THE MAKING OF WEST OF THE REST (CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO TRACKS AND FOR FREE DOWNLOADS)

In early 2005 I was lucky enough to inherit some cash and broadly speaking this album is about what I did with it. For a time it was going to be called 'Travels with my Aunts Money' !!!!!!!!

As usual the lyrics were written over a long period of time and collated when I felt I had enough (or my notebook was full !) and the music just seemed to appear.

Some of the demos were done in California and some in Cornwall but almost all the recording at BM's in Cornwall during 2008/9 with my previous engineer and now co-producer Ben Morgan.

Since the previous album, 'Time to Remember', my band, The Dead Sea Squirrels, had been gigging regularly so the core musicians were easy to pick. Robbie Brokenshire was added to lend a professional ear to the drum parts and I was able to acquire the services of some stellar guests.

Most importantly, whether through my travels, the new producer or just time, a recognizable sound emerged. For the first time in my recording career I knew what i wanted!

THE SONGS

Blue Sky Morning

My first move after achieving temporary financial stability was to go back to California where I had lived in the 70's.

It had been almost 30 years though and this song is about the experience. Matt Exelby features on multiple slide

and my 1st pedal steel outing. (Thanks Ben for the comp.)

Kauai No Ka Oi

The second thing I did was to go back to Hawai'i, a place i love deeply. This, together with track 12, describes

the good and bad of island life.

The words, in Hawai'ian obv, mean 'Kauai you are the best' 'Thank you very much' 'I love you a lot'

(prob reads better in Hawai'ian)

Fabulous lap steel by Ken Emerson and harmony by Rosalie James.

(Rose said she wanted double pay for singing in a foreign language and as I was paying her zero I readily agreed!!)

Louisiana Bound

The joys of driving across Texas. More supreme slide from Matt Exelby.

Tell Her I Love Her

A lament for my estranged daughter. One day !!

Nevada Thru A Rearview

This is about that feeling you get when driving long distances. What would have happened if I'd used that exit

I just shot by at 90mph?

It is also about my inability to stay anywhere very long.

Chasing Daylight

Air travel !

Scene of the Crime

Inspired by my watching drunk people jig up and down to 'Sweet Home Alabama' in Cornwall,

without any understanding of the politics being espoused, and then driving through the South.

Travel does expand the mind (or should)

Tom Quirk plays beautiful piano.

Till I Could Say Goodbye

A song for my wonderful Mum who passed away in 2006 at 91 years. XXX

Being Blonde

The last, the very last attack on my last ex-wife.!! Tom Quirk on piano again

Some People

A Dylanesque rant. The butler/Kenneth More reference is to the move 'The Admirable Crichton' See it you'll understand.

So Far So Good

A bit of optimistic rock'n'roll. M/8 courtesy of Steely Dan.

West of the Rest

The other side of the rainbow. When you actually live somewhere and cease to be a tourist things change !

Lap steel by Ken Emerson.

THE MUSICIANS

TECHNICAL

95% of the recording was done at BM's using Cubase SX3, a variety of software and microphones and lot of real instruments.

Acoustic guitars, slide guitars, strats, telecasters, pedal steel, lap steel, mandolin, ukulele etc etc.

Most of the guests and some Slappy bass overdubs were recorded at my demo studio but getting the Hawaiian lap steel parts involved me flying to California and back in Feb 09 and recording in Ken Emersons Streamline trailer in Napa!!

Produced by John Greene & Ben Morgan

Engineered by Ben Morgan

Artwork & Photos by arteden48