Jools Holland's Studio
JOOLS HOLLAND'S STUDIO
Ever stood on the west end of Platform One at Westcombe Park Station and wondered what the rather startling apparition is up the slope above you? That rather odd Gothic building with the arched windows high breezeblock walls, strange cupolas, classical pediments and curious tower with a whale-shaped weather vane, which lights up at night? So did I.
It took a brainy friend of mine, Mike, who absorbs information like a sponge mops up spills (he once unapologetically recited the London to Dartford line timetable) to put me out of my misery. It's the local pad and studio of that jovial jazzman Jools Holland. Being a local lad, the ex-Squeeze-boy must have had his eye on that old station house for years and snapped it up when he could.
I understand he's decorated the old gothic, boarded building in suitably eccentric fashion. Of course, we don't get to see much of it as it's got high walls and solid gates (though you'd have thought he'd have rendered the outside so the world didn't KNOW it was all made of breezeblock) but I think I prefer it that way.
Nothing real could live up to the image I have in my mind of what it's like inside. For me the place is the closest thing to a modern day folly that this dull age of the purpose-built and functional can muster, and I raise my glass to Mr Holland for not only creating some great music, but a fun building too, to cheer the soul every time one sees it.
Recently, The Nosy Phantom has noticed much building work going on around the back by the shops at the station. A peek over the fence reveals a fabulous-looking Victorianate street and what looks suspiciously like his own private pub, the Holland Arms. Absolutely brilliant. Though he would not make a song and dance about them, (and I am reliably informed that he won't talk about them at all) Jools Holland's studios must be one of the wonders of Greenwich. Not that I've ever made it inside those hallowed portals – oh no – I've hinted enough times to my mate who's in his band, but he's not having any of it, so I have to be content to do like everyone else and just fantasise about what lies behind that breezeblock exterior...
Ever stood on the west end of Platform One at Westcombe Park Station and wondered what the rather startling apparition is up the slope above you? That rather odd Gothic building with the arched windows high breezeblock walls, strange cupolas, classical pediments and curious tower with a whale-shaped weather vane, which lights up at night? So did I.
It took a brainy friend of mine, Mike, who absorbs information like a sponge mops up spills (he once unapologetically recited the London to Dartford line timetable) to put me out of my misery. It's the local pad and studio of that jovial jazzman Jools Holland. Being a local lad, the ex-Squeeze-boy must have had his eye on that old station house for years and snapped it up when he could.
I understand he's decorated the old gothic, boarded building in suitably eccentric fashion. Of course, we don't get to see much of it as it's got high walls and solid gates (though you'd have thought he'd have rendered the outside so the world didn't KNOW it was all made of breezeblock) but I think I prefer it that way.
Nothing real could live up to the image I have in my mind of what it's like inside. For me the place is the closest thing to a modern day folly that this dull age of the purpose-built and functional can muster, and I raise my glass to Mr Holland for not only creating some great music, but a fun building too, to cheer the soul every time one sees it.
Recently, The Nosy Phantom has noticed much building work going on around the back by the shops at the station. A peek over the fence reveals a fabulous-looking Victorianate street and what looks suspiciously like his own private pub, the Holland Arms. Absolutely brilliant. Though he would not make a song and dance about them, (and I am reliably informed that he won't talk about them at all) Jools Holland's studios must be one of the wonders of Greenwich. Not that I've ever made it inside those hallowed portals – oh no – I've hinted enough times to my mate who's in his band, but he's not having any of it, so I have to be content to do like everyone else and just fantasise about what lies behind that breezeblock exterior...
Labels: Weird Greenwich
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
13:57
11 Comments:
The studio is called Helicon Mountain and is modelled on Portmeirion, the town in Wales that 'The Prisoner' was filmed at. The belltower you can see from the train platform is an exact replica of the one in Portmerion.
The inside of the studio was shown once on TV -there is a circular room with names of all the performers who have recorded there painted around the walls-it looked amazing!
Wow - that's incredible - I had no idea. Isn't it great that there are still people out there who are prepared to build follies...
Update: we go to the Royal Nepalese restaurant almost every month and last week when we were in there we asked if Jools was a regular. Apparently he loves their Keema Nan! Very amusing.
Well - that's interesting. Still I don't think I'll be reporting it as gospel just yet!!
I need to check out the Royal Nepalese again. We've had a couple of disappointing curries from there, but I think it's changed hands since then. I'll pop it back on the list...
Funnily enough I picked up a copy of 'Meridian' magazine on the way to work today, I will never read the restaurant reviews in the same way again!
Incidentally, the magazine which used to be quite good is now full of/mainly adverts.
Sad eh?
I'm not for a moment saying that what any mag says isn't true. All I'm saying is that it's difficult to be absolutely objective when you're accepting adverts from the places you review.
Meridian isn't, in my humble opinion, as good as The Guide, which, although it exists for the same reasons - ie to sell advertising and real estate, actually has articles which aren't necessarily selling anything. I particularly like Peter Kent's drawn section, and Lee Cheshire's features are also good, given the brief he has to adhere to.
Sorry to spoil your rather poetic idea about Jools Holland having his eye on an 'old station house'.... It was a selection of ramshackle old mews buildings when he bought it, and what looks like a station house is actually completely fake - very convincing though !
I always wondered what the station house was doing up the hill, thanks for putting me right.
Cor - do you know any more about it?
I find it fascinating. I was reading the other day about all the different bands who have recorded there.
more wierd greenwich/charlton is Chu and chos on sunday nights - a completely free totally acoustic jazz night with a wierd local band
sometime featuring squeeze and 9 below zero musicians
I keep meaning to try this place. Promise I will soon...
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