SONGS

“"TOUGH TALK”

Here’s my first album called “Tough Talk”. It’s weird because the songs were written anything up to fifty years ago and recorded up to twenty-five years ago. The reason I haven’t done more with them is because I am a bit soft in the head. However, when I listen to them now I feel that they all have something to say. They were recorded originally at Blackwing Studios (now defunct), Justin’s studio (now defunct) and more recently at Paradise Audio in Waterloo, Zack Taylor’s Mobile Studios and on my Apple Mac using GarageBand software. The album cover photo is of me a few years ago. It’s not just vanity, it is a portrait from the time when I recorded most of the material (honest!)

ROLL ON SWEET RIVER. This song is about the deforestation of the Amazon Jungle; also about the annihilation of the indigenous people which has been perpetrated by colonialists for five hundred years and still proceeds today - heartbreaking. Recorded at Blackwing studios last century with The Ballon Brothers backing. I sing the vocals and play guitar. I composed the song in 1975!

WILD CHILD. By amalgamating the stories of a few wild women I’ve known I came up with this saga about a female adventuress. Recorded at Blackwing Studios with The Balloon Brothers.

HONEYSUCKLE. A lot of people say this is a favourite track. It is a memory of a cottage I had in The Dark Peak of Derbyshire where I spent many happy hours gardening. We have our ups-and-downs but my Honeysuckle just reflected the seasons in an ancient rhythm which defied anything so ephemeral as own own foibles and preoccupations.

SAVING FACE. This one takes a jaundiced view of many politicians. It is a touch satirical, and I like that! Recorded in my own studio with a bit of help from some drum loops.

I really pushed the boat out on this one! As soon as I hit those opening three chords I knew I had a biggie. It cried out for some vivid lyrics . I am a non-believer and it expresses that ethic unconditionally. Recorded at Justin’s studio with incisive lead guitar from Howard Gay.

SHIP in a BOTTLE. One of my favourite songs. Written back in 1975. It has its roots in my love of theatre and I made it the title track of one of my musicals. I have never drunk alcohol so it is an outsider’s view. Recorded at Blackwing Studios eons ago with The Balloon Brothers.

The next two tracks have a special place in my heart. For a number of years I was privileged to know, love and work with a most extraordinary young woman. Her name was AMIE CLAPSON (stage name Amie Miller). She was lavishly talented as an actress and dancer (trained at The Royal Academy in London) and also possessed a voice which could send shivers up your spine. Despite having these stellar gifts she happened to be the most warm, giving, loving and easy-going person you could ever meet. Aged thirty-one she was diagnosed with cancer and for the next years she fought that terrible disease valiantly with her family at her side every inch of the way. She died aged thirty-nine. Her family have been devastated. Many mourned her passing. At an event to celebrate her life hundreds of people turned out to manifest their love of this being who spread light, love and laughter everywhere she went. During a period of remission from cancer I asked if I could write her a song. She agreed. It is called “I’M COMING BACK”. It has an electric performance from her. The other track is called “MY LAMENT”, another of my original songs. We shared the lead vocal. I hope you enjoy these edited versions of songs that are a memory of an entrancing person taken too early from us.

I’M COMING BACK. Recorded at Zak Taylor’s Mobile Studio. It needed only a few takes to record Amie’s incredible vocals. You thought “she can never sing higher…! And then she did. Awesome

MY LAMENT. At a dramatic point in my musical “A RAT’S TALE”, our heroine tells of the traumas she has endured. The lyrics were born out of my sadness for the suffering of the people of Cambodia at the time. The crazy government had turned against the people and made their lives a misery. Since then there have been many other similar stories in the world and so my song keeps coming true. Recorded at OLS PARADISE AUDIO with my band “Authentic Blue”. Amie and I share the verses and the recording boasts some brilliant flute-work from Nick Chiappetta.

YOU’VE GOT SO FAR TO FALL. A re-telling of the Icarus myth and the eternal hazard of trying to hard to achieve your aims. Recorded at ZAK TAYLOR’S MOBILE STUDIO. Written decades ago -I can’t even remember when - but recorded quite recently.

ROCK FOSSIL. My good buddy MARCUS FERNANDO who directs my musicals has a soft spot for this song which tells of an old rock’n’roller who has lived a hair-raising life of drugs, booze, women and all-round excess and yet somehow has survived and is determined to carry on. It features in my musical TROLLS OnLINE and he who performs it is no other than me! Haha! Recorded at Justin’s studio it features some wild, delirious, brilliant and uninhibited rock guitar from Howard Gay.