotal role Comrade Colin played in getting the original blog off the ground back in September 2006, and indeed in providing the support for it to be reincarnated in July 2013 just a matter of hours after Blogger had pulled the plug on things and I flitted over to WordPress.  His own, long-lost and much missed blogs (Let’s Kiss and Make Up and And Before The First Kiss) were the inspiration for TVV, and it didn’t take too long before we became close friends, mainly due to a common love of much great music.

I mentioned previously that, late last year, he went to Australia, for a trip that would combine work, a family holiday and a pilgrimage to various sites and locations that are part of the story of the Go-Betweens, while also unashamedly admitting that I was insane with jealousy.

He used some acceptable social media platforms to keep those of us not in Australia up-to-speed with his adventures, including some of the treasures he had unearthed in various record shops, including a copy of Your Turn, My Turn, the third single released by the Go-Betweens on Missing Link Records back in 1981.  As if that wasn’t enough, he then let us know that he had made contact with Lindy Morrison, the long-time drummer with the band during their glory decade of the 80s, and had arranged to have lunch in a beachside location close to her home.

He posted some photos of their lunchtime meeting, adding the commentary that it turned out to be a perfect day, during which Lindy had been thrilled to learn that someone from Scotland was now the owner of a copy of such an old single. He also passed on the info that Lindy had, naturally, been more than happy to sign the sleeve with a personal dedication to said owner.  In looking at the photo, and zooming in on the dedication, my jaw dropped, a large lump got stuck in my throat and tears filled up my eyes:-

“Dearest Jim. All my very best to you. Lindy”

The single had always been intended for me from the moment Colin found it in Rocksteady Records in Melbourne.  The idea of having it signed by Lindy was something that came to him later.

I still haven’t been able to find the right words with which to thank Colin for his incredible act of generosity.  He told me it was just his way of saying a huge thanks for being such a good friend over the many years, and that he knew just how much it would mean to me.

mp3: The Go-Betweens – Your Turn, My Turn
mp3: The Go-Betweens – World Weary

I’m still in disbelief.

JC