Give it away, pass it on
Last year I had the fortunate ability to
take some time off work, about a year in the end. Having always loved music I
decided to spend some time in my studio finishing an album that was Smile.
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/smile/id438459539
Then I met the Barefoot Doctor and it
turned out we would work together, we started off with just a jam that turned
into a song and then two and then it was clear an album was appearing before
us.
When I work on any creative endeavor I find
time slips away. There’s a sense of not knowing what’s going on in the outside
world. That’s why producers and promoters and girlfriends are important,
because they say “When is it gonna be finshed? When can I sell it? When are you
going to eat?”
Then you finish the thing and its ready to
present to the world. I’ve invested so much of myself into it that I think that
something really important will happen to it. The thing that you have been
working on has been all consuming and therefore it must consume the rest of the
world, it will sell millions, I’ll retire and in the future do holographic
extras on the anniversary edition.
Then nothing happens. The work sits there,
you carry on, and something else takes over. Contracts are discussed,
distribution ideas are considered, promotion tactics laid out. Then nothing
happens. Months pass by and you find yourself on the next project occasionally
glancing back and wondering if that great thing you did will ever see the light
of day.
I’m now glad to say that the album I
recorded with Barefoot Doctor is going to be
heard, but only if you have the time. We are giving it away, free, yes totally
free, well nothing is totally free is it? – there is your time. In the deluge of
content that gets sent to us how do we choose the thing to listen to , watch or read?
Well I’m asking you to listen. We need you to give us your time to hear it but
also I’d like you to pass it on. Remember
that film Pay It Forward – I worked out that if three people pass on the album
to three people and so on by June 2013 the whole planet will be a happier
place- fact! So please pass it on. Send it to someone who is struggling. Send
it to someone who likes music. Send it to your mum, your friends and your
enemies.
Time also allows you to look back at the
work with more clarity; you’re outside it rather than in it. Listening now I
have to say I’m really proud of it. It’s a well produced, played and mixed
album with catchy tunes and positive messages. It’s testament to two great
musicians and a Barefoot Doctor with great words and a mission to inspire
and heal the world.
You can listen and download the album here:
I recommend you download it - carry it on your MP3 player, in the car, listen on headphones, play it loud, play it in public, pass it on. A lot of care and love went in to making this so I do hope you enjoy it.
I wanted to write something to remember the
period of creativity and make some notes on each of the songs and my memories
of the songs, remember these are mine, there’s a Barefoot Doctor to consider he
has his own take on things of course.
What Will Be Will Be
I spent a while on the Dooby doobys , I
kept getting them wrong and Barefoot had to set me straight. I’m not musically
trained so I go on feel and it really lets me down sometimes, I recommend
learning chords and structures and things it just saves time. I like that
there’s an acoustic guitar solo in this. And the final refrain is a lovely, uplifting
melody. From your heart and from your soul you can sing.
Get Spanky
I think Barefoot came up with the guitar
rhythm which we were told later is a well known rhythm? He put down some vocal
ideas and “What you focus on grows” was repeated and then I got on the mic and
sang “What are you focusing on today” The guitar solo uses my digitech pedal, I
knew I’d find a use for it other than Rage Against the Machine covers. This is
also my first time rapping in public.
There’s a mad video for this:
Vagabond
This is the first song we did. I put on the
beat and then Barefoot played the bass line and we ended up with a 30 minute
jam which we then laid down vocal ideas
– we listened back and picked out the best bits and edited it into what
you hear.
Connected
I had these chords down on the MAC for ages
and Barefoot liked the feel so we looped it up and then he came up with the
idea of Connected. I just love the final Edge like guitar solo.
Adventureland
This was originally called Bouncy and the
riff was there and then Barefoot got on the mic and did this stream of
consciousness rap about this amazing adventure called life.
He’s an amazing talent to be able to come
up with these improvised inspired words. We then added the choruses and all the
fun bits.
Does Not Matter
I love the atmosphere of this, the guitar
playing and great bass line.
Blow Away
Barefoot came in with this mantra that he
had been given by a friend and sang it on the mic, which we then built the song
around. Lovely feel and floydy guitar.
Purify
I have a picture of Alan Moore in my studio
looking very shaman like. I was very aware whilst making this album of what he
says about music and art being a form of magic – that it has the capability to
transform you and your state of mind. This song is about that. This is a
serious song, a purifying song, a journey to another place. Download it, put on
the headphones, and turn it up!
Highest Good Blues
This was so much fun. A happy blues song.
I’m proud of the blues licks. We started to work on this thing of two
characters Barefoot Doctor and Rudeboy. It was a lot of fun to do. I have a
wonderful memory of absolutely collapsing on the floor with laughter when he
did that giberise part. I wasn’t sure about that long note but Barefoot
persuaded me to keep it in.
