I have decided to join the massing ranks of bearded men, well actually it is probably a third outing for full-blown facial hirsuteness for yours truly but this time we are in for the long haul.
People tell me that beards are very ‘fashionable’ and ‘cool’ at the moment. Of course, I’m not into having a beard simply because it happens to be a necessary requisite for musicians at the helm of the contemporary zeitgeist, or aficionados of the prevailing trend for retro folk chic and the general return to masculine style virtues. No, it’s deeper than that, it seems to me that a growing number of men of all ages (but usually those under 40) are opting for the hirsute look both because of its association with non conformity and revolutionary tendencies. Beards not only seem to identify individuals who are attuned to contemporary thinking on environmental ‘issues’ or artists, but they are also becoming something of a trend amongst those who wish to distance themselves from the shallow contemporary consumer culture, ladism, chavism and the idiotic obsessions with perma boyishness. The assumption is that bearded guys don’t watch Big Brother or obsess about over accessorising their cars, instead bearded guys have BMX scars, swim in moreland rivers and eat organic.
Of course as one of my colleagues pointed out the beard is also an essential requisite for all revolutionary thinkers in the arts, culture, politics and science. But as implied the so called burgeoning ‘revolution’ is now one against all that is decadent, shallow and effete in favour of a return to thoughtfulness and the exoneration of wisdom and maturity over youth. It is an inevitable reaction in many ways I suppose.
As my intellectual and familial kith and kin all seem to be sporting beards of one type or another I felt that I had no choice in order to assert my ‘tribal sympathy’. Fortunately, all concerned think that I suit it, so it is staying put, though I don’t think I could ever be confused with a besandaled librarian in this, I tend to cut more of a Sandinista rebel or battle fatigued commando look — I do, I tell ya!
Again I’m listening to the Giles Peterson show and it is satisfyingly Jazzy and soulful tonight instead of unremittingly Hip Hop’ish. The opener was a track off the new Paul Weller album (Black River) which sounds amazing moving into some vintage and unfamiliar Herbie Hancock then on to Marcus Belgrave and a tribute to the legendary and always inspiring Tribe label that seemed to be the mainstay of Jazz and Soul artists with a more ‘spiritual’ vibe in the 70s and that’s just how I like it, only Giles can mix it up like this! — A genius!
However, I’m now trying to listen to this on a rate of 64Kbs instead of the CD quality 250 plus Kbs, Why does the BBC keep messing about with streaming rates, or is it something further down the line so to speak?
Hyperbolic as ever, Good night—