2025 ALBUM EPK
The as yet, untitled, 9 track album was recorded in Nottingham at the Mouse House
[Doggen’s Studio - see below]
Current masters are 16bit WAVS, and only run through BandLab mastering
[actually not a bad result!], so it will need a proper master...
The album was co produced by myself & Tony ‘Doggen’ Foster.
Doggen plays guitar for Spiritualized, Starsailor and Dave Gahan & Soulsavers - plus plays on / produces the BEE /Karmen Line stuff with Wolf Buttress.
He played bass/keys/electric guitar/lap steel.
They are my songs, I sang them & played all acoustic / some electric.
Drums are Kev Bales [Also Spiritualized & Dave Gahan]
Girl BV’s are Karen Taylor
Can we put out a live band ? Yes! - and a bloody good one I suspect ; - )
Is there other/more material? – Yes.
What is it?
Heaven knows, but I’m told, people can hear bits of Gram, The Byrds, The Jayhawks, some Petty/REM…a bit of The Band, a smattering of Neil Young in the guitar parts.
It’s quite pop, a bit souly… but with a huge nod to Americana…
Track info as follows...
1.BLACK DOG
We've lost too many good people in the past few years. Mental health is a major issue amongst musicians and people that work in the music industry in general. It can be a lonely place...
Black Dog follows the thoughts of someone considering ending their life, the internal battles and conversations that undoubtedly go on. It concludes / resolves with the notion that there is always love; love of the people. Link to lyrics here
2.ANGEL
A semi autobiographical story of the reality of the people left behind when we disappear on the road, or in a studio. If you're lucky, like me, there is always some one grinding out the day to day tasks. Someone who is there, 'sunshine and rain'... I was keen to use a female voice as part of the choruses, to denote always being together, even when apart... Link to lyrics here
3.COLD HEART
A dedication to, and about, Lucinda Williams...kind of. I wrote this after seeing her live, and wanted to capture the essence of her occasionally visceral lyrics, and somewhat dismissive attitude toward love... Link to lyrics here
4.LUCKY KID
A track that explores growing up as an elder brother, through some interesting childhood memories, and the feeling behind always [well nearly always], wanting your kid brother to do well, and follow his dreams...Link to lyrics here
5.PRODIGAL
Written as a commentary to reaching a point in life where you seem to be everyone's go to, and the pull, or weight of responsibility therein. That time when both your kids and parents need you in equal measure...Link to lyrics here
6.REAL LOVE
A song about the purity and sheer consumption of the early stages of love. I loosely based it on the idea of a couple meeting at a festival, and the power of the event along side their feelings carrying them along...Link to lyrics here
7.VU
A tale of first time romantic heartbreak. She was older, called Alison, and a very cool punky girl form Cardiff. I was a spotty confused youth. A one week romance that left me distraught on parting. She was in to the Velvet Underground...and I didn't even know who they were...
Link to lyrics here
8. DEAR COWBOY
An imaginary letter to a movie actor, who may or may not play cowboys. The letter is from someone who knew the 'cowboy' before he was famous. It explores how success brings change, reality slips, and she wants to know where the 'boy she used to know' has gone...
Link to lyrics here
9. SUPERMEN & TROBADOURS
I wrote this after reading 'This Wheel's On Fire' by Levon Helm.I tried to imagine what it would have been like to have witnessed the wild times at The Big Pink house during the times of making The Basement Tapes...Link to lyrics here