Notes from the Composer

After spending over thirty years playing other people's music, I thought it was time to try something more home grown. Well! Here it is at last! My album.. and its been over a year. I didn't know an hour of music could take this long to produce but, as they say, “Quality Takes Time”. I think the hardest part about the whole thing is constantly having to make decisions. If I do another album, I want a producer and a nice fat advance cheque.

Two years ago I started working with American singer Michael Dimitri. One evening he said to me "I never write myself a good sing". After agreeing with him, I asked him to sing "I Really Never Wanted to Leave". I don't know if it was "a good sing" for him but I loved the result. Many thanks Michael.

Having just written the then untitled "Harmonic Dreams", I was undecided as to which instrument should play the main melody. Drummer Ed suggested harmonica and who better to play it than Mr. Harry "Last of the Summer Wine" Pitch. A great job Harry. I'm sure Compo would approve.

Anne and I would like to thank all the musicians who played and sang on the album, especially Ed, Robin and Richard who bore the brunt of my "nit-picking".

Finally, my wife Anne. Many times over the last year I'd come home from a gig, in the wee small hours, to find her working on lyrics. After the obligatory "What do you think?", I would often not take to them immediately - which led to a few arguments. Anyone who knows me well, realises that I can be a bit of an immovable object. I love the lyrics, Anne. I just needed time to get used to them. You always say that I'm bloody lucky, because no-one ever mentioned "Love, Honour and Write the Song Lyrics" during the marriage ceremony.

This album is dedicated to the memory of my mother, Margaret Jean, who always encouraged me in my music.