April 2008
The Feedback File's 'Still Revolving' has finally been completed and even as I write these words I somehow can't believe it to be true - yet the master disc has been despatched to the duplicators so I guess it is. Those of you who have been involved in this journey will know about many hiatuses (haitii?) along the way - due to combinations of logistics, technical problems (I think it is finally time to put your old pc and mixer out to graze Nigel), and at times to be honest, indifference. But having said all that I'm as pleased as punch with it, over the moon and all the other footballing cliches you can come up with.
There is a new MySpace site and we have also agreed to donate all profits from any sales to the charity Walk the Walk. Trish is doing the annual London Moonwalk in May and is training hard.
The songs on the new album are a mixture of my own stuff plus co-writes with my fellow 'Feedbacker' Tom Linneen. This worked out really well with each of us initiating and adding to the songs and one of the few (the very few) benefits of having spent so much time making this record is that those songs have been allowed to mature and develop and thus in final form look and sound a bit different to their original incarnations. Again a big thank you to Nigel who has added enormously to this album from a playing perspective, in co-producing with me and generally in 'hosting' it on his studio set-up in leafy Gerrards Cross. One very sad note was the untimely passing of Ian Nelson who created the lovely saxophone arrangements and solos on 'Blue and Green' and 'Star Song'.
So in true project management style (the day job) what have I learnt from this and what lies ahead? My rules for future engagament would be don't spend 5 years making an album - herein lies the way of frustration, boredom and obsession in equal quantities; try to use consistent players and recording locations - obvious really - but as I've just found out the hard way having three different bass players recording in three different places (one being in Australia!) will give you a massive headache at the mixing/mastering stage; and always go back and fix the irritating little problems which maybe only you can hear but which will haunt you to the grave if you don't.
As for the future I'm not sure - maybe a one-off gig later this year - but mainly try and find my songwriting muse once more and then off we go again. Let me know how what you think about the album - for me one of the best things about doing this is to stimulate feedback (pun intended).
December 2007
Well so much for keeping the old website active and current this being my only entry for the best part of a year. Musically Ive not exactly been prolific and songwriting and my much loved but neglected Taylor guitar have played second fiddle to life in all its other guises. But music has in its own way has continued to play it's part as a on-going backdrop to the everyday activities. Ideas have been floated in my head and some are still riding the waves so maybe the muse will return in 2008.
Anyway in the meantime I've been enjoying a wide variety of stuff and of course here is my annual 'best of' list. If I have to pick a top 3 it would be Wilco 'Sky Blue Sky' no electronic frippery this time just tremendous songs and in its own way a bit of a guitar classic; 'Now We Are Ten' a compilation of evocative film and TV music on the wonderful Trunk label which is like no other - I recommend you investigate with open ears and minds; and the Bench Connection 'Around The House in 80 Days'.
However I've also really enjoyed the Cinematic Orchestra 'Ma Fleur', Feist 'The Reminder', 'Tea & Symphony' a compilation of obscure singer songwriters from the 60's and 70's, Ray Lamontagne 'Til The Sun Turns Black', Devendra Banhart 'Smokey Rolls Down the Canyon' and Ryan Adams 'Easy Tiger' (at last a real return to form)
In a non pure audio sense but still in a musical one (what?) the 2 books by Will Hodgkinson 'Song Man' and Guitar Man were a real treat. Also this week I went to the fabulous Rex cinema in Berhamstead to see the film Once which was made for about £500 and basically is a story of a broken hearted Irish busker go and see it and feel better about the world by the end.
The Lilac Time at the QE Hall was my gig of the year and caused me to go and seek out some of their previous albums + the solo stuff by Stephen Duffy.
Ah yes progress on the new album well there has been some and it WILL be ready in early 2008 and as you read this you are listening to a mix of one of the new tracks.
Bye for now.
December 2006
Great gig at the Portland with a set of original songs and a mixed bag of covers including Sugar, Sugar by the Archies (for those who grew up in the 70s!) and a storming Subterranean Homesick Blues sung by Tom. The band consisted of Tom and I sharing rhythm and vocal duties, Jonathan on lead guitar and harmonica, David on bass and violin, Simon on drums and Sarah on vocals. This has whetted the appetite for further excursions in the future.
With 2007 just round the corner I am looking back on this years music and heartily recommend the following releases:
Josh Rouse Subtitulo
King Creosote - KC Rules Ok
Midlake The Trial of Van Occupanther
Air Late Night Tales
David Crosby Voyage (3 cd retrospective)
Vetiver To Find Me Gone
M-Craft Silver and Gold
MP3 is crap this is probably no big news to many of you but it came home to me a few weeks ago when the Crosby box set dropped through the door just as I was setting out for work. No time to rip down to the mp3 player so I grabbed my old Sony Walkman. The difference in sound quality between a cd and mp3 (even on a 12 year old machine) was startling try it for yourself and see what you are missing.
The focus for next few months is to finish 'Still Revolving' the sleeve is in progress and pressure now on Nigel to get mixing. A launch gig in the Spring is mooted... as ever keep watching.
1 November 2006
First entry on the new website. Big thank you to Robin for getting this up and running for me. I'm going to try and keep this page up to date with what's going on with recording projects, gigs (did someone mention hen's teeth?), observations, music reviews and general ramblings.
As a preamble let me tell you very, very quickly the story so far - there have been four albums to date - 2 of which are available for public consumption - details can be found in Music.
Since the last album 'Under Your Door' (can it really be 4 years old now?) I have been working with musical partner Tom Linneen under the guise of the Feedback File and a new album 'Still Revolving' is imminent. Stylistically there are similarities with UYD but hopefully it moves in some different directions as well. I'll keep you posted on the due date and there will be (of course) the ubiquitous MySpace site (currently under development).
Other big news is that I'm doing a gig at the Portland Arms, St. Albans on Sunday 3rd December. It will be under the guise of The Feedback File with various friends and musical accomplices from down the years joining in. The set list will feature a combination of new and old songs plus carefully chosen covers ranging from Bob Dylan to the Archies!
Keep checking this page for further updates on the FF album + possible other live dates in the Hertfordshire area.
