11/09/2022
We all know the old gag.
Q: What’s the last thing the bassist said before he got fired?
A: ‘Hey gang, could we try one of MY songs?’
After about twenty years of playing bass on other people’s songs, I finally saved up the money to put an album together about a year ago. Some of these songs go back a long way. A few were created as part of a monthly song club I was part of for a couple of years, which stretched me (for example, write a song from the point of an inanimate object, or a song about a famous painting – both of which appear here). Two were written in lockdown, including the closing number (video below). I always wanted to finish with a downbeat song, in the vein of Costello’s The Favourite Hour, or Goodnight, Hollywood Boulevard by Ryan Adams.
It’s called Strum Und Twang because a) I can’t resist a pun and b) all the instruments apart for drums and percussion are stringed – all sorts of guitars, many basses (of course), plus mandolin and the carcass of a piano. Apart from that ‘piano’ part being reproduced backwards, there’s very little fairy dust – no auto-tune, copying/pasting and so on. Much was done at a local studio, plus overdubs in my little music room. I was lucky enough to get my friend Sammy to play drums on some of the tracks, and a fine engineer/mixer and another recommended fellow who did a top-notch mastering job.
I’d love the thoughts of anyone who wants to give it a listen. If someone wants to review it, DM me and I’ll send you a copy of the very limited CD, which comes with gatefold cover, lyric booklet and ‘Strum Und Twang’ plectrum. Cheers!
That was very lovely indeed.
A nice melancholic and atmospheric late night vibe to that song.
Thank you Cara, that’s lovely to hear.
I’m now realising that my user name here might be causing some gender confusion.
I am, in fact, a grumpy 57 year old Glaswegian male (who does not go by the name of Cara – I’ve been called worse to be fair).
Calling you by your full name felt too formal, somehow. No offence, CB!
None taken : )
Cara inra barra?
I’d read it as capybara (very highly spoken of by another Glaswegian Ivor Cutler ,i believe according to him the eat juicy green plants) so I think you got off lightly.😀😉
Liking that one – relaxed with a hint of melancholy in the delivery.
Cheers Rig.
Thought that the link would have been there, but it’s not. The album in all its 32-minute glory is here:
https://jonheal.bandcamp.com/releases
Cheers Tryp I’ll give that a go.
Thanks Twang. Hope you enjoy it.
I would give your album a go but I’m put off by the smutty title..
(*to the fourth wall*) Gawd knows what he gets up to in the video, the mucky pup..
I hardly think writing a song about the chocolate coated confectionery with assorted centres made by Mars, Inc. counts as smutty, but “your mileage may differ”.
That was really good, Tryp – now looking forward to the rest of the album.
“I’ll see you again in a happier world
A fish for each cat and a boy for each girl” – superb, contemplative melancholy.
Thanks! The whole thing’s here:
https://jonheal.bandcamp.com/releases
What a splendid sign-off song, I loved it. If the rest of the album is as good, I’m in for a treat. Ordered! Nice work fella.
Cheers Vulpes!