Here it is again… That brilliant feeling song-writers call 'New Album Release Syndrome': Where your stomach goes all butterfly-ie at the thought of people actually hearing the tunes you've been working on for the last year or so.
It's a good time… A fulfilling time… This is, after all, what we write songs for… To be heard. We also write songs just for the shear pleasure of been creative. And I LOVE been creative and I hope I always will.
So, Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you 'WOOD & WIRE'. My Magnum Opus (or even Massive Octopus) A 24 track 2 CD Not Limited At All Acoustic Extravaganza of Massive Proportions (tell me if I start over selling it!).
The WOOD disc features all original tunes written by yours truly (sometimes with a little help from a few friends). Re-recorded GABRIEL tunes such as YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IM ALIVE and MOTHERLOVE are on there as well along with an all-new version of WONDERLAND (from SEASONS OF MY LIFE).
Then there's 9 more brand new tunes including current 'live' favourites (well, I like 'em!) LIFT ME UP, HE LOOKS A LOT LIKE ME and THE HEALING. I'm supported throughout by guest musicians such as Graham Hodge, Paul Cusick and Alex Cromarty (all ex-GABRIEL and ex-alcoholics). Brendan Eyre (he of the RIVERSEA) plays some lovely subtle keys on a couple of tracks and, of course, my beautiful sister Janine provides backing vocals here and there. Louise Dawson (a WRIGGERLER apparently) sings on one middle eight section… oh but what a middle eight it is!
The WOOD disc contains 12 Cover Versions of some of the tunes I perform live. I'm always (well, once a week) getting asked "Have you got those songs you're singing tonight on CD?" Normally I reply, "No… But I'm doing one!" Well, here it is. I've done one.
What's on there? CHASING CARS? Check. SHE WILL BE LOVED? Check. MAD WORLD? Check. ERNIE THE FASTEST MILKMAN IN THE WEST? Errr…. Not yet. Maybe next time….
So, anyway, what I thought I'd do is put the idea of a covers album and an all original album together and… Hey Presto… WOOD & WIRE is the result. That way it serves those that are wanting to hear me sing 'covers' and also those that like to hear my creative self (bless you, those people… I want to pickle and preserve you!)
And the sneaky thing is that means you have to buy one to get the other in this unlimited edition 2 disc set. Which is a cunning plan from my evil alter-ego (strokes goatie in full pantomime villain mode… Think 'The Master'… And not that rubbish John Simms bloke… I mean the proper Master… Mr Roger Delgado) :o)
Of course, my evil plan falls to pieces when I'm only charging £9.99 a copy (I'd be no good on THE APPRENTICE would I?). All proceeds go towards a very special cause (as always)… Basically it's going to pay back the loan for the making of them in the first place!
The launch night is on Wednesday 14th May at The Basement Bar, City Screen, York. I'll be playing an acoustic set joined by Graham, Q, Brendan and Jan. Alex and Louise (AKA THE WRIGGERLERS) are also playing a set and Graham Hodge will be doing some solo numbers as well. Should be a great night and a right laff! :o)
Doors open at 8pm (£2 entry on the door) and Graham will be on first around 8.30pm. Please do come along if you can make it.
So, that's it for now. WOOD & WIRE enters the world in all acoustic glory and it's time for me to start thinking about the next project.... Which Ive been doing anyway to be honest! RIVERSEA is coming along VERY nicely. I cant wait for you to hear our new stuff....
So I want to leave you with a question that's been on my mind constantly over the last few weeks. It's a deep question, up there with the search for meaning in life, the plausability of God and pondering on the nature of the Universe itself. It's a question that could have massive repercussions on how I view the rest of my natural life and it's a question I (and, I believe, the rest of the world) really need the answer to....
"What The Fudge is Catherine Tate doing in Doctor Who????!!!!!!!!"
Hope you enjoy WOOD & WIRE
Love and Peace
Marc