Lucky Soul's Album Blog

2006-12-13T22:29:00.000Z

It's Terribly Exciting, I'm Practically Asleep...

Well it's been a busy few weeks! While the NME have released their 'Cool List' of 2006, we've been getting our new song 'Ain't Never Been Cool' out and about and on the radio and in the press. We're off to Stockholm on Friday for our gig at the Debaser and have to be up at stupid O'Clock for Toby to pick us up in Alan the van and take us to the airport. Daddy Nat's already in Sweden wheeling and dealing so we have to make our own way there! Eek.

Meanwhile..just when we thought this whole recording malarkey was over for a bit, a certain Radio 1 DJ has got in touch and asked us to record something VERY SPECIAL INDEED..Hmmm..don't know how much I can tell you now...EXCEPT THAT IT'S VERY VERY EXCITING, and way cool.

Will write again soon with our tales from the road..

Al x x

2006-11-09T22:53:00.000Z

Hello!

I know, I know, I missed you too... It's been a while hasn't it?

We've all had a little break while lots of stuff is being done to the album to make it sound even more pretty...(technical things...you know...stuff), but it ain't pretty being back in the real world with no band, so we've unpacked the guitars and dusted down the drums and the 'Soul are back in action. Yay! There's mumblings that some super exciting things are about to happen and I've even got the old sewing machine out in preparation for the next gig on the 18th. Oh yes. New Lucky Soul album. New dress.

Lots more to follow so keep them peepers peeled!

Ali x x x

2006-10-24T14:00:00.000Z

Oh my god! It's only finished.....! Tracklisting to bec confirmed, but everyone is very excited. Toby scooted halfway across London, just so he could get his grubby paws on it... blimey

2006-10-22T14:19:00.000Z

MIXDOWN IS UPON US......WILL WE MAKE IT?.......IT's VERY SCARY........FIND oUT TOMORROW......

2006-10-20T19:17:00.000Z

50, Mavis, Ruff, Soaked. In that order.

Well, while the others are are contacting their lawyers and suing themselves, I'm still here at the battle front tearing through the last few songs in our cannon.

Obviously at this moment I've been kicked out of the control room again whilst George tinkers with live favourite "The Great Unwanted". At least that's what he tells me, for all I know he could be emailing the mixes off to MIX4U and playing solitaire for an hour.

Still we're hanging onto schedule by our teeth and everythings really starting to shine. With only 50 hours to go till pens down and we have to hand our work in at the front of the hall, it's gonna be tight but just fine. I'm sure I won't be saying that Sunday morning when I'm crying and smashing my head against the piano.

Be twixt listening and pointing and head shaking sessions today, I've been taking in loads of music for future influence/ piracy. Some real good stuff over the last couple of days infact.

Like these:
Esquivel- mad latin percussion arrangements kind of bossanova style. crazy stereo sounds, I believe Stereolab are big fans.

Ennio Morricone- He's most famous for his haunting soundtrack to Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns, but this was a CD entitled Mondo Morricone and was a selection of soundtracks from Independent Italian Films in the early sixties. spellbindingly beautiful stuff.

The Kinks- Village Green Preservation Society-works very well in the country.

A bit of Mavis Staples. Check her out if you want to hear A VOICE. It's biggger than the both of us, baby.

Some Barry White produced woman that I can't remember the name of

More Bert Jansh

Head by the Monkees whils making cheese and chutney sandwiches. Didn't match, turned it off

And finally a bit of pastoral english? alt country kind of stuff by a band called HEM, which is George's wife Fe's favourite and very pleasant stuff it is too. Got some oboes in it. Could possibly be used on some Channel Four heartrending British film. Just the right side of sweet really

Dog Update: I went for a brisk evening's constitutional earlier. As darkness fell my mind wandered onto American Werewolf In London. "Stick t' road, stay off the Moor etc" when I was startled by heavy breathing behind me. Usually this would be one of my many eager lady fans desperate to catch a glimse of their best travelling troubadour. Not tonight though, It was just a dirty great Dalmation.

Ruff.

P.S. Would the owner of the grey Ford Focus that aqua-planed past me at 9:30 this morning covering me from head to to toe in muddy water, like to contact me with any ideas as to how to get the salt marks off of me desert boots. Thanks.

Oh and if anyone would like to check out the sprawling metropolis where I've spent the last month, jave a look here:http://www.stevecarter.com/wolfords/wolfordshome.htm

Andrew Laidlaw (thought the Old Grey Whistle Test was a sheep dog programme as a child and missed out on early music education)

2006-10-20T13:26:00.000Z

Dear all, i have been asked to post the following statement from the record label, before you read it, and to defuse any tension please look at the following picture:

--------------------------------------------

We at Ruffa Lane Records would like to distance ourselves from any prior post in which it may have been suggested that members of the band may have increased in size during the recording of the album. We do not believe in pointing fingers, but aggrieved band members should look to their management company (Faith Management)… as he did it.

Nicholas Woodhead
Ruffa Lane Records

(We may have defaced posters in the past)

-------------------------------------------

2006-10-20T08:04:00.000Z

Oooh you cheeky monkeys!

My dear blog-watchers and LS fans,

It has become apparent that while we've been slaving away in the studio over what is now believed to be "one of the finest independent pop albums of recent times", putting in 12-hour days, every day, pushing ourselves beyond what we thought possible, risking our lives being mauled by dogs and chased by bulls, it seems that our charming record label have had nothing better to do than tamper with Lucky Soul posters and search the web for incriminating pictures.

This, dear friends, is because they miss us. They really have nothing better to do! We can pity them, of course, but let it be known that just like Dexy's Midnight Runners, we too have the master tapes (aka hard drive) and EMI on speed dial.

Ali x

2006-10-19T16:04:00.000Z

It had been noted that during the recording progress Lucky Soul had let themselves 'go' a bit. I think it was the chocolate only diet to stave off the cabin fever. Dont worry kids, I've got the sauna fired up already... so where's that amphetamine sulphate..... "Aliiiiiiii come here"

2006-10-18T17:30:00.000Z

Hey Chuck, Can We Get A Horse In Here?"

One of the advantages of recording and mixing with the aid of a computer instead of tape is that that you can be a lot more flexible and flit from session to session.

If you don't keep focused that could be a problem, but as long as you're sensible and set yourself resonable time limits, then it means you keep fresh and your ears don't get tired and bored. This in turn helps you make more measured and honest mixing decisions when you can look at the mix from in front rather than being buried inside it.

It also means that when, even when we're mixing I can still get a moment to SHOEHORN IN MORE STUFF. This was the case last night night when the bulging suitcase of a sweet pop that is "One Kiss Don't Make A Summer" was prized open with a crowbar and we shoved a HARPSICHORD in.

nb, historical note George's Harpsichord is a quality piece made by William De Blaise. The only other time I've seen one is in the Jean Luc Godard film "Sympathy For The Devil" about the making of The Stones' song, at Olympic Studios. Sounds great, so much better than yer virtual stuff.

The suitcase didn't too much sitting on, the harpsichord is only a little melodic arpeggio in the chorus and evrything that lives in our songs is carefuly placed, but I thought it might be nice to write a list of The componants in "One Kiss" to show you just how much gets on a Lucky Soul track and makes us sound a bit different to most bands.

Here goes

Drums,Bass,Grand Piano,Fender Stratocaster(electric guitar), Fender Telecaster, Six String Acoustic guitar, 12 String acoustic, Cello, Viola, Violin, Suitcase Rhodes(Electric Piano)
Girl Vocals, Girl Double vox, Girl Harmony, Boy Vox x2, Boy bDouble Vox, Guiro, Triangle, Hand Claps x6, Egg Shaker, Cabasa, Harpsichord, Tamborine. No Horse. Yet.

See if you can find them all when it comes out. We have tracks that have more in them than that sometimes. Just wait till we can afford a gospel choir.

I'm very pleased with "One Kiss". It's finally flowering after a long journey, it sounds wonderfully lush and very pop with just the right amount of heartbreak.

So we've got all sorts on the go now, Add Your Light nearly done and Get Outta Town sounding brilliant and completely mental. "It's yours" clicked earlier and "Ain't Never Been Cool" is marching along. It's all sounding rather good.

George as we speak is firing up the next track so we think new songs as well as carrying on my musical education. Today we've had:

The Byrds "Turn! Turn! Turn!" which is up high on the shelf and I fell crashing to floor whilst trying to reach it. Don't worry rhythm guitar fans, my hands are OK.

We had the B52's Wild Planet.... bit hectic for the morning really.

Some crazy Joe Meek produced stuff by some yodelling cowboy,

But best of all folk hero Bert Jansch's "Jack Orion" which I find really calming but dead spooky at the same time. It sounds like death on a windy shore.

Take Care OUt There

A x

2006-10-16T13:35:00.000Z

MORE DOGS AND ONE CAGED TIGER

Well comrades, we've reached the point of no return and alerts are sounding Mixcon 1 down here at the underground bunker of the high security Bank Cottage complex.

That's right, as we speak producer George is firing all manner of digital and analogue devices at "Add Your Light To Mine, Baby" in the hope that the odd shaped mass of a million instruments and vocals can be hammered into some kind of brilliant pop shape.

Yup it's mix time and as tradition, I have been sent out of the studio. It's not that I've been bad and had a wee in the corner or scratched my name onto the mixing desk. I haven't even tried to smuggle the Wurlitzer out under my jumper yet.

No, when mix time is upon us, George works alone until the track is at a resonable state, at which I come in with fresh ears and say things like "hmmm, I'm not sure that the guitars are moving their shoulders enough " and " that high hat could be more cheeky" or "I don't think my Lute solo is high enough" : you know,that kind of thing.

So, having been concentrating pretty much non stop for five weeks, I now find my self crawling the walls not knowing what to do as I'm left alone for an hour or two at a time, pacing around like a caed tiger. Or in this case blogging like a caged tiger
I wonder if tigers blog? I'll bet Tony The Tiger does one. I'll bet it's gggggreat.
I saw the Frosties advert in Germany once. Tony has an even deeper voice and says" Das Ist Guuuuuuuuud" Odd.

So you may find that I'm blogging a bit more than normal this week. Man, I wish was in there mixing. And I hate mixing too! We had a frantic day of hose keeping (getting tracks ready to mix) yesterday. Well house keeping and last minute shoe horning of more instruments and percussion. T'was a good day and a massive weight on my shoulders when problem child "I Gots The Magic" suddenly blossomed into life with the aid of some brutal editing decisions and the addition of a Mellotron, Moog and Of course the Wurlitzer. It was like making big pan of porridge float daintily round the room. Boss.

So, as well as blogging and I think I might sweep the garden in a minute to say thanks to George and his wife for the hospitality, I've been giving myself a bit of musical education. George as you may expect has a big ol' library of c.d's and records.
today's listening classes have included:
Legendary blues man Robert Johnson,
Odd voiced musicians musician Robert Wyatt,
Strawberry Fields,
Proto rocker and Tarantino favoured guitarist Link Wray (brilliant)
the obligitory Pet Sounds fly past. "I just wasn't made for these times" still gets me misty.
A bit of crazy psychedelic prog from King Crimson.
Sicilllan film soundtracks courtesy of Nino Rota.

and "Bringing It all Back" home by Bob Dylan. Anyone who says Dylan can't sing is talking rubbish, he's got more control over his voice than most.

Anyhow back to the Dogs.

Ali's fabled "Dog Shaped Hole in the Heart" was certainly not filled by the evil little beast kept in the cellar of the hairdressers where we ended our surreal of Photographs on Saturday. The nasty bull terrier first left a pool of pee for photographer Libby's bag to seep into. It then went for evry member of the band's legs
nearly putting it's teeth through my best suit and having a good go at the bows on Ali's shoes. There was something quite sinister about that cellar and I was glad to get the train back to the country.

Dog2 was at the pub when we popped in for last orders last night and kept fetching me a stick to through. by the time I finished my pint, the stick was theb size of a match and the farmers sheep dog decided to trade it in for a more robust doorstop. At that point I stop playing, as did Toby the naughty puppy who had been trying to play a different game with the other end of the dog. Time for a trip to the vets for that one I think, it's the only way to calm them down at that age.

On that note I'm off to see what my song sounds like

Lots of love from Ramblin' Jack Laidlaw

2006-10-12T22:00:00.000Z

I just don't know what to do with myself...

I'VE FINISHED! It feels mighty strange, and I'm sure I'm gonna be going around in a daze for the next week. Myself and Ivor caught the train back to London this afternoon with sore hands from all the clap-clap-clapping overdubs. We've left Andrew to rummage through George's percussion box one last time before they embark on 'The Mix'. Wow, it's all gone so quickly.

Yesterday we put some lead vocals to bed before Ivor joined us for a good eight hours of doo-wopping, shoop-shooping, ba-ba-ba-ing and plenty of "TOO FLAT!" "TOO SHARP!" "TOO SHORT!" "TOO FLAT!" from George. (We got there in the end). That’s eight hours excluding the obligatory pub break of course. George and I on the red and Andrew and Ivor on the local brew with Toby the very naughty puppy, (not the bass player) a timid little Jack Russell who took a shine to Andrew, a black Lab and the old German Shepherd in the corner. You have to understand I have a dog-shaped hole in my life. So it was nice.

My last morning in the haunted house couldn’t have been any more surreal, with Richard the farmer blasting out ‘Lips Are Unhappy’ followed by ‘Happy Christmas (War Is Over)’ into the breakfast room for the benefit of the only other guest. Personally I like nothing more than a bit of Lucky Soul over my scrambled egg when I’ve heard nothing else for the last two months. But no, Richard has been a darling, giving us lifts to the studio, bottles of red wine and the best hospitality in the Cotswolds.

So it was back to the studio for one last go at some BV’s and hand claps and then on the train back to the real world.

Well… until tomorrow when I get to go to the BBC to pick out some vintage dresses for the album cover shoot. Yay!

See you soon,

Ali x

2006-10-10T09:22:00.000Z

BEARD UPDATE

I know that many thousands of you just don't care about Nat and my's beards, but since we've been growing them for the making of the album I thought we should share it with the two or three who have been demanding beard updates. Apologies for me looking very tired, but a camera flash is not what you need when you're waking up.

Sadly however, the beards are now gone; Nat having a date and believing, bizzarely, that girls don't like beards and me because the evil beard nazis at Ruffa Lane HQ said something about "getting rid of that rug before the photo shoot" *sigh*

Off to the Cotswalds now to Doo-Wop some backing vocals, but will I ever be the same or will my high voice desert me like Samson and his strength....hmmmm

Ivor

2006-10-09T14:52:00.000Z

The Manager and The Fat Cat… That’s 2 Fat Cats then.

I though it was about time I ventured into the beauty that is the English countryside to see what my monkey’s have been up to i.e check for evidence of crosswords, watching T.V and generally not doing much and costing us £000’s for it (extensive magazine collection has been noted Ali).

I had to leave behind Nick at Ruffa Lane HQ and his ‘Conker Death Squad’ now featuring ‘Butch’ from Brooklyn NY. Bless Nick, he only got 12 hours sleep last night so was too tired to Bobby Bait. We only managed 28 games of darts too. Sigh. Tough job this management lark and then there’s all that sleep to catch up on.
So after great nights sleep, 16 hours of blissful peace in fact which is quite normal for Ruffa Lane management (we love our sleep and do as much of it as possible, even in the day too sometimes) I stole a car and raced down the M40 to see what I could see.

The leaves turning into glorious technicolor, the lack of diesel fumes, sandstone cottages and a near head on collision with Jeremy Clarkson (I am not joking – the blazer / stone washed jeans combo wearing T.V presenter was test driving some enormous –look-what-I’ve-got- car and took his bend a little too sharply) was not a patch on the glorious aural delight that entered my ears on entering Shillingsville studios. That my dears is the effect of a real life string section. Spine tingling does not do it justice. I wont divulge for fear of gushing but Dave The String’s Angels were working magic (in between giggling and avoiding my Spielberg attempts at filming a documentary).

It was then off for a quick pint of Badgers Breath down ye ‘only one in the village’ local and back to the capital in stolen car for an evening of hard partying for me and Andrew and period dramas for Doll.. but not before this;

Possibly the biggest feline I have ever come across. George insists on a diet of macro biotic genetically modified nuclear infused Whiskas for his moggies and this is the result.

Had I not been sleeping for most of the last few weeks I would never have had the strength to lift it. I am now fingerless on the left hand but was worth it for the shot.

More updates from the Management / Conker Death Squad (no stampies) / Sleeping soon.
Until then. Nathaniel x.

2006-10-08T21:31:00.000Z

STRINGS

yes it was ladeez in free at Club Bank Cottage this Saturday day and Nite.

A completely different atmosphere to the macho (well as macho as musicians get) brass boys on Friday.

This lot weren't brassers though, they were 3 very sweet and quiet young ladies dressed in official string section regulation curly hair.

They were a lovely lot and didn't moan in the slightest when asked to play physically impossible parts and or/ loads of changes to the script.

What came out of the 3 (Violin/Viola/Cello) was absolutely beautiful and often tear jerkingly gorgeous. Particularly "My Darling..." and the oldest song in the collection "That Hollwood Glow" and live favourite "The Great Unwanted" was equally huge. sounding good that one.

I am now in no doubt that real instruments like these are far superior to their computer generated cousins. A richness and depth that cannot be faked. A bit like the band really...

Today was supposed to be a day off but I've ended up at Hitsville writing some backing vocals. I can't complain though because I am very lucky to have this opportunity of fashioning a whole album. Not that many bands get this far and certainly not that many will produce something this good on their debut. I hope that doesn't sound arrogant but I am very, very confident that we have something really special on our hands.

I have to go now to pack for another week. Until next time .... lots of love from me. x

2006-10-07T09:56:00.000Z

HORNS.

Yesterday was a very exciting day down Bank Cottage Studios. The 3 piece brass section (trumpet, alto sax and baritone/tenor sax) arrived in the morning. I'm used to blowing my own trumpet normally but this time I thought we'd get the professionals in.

Let me tell you, it was an amazing moment for me to hear all the the parts that had previously been naff computer sounds sudennly blossom into life. I was a bit scared at the start of the day, me not being a proper musician, and these guys who are seasoned session pro's,. But I soon got into the swing of things and started barking instructions around in my fascist dictator style that is familiar and loved by the rest of the band. hmmm. anyway, luckily i had two interpreters with producer George and Dave the String.

We let them loose on "The Towering Inferno" Ain't Never Been Cool" "My Darling Anything" "Add Your Light To Mine, Baby" andf two others that I can't remember right now. It sounds PHAT. that's street slang for FAT grandad.

Thery were very nice and also very complimentary which is cool since Ben (Baritone Sax) (that's the big one) (The sax not Ben) has worked on Portishead and Goldfrapp.

here's a picture. Standing is Cardiff mobster Dave The String, having to talk the boys through yet another change of score.

Well Done Lads!

2006-10-05T00:23:00.000Z

Laidlaw and I

Hi again.. On Tuesday evening I disappeared under the Piccadilly Circus subway after some bloke-in-a-hurry had fallen over my suitcase, and I emerged the other end in the freezing Cotswolds, greeted by Andrew and George on their way to the chippy. It was quite a shock to the system, but I was very excited to get back. We had a quick go at some vocals before getting the obligatory pint in at 'The Pub' (the only one in the village). We had a giggle over lord such-and-such complaining VERY LOUDLY in his tweed jacket and comb-over about something or other. It's all go 'round here you know. He got chucked out and everything! Not unlike a Saturday night down at the Gypsy Moth in Greenwich..

Wednesday moring was like a postcard with 360 degrees of the bluest of blue skies on our brisk country walk to the studio. We cut through a field where we met the most enormous scary-looking bull. Next time I see him I'll take a photo for you. (Before I run for my life!). It turned out to be a really productive day, getting loads of vocals done. We've even started on some backing vocals, with Andrew Shoop-shooping and Bah-bah-bahing on 'My Brittle Heart' and 'It's Your's' respectively. I have my little make-shift vocal booth set up out the back, so I can shake and shimmy along like no-one's looking, which makes me sing better! The vocals are slowly coming together and the rest of the tracks are sounding great. There are moments when, if you close your eyes and listen, you can hear the finished record and get a shiver.

Andrew's left for Cardiff this morning to go and see Dave the String, getting up at stupid-O'Clock and leaving me on my own in the haunted house! (Except, of course for the farmer). So a lonely fry-up was had at the long dining table that usually sits 12, with only the stopped grandfather clock in the corner for company. It was a bit weird. I ate quickly. I had planned to repeat my country walk but the rain started to fall and I had to call for a lift from George. If there's any running away from bulls to do it's probably best not to get caught out in the mud. Now George is going over last night's takes of 'The Towering Inferno'. It's amazing I have any voice left at all by the sounds of it. It's a bit of a belter.

See you soon,

Ali x

2006-10-02T21:22:00.000Z

Now then, now then... now then.
There aint been much blogging going on round here lately , mainly because it's been just me this last week and I've had me nose t'grindstone since we last spoke. The gig was pretty cool although a touch wierd to be on first, which we havent done for a while. I felt a bit rusty early on, but it was alright after Ain't Never Ben Coool came along.

Come Friday, after a slow and slightly jaded start to the day, I was back down at Hitsville writing the horns for get Outta Town! I started about midday an finished them a t about five the next morning, had three hours sleep and dragged myself off on the train to the Cotswolds in my usual zombiefied state. Sitting out in the corridor with my axe and bomb disposal briefcase I heard the conductor over the Tannoy with this message: "Please disregard the last announcement. The next stop will be Kingham, not Charlebury, it seems Digital Doris has been on the gin again". Life is surreal enough when you are sleep deprived without this kind of nonsense. did I tell you by the way that the farmer who looks after the haunted house that is my home at the moment, bears quite a startling resemblance to Burt Bacharach. I keep expecting him to break into "Alfie" as he hands over my morning bucket of coffe.

I've still not said much about the album have i? Well it's going pretty well i think, although it does seem to be one enormous long day with no gaps. I'm finding it very dificult to tell the time or date and what we did where etc. On the plus side, it's starting to sound fantastic in places. Today we did some sorting out of vocal takes a and then made a major break through on the guitar sound by using an old cheap amp from Woolworths circa 1966. It's beautifully filthy with a gorgeous tremelo. I wish I'd used it on everything now but it certainly did the trick on Struck Dumb. yum!

Also today i finished my horn section for the Towering Inferno, which is somewhere between Stax and Bacharach and Spiritualized. No-ones really heard that song apart from the inner circle, so i'll be onterested to see what everyone makes of it. It's pretty big.

More guitar tomorrow (two tracks) and then I can put the planks to bed and concentrate on my space noises. woooooooo wooooooo spchlang beep rrrzzzzt.

Goodnight kids

Lots Of Love From Andrew"Lucky" Laidlaw

2006-09-29T21:47:00.000Z

Hello my Lovelies...Well, they let us out for the night to play the Borderline, which was super cool. It was with BBC 6 Music and Club Fandango, which apparently means we are now officially a buzz band...whatever that means! It's a real shame Theoretical Girl couldn't make it. She had the flu. But the Mutts rocked out and Brinkman were really good too, although their 'stage set' didn't seem to do much in the end. I think the drum kit was supposed to take off or something!?. It was good to catch up with Toby and Malc again. They're done in the studio and haven't been seen since the great 'Ain't Never Been [BREATHE!] Cool' choir of drunken angels. I've still got tons to do, which is quite a daunting prospect, but I'm feeling particularly smug today after our nice 'London Lite' review of last night's gig. (Debbie can dance! What are they on about?) Ta muchly to James and Ken for the pics.. and Andrew's posted the review up on our forum (www.luckysoul.co.uk) Buzz buzz..
See you back in the Cotswolds!
Ali x

2006-09-27T23:03:00.000Z

Blimey, another day, another thousand and one guitar parts done. Or so I believe the saying goes. Andrew and I have just finished a stint in the Cotswalds with the lovely George Shilling and his equally lovely family (apologies to Jessie for scaring her, obviously my beard is becoming too much). Its been a mad cap two and a half days filled to bursting with hot licks on our guitar strings, riffs and rhythms and loads of (slightly weird) guitar thangs.

Having decamped to the middle of absolutely nowhere (or near enough as far as I was concerned) I tried to adjust to life without those creature comforts people expect in London; roads with pavements, paths that don't go through fields, routes to work not involving bulls etc etc. However, i managed to blend in with the locals so well that I was frequently mistaken for the town drunk. Meanwhile things were hotting up in the studio with me laying down the guitar parts for Towering Inferno on George white Les Paul Custom (just like the one that the bloke from The Darkness has) which was frankly none more Spinal Tap! Andrew and I were also having fun playing on the large array of keyboard based instruments that George owns including a Moog, a Rhodes 88, a Casio VL-tone and the one that we both agreed we'd love to steal; a Wurlitzer 200. Honestly the Wizard would be drooling...

As I was rocking out Andrew took some time out at the piano reading a book entitled "Strange Sounds: Offbeat Instruments and Sonic Experiments in Pop" by Mark Brend, which is a book detailing all the C-uuuuuurrrrr-aaaaaaa-zeeeeeeee instruments that have been invented in the world, ever! Suffice to say Andrew kept on babbeling on about "space noises" or some such nonsense.

At the end of the first day we took some time out to get aquainted with one of the local pubs however, as we arrived at 10:25 the almost literally threw the last punters out, turned off the lights and pretended that they weren't in until we went away. So we did, and there I bowed to peer pressure and sampled one of the local ales on offer; Checkmate. This didn't sit so well making me feel a little ropey...urghhh

As much as I go on about disliking the countryside, I do have to admit that when you don't want the trappings of a major city, I would always rather the proper countryside rather than some commutor belt, suburban hell. As such, I tried to indulge in another fancy of mine which is photography and although it was just a point and click I quite like the results...

I should take a minute to detail here on the blog George's, our producer, technique for inspiring us in the morning. It is as follows: welcome musicians, give Andrew coffee, play Spinal Tap for 15 minutes, play "Crossroads" starring that kid from Karate Kid rather than Britney, play some Sabbath whilst watching bizzare YouTube videos and finally listen to some classic Stax to calm us down...

Having been inspired by the Mad Pop Instruments book we decided to add to cool noises to the end of Get Outta Town. All I'll say is that if you listen to the end of the song and bear in mind the influences above and the use on an EH micro synthesizer i think you'll be pleasently suprised.

until next time, over and out...

Ivor

2006-09-26T19:41:00.000Z

Evening all,

I've just seen a lovely alsation in the local pub (only one pint on a break record label) she was old and had that kind of contented look that only pub dogs have. I miss my dog, she was a retriever called Poppy who understood complicated conversations. This morning I saw some tiny ponies and heard lots of bees. I like the country, me.

Anyhow, work wise we've being going like a rocket today and got all of ivors guitars finished and some of mine too. tonight, some acoustics and wurlitzer piano, tomorrow it's a bit more of me on my electric (named Doris) then back to Hitsville for a pre-gig rehearsal for our 6music/club fandango night.

see you soon

Andrew x

2006-09-24T10:34:00.000Z

Morning All,
Sorry there's been no post for the last couple of days. In a Craig David style let me fill you in.

Friday was big on trains for me as I took a trip from the haunted house in the Cotswolds, all the way to Cardiff to see musical mobster Dave The String, who'll be scoring the luscious strings and stax style horns for the album.
Basically, he takes my ham fisted attempts at writing and makes them readable by proper musicians. I am VERY excited about hearing them in full technicolour sound.

After a couple of hours of consultation with Dave The String (quick because of my all nighter preparation i mnight add) I went for a short walk around Cardiff, trying not to sound too English and caught a disgustingly busy train back to Hitsville SE10
to finish off the horn line for Get Outta Town!

Yesterday (Saturday) I caught a ride with The Happy Clown up to my old stamping ground Liverpool. Any of you know your LS history will know that in the proto Lucky Soul line up we had a different bassist and singer who very romantically had a beautiful baby,ran away and lived happily ever after up in scouseland. I am currently in a room with said baby (Lily) running round me looking for snails in the garden. If there has been a more disgustingly good looking child, I'm yet to see it and this one has her own place in the story of the 'Soul.

Soon I'm back down to hitsville for more brass and back to the Cotswolds with Ivor tomorrow for some nine minute tapping solo's.

see you then.

Andrew

2006-09-21T22:20:00.000Z

Greetings blogwatchers, this is producer George at the village telegraph machine. La-di-dah Londoners Lucky Soul have now decamped to my studio here in the sticks. They haven't managed a post here since arriving, mainly because they've been going great guns recording vocals and guitars. But also, there is, understandably, great demand for the village telegraph machine, first of all Farmer Scruggins was on for ages, searching the interweb for a spare wheel bearing for his rather worn horse-drawn plough. Then the vicar was looking up 14th century quotes about other religions as inspiration for Sunday's sermon. Anyway, I digress. Apart from making great recordings (despite Andrew's well-disguised sleep deprivation symptoms due to the late night before coming), Andrew and Ali have been making regular visits to their friendly local host at the B&B farmhouse, who has been notable by his absence from the premises, some several furlongs from the village. Here is a pic of the band's intended accommodation:
Unfortunately, despite three visits there yesterday, Mr Mawle the farmer failed to materialise to let them in, so a rather weary Andrew slept on the studio floor and covered himself with acoustic treatment, whilst Ali made it upstairst to the luxury padded spare room. Her peaceful slumber was, unfortunately rather short-lived, as my three year old daughter Producerette insisted on a ballet-dancing demonstration before heading off to playgroup. Happily, Mr Mawle's brother Fred (also a farmer) dropped keys off for the B&B this afternoon, although he was unsure which of the 18 bedrooms were intended for the guests, so there is a good chance that as I type upon my return from delivering them to the farmhouse that they are barging into sleeping German tourists' bedrooms. Neither bandmember could face beheading the chicken acquired for them by Mrs Producer George, so both evenings have been spent by firing up the old Bentley and heading into town fo the acquisition of pizzas ("pop music on bread") with a pint of Bad Trousers (no, really!) over the road at The Bell whilst waiting for them (the pizzas, that is) to be stone baked. In the morning I go back to my normal job of village taxi driver, and - perm my pubes! - you wouldn't believe it, but my first clients are a certain Andrew and Ali who have booked me to take them to the railway station. Andrew heads to the Welsh valleys to visit Dave the String for a primer regarding arrangements for scrapers and tootlers, whilst Ali heads for the sanctity of the commuter belt somewhere south of London to recuperate after her countryside adventure.

Toodle Pip!
George

2006-09-20T05:00:00.000Z

Like, wow, man. It's been a long, long night down here at Hitville SE10. I've been getting all me string and horn arrangements ready to take to Dave The String in Cardiff on Friday. I thought I was better prepared than I was and it's taken me a long time to regroup stuff. Some of it will be taken to Wales in my head, and Ba-ba- ba'd to Dave, who'll hopefully make some sense of my melodic ramblings. I hope it survives the journey, my brain is currently making fizzing noises, although no hallucinations as yet. I've got three hours before we set off to the Cotswolds and still have to get get home and pack/ put my jeans in the dryer. I'm reall short on time but thats normal. Still got some horns to work out in the Cotswolds but very pleased with my Stax style brass arrangement for "ever yours I remain" which at the moment sounds some where between Bacarrach/ Neil Young/ Gram Parsons / Otis Redding but nothing like the Arctic Monkeys (sorry buzz watchers). I like it alot.
Anyhow Dusty's On The Record player and I've got to shut down my computer and Get Outta Town!!
See you soon.

By the way I hope my late night ramblings are more interesting than the singer's coffee morning gossip column that was posted previously. It's a serious album blog this, not Richard and Judy. Ayyeeee

2006-09-19T23:27:00.000Z

Ooh Runaway Bride's on the telly now... No. Pack. MUST PACK ...

2006-09-19T23:08:00.000Z

Hello Peeps,

In preparation for the Cotswolds (and because it's my only night off in about 20) I have had the girliest evening ever, consisting of a Hollywood bath followed by Dirty Dancing on DVD. Shameless I know, but I deserve it. And now I'm off to pack my suitcase. See you up there!

Nobody puts Baby in the corner.

Ali x

2006-09-18T20:41:00.000Z

Hello again.

Well we've packed up and moved out of the lush Livingston Studios in glamorous Wood Green. Quite sad really 'cos I really liked it in there. It had a lovely atmosphere and I felt really at home. That means a lot when you have to concentrate for long periods of time. Anyhow, it all sounds great so far but the hard work doesn't stop. I'm currently frantically sorting out some string and horn arrangements before I go to Cardiff to see a proper string arranger who'll score them for us.

Before that we're decamping to producer George's place to start on some overdubs.

Last night was a lot of fun, noce to have a bit of light relief and wonderful for the heart to hear peopple having a good time singing one of our songs.Long may it continue.

123 Clap! Clap clap!

Andrew

2006-09-17T17:04:00.000Z

"you're my hero Ivor" Guess who said that during the overdubbs......... clue, Not Andrew!

2006-09-17T17:01:00.000Z

The final overdubbs. " Please, just a little less Clapton"

2006-09-17T16:49:00.000Z

Now I'm really getting nostalgic... Before we even got in the studio this is Andrew's list on the wall at Hitsville SE10. Can you see the green to red traffic light system he had in place to let us know if we were ready to record the song? Green was on top then amber then red bottom. He doesn't drive bless.
N x
P.S Damm I love this blogg stuff. You can't tell I've been in bed and not been talking to anyone for the last couple of days can you?

2006-09-17T16:35:00.000Z

Tuesday. What's my motivation Doll? Mr B that's what!
Couldn't have done it without him.
Check the mystery 7th member in the bottom left. Funk Brother? He's a dude. That's all I'm sayin'.
N x

2006-09-17T16:22:00.000Z

Thursday saw Toby's bass overdubs and being told to play the same thing three different ways. Oh the joys of recording..... : ) through gritted teeth.

2006-09-17T16:19:00.000Z

More reflection. A Pensive Doll on Friday. "Andrew what does this button do"? Oopps. That wiped the whole take for 'Last Song'...... "just go and put the kettle on luv. 2 sugars".

2006-09-17T16:12:00.000Z

More reflecting. The Hammond recording process on Thursday. I'm sure it shouldn't take three grown men to work it and I'm really not sure about Ivor's role is on the floor. He may well have been looking after the spitoon?

I shall let this one go out to your imagination. Was like being in Blackpool for the day.
Funny Girls anyone?
N x

2006-09-17T15:50:00.000Z

In a moment of reflection, looking back on a great few days. Getting to know each other, ourselves and our limits of patience - speaking for myself of course.
Here's tasty 1 and 2's motivation for the recording in our 1970's alpine ski lodge of a recording room. Big crazy paving on walls and pine everywhere - I kind of expected Robert Wagner from Hart to Hart to come in at any minute a dust the snow from his Michelin man style ski wear and complain about there being an abominable snow man on the slopes and other such things that invaded my childhood dreams. I digress.
Mine's the Morley's and the massages of encouragement. Ho Ho.Toby's the fags.
Nathaniel x

2006-09-17T15:28:00.000Z

Only just, I've made it back to match fitness and a little like Rocky in Rocky 2, I was knocked down but struggled back up to win over the crowd, sing round a fire with some homeless folks and have lots of small children chase me when out jogging of a morning. Yet to get to get the girl tho but if she's called Adrian, don't think I'm interested.

Anyway i's Sunday and I'm back and I'm bad. There is a definite feeling of accomplishment in the studio with the final hours ticking away on this last day of the first part of live recording. This is Apart from poor producer George who has unfortunately inherited my disease but is coughing and spluttering his way through the final recording process and like me 'he's mummy's brave soldier'. Bless.

We're getting ready to welcome an incongruous (had to get that word in on the blogg somewhere) bunch of friends, family and fans to sing the chorus of 'Aint Never Bin Cool' and add some hand claps and general cheering noises to the opus. Cant wait as it's about time we cracked open the vino / whiskey / meths and let the hair down a bit.

Nathaniel x

2006-09-16T20:22:00.000Z

Saturday night is upon us and there are only a few precious hours of studio time in our top secret location before we have to decamp to the Cotswolds. Today has been another fun packed day with Malc finishing off his piano duties and almost all of his hammond stuff. Only 2 more songs need finishing and they're "last song" and "lullaby" which are currently being tracked as I write this.

I have been mostly been playing guitar and have completed "Ain't never bin cool" and "Get out of town" which now has a solo described as "careening out of control on the back of a juggernaut"....awesome

As promised yesterday here is part one of the Ivor Sims Rig O' Doom... in pictures

From left to right its a Fender Twin Amp --> Line 6 Flextone 2x12 -->Fender Blues Junior -->Roland Orange Cube. All used in vary states and different times on different songs... Tomorrow they'll be time for pedals and gutiars, lovely!

Tomorrow is hand clap day and we'll be getting in our choir of friends to sing the mega-gospel bits on some of the tunes. Sounds like we should get the beers in!

toodle pip

Ivor

2006-09-15T21:26:00.000Z

PS: Andrew's just smacked himself in the face during the tambourine overdub. Time to go home I think..

Sweet dreams... Ali x

2006-09-15T21:05:00.000Z

I never thought I would be writing a blog at 10.00 on a Friday night, but here I am. It's not all glamour and parties round here. not yet, anyway. We're starting to feel like we're getting somewhere with this. The rhythm section were sent home hours ago, and they might not even need to come back. The Hammond parts are coming along well, thanks to my glamourous assistant Les, and it's time for a beer while George does some more tambourine overdubs.

Malcolm

2006-09-15T17:27:00.000Z

Well it's friday night and the lovely office staff here have gone home for the weekend but not before they rang down to studio 1 to say they've left us all lots of beer in the fridge! Ahhh. We're out of here too on Sunday night and then we're moving studios - up (down?) to the Cotswolds. (Where is the Cotswolds anyway? I hope somebody knows). it sounds like a magical place anyway.. Meanwhile Andrew's off to Cardiff to see a man about some strings and things. The tracks are beginning to sound like records and Malcolm's upstairs cooking lasagne. I have to go now and sing One Kiss. Wish me luck!...

Ali x

2006-09-14T23:08:00.000Z

It's the end of another productive day down t'mine. Almost everything bar a few loose ends has been drum and bassed to everyone's satisfaction and Malc only has a couple more piano parts before starting on Friday's Hammond Day.

Meanwhile i have been getting myself wound up about a humming guitar amp. Basically if you connect to many thingumys to a couple of doodads then eventually you'll get a ground loop going through your amp which means that you'll amplify the sound of an electric current which ain't very rock 'n' roll I can tell you. So in between takes I was begining to lose the will to live trying to track down the source of my ground loop. Finally, after so much faffing that I had to step outside and calm myself down with a bottle of coke, myself and Aaron, our trusty studio engineer, managed to rig up a complex system of levers and pulleys and finally get rid of the dreaded hum! Thank God!

After all that hullabaloo we finally got down to the most important task of the day, tambourine auditions, we each took it in turn to try and play tambourine to "Add Your Light" unfortunately for us this was videoed and may be used as some sort of blackmail in the future... (damn youtube to hell).

Stay tuned guitar geeks cos tomorrow I feel that I need to document exactly how the 'Soul are getting THAT guitar sound on record. I'm sure exactly 0.34 people are interested, but hey that's the beauty of blogging, I can write whatever I like...A-Ha-hahahaa.

Below find an artist's impression of the new non ground loop amp setup...

Ivor

2006-09-14T18:53:00.000Z

I hit the tired wall earlier after a very productive day in which we worked on The Great Unwanted, I Gots The Magic, That Hollywood Glow and Get outta Town (again). I was so tired that i started spelling Drums with a B and no one believed me about the Space Noises.

This afternoon Ivor was miffed about his humming guitar amp and Ali was very pleased that she found some new hair products in the shops.

Stay tuned, tamborine auditions are about to start. I failed mine miserably last night. It wasn't fast enough for me, thats all I'm saying.

Andrew

2006-09-13T17:49:00.000Z

Well it's been a productive day of overdubbing so far with the tracks beginning to shape up nicely. (This is the exciting bit). Spinal Tap is on in the living room and I'm about to start cooking for the boys. Nat's still poorly but he's certainly here in spirit. Can't get him to shut up at the end of the Towering Inferno track...something about being in Twisted Sister!? There's been a suspicious development on the Space Invaders front. Some cheeky monkey (from studio 2 no doubt!) has come along and beaten us all with a high score of 7000 and ruined it for everyone.

Ali x

2006-09-13T11:51:00.000Z

2006-09-13T11:23:00.000Z

And there were you thinking that the 'soul were JUST rock demi gods. Prior to recording, the 'soul decided to put the theory 'healthy body, healthy mind' into practice, with band taking meals together. So far Nat and Myself have given old fat tongue Oliver a run for his money by knocking up a gourmet sunday roast and mexican extraviganza respectively. This is quite a departure from the band's regular sustenance of gravel (sawdust for the veggies) and bovril (vegetable stock for the veggies). Hopefully our improved nutritional intake will be reflected in meatier solo's (quorned up solo's for the veggies).
Moving on to literature, my album reading matter is Iceburg Slim's 'PIMP', which I am re-reading. Obviously I didn't get enough gritty realism the last time round. My fellow tasty brother, Nat, is progressing well with his flashcards and his newly learnt words this week are 'Buzz' and 'band' which he is delightedly repeating at every given opportunity.

Tattybye

Toby.x

2006-09-12T21:22:00.000Z

Tuesday afternoon and I'm feeling miserable. Have a cold and not getting any sympathy from anyone. To quote Andrew "You're ill every week" . That's up there with other quotes " you spend all day sunbathing in your garden" and "you have no suspension of disbelief".
George did comment I'm like everyone's dad - do all the driving, cook nice dinners and give gentle words of encouragement to my flock. And what do I get in return.....nothing! It's a good job there are some songs being worked on now that may well sell. We live in hope!

Joking aside the fact we are progressing so well that I may even be able to nip off early and tuck myself up in bed with a hot toddy.
ta ta.
Nathaniel x

P.S Now at home. Was in the sick room but all the kids were laughing at me and playing postmans knock on the door so teacher sent me home...... : (

2006-09-12T16:45:00.000Z

I'm not sure, but this may well be a sign that cabin fever is beginning to set in...

2006-09-12T12:24:00.000Z

Hello, I'm turning my rapidly wild looking eyes towards a different computer screen to write this afternoon's entry.
We're steaming along here at the studio with basic tracking now done for 10 songs. Currently we're working live favourite "Ain't Never Bin Cool", which sounds boss. Our friendly neighborhood Captain Yard is in the building filming too but I thought I'd use this opportunity to introduce our producer George:

George has been producing hit records since 1915 and has two great ears, one of which can be seen in the above photo.
After early engineering successes with Uncle Barney's Scarborough Skiffle Ensemble, George made his first foray into the world of production in the Sixties with psychedelic beat groups such as "The Ugly Stilton" with their Trans-Atlantic hit "Bunk, Bunk, Bunk!"

More recently George has worked with industrial rockers Bernard Butler Band and seminal Buddhist group The Teenage Fanclubs.

Since meeting Lucky Soul, George has found a new lust for the recording life and has said on two or more occasions that we should "Do it Again!" High praise indeed

2006-09-11T23:38:00.000Z

Bit of a case of the monday blues today. Arrived at the studio full of the feeling that comes from being ahead of schedule for the first time my life! And today was a very good day completing tracking on "Darling Anything" and "Ever Yours" but this was a little spolit for me by the head scratching that was going on trying to work out why "magic" sounds a bit naff at the moment.

Our Producer George says it will all come good, but i'm not convinced at the moment and sulk all the way home. Maybe tomorrow will bring out the best in it wth a bit of The Wizard's hammond genius liberally sprinkled all over it...

To cheer me up I just looked at the shake and shimmy signs which are now up in the studio
hmmmm

Ivor

2006-09-10T17:32:00.000Z

It's Sunday, it's our fourth full day here in the lab and we are steaming ahead full speed with a morning of Hammond organ and guitar overdubs courtesy of the Wizard and the Pile whilst the rest of the Soul were happily dreaming away in bed (probably like me) of million selling debut albums and being recognised in Kwik Save, oh and Scarlet Johansson but that was a separate dream...ahem.

So with great memories fresh in our minds of the How Does It Feel to Be Loved? album launch night at the Windmill last Friday there is a definite air of confidence and positivity in the studio today, and having a day off to sleep helped. Special thanks to Ian and of course all of you who came and made it a magic night especially the Lucky Soulsters who invaded the stage with 'Shake' & 'Shimmy' signs (Phoenix Phi & Tamla Tim) and displayed on cue to Lips and those of you who spent the whole of the performance chanting "Lucky Soul Lucky Soul Lucky Soul". See the evidence on youtube here.

Being a sell out show and part of our favourite club night HDIFTBL we knew it was going to be good but none of us expected it to be that good! We all agreed it was probably the best night we've ever had so thanks again (and cheers to our new Swedish friends Irene (great dancing) see you in Stockholm and Gothenberg in December!).

Back to song updates we somehow managed to nail 'Great Unwanted' in 2 takes adding to our 'we shall conquer the whole world' feeling. And we're sober!

We've got the piano man coming in at 19.30. There's a roast in the oven courtesy of moi and the ever increasing difficult 'in 1 take' 'Get Our Of Town' which is proving to be a feisty bugger. We'll get there just need to get a couple of helpings of apple crumble in us.

Enjoy the photos so far and by the way IVOR IS THE CURRENT SPACE INVADERS CHAMP WITH A TOP SCORE OF 3790. ALI IS CURRENTLY DESPERATELY TRYING TO METAPHORICALLY TAKE AN AXE TO HIS WINNERS PODIUM ..... to be continued.....
Over and out.
Nathaniel x

Tasty 1 and 2 arriving at the secret location... ahem i said secret!

2006-09-08T20:02:00.000Z

Well well well, we've been in the studio for 3 days now and I think we're finally settling in to the pace of the whole thing. Which is play song, play song better, play it better still, play the theme from The A-Team, play song again. Rinse and repeat and you get the idea.

Several songs are currently in various stages of completion they include, One Kiss, Struck Dumb, Ever Your's I Remain, Towering Inferno, It's Yours, and the mighty Add your light which was done in 1 Take!!! Amazing...

Below is a picture of the most important dial in the studio, as the sessions wear on we'll be sure to turn this one up...

till next time...

Ivor

2006-09-07T17:23:00.000Z

Oh I think you'll find Ivor's also taken with the Space Invaders craze..he's on it now in fact. This is due mainly to the fact that he CAN"T STAND BEING BEATEN BY A GIRL! Ha ha! Ali x **++//(*_*)\\++**

2006-09-07T17:06:00.000Z

While other bands indulge in vice and depravity in the studio, Lucky Soul are a clean-living bunch. Not only has there been no alcohol so far, they've been eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.

The only addiction problem seems to be Ali, who has developed a serious Space Invaders habit. High score so far 3120...

Malcolm

2006-09-06T22:13:00.000Z

The first day of recording - after much positioning of microphones, we did record some music. Trying not to be overwhelmed by technology, sliding glass doors, and a proper piano, we went for a few takes of "one kiss" and "ever yours".

we're getting there, slowly.

Malcolm

2006-09-05T16:59:00.000Z

Well people the end of the beginning is finally upon us. That's right, tomorrow we finally get into the studio to record the album, the moment we've all been waiting for!

We've all got a night off before the hard work begins, but naturally we had to pack up all our gear ready for transportation to the oh so secret recording location and below is a picture of all the gear ready to go along with our very tired, long serving, long suffering, but all round good egg roadie, THE YARD!

TTFN

Ivor

2006-09-04T11:56:00.000Z

Pre-production has been in full effect over the weekend.

The embryonic songs are placed in the 'songpiler'; basically a large wooden hopper, and left to settle.
After a day of settling, a mulch containing pine nuts, sawdust and strips of blank sheet music marinaded in port, is added to the settled songs.

The songs are then gently warmed using charcoal/ plutonium briquettes and kept at a constant 75 degress below sea level. After the crust has turned a gentle brown, the song mulch is drained, placed on wire guaze and the excess fat trimmed off using a sharp knife (always ask an adult).

Once trimmed, the songs are cut, shaved and poly wrapped, then sent by pigeon mail to the studio for the band to unrap and record.

Above you can see me next to the 'songpiler' at the NSPPP treatment plant in Ruddlesthorp. I insist on using Yorkshire water as it settles very slowly.

The band are looking forward to tapping and unrapping the songs tomorrow. I hope they've bought their sterile gloves and goggles.

Andrew

2006-09-03T20:21:00.000Z

Hello Boys! Just in case you're wondering where I am, this is me at home on the croquet lawn getting some much needed 'me' time before we go into the studio. There's nothing like a weekend away to clear your head. See you Monday! x x x

2006-09-01T14:26:00.000Z

In an effort to make the recording of the album more like a movie, at the beginning of recording i have shaved my beard and hope to grow it over the course of the recording so that eventually i will look like Tom Hanks out of that film and have my own "survivor" beard. Which is fun.

In the meantime rehearsal keep on going everyday, all day and as we get nearer the date of entering the studio, the "Oh crap, do you remember how to play that song" factor increases. I'm sure we'll be fine though...

Ivor

Ivor and Andrew were already having "discussions" over the flight of the bumble bee guitar parts

2006-08-31T10:56:00.000Z

So, Lucky Soul are finally going into the studio to record their as yet untitled debut album. After two crtically aclaimed singles, it's seemed like an age, but everything has finally come into place and the boys and girl will be entering a secret location to "lay down some beats".

In the coming weeks, this blog will be the band's diary of everything that goes on in the studio and will include much rambling, photos, videos and maybe even audio snippets of the stuff coming out.

So stay tuned for all the gossip from Andrew, Ali, Toby, Malcolm, Ivor and Nathaniel; Lucky Soul.

P.S. For those interested below is a picture of the recording studio