Unexpected Gems – Topper Headon Leave it to Luck
Once he’d finished Calling London and Rockin’ the Casbah with The Clash, Drummer Topper Headon recorded a solo album called “Waking Up”. The LP mixed elements of soul, jazz, funk and R&B together.When Topper first started playing the drums he was heavily influenced by the Jazz drummer Billy Cobham and before he joined The Clash Topper drummed for a progressive rock band called Mirkwood. He played with the band for a year and half, during this time they supported many major acts on tour including soft rockers Supertramp.
At the time of recording his solo album in 1986 Topper was still using heroin, and many of the songs lyrics reflected his experiences.
Musicians who played on the LP included guitarist Bob Trench, who’d previously played with a host of artists including The Jeff Beck Group, Humble Pie and Van Morrison. Hammond organ duties on the Album were performed by Ian Dury and The Blockheads member Mick Gallagher.
The soulful vocals were provided by American singer Jimmy Helms. He released his first single “Ragtime Girl” back in 1963, his records released in the Sixties made little impact in the USA, however his single “I’m Gonna Make You an Offer You Can’t Refuse” hit the UK charts at number 8 in 1973. He later went on to have success globally with the band Londonbeat, their single”I’ve Been Thinking About You” was number one in several countries.
This unexpected gem is the first track from the Album and it’s called “Leave it to luck”, It was also released as a single. The song is a funky little number with a nice Hammond-Workout and some solid drumming.
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