Henry David Thoreau : Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.
The world is so big and there are billions of other people that we all, at times, feel desperation, a longing for things to somehow be just right. Even the succesful, the rich, the [...]
Archive for the 'music' Category
ASAW - Left Behind - 23/11/08
Published November 23rd, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsI wrote this yesterday feeling a tad delicate and having listened to Ryan Adams’s Heartbreaker. My mum had just given me my old school reports and that was a bit weird, I don’t like nostalgia, it scares me.
Here’s the cheerful Left Behind
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ASAW- 15/11/08 - I’m In Love with A Beautiful Girl
Published November 15th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsListen to Prince and you end up writing songs with titles like this one. A love song, as you can probably guess.
My computer is still not working right; too much hiss when I’m recording and I don’t know how to fix it. Maybe I have an earthing problem but that kind of thing confuses me. [...]
A Song A Week - I Wish That I Had - 08/11/08
Published November 8th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis week’s song is called I Wish That I Had. My computer has been playing up and recording is very hissy.
This song is about having some faith in yourself.
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A Song A Week - 31/10/08 - Stars
Published October 31st, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis week’s song is really late. It’s also a song I originally wrote a while ago, so god knows how it’s late….. and some of you have heard it. I’ve redone it adding guitars, vocals, drums and indeed everything. With moving out of the big city - well Waterloo - it seemed apt.
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A Song A Week - 23/10/08 - Goodbye
Published October 23rd, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsAu Revoir!
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A Song A Week - 8/10/08 - Is It Just Imagination
Published October 8th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis week’s song is called Is It Just Imagination and is a bit of a belly button gazing song and a bit of a why is the world a mess number. A toe tapper in other words.
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A Song A Week A Week - 2/10/08 - Ronnie
Published October 2nd, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis week’s song is called Ronnie and is a tribute to Ronnie Lane, bass player and songwriter for The Small Faces and The Faces.
I’ve always loved Ronnie’s music but it wasn’t until I was introduced to his solo stuff that I became a devotee. The Bank of England regularly cover his only solo hit How [...]
A Song A Week - 17/09/08 - The Trader
Published September 17th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsEven later this week but in my defence, I have had toothache and a migraine.
This week’s song is called The Trader and is about someone I know who works in the City of London. I met him and some of his friends recently and was struck by the complete and utter lack of morals; [...]
A Song A Week - 09/09/08 - Formaldehyde
Published September 9th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis weeks song is called Formaldehyde. It’s another lighters in the air song I’m afraid. I was hoping to start writing some dubstep or experimenting in some way with these ASAW things but I just don’t have the doggone time. I’m happy just to string some coherent thing together quite frankly, coz it’s getting difficult. [...]
A Song A Week - Insufferable - 02/09/08
Published September 2nd, 2008 in A Song A Week, Gig, Music, gigs, music and song. 0 CommentsThis week’s song is called Insufferable and quite clearly at times I am. Be warned I kick the mic stand about a 3rd of the way through and didn’t have time to redo it so if you are listening at full volume prepare for a Jaws/Carrie moment.*
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Tonight I’m playing at [...]
ASAW -26/08/08 - Carry It With Me - Plus Some News
Published August 26th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Gig, Music, News, gigs, music and song. 0 CommentsThis week’s song is called Carry It With Me and I’ve written it because me and mine are moving away from Liverpool in October to Glossop in North Derbyshire. I’ve never lived more than 10 miles from where I was born so it’s an upheaval for me but one I think will be good for [...]
A Song A Week - 18/08/08 - Use It Or Lose It
Published August 18th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsWritten with old mucker Brian Chin, this week’s song is called Use It Or Lose It. It’s a bright poppy number which I think is about the state of the nation, or sex appeal. Or both.
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A Song A Week 11/08/08 - I Like
Published August 11th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis song has been on the boil for a while now and I sung it to Mark Byrne in a hotel room in Inverness and he asked if it was accapella so I thought: what an excellent way to do a song I have no idea how to do… It’s called I Like.
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A Song A Week - 05/08/08 - Don’t Try This At Home
Published August 5th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Gig, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis week’s song Don’t Try This At Home might well refer to the attempted vocal gymnastics about 3/4 of the way through; far too early in the morning for that kind of thing…..
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From tomorrow (wed) until Saturday I’m in Inverness at Hootannay on wednesday evening, Brockies Lodge thursday evening and [...]
A Song A Week - 29/07/08 - Josephine Says
Published July 29th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsIt has been too hot in my attic roon, far too hot for any sensible activities, so I waited until this morning to do a quick recording of this song Josephine Says. It’s about moving away.
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We had a fantastic gig at the Bombed Out Church on Saturday; a lovely sunny [...]
A Song A Week -21/07/08 - It’s A Strange Life
Published July 21st, 2008 in A Song A Week, Gig, Music, Shop, gigs and music. 0 CommentsThis weeks song is called It’s A Strange Life and indeed it is. My brother Chris plays bazouki on this song and he sports a beard that seems to say ‘I play bazouki’, so I’m happy with that. Since posting this Chris has informed me that it is spelt bouzouki. I knew that, honest.
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A Song A Week - 15/07/08 - Give Me A Chance
Published July 15th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsIt seems that in my universe Tuesday is the new Monday… This week’s song is called Give Me A Chance and is a throwaway number I suppose; an unholy mix of Faces, Dylan and Beatles (I wish) noisy guitars and all that.
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As usual all the songs in the podcast player [...]
A Song A Week - o8/07/08 - Old Fashioned
Published July 8th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Gig, Music, gigs, music and song. 1 CommentI wrote 3 songs this week and can’t say I was really pleased with any of them. And i ‘ve had a sore throat and all that kind of palaver. Excuses excuses.
I’ve gone with Old Fashioned the one I wrote first because I managed to record it, although I have rewitten the words since. It’s [...]
A Song A Week - 30/06/08 - Indigo
Published June 30th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Captain Pop, Gig, Music, gigs, music and song. 0 CommentsAbout 10% of the songs written this year i consider finished. By that I mean the melody, chords and words rather than the recordings, I’m hoping to re-rcord as many as I can, and this week’s is no exception, it’s partly written. It’s called Indigo and is the first I’ve written with it being a [...]
A Song A Week -23/06/08 - I Asked My Darling
Published June 23rd, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis week’s song is called I Asked My Darling and its a doomed relationship song. One of those where someone knows the other person doesn’t love them but they hang on anyway. Tragic huh?
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Few more Bank of England gigs added with more to come and I’m playing some solo (or [...]
A Song A Week - 16/06/08 - Play The Game
Published June 16th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsA few weeks ago I did a gig in Southport with Andy White to help raise money for the New Victoria Cricket Club who are humble little side playing in the lancashire leagues but who last year managed to beat the Bulgarian national team! They have organised a return to Bulgaria and also this time [...]
A Song A Week -10/06/08 - Betty And Me
Published June 10th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsA day late with this one but worse things happen at sea. It’s called Betty And Me and is just guitar and vocal. Bit hissy sounding but you can pretend it’s an old 45…..
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Usual rss and podcast feeds to the right.
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A Song A Week -30/05/08 (Early) - Shadows (Anniversary Song)
Published May 30th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis, or rather next week’s song is early is because a) I wont be here and b) it’s my 10th wedding anniversary (sorry ladies…..) and I had to write a song about it. See, I had promised a trip to Paris for our 10th but I’m a musician and things never turn out as they [...]
A Song A Week - 26/05/08 - Music
Published May 26th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsI dreamed the other night about Edwyn Collins. I had just watched the documentary about his rehabiltation following 2 strokes, it was really moving and uplifting. In this dream there was a theme tune and this is it. Well as far as I can remember anyway! Not entirely how it went, I think, as [...]
A Song A Week - 19/05/08 - Sweethearts and Swells
Published May 19th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Gig, Music, gigs, music and song. 0 CommentsHere’s song number 22 (two little ducks quack quack) called Sweethearts and Swells. A bit of a Nick Lowe/Elvis Costello vibe going on here I think. Very short slice of power pop.
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Podcast and feeds over to the right.
Couple of Bank of England gigs coming up this week at The Cavern [...]
A Song A Week -12/05/08 - Have A Good Summer
Published May 12th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThe song this wek is called Have A Good Summer. I’m not too good with summer days, when everyone is sunbathing I’m in the shade reading and complaining that it’s too hot. I like the evenings though, when it’s warm enough to sit outside in t-shirts.
Me and mine made a little video to accompany the [...]
A Song A Week - 05/05/08 The Farmer & The Badger
Published May 5th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Gig, Music, News, music and song. 0 CommentsThis weeks song is called The Farmer and the Badger. I wrote it olast night about 9pm and have just quickly recorded it. Very last minute as the song I first wrote for this week sounds like a mid-life crisis set to a tune and by the weekend my middle aged angst had hidden itself [...]
A Song A Week - 28/04/08 - All for One
Published April 28th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsNot sure of the title for this one: All For One but I suppose it sums it up.
This song came from being in a part of Liverpool that was like a warzone and meeting some decent people who were scared and scarred by life. Poverty’s not only relative it’s real. If a certain few are [...]
A Song A Week - 21/04/08 - Drinking German Beer
Published April 21st, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsProper German beer is a treat. That’s all that needs to be said really but I’ll go on. In Germany it is poured like guinness, taking 5 minutes or so to settle and be ready. Always worth the wait. That is my tip for this week.
The song is called Drinking German Beer
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A Song A Week - 14/04/08 - The Trouble With Me +1
Published April 14th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis weeks song is called The Trouble With Me and is all me own work. It was originally to be called The Killer In Me but ended up with the rather more pathetic (in the sympatheic definition of the word) subject matter. I could just have strung a load of words together, however.
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A Song A Week - 07/04/08 -What You Need
Published April 7th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsNo tricks this week, just guitar and vocal.
The song is called What You Need and the lyric is from a poem of the same name by Lizzie Nunnery.
I’m playing a gig with Lizzie on 18th April (see gig page) in Melling and Lizzie has a fantastic EP out now called Hungry.
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A Song A Week - 31/03/08 - Down By The River
Published March 31st, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsOk, 3 months in now, song number 14. It’s getting difficult, I’ve used all my tricks up. Skin of my teeth this week. Logged on to Trailer Star’s website and came up with a tune for the lyrics of this weeks song ‘Down By The River’. Trailer’s lyrics are slightly more poetic than the way [...]
A Song A Week - 24/03/08 - Buddy Holly Sung The Songs
Published March 24th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, Shop and music. 0 CommentsThis weeks song is called Buddy Holly Sung The Songs. I wrote it for Spencer Leigh’s Buddy Holly Special on Radio Merseyside.
I love Buddy Holly’s music and so it was a real privilege to appear on the show with Tommy Allsup, Buddy’s guitarist and the man who lived because he lost the toss of a [...]
A Song A Week 17/03/08 - Worthless Gold
Published March 17th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsWell what a week that was. Started off with 3 days in bed laid up on my back (always the best position in bed unless…. well that’s a whole other website). Then a panic for my song for this week. I watched The Move doing Fire Brigade on the BBC iplayer and loved that it [...]
A Song A Week 10/03/08 - Chavasse Park
Published March 10th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsThis weeks song, Chavasse Park, is a co-write with Lizzie Nunnery. Inspired by a poem of Lizzie’s about the park, down towards the Liverpool waterfront, that has been ‘redeveloped’ as part of the city’s march toward capitalist of culture status. Lots of wonderfully expensive new shops will be opening there very soon. I can barely [...]
A Song A Week 03/03/08 - English Country Heart
Published March 3rd, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, music and song. 0 CommentsSong number 10. A bit late putting this up as I have a stupendous hangover today. Thank you Rob Ellen…
Another Trailer Star co-write, this is called English Country Heart and I think it’s a bit Teenage Fanclub sounding. This is not a flag waving song. As Joe Strummer said ‘I’m anti-fascist, anti-racist, pro-creative.’
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A Song A Week 25/02/08 - Shooting Stars Turn Blue
Published February 25th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music, News and music. 1 CommentSong number 9 is called Shooting Stars Turn Blue another co-write with Trailer Star.
The lyrics are all Trailers, I’ve merely edited them slightly.
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Podcast info all available in the right hand column.
I’m going to be on Radio Merseyside on Sat 15th March on Spencer Leigh’s programme, between 6.30 and [...]
A Song A Week 18/02/08 Don’t Let Them Kid You
Published February 18th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music and music. 0 CommentsThis weeks song is a transatlantic affair. When I used to run Acoustic Engine gigs, one of the great bits of it was having songwriters from all over the world come along and play for us. Doug Hoekstra from Chicago via Nashville was one of the first. Doug’s songs are quiet (live anyway) and intelligent [...]
Quiet Loner has emerged from his bunker to let me have his version of Postmark Birmingham. I love this and it put a big smile on my face. More reflective than mine, I know you’ll really enjoy it.
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It’s been pointed out to me that Johnathan Coulton was the first person [...]
A Song A Week 11/02/08 Postmark Birmingham
Published February 11th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music and music. 0 CommentsSong number 7 is another collaboration with Quiet Loner. The words to this one are all his and great words they are.
I had some fingerpicking to do on this song - not my strong point - and as I was singing at the same time it took me 9 goes to get it done. See [...]
A Song A Week 04/02/08 Sweet Libra
Published February 4th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music and music. 0 CommentsSong number 6.
I’m a Libran but I don’t subscribe to the astrological ways of thinking. I suppose I believe that we can all have bits of whatever any particular sign is supposed to have as characteristics.
When I started writing this number, I noticed the bit about wanting balance and it occurred to me that that’s [...]
A Song A Week 28/01/08 - As Hard As This Is
Published January 28th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music and music. 0 Comments5th song in the A Song A Week thing. One for all you double entendre lovers, ‘As Hard As This Is’ is co-written with Quiet Loner (aka Matt Hill). The Loner supplied lyrics and a title and I came up with tune and music and a few extra words. Countryish, I tried to do some [...]
A Song A Week 21/01/08 - Gone
Published January 21st, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music and music. 0 CommentsIt has been persisiting down this weekend and I thought rather than fight it I’d embrace it. My studio is in the roof of my house and has velux(?) windows which are rather noisy when it rains. So this weeks song opens with the sound of the downpour captured by the vocal mic. Good eh?
I’m [...]
A Song A Week 14/01/08 - Bled Dry
Published January 14th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music and music. 0 CommentsHere’s the third song of the year. Bled Dry…..
I wanted to write about a car or driving - because I’ve just passed my test- had chords and a tune, but couldn’t come up withe the proper words. In desperation I turned to a source of great words Shaun Belcher (aka Trailer Star) and found [...]
A Song A Week 07/01/08 - Shalalalalalala
Published January 7th, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music and music. 0 CommentsHere’s the second of the A Song A Week tunes. It’s called Shalalalalalala and was written after watching the last of the debutantes programme on the BBC’s iPlayer (don’t you love the beeb? I do.)
Had a bit longer to write/record this so bit hi-fier sounding than the first one. Now have to crack on with [...]
A Happy New Year! - A Song A Week
Published January 1st, 2008 in A Song A Week, Music and music. 0 CommentsHope Christmas was fun and the New Year happy (and both the other way round too).
Was an up and down kind of year was 2007 personally, but fortunately mostly up.
I’ve not made any resolutions, or at least I wasn’t going to until I started typing this bit, so now I will! Wahey.
I’ll write a new [...]
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Just finished writing this - Sunday morning, no hangover………
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A Song A Week - 23/09/08 - The Blame Game
Published September 23rd, 2008 in A Song A Week, Comment, Gig, Music, News, gigs, music and song. 0 CommentsBack to the now traditional only one day late, this week’s song is about self loathing or a sociopath. It might be a mix of both conditions, I’m never quite sure what most of my songs are about, but I know what they mean.
It’s called The Blame Game play or right click to download.
There have [...]