I've discovered the joy of lo-fi. This isn't just an excuse for inadequate recording
and mixing but just the opposite. I've been making recordings with my new found chums
Soulsmith and mixing the songs down without post recording equalisation, effects or
compression. The results are just about as far as you can get from the modern squeaky
clean, effect soaked highly compressed recordings. And, I must say I like them!

the new fakermonkeys recordings

I've made a change to the 'listen' page...the list of songs you can choose from
now defaults to the five songs I'm being asked for/about the most. However, by clicking
the other radio buttons you can choose from the latest songs I've recorded or a full list
of the 200 or so that are currently available.

For those who are interested six ESDB tracks (all remastered from the original master tapes)
are now on MySpace. If you used to follow the band take a look it'll certainly bring back
memories! If you never saw us take a look this is what I was doing 28yrs ago!

Here's the link - ESDB Myspace or use the link in the home page...

Very shortly ESDB will again abuse the ears of friends and persons unfotunate to be
in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mr P is celebrating a "significant" birthday
and the full band (yes...we managed to find Mr Smith) will be performing at this bash.

Finally, my children's book for adults has still not generated any interest from
the UK publishing fraternity...boo hiss! So, in the interests of being green, I'm publishing
the story on a website. The first phase of the site is now up and running. You can
meet the characters of the story and read the first adventure online (or as a PDF file).

The story "Invisidog (the accidental secret agent) in A Nose For Adventure" features Colin
the dog and the Abitmad family. I wrote it for Lynda so it owes a lot to the humour of
Milligan, Stanshall, Cook, Bennett and the Pythons (my personal heroes). Hope you enjoy!

Link via my home page or by using this link....

link to Invisidog website

Songs seem to be oozing out of my skin like the garlic from last night's curry!

5 new songs (so far) for my collaboration with Soulsmith, three newies for the acoustic
CD I'm currently putting together (just need to get the players together to record)...
to join the dozen or so songs I already have. A song I wrote for a young Swindon band
(The Alphonz) has made a dramatic transformation from heads down indie rocker to a
Pulp Disco 2000 style dance number. I always knew there was a disco diva inside me
waiting to break out...bring on the lurex baybee...

They didn't want it so bugger it I say!

Ilesha Wileman did a fantastic vocal for me on 'Cry yourself to sleep'.
You can hear this version of the song on iLike ( my iLike page ).
(as well as on the 'listen' page)

'You're not on my mind anymore' has been used on a short film called 'Laid Off' by
Julie Gilmore. It has also been used over the closing credits of 'Betrayed' a film by
Victoria-Jayne Smith. Chuffed to bits! They're both great shorts, I particularly like
'Betrayed' because of its brutal honesty.

The agency that takes my tunes has been quite excited lately as they have a new contact
in the USA. This has resulted in remixes of 6 of my songs specifically for them, songs
by the way from the "Sweetheart" collection..talk about sending coals to Newcastle!
Thanks to Pete Lamb for his invaluable feedback/ears as always.

Plus, my 'retro James Bond spoof' theme has been picked up by 'Sky Pictures' in
Canberra (Aus) used in a short film that has been entered for Tropfest 2009.
Best of luck to Adam Lynch on this one.

As always the jazz, jump and blues gigs are the bread and butter...or at least
pay for bread and butter. Just need a few more and I'll be able to afford jam!
But, the economic down turn must be easing slightly because the book is a lot
fuller now than it was at the turn of the year.

'The Revelator' and 'auralcandy' line ups are pretty much dead in the water.
Due mainly to the availability of musicians (through other commitments and ill
health mainly).

Currently on the lookout for new musicians to work with on different projects
from folk/jazz/funk/soul/country to rock and roll....and of course my original
material.

I find if I don't play it's a 'Catch 22' situation - I lose self confidence in
performing and as a result that at the time I should be most active searching for
work is the time when I'm most reticent.

The MLJ album is now in the shops and I played bass on the launch gig....
eek...dangerous stuff for a non-bassist! It's great (and weird) that you can
now record an album without ever getting the band in the same place at the same
time!

I find virtual session work all a bit odd! The track comes in by email.
You load it up, record your bit, send back just your bit. You have no idea if/how
your bit is going to be used...just have to wait for the album to be released and
listen for it.

On the MLJ album I played piano on a track called 'Shilling folk' during the line
about kids coming back from Sunday school I played the first few notes of 'All
things bright and beautiful' - mostly out of a sense of fun...and hey..
there it is on the finished mix...how about that!

Hey ho there's the one off things though - you know - sessions, backing jobs
etc etc blah blah...