Records of the Year: An Old Cricketer (For John Peel) by Shirley Lee

We Love John Peel (& Shirley Lee)

I’ve probably blogged about this track more than any other record this year. Go here or here for just two examples of my adoration. Spearmint man Shirley Lee’s John Peel tribute touched me right there. It’s part of the excellent double album Winter Autumn Summer Spring, a highly recommended disc of which this is one of many amazing highlights.

When an old cricketer leaves the crease
Unfinished business, empty airwaves
Every single brilliant thing we ever heard
We heard through you
There was nobody like you
I didn’t have an older brother to teach me – but I had you
I remember lying awake, or standing out on the campsite
11-20 at night, my old red transistor pressed to my ear
To hear ‘Kiss of Light’
You’ll never be replaced