On the 1st Day of Mavericks ...

... my reader gave to me.

Jona Lewie

- as nominated by ‘Challenge 69’ reader Keith M

Keith argues, fairly, that this reader suggested series of additional ‘C69’ mavericks should at least kick off with a festive entry, before inevitably trailing off into bah humbug territory; and that Jona would make the perfect nominee to fill that slot, having recorded, “the most accidental Xmas hit ever!”

Keith’s back up logic is that Lewie recorded for Stiff Records which, he suggests, was, “surely the ultimate maverick stable,” and who am I to dispute such a claim when it’s made by a man who treasured his Rachel Sweet poster as much as Keith did!

I do however need to seek Stuart’s blessing before accepting any new member into the ‘Challenge 69’ maverick community, so here’s what he had to say on the matter:

“I’ll grudgingly allow Jona Lewie in; mainly on the strength of Keith’s Stiff Records point (though I’d have gone for Ian Dury or Elvis Costello), but also because this reminded me of their entertaining (if politically suspect these days) logo …

… plus, on further reflection, a man capable of naming one of his previous groups Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs is probably worthy of (minor) maverick status.

While Keith is correct to describe ‘Stop the Cavalry’ as one of the most unexpected Christmas hits of all time though, what he fails to go on to say is it is also, despite a very congested field, one of the most deeply irritating!”

Look out for a second daily maverick at the same time tomorrow, and let’s hope that one’s a suggestion which leaves Stuart feeling a little less grumpy!

For the new playlist that will accompany these posts (and build day by day) it seems only fair to represent Jona Lewie with the aforementioned ‘Stop the Cavalry’, if for no better reason than it actually being a marginally less annoying song than the only real alternative, ‘You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties’!

PS. There are still a couple of places open to complete my ‘dirty dozen’ of reader nominated mavericks, so please reply to this email if you’ve got a favourite nonconformist musician you’d like to see added.