A short piece on my top 10 tracks of the year. Some you may know through my past blogs, some you may not. Either way, here it is...
#10) Eva Petersen - "Don't Be Shy"
It's not the album version, this more stripped back version of the beautiful ballad "Don't Be Shy" is perfect, with Eva's voice in perfect showcase. The album was produced by members of Echo & The Bunnymen and the album is picking up more praise as it's gone on.
#9) The Big House - "Canyon Home In The Sun"
Local Liverpool legends guitarist/vocalist Paul Molloy (Zutons/Stands/Skylarks) and 60s styled Candie Payne released this West Coast groover at a successful launch gig in Liverpool's Kazimier gig with B-Side 'Caught Up' via Bearcub Records, well worth a purchase.
#8) Ian Skelly - "Time"
Best known as the stickman for The Coral, but with the band now on a hiatus and many of them working away on their own solo projects and producing other local acts, drummer Ian Skelly comes up with the goods with this psychedelic acoustic inspired brilliance. Other highlights from the record include 'D.N.A' and 'Firebird' *Note the video is not available, so the single 'Cut From A Star' is the song playing, which is equally brilliant.
#7) The Sundowners - "Hummingbird"
Of late, it appears The Wirral are making a lot more noise than Liverpool. Produced by The Skelly brothers of The Coral have released this classic sounding beauty piece, fantastic harmonies from co-singers Niamh Rowe and Fiona Skelly, as well as a blistering Alfie Skelly guitar solo. They look great and sound even better. Highly recommend heading over to their soundcloud and check out 'Gone Into The Sun' which is equally as brilliant.
#6) Ren Harvieu - "Do Right By Me"
Salfordian Ren Harvieu has had songs written for her by Liverpool heavyweights Dave McCabe of The Zutons and has sang with Tom Jones and covered Bond songs, but this soundtrack esque sweeping orchestra led song written by Stands frontman Howie Payne, is a stand out, as well as other Payne ballads on her record such as 'Holding On' and 'Walking In The Rain'.
#5) Jake Bugg - "Seen It All"
Jake Bugg burst onto the scene with 'Lightning Bolt' and secured his place in 2012 with 'Trouble Town', 'Country Song' and 'Two Fingers', but this Friday night rocker is a particular highlight with a chord flowing emotional rocker. Besides 'Country Song' this was a stand out live highlight.
#4 The Rolling Stones - "Doom & Gloom"
This year marks The Stones' 50th anniversary and who'd have thought they'd have lasted this long and that Keef would still be alive..? still, this loud rocker of Ronnie Wood's and Keef's weaving guitars and grooving Charlie drums was recently released on compilation album "Grrr!" and they are still rockin' harder than most...and Jagger *still* has it.
#3) Findlay - "You Gave Me Grace"
Manchester born Natalie Findlay released her 7" 'Your Sister' which rocked my socks firmly off, but it's this B-Side gives a delicate look into her very soul and count the oncoming chills and goosebumps. A powerful voice but with no fear or restraint. Her stage presence is phenomenal, her attitude rocking and flawless. She recently upstaged Jake Bugg at a gig I attended. Expect big things.
#2) Edgar Summertyme - "What's A Boy To Do?"
He's been doing it long enough to know how to get everyone going. This one blind sided me a little. After falling ill last year, and in conversation with me, Edgar had claimed he had grown up. This record is evidence of it, though a hard choice between this and the magnificent 'I Would Do Anything' and 'What Are We Gonna Do?', Edgar's emotions pour out of him in this confessional piece, via The Joneses and Free Peace, he's come a long way from getting stoned on the 147...
#1) The Wicked Whispers - "Dandelion Eyes"
I think I may of heard this over a 1000 times in the past few months, the groove on the 7" limited vinyl wearing in. The song still hasn't lost it's appeal. Whether it's the sneaky bass intro, the jangly organ riff or the blistering guitar interludes from this 60s inspired psychedelic pop single or the Rabbit Zackor haunting the band throughout the video. Get your copy while you can or catch them on their January/February 2013 French tour..
In my first proper interview of the year, sadly had to take a break due to my health issues, yet I am now lucky enough to of have a bit of a word with Liverpool's femme fatale styled, solo artist, Eva Petersen.
Eva's musical career began to ignite in the mid '00s, singing with Wirral based band, The Little Flames, the band at the time featuring solo artist, Shadow Puppet and former Rascals man, Miles Kane.
The band released their debut - and only album - on local label Deltasonic, 'The Day Is Not Today' and a handful of singles, most notably, 'Isobella' in 2007, before splitting up in May of that year.
The band went on to support and play concerts alongside fellow Merseysider and label mates The Coral, The Zutons, The Dead 60s and also toured most notably with Arctic Monkeys, who went on to cover their song 'Put Your Dukes Up John' on a B-Side.
A few months ago, I was luckily introduced to her music, in a quick exchange of music recommendations with one of my pals and to one of her more earlier songs, 'Beautiful Thing'. A perfect 60s, guitar laden beautiful ballad of lost love.
The song, for me, quickly became an ear worm, I found myself singing it, humming it - I was addicted to that song. With a voice like that, it's hard not to completely fall head over heels in love with her sound and voice, as well has her other glorious compositions, such as 'Femme Fatale' and 'Too Hurt To Cry' and then, with her voice at it's most blissfully beautiful, 'Don't Be Shy' is simply one of the most breathtaking tracks I've heard in a long while from this city.
Since the break up of The Little Flames, Eva has gone on to work alongside Echo & The Bunnymen guitarist Will Seargeant, whose signature guitar style is all over her songs.
In November of this year, Eva will release downloadable single 'Jewelled Moon' as well as a launch gig and then a week later, her debut solo album, titled 'Emerald Green Eyes' is out.
Luckily for me, through the power of social media, I get in touch and now I am lucky enough to catch her for an interview... CP: Who are you currently working alongside in the studio/recording? EP: Will Sergeant and I wrote and produced the album.
CP: What was it like working alongside someone like Will Seargeant? how did the collaboration come about? EP: We have the same management, Porcupine Management and thanks to them we got together and it became an excellent partnership, I loved working with Will and I hope we work together on the next album too. We are into the same sounds so it worked very well.
CP: Are you recording the album in Liverpool? EP: We recorded the album in Wales and Liverpool CP: At the moment, who is consisting in your backing band? any familiar faces? EP: My band in the studio was Will and Nick, who is the Bunnymen's drummer. It is Paul Duffy (Bassist with The Coral..) and me live though at the moment.
Eva and Paul Duffy live @BSAT
CP: What would you say are the themes of the album; as it's very soundtrack-esque, featuring a number of beautiful string arrangements to accompany your spectacular voice... EP: I am influenced by a lot of 70s Italian horror films such as Suspiria, Profondo Rosso, and I love their soundtracks, so that all features heavily, and also love Ennio Morricone who has influenced my writing too. CP: Do you have a proudest moment as a musician? EP: Working with Will Sergeant without a doubt CP: In making this record, are there any key influences on this album or in general? EP: I am a fan of Daft Punk, Air, Os Mutantes, Roxy Music, Jean Claude Vannier and the Velvets (Velvet Underground) of course so they all are influences. CP: Was there a turning point for you in becoming a musician/singer? did you always want to do it? EP: No, I have always loved singing but I didn't decide one day to do it, it just happened really. Me and Mat (former little flame) started a band and we used to play at the Jacaranda open mic nights for a laugh and then we got signed by Deltasonic Records
CP: Do you feel the new songs more of a progression from The Little Flames? EP: Well they're totally different as I didn't write the songs when I was in the Little Flames, whereas I write all my own stuff now. CP: Is there anybody you'd view of being a dream collaboration? EP: Probably Ennio Morricone (award winning film composer), to write a soundtrack with him would be amazing. CP: I believe you have some upcoming releases on the near horizon? EP: The album and single is available to download mid November and the launch will be around that time, there's more info to follow..
CP: In support of that, will you be undertaking a UK tour in support of the album? EP: yes definitely! Updates on the website soon!
A Little Payne Never Hurt Anyone...the musical guide to Howard Eliott Payne
by Christopher Parkes @rocknrollparksy
One of my favourite singer/songwriters, Howie Payne, mostly know for fronting Liverpool favourites The Stands as well as releasing his debut solo album 'Bright Light Ballads' under his full name of Howard Eliott Payne in 2009, but this was far from Payne's first ever band or musical release...
Payne first formed psychedelic rockers Magic Clock in 1992, before later fronting bands The Windmills(which featured would-be Cast drummer Keith O'Neill), Telefone and Blueseed.
The latter bands would appear on 'Unearthed Liverpool Cult Classics' compilations released by the Liverpool based Viper label, ran by former members of The La's.
a 'Telefone' poster at recently re-opened, The Lomax; Liverpool
Payne's next band, Blueseed, released a mini-album 'Special Care and Spare Change' in 1998 on Ultimate Records.
Again on The Viper label, Howie featured on 'The Great Liverpool Acoustic Experiment' alongside a number of other Liverpool acts, with 'In So Many Ways' described as "the sound of Laurel Canyon 1968 relocated to Sefton Park..."
The song would later be re-recorded and released as a Stands B-Side, though the version on the above mentioned compilation, is superior (in my opinion of course...) For a number of years, Howie and family re-located to New York, with Payne growing up in Queens, as well as the streets of Liverpool, and first began playing busking in Washington Square Park at the age of 15, before heading back to Liverpool. At the end of the decade, Payne joined Liverpool cult legend Edgar Summertyme, formerly of The Stairs, in The Big Kids on lead guitar with his brother Sean Payne on drums and Russell Pritchard on bass, who both went on to sucess in rockers The Zutons.
The Big Kids released one 7' "I'm Bored" and the B-side of "Too Much Baby" on Heavenly Records and received acclaim from Oasis and High Flying Birds songwriter Noel Gallagher. The Big Kids later appeared on another compilation by Viper, 21st Century Liverpool Underground alongside fellow Bandwagonites Tramp Attack.
The Big Kids would go on to have a storming residency at The Magnet in Liverpool. The new Millennium broke and Russell and Sean went on to join Liverpool rockers The Zutons, Edgar went on to release a number of solo records with his band The Joneses, while Howie then went on to form The Stands, later receiving public and critical acclaim and touring alongside Paul Weller, Jet and Oasis.
There was no fixed line up in the band originally and local musicians Martyn Campbell (Richard Ashcroft, Rain) Sean Payne (Zutons) Russel Pritchard (Zutons) and Robby Stevenson (Hokum Clones) all contributed to early shows.
At this point, Payne recruited local acoustic performer Steve Pilgrim to play drums and Luke Thomson on Guitar.
The trio, along with Martyn Campbell on Bass recorded a selection of demos at Parr St Studios in Liverpool. Payne reportedly financed the demos by roadying for The Zutons on their first UK tour.
In September 2002, ITV program This Is Music headed to Liverpool to film a number of bands who played at The Bandwagon night, headed up by The Bandits at The Zanzibar Club in the city.
On the night, The Stands were not on the bill until the rest of the bands appearing petitioned the producers of the show to add The Stands to the Program. The Stands were then added to the program and performed 'All Years Leaving', with no set line up, Russ Pritchard (Zutons) played the bass guitar.
It was at this show the line up was complete, and the band were invited to support The Coral on the autumn UK tour.
During the tour with The Coral, Payne received a phone call from Oasis man Noel Gallagher. Gallagher had received a copy of the Parr Street demos by Martyn Campbell at an Oasis concert and Gallagher invited The Stands to support them at their Liverpool Royal Court gig in December 2002.
After the show Oasis invited the band to play two nights at Birmingham's N.I.A arena. In the early months of 2003 ,The Stands toured with The Burn, Alfie, Stephen Fretwell as well as fellow Bandwagonites The Zutons and The Coral.
The Stands were also invited to play Glastonbury, V Festival, T in the park and two shows with Oasis at Dublin's Point Theater. The band was still without management or a record deal at this point.
Their debut album, 'All Years Leaving' was released in February 2004, and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 28 released by Echo label. The album produced three Top 40 singles in the UK Singles Chart, spawning singles and videos for 'Here She Comes Again', 'I Need You' and 'Outside Your Door'
The Stands made a number of high profile performances the Glastonbury, V and T festivals along with The Isle of White Festival and the Asagari Jam Festival in Japan.
In October 2004, The Stands relocated to Los Angeles, California to record their second album, 'Horse Fabulous' with record producer Tom Rothrock at Sunset Sound Studios.
'Horse Fabulous' was much more polished and a step in a different direction for the band. But did produce this wonderful track, 'You Said'
The Stands then returned to the UK and joined Oasis for their European tour. The band had been through a number of line-up changes by this point in their career. The Stands also appeared on an Acoustic Compilation, with an emotional rendition of Bob Dylan's 'Lay Lady Lay', one of my favourite Dylan songs in Howie's voice. Magic. You can hear that here:
Above is a performance of 'I Need You' from the Japanese festival, and below, former Jam and Style Council frontman Paul Weller joins the band at Shepherds Bush Empire in London for a cover rendition of The Band's classic 'The Weight' both via Howie's YouTube channel.
The band's fifth single, "Do It Like You Like", entered the UK Top 30 in May 2005, and the band embarked on a second tour of the U.S. and toured the UK festival circuit through the summer Horse Fabulous was released on 25 July 2005 and spent one week in the UK Albums Chart.
The band parted company with the Echo Label, The Stands embarked on a fourth UK tour in September 2005, finishing with their final concert at the Carling Academy in London. The band broke up in November 2005, with Payne noting artistic restraints within the band leading to the split. Payne broke the news to NME, the article still available here: http://www.nme.com/news/the-stands/21603
“It has been a
wonderful few years or so but over the last months my heart has been slowly
being drawn towards the idea of change and musical pastures new.... recent
times have been both creative and difficult in equal measure. I guess in order
to seek clarity I want to now take the time to take some time to get some fresh
air and move onto something new.”
Payne then added
that all the band thanks the fans for their “support” and “taking the time to
listen to our records”.
Below is a
performance from their last ever concert in London.
After a few years in different cities across the Atlantic, staying at a friends house in Los Angeles and hanging around the world famous Sunset Studios, and starting to listen to a lot of different bands and influences, such as Hank Williams, Fairport Convention, Tom Petty and Curtis Mayfield. Payne notes that it "bent his head a certain way and for a couple of days he stayed up pretty much non-stop and wrote around 5 or 6 songs that put me him in a new place.." And began 'thinking about producing a record quick...with the thought of doing the record really fast, raw, still get choice sounds but bypass the smoke and mirrors, no overdubs, push the button, everyone plays the song and the best version of each goes to make a record..'
Payne then released ten track folk-Americana inspired album 'Bright Light Ballads' under his full name, Howard Eliott Payne, and spawned the singles 'I Just Want To Spend Some Time With You' and 'Come Down Easy'
The album was produced by Ethan Johns, who had worked alongside Kings of Leon, Rufus Wainwright, Crowded House and Tom Jones. The album was released digitally through Payne’s own label "Move City Records" on 14th of April 2009, and entered the iTunes "Singer/Songwriter" Album Charts at #1 and the iTunes Albums Chart at #13.
The album was then given a physical CD release in the UK less than a month later on 5th of May 2009. On 21st September 2009, Move City Records then released the digital LP "Live at the Luminaire" a live album of Payne's sold-out solo performance at The Luminaire club in London.
The LP featured material from Payne's debut solo album as well as songs from The Stands' album "All Years Leaving". Above is 'I Need You' from The Stands album, and below is the duet for Radio Merseyside with his sister, Candie Payne, together on album track 'Seven Years' from Howie's solo album.
Howie and Candie also covered folk cornerstone 'Silver Dagger', most famous for the versions by Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
The live album entered the iTunes UK "Singer/Songwriter" Charts at #10. Around this time Howie was recording sessions with popular radio presenter Dermot O'Leary for the BBC, including covers of Elvis Costello's "Alison" and The Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale", as well as an acoustic version of Stands single, "Do It Like You Like", all three are below:
Howie also toured with Oasis as a solo artist, playing to packed out arena's across Europe. Five songs written by Payne were recorded by upcoming Salford singer Ren Harvieu for her debut album 'Through the Night'
Below is Ren's performance live on Jools Holland performing one of Howie's tracks, 'Do Right By Me'....
Lately, Howie has been uploading demo's from his upcoming release, demo's such as 'The Brightest Star', 'Hold Steady The Wire' and 'Holding On' have been met with rave reviews, with the sound most definitely being a progression from The Stands and his solo album as well as writing and helping sister Candie with her new upcoming record. Howie made a rare live outing in November 2012, playing at Filthy McNasty's, a London haunt made famous by The Libertines years earlier. Me and a few friends made the trip down from Liverpool, there's a few snaps below:
As ever, I'll be eagerly awaiting his next release. Hopefully, whoever is reading this has more of an insight and has heard a few rarities and understand more now into this talented singer/songwriter. I met up with Howie in April 2013, the interview is here: http://rockndolestar.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/coming-down-easy-in-conversation-with.html
"Well...I've grown up since then though!" Or so I'm told as we chuckle away, enjoying the rare City sunshine and whatever the world and the day has to offer us. I'm standing at the bar with the coolest man in town, a man of many talents and just as many bands, and a good friend; Edgar Jones - aka Edgar Summertyme.
We're discussing his semi acoustic Gibson guitar."I *inherited* it in '92...mine (the bass guitar) got smashed so I got this..." the guitar once belonged to former Stairs man, Ged Lynn, who had recently played a one off gig with his old band, cult Liverpool favourites The Living Brain. It was announced that Edgar would be playing a warm-up show ahead of his recently announced slot at FestEvol all day event on August 4th, alongside a handful of my favourite Merseyside acts, psychedelic pop band The Wicked Whispers and 60's styled femme fatale Eva Petersen. I headed down to the city's hotspot, Heebie Jeebies, despite the rain, being hungover, tired and feeling as rough as sandpaper - but it was Edgar and as Digsy said to me before I met him, "catching him is like catching water...". I headed into one of Bold Street's hotspots, a few streets over from Heebies to pick up a copy of Bido Lito, which featured Edgar on the cover and a great page interview.
I arrived before Edgar, but there was no denying when he came in, cool as ever, with what looked like a guitar hard case that had been through a number of wars with a tie for a handle and a small Vox amp in a Bag For Life! He drops his gear off stage side and looks lost until I give him a welcome nod. He grins and makes his way over. Luckily, I don't have to jog his memory. We chat health, music and plans, and the future and such. His new upcoming album "Sense Of Harmony", to be released back under the pyseudonm of Edgar Summertyme, months earlier he had handed me 8 demo's intended for the album, it was great to see the progression of the tracks. The album is released on August 16th, via The Viper Label, ran by ex-La's members Mike Badger and Paul Hemmings, who have handled a number of Edgar's previous releases with The Joneses and demos' and unreleased tracks from Edgar's first band, cult garage band, The Stairs. Edgar went on to form The Isrites, before a spell alongside Lee Mavers in The La's, St. Etienne and filling in the bass role with Paul Weller as well as forming The Big Kids with Bandwagonites Howie and Sean Payne and Russell Pritchard, before releasing solo records with The Joneses and most recently The Edgar Jones Free Peace Thing, who supported Oasis on their last tour. We discuss some new sounds and influences and discuss the Bido Lito interview, in which he notes "punk was more a case of letting the morons have a go..." and says he's one of the few with the unfavourable dislike for The Ramones - but is a fan of 13th Floor Elevators. It's great to see him again and in such good health. He tells me he's on a new Organic diet, giving the body what it wants and that after my health troubles last year he said to let him know any time if I want to get in on it. Great fella. His eyes light up and he darts to his guitar case and produces his new album, artwork and all, ready to go and hands me it. Speechless. The man strives on other people enjoying his music. We talk playing bass and how "hearing some albums make you realise you're not that good.." to which I noted I felt the same when I first heard 'Flying Machine' ...and the fact he was singing at the same time as well. He also notes this is his first time back in Heebie Jeebies in around four years, as he was the resident basement DJ for a time, where he claims he was free to play what he pleased. He's looking to stick together a backing band together before touring, sticking to support slots around the city for the time being, Edgar has already performed solo on a few occasions this year at both The Zanzibar and The Kazimier, supporting St. Etienne. Edgar's slot comes around, just as the sun begins to crack through the clouds into the beer garden. A half drunken man smashes his pint glass to the floor to cheers and laughs, "sounds like someone's having a...smashing time already" Edgar quickly quips in a Roger Moore-esque Bond like delivery.
Edgar runs through a four song set, including new songs not on his new record, but intended for his next release. Edgar rounded the set with favourite 'More Than You've Ever Had' from the Mercury award nominated 'Soothing Music For Stray Cats', which was championed by Noel Gallagher. The garden is full of punters, usual gig goers, some there for the music, others the drink and sun - who give Edgar a warm reception, but don't take too much notice - until Edgar's signature and ever brilliant voice breaks through the silence and in doing so, silencing all conversation and averting eyes to the stage.
Edgar leaves the stage to massive applause, and handshakes and a flurry of compliments. We chat some more before calling it a day and decide to meet up at his performance at Evol the following weekend. Great to see him again, true gent. Then it was off home to listen to the album...
The album is book ended by title tracks "Sense Of Harmony Part One" and "Sense Of Harmony Part Two", with "On and On" a groove vibe rocker, with opening lyrics such as "as we sit and contemplate the charred remains..." gives you the sense of what's to come. Edgar's favourite track, "What's A Boy To Do?" which arguably features his most heartfelt vocal and lyrics, questioning an unknown female figurehead of the song. You can hear and feel this song pour out of him. Listen here >Edgar Summertyme "What's a Boy to do" The next track "Bye and By" features what makes Edgar great, the voice, the sound, the groove and all that goes with it. "Sunday Afternoon" is more abrupt and sudden, with a walking, thumping bass line. With the chorus of "oh tell me what to do with Sunday Afternoon?" as well as some great bass playing, typical of Edgar. "It Can Only Be You" and "I Would Do Anything" has Edgar at his most confessional and sincere. "What Are We Gonna Do?" builds up into a brilliant and beautiful groove and the repeated track title softly and then strongly sang over the top. Edgar recently performed the song in session for Bido Lito, available here > What Are We Gonna Do / Edgar Summertyme / The Bido Lito! Podcast After a number of more contemplative and deeper songs, "Beep Beep" as the title suggests, bridges the gap and gives a much needed breather. The beautiful Spanish guitar solo in the middle is brilliantly captured as it played. The track features a duet with Nina Jones. "Wishing Well" continues the same Flamenco acoustic guitar sound as previous, with a great breakdown to showcase the guitar and voices, again - a duet with Nina Jones. "Look No Words" does exactly that - and clocks in at two minutes long, featuring some heavy bass by Edgar and former Stands stickman and current Paul Weller drummer, Steve Pilgrim - who together form a great groove, in again another track that doesn't feel as heavy after listening. "Standing On The Verge of Getting By" has Edgar's voice at it's best and most reminiscent of previous work, and comes to an abrupt end a minute and a half in, once again lyrics representing a situation and his battles with that. "Empty Promises" with lyrics that, at first glance, you wouldn't suppose would end up on an Edgar Jones release. In keeping with the album's feel, tone and themes, the song speaks of an unknown figure and the joy's and woes in which that brings. The track is very laid back with that Edgar signature groove and beat running through it. "Sense of Harmony Part 2" brings the album to a close, in the same way it started, after another lyrical message, before hidden track "My Kinda Woman" kicks in thirty seconds later, in a more surprising manner in comparison to the rest of this album, but more typical of past releases and wouldn't be out of place on mid-noughties Joneses albums. Before we parted, Edgar notes that the album was written and recorded through his stomach complaint which led him to losing two stone and spending time in the hospital, and considering Edgar's first release was called "Weed Bus" when he was barely in his twenties, this album is definitely his 'maturing record' which has a lot of sorrow, pain and very sincere which features more heartfelt vocals and lyrics compared to some of Edgar's previous releases, which is welcoming and surprising, yet still retains that voice, groove and beat reminiscent of Edgar's usual output. Perhaps he has grown up. As with Edgar - a musical chameleon - the album sounds different to his previous releases, but still retains that recognisable voice, we all love, and as Edgar told me with a laugh "I've grown up - I've had to!" and that next year will be the one as we both look forward to the future, with an even newer album already in it's working stages as there was a number of tracks left over from 'Sense Of Harmony'. The album clocks in at 42:17, which seems to race by (depending on your mood), leaving you to simply press repeat and take it all in again... Full tracklisting: 1. Sense of Harmony Part 1 2. On and On 3. What’s a Boy to do? 4. Bye & By 5. Sunday Afternoon 6. It Can Only be You 7. I Would Do Anything 8. What are We Gonna Do? 9. Beep Beep 10. Wishing Well 11. Look no Words 12. Standing on the Verge of Getting By 13. Empty Promises 14. Sense of Harmony Part 2 / My Kinda Woman (Hidden track) Album highlights: "What Are We Gonna Do?" & "What's A Boy To Do?" All tracks feature Edgar on all instruments - except where noted - the album features former Stands and current Paul Weller drummer Steve Pilgrim guesting on "Look No Words", Colin Lamont on drums on "What's A Boy To Do?" and the brilliant Spanish guitar solo on "Beep Beep" performed by Jose Ybara. Nina Jones duets on "Beep Beep" & "Wishing Well". Edgar tells me there will be extra tracks available for download and available on the Japanese release of the album, including "Oh No! I Did It Again!" which I discussed with a past Edgar collaborater, Big House singer/guitarist Paul Molloy (who along with Candie Payne are featured in the 'thank you' section) on top of a double decker bus, but that's another story. Other notable thanks go to Badger, Hemmings, Pilgrim and The Royal Liverpool Hospital. Edgar's Bido Lito interview is available online at: http://www.bidolito.co.uk/issues/issue-25 Album for sale here: http://www.the-viper-label.co.uk/releases/087/087-T.html
