When Tritone records first asked me to do an album, I went on a mission
to compile everything that was working that I had recorded up to that
point (2003), this worked out to be 86 songs.
Besides the album "Walleyecandy", some of the music was used
on "Yarbles" and "Mudeater".
This is the first disc in a series of six discs that are made up of songs
that hadn't yet been used (not all of it though as some of it was rubbish
!).
The songs were grouped into two catagories when they were compiled, singing
and instrumental.
I have let the track order run alphabetically so that the years they were
made would be random and hopefully the styles as well.
Well, that's the excuse, it was more a case of do it this way or it will
never get done !
Most of it was recorded on a 4 track, using:
a reel to reel player and tape loops (all the tape I used had been previously
recorded on in the 60's so when recording loops of drums etc when I turned
them over there would be some amazing finds, these got used a lot !)
a delay and tremolo pedal
a pound shop pink keyboard
harmonicas
a snare drum made out of two plastic tennis rackets taped together and
filled with rice
acoustic and electric guitar
singing through various cheap and cheerful mics.
Some of the songs came about after the inital 86 were compiled, when I
had a bit more cash, so things like an MPC2000xl were used and Audio Mulch
on a laptop.
Needless to say I had a lot of fun making this music and I hope that comes
across !
The artwork
wsa supposed to be a bit of fun, with me on a bus with my head on fire,
I didn't think it would look quite as evil as it does....
but then that seemed to suit the book the name originally came from, "Riddley
Walker" by Russel Hoban.....I hope he doesn't mind me using the name
!
all music and artworks copyright Simon hughes 2007
