Ronnie Lane – The Poacher

Hello everyone. Because of the storms in our area we do not have electricity… I’m not sure when I will be able to comment. I have to charge my phone with the car.

The more I hear Ronnie Lane’s deep cuts the more I like him. The reason I started to blog is because of songs like this. Lane was with the Small Faces and then The Faces. He was a key member of each band. In the Small Faces, he played bass and wrote most songs with lead guitarist and guitar player Steve Marriott. Lane also sang some songs for them as well.

In the Faces, again he played bass and wrote songs by himself and with other members of the band. Again…he sang some songs but the lead singer was Rod Stewart. I like Lane’s voice a lot but he happened to be in two bands with two of the best lead singers of their generation.

The Poacher appeared on his 1974 album Anymore for Anymore released in 1974 after he left The Faces. His music was earthy, rootsy….real. You could almost picture Ronnie Lane on your back porch replicating these wonderful songs. No studio tricks just good melodies and lyrics. I’ve always been a lyric guy and I love a good phrase. For instance this song…Bring me fish with eyes of jewels, And mirrors on their bodies, Bring them strong and bring them bigger
Than a newborn child. It just rolls so well together.

He had a dream of bringing music back to the people and all of them traveled in a gypsy-type caravan around the country like a circus. He thought that playing music just for money and fame was wrong.  The lyrics to this song back that up…And I’ve no use for power And I’ve no use for a broken heart I’ll let this world go by. He is essentially rejecting the world and leaving himself behind.

The album was recorded with his mobile studio at his farm. You can hear animals and you can hear children playing in the background when you listen. It’s down to earth as Ronnie Lane was in real life. It’s a beautiful song that needs to be discovered by more people. It barely hit the UK charts when released.

During the recording of Rough Mix with Pete Townshend…Lane diagnosed with was Multiple Sclerosis. He still toured with Eric Clapton and others afterward and released an album in 1979 called See Me.

Ronnie Lane died of Pneumonia while in the final stages of Multiple Sclerosis in 1997

Ronnie Lane:  “The idea for The Poacher came to me when I was living in a fortune teller’s caravan by the side of the River Thames at Pete Townshend’s back garden.”

Pete Townshend: “He was homeless at the time and they lived like gypsies and they used to cook in the open air.” 

For you Jam/Paul Weller fans…here is Lane’s band Slim Chance and Weller playing this song. 

The Poacher

Was fresh and bright and early
I went towards the river
But nothing still has altered just the seasons ring a change
There stood this old timer
For all the world’s first poacher
His mind upon his tackle
And these words upon his mind:

Bring me fish with eyes of jewels
And mirrors on their bodies
Bring them strong and bring them bigger
Than a newborn child

Well I’ve no use for riches
And I’ve no use for power
And I’ve no use for a broken heart
I’ll let this world go by

There stood this old timer
For all the world’s first poacher
His mind upon his tackle
And these words upon his mind:

Bring me fish with eyes of jewels
And mirrors on their bodies
Bring them strong and bring them bigger
Than a newborn child

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball fan, old movie and tv show fan... and a songwriter, bass and guitar player.

31 thoughts on “Ronnie Lane – The Poacher”

  1. Interesting story & song. It’s quite likable, sounds very ’60s Woodstock-ish and his voice reminds me a tiny bit of George Harrison. Quite a difference in personalities with Rod Stewart, it sounds like.
    I hope you posting means your electricity is back on!

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    1. No Dave…I had these scheduled…I’m good for another 7 days. Right now I’m using the last of my latop charge and my phone as a hotspot…then I’m truly in the dark. I have to go to the car to charge my phone back up. I think it’s going to be next week before we get power..

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    1. Jim… we have no electricity because of the storms. You may not see me in a few days. It’s really bad here. I have to charge my phone with my car.

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      2. Thanks Jim….I have a feeling it’s going to be a few days. I’ll have a picture of the tree that is causing us problems tomorrow. My laptop is about dead so I’ll end it now…I’ll catch up with you when the power comes back on Jim…thanks

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Fantastic Max! Ronnie and Slim Chance move me to the core (I wonder if The Waterboys were inspired). So much goodness here. Good on Weller for keeping the flame lit. Just read a book that had a cool poacher character in it. He was Irish. The song is beautiful. CB did a coupe takes on Ronnie (would have done a few more if he wasnt fishing. Poaching?). ‘Debris’ live with SC is fantastic also.

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    1. You, Hotfox, and Graham have mentioned the Waterboys….I’ve listened to them and like them but never really dived in…that is a must.
      Funny you mention Debris! I have a post in my scheduled ones of that one! It was either this one or Debris…but now Debris is next.
      Dude our power is off and will be for a few days…tree was blown over the power lines. I may not get with you as soon as i have before.

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      2. Yea I will dive into them soon. You are the third person that brought them up. I like what i’ve heard so far.
        Ronnie’s songs are so genuine and real…that is the best way I can describe them. Earthy with no studio tricks.

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      2. Warm and Healthy…yes…wise…never. Tomorrow I’ll post a pic of the tree that is on the power lines Bruce…I’ll catch up with you soon. My laptop is about dead now.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Max, first of all, I’m sorry to hear about your electricity outage and hope you and your family are okay!

    This tune is a great pick – I love it! Ronnie Lane is one of those artists whose names are very familiar due to their band affiliations, but I really know nothing about their solo music. I was aware of his MS and that he sadly passed!

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    1. Thanks Chrisitian…I’m using my laptop with a charge that is going down with my phone as a hotspot….so I’ll have to go to my car again to charge my phone up.
      I don’t see us having power for a few days. I’ll post a picture of it tomorrow. I’ll catch up with you soon man!

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      Reply

    1. No it’s not dude. They are getting help from other states and Nashville. Over 200 trees on power lines. I’m actually looking forward to work tomorrow because lights! Real lights not battery powered!

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