Music From Slate Bird

Concept and analysis

'Music From Slate Bird' began life as a straightforward 12 track album featuring an assortment of newly-recorded rock and acoustic compositions, but actually ended up being a lengthy, 25 track concept album, with the addition of several experimental soundscapes, more contemporary works, and further acoustic tracks that I thought would enhance the earthly, somewhat ethereal feel of the set. I envisaged 'The Slate Bird' to be a rambling country inn somewhere in Ireland or Scotland, that also doubled up as a recording studio and an essential meeting point for musicians. With 'Maeve', the ever popular landlord's daughter, behind the bar, pulling the pints, and the local male clientele and musicians pulling her on a regular basis, what could go wrong?

A veritable musical extravaganza awaits...

The opening track, 'Blue-Eyed Girl From Kilkenny', is based on the character of Maeve, and, actually, the single release artwork for the 'Kilkenny' track features The Slate Bird Inn/public house in the background. The track is essentially folk-rock in its style. I used a newly-bought, Epiphone Dove acoustic guitar on this track, and I believe the quality of the instrument shines through. My Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar features heavily along side its acoustic counterpart, as does a single tambourine, which serves as the composition's sole percussion instrument. 'Fingal's Cave' is a beautiful acoustic track, featuring, again, the Epiphone Dove - its haunting refrains conjuring up images of the famous Scottish landmark. 'Saturn-by-the-Sea', the next track, utilizes a jazzy-rock percussion feel to showcase a colourful array of sounds. Although based around a repetitive form, the composition features many instruments, including trumpet, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, sitar and Mellotron. 'Red is the Heart of the Rose' combines an evocative piano tune with delightful woodwind and string sections. Otherwise known as 'The Siren', this track goes some way to explore Maeve's past and ongoing love affairs and infidelities. 'The Swordfish' is another acoustic guitar track. Three separate guitar parts make up this poignant composition, whose dreamy atmosphere is loosely tied to the south Oregon coast. 'Oracle of the Wildwood' is the first of the true 'rock-out' tracks on the album. I received local radio play with this one, which was nice. 'King Sol and the Merwoman', though essentially acoustic in nature, has extra pipe, flute and brass sections, giving it a certain medieval-like charm. 'The Orb Forest - Part 1', is the first of four compositions I produced as a temporary soundtrack for my forthcoming sci-fi thriller of the same name. The soundscape is synth-based and totally electronic in its style. 'Midnight in Cincinnati' is one of my favourite compositions , it's contemporary, yet vintage instrumentation always pulling at my heartstrings. 'Magic Lanterns' is an experimental piece, using reverse electric guitar and synthesizer to create a unique, otherworldly sound. 'The Orb Forest - Part 2' explores further possible ideas for a soundtrack to my new sci-fi novel. In 'Heliopolis - City of the Gods', I intended creating an instrumental, psychedelic 'rock-out' composition similar to The Who's 'I Can See For Miles' or 'Armenia City in the Sky'. Since my track isn't an actual song, it was difficult to achieve, but I still think the result was quite cool. 'Inanna Queen of Heaven' is more contemporary in its sound, feeing, almost, like a dance track. 'Fire Island Girl' is a simple, plucked acoustic track, but very popular amongst listeners. 'The Orb Forest - Part 3' is an all time favourite, and reinforces my desire to complete a proper soundtrack for my book when complete. 'Altamira Moon' is an older track, previously released only as a single. Thought it was a good fit for the album though. Along with the previously mentioned 'King Sol and the Merwoman', 'Altamira Moon' has a distinct 'Mike Oldfield' feel to it. 'The Orb Forest - Part 4' completes the four experimental soundscapes I composed for my forthcoming sci-fi thriller. 'Palaeolithic Spirits' is a thumping slice of brassy psychedelia, and a very popular download. The 'Holocene' Mix of 'Altamira Moon' is simply the composition's backing tracks played solo, with the lead guitars and keyboards taken away. It sounds surprisingly fresh, almost like a new composition. 'Pollock's dream of the Giant's Causeway' is an experimental piece. I'm a big fan of the abstract expressionist painter, Jackson Pollock. I wanted to create an interpretation of his work in my music, so came up with something as random as I possibly could. I think the result is interesting, if not unique. The penultimate acoustic track, 'A Stroll Through Chelsea With Miss Magpie', always makes me smile. Its cheeky and cheerful tune always hitting a right note with me. 'This New World of Androids' is an electronic dream with a cool, piano-led coda, and a few robotic voices thrown in for good measure. 'Sirens of Atlantis' is an older composition, featuring acoustic guitar and angelic voices, and received some local radio play some years ago. The final track on the album, an acoustic number called 'The Raven' was recorded using an Ashton six string acoustic guitar. It's a nice track to close the album on, and a firm favourite.

Instrumentation

• Korg M50 synthesizer

• Yamaha MODX6 synthesizer

• Korg Micron synthesizer

• Epiphone Dove acoustic guitar

• AFQ Pro electric guitar

• Fender electric bass guitar

• Cort acoustic bass guitar

• Boss RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station

• Boss Dr Rhythm drum machine

Finished product

'Music From Slate Bird' has sold very well since its release in 2020. It remains one of my most accomplished albums, and I hope to have it released as a double CD in the near future. Most tracks from the album have been released as singles with alternative artwork. Check out the Music Page or go direct to Spotify or iTunes.