MUSIC

Hi, & welcome to my music page. If you’ve read the “about me” page you can’t say you weren’t warned. I’ve been playing guitar for over 55 years with little natural aptitude & sloppy technique, but it’s something I’m driven to do and it has given me as much pleasure as it has caused anguish to those within earshot! Neither do I make a claim to having any kind of a singing voice so those of a delicate disposition may wish to navigate away from this page now. My main musical influence over the last 40 years has been Mark Knopfler, first in Dire Straits & then in his solo career. Unfortunately, when it comes to my own compositions, my lyrics usually seem to be firmly embedded in the “comedy song writing” genre.

Mark Knopfler covers:

Expresso Love (2010) Totally remixed 2024 with improved plug-ins

Get Lucky (2011) Totally remixed 2024

Golden Heart (2011) Totally remixed 2024

What It Is (2011)

Brothers In Arms (2012): Guitar, vocals & some additional keyboards played over a commercial backing track.

Border Reiver (2013): (based on the live arrangement). Totally remixed 2024.

I Think I love You Too Much (2013) : Played live with Dire Straits, The Notting Hillbillies & on the Golden Heart tour but never released by Mark as a studio recording.

Hill Farmer’s Blues (2014): ( based on the live arrangement).

Silvertown Blues (2021).

Our Shangri-La (2024).

Romeo & Juliet (2024). Combining elements of album and live versions.

Metroland theme (2024). Background picked acoustic guitar by Arthur Brendler.

Other covers:

Chasing Cars (2012): (Snow Patrol). ( Remastered 2022 with improved software)

Handle With Care (2012): (The Traveling Wilburys).

Lola (2014): (The Kinks).

Simple Twist Of Fate (2013): (Bob Dylan).

Suddenly I See (2014): ( KT Tunstall), lyrics slightly amended to suit a male vocal.

Take It Easy (2015): (The Eagles)

Meet Me On The Corner (2016): (Lindisfarne)

Starman (2016): (David Bowie)

Get It On (2017): (T-Rex)

Losing My Religion (2019): (R.E.M.). ( well, – I bought a mandolin ! )

Imagine (2020): (John Lennon). To mark the 40th anniversary of his death & his 80th birthday

Times Like These (2020): ( Foo Fighters). A combination of the acoustic and electric versions.

Stainsby Girls (2021); ( Chris Rea – another “local hero” )

Start Me Up (2021): (The Rolling Stones).

Maggie May (2021): (Rod Stewart & the Faces). Another outing for the mandolin !

Don’t Dream It’s Over (2022): (Crowded House)

Back In Black (2023): (AC/DC)

Everlong (2023): (Foo Fighters). Drums by Dave Grohl, everything else by me. (I found an isolated drum track of Dave playing this on the internet which saved having to program the drums).