Collaborators
Lisa Marie Presley
I have recently been writing with Lisa Marie and she did me the honour of appearing with us at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London. We played one of the songs we had written together; ‘Weary’. I’m hoping we work more together in future.
Hoggboy
A great “lost” Sheffield band I produced a few years ago. I really believed in the band and they didn’t get the success they deserved. I also played some memorable shows with them. Tom and Bailey went on to form The Hosts who I am still working with and I expect great things of that band.
www.myspace.com/hoggboy
Chicken Legs Weaver
Again, another great band from Sheffield I’ve had the pleasure of producing a handful of tracks with. Andy Weaver and co were really great, it’s a shame they are no longer together. We shared a love of roots music, which is a deep life-long passion.
chickenlegsweaver.co.uk
Natalie Imbruglia
I worked on one track for her with Nellie Hooper whom I used to do loads of session work for – to my shame I don’t recall much about it I’m afraid.
www.natalieimbruglia.com
Robbie Williams
I co-wrote Mr Clean on Robbies’ first album.
Add N to X
I played on a few tracks on their last album. It came about from working with Jarvis on the Relaxed Muscle project as Steve Claydon was in both bands and invited me to play. I think we did the recording really quickly in Jarvis’s basement – good man is our Steve.
www.addntox.com
Shirley Bassey
I wrote a song for her on her latest album called “After The Rains”. I was asked by her producer David Arnold to contribute a song, it was of course a great thrill. I’ve yet to hear it, but can’t wait. I am due to meet her and david at a private playback of the album with all the contributing writers present.
www.dameshirleybassey.com
Tony Christie
Tony is a Sheffield legend, I was approached by him and his son to produce a cover of my song “Coles Corner”. I suggested doing a whole album with Sheffield song writers past and present and call it “Made In Sheffield.” We did the album in Yellowarch studios where I do most of my work with co-producer and good pal Colin Elliot. It was a real challenge to do that record and I’m very proud of it. Tony’s professionalism, charm and easy nature was something I learned a lot from and his voice is of course a wondrous thing to listen to.
www.myspace.com/tonychristie
Bob Lind
One of the best song writers of all time in my opinion – a massive influence on me. I did a gig in London with him just playing back up guitar and it was one of the highlights of my life to stand on stage with the great man.
www.boblind.com
The Hosts
A sheffield band I have produced who show great promise – watch this space.
www.myspace.com/thehosts
A Girl Called Eddy
Erin Moran is a great great writer and singer. This is one my favourite albums I’ve ever produced along with my Friend Colin Elliot. To my great regret it didn’t sell too well. But, it’s never-the-less a lost classic that I hope will see the light one day, I wish her well.
www.myspace.com/agirlcallededdy
Camera Obscura
I am a great fan of this Scottish group, they’re both great live and on record. I’m doing a remix for them soon and am looking forward to working with them more in the future.
www.camera-obscura.net
Jools Holland
I have enjoyed Jools’ friendship for over twenty years on and off, he’s a great bloke and a brilliant musician. I’ve played live with him and his fantastic band and recorded a version of the Hank Williams song “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”. It was a boss experience, he’s a very endearing and often very funny man. I recall many an evening playing with him after hours round his house or at a hotel and we regale each other with stories from our pasts, usually resulting in uproarious laughter. I did a memorable radio show with him too as I recall.
www.joolsholland.com
All Saints
I just played guitar on this Nellie Hooper produced track, I don’t think I ever got to meet the group, it’s a very vague event. However, Nellie was always great to work with, I like the man very much – I always learned something with him.
www.myspace.com/allsaints
Perry Farrell
Again a Nellie Hooper produced session I have only vague memories of.
perry-farrell.net
Soulsavers
I only did some vocals on their latest record on one track, but Mark Lannigan is a talent I greatly admire and I look forward to spending some time in the great man’s company one day.
www.myspace.com/soulsavers
Frank Black
My first ever solo shows were supporting Frank Black and the Catholics I remember being very nervous, even terrified actually, with just me and my guitar playing to all these hardcore punks and surf kids. Yet, Charles and his band were so supportive at that time I will never forget that, I got to play with him and Guy Garvey in Nashville – a really amazing human being and a man that just oozes genius, (a term that gets over used but not in his case). Time in his company is always a pleasure.
www.frankblack.net
Sophie Solomon
I sang a vocal on her album which was produced by my old friends Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby at Rak Studios in London. Sophie is an amazing talented woman and i enjoyed that session very much and I’m proud of that vocal too. Again, a learning experience highly valued by myself.
www.sophiesolomon.com
Hank Marvin
I recorded a song called I’m Absolutely Hank Marvin and really wanted Hank to play the solo on it. We tracked him down via his manager and he recorded it where he lives in Australia. I talked to him on the phone. He was a real gentleman and his playing on the track is incredible.
Nancy Sinatra
Working with Nancy came about because Jarvis was asked to write some songs for her – two in fact, for her last album. He called me and wondered if I would like to come along to co-produce and play on them, I jumped at the chance and we both flew out to New York to do the sessions. Must admit i was nervous, but soon found out I had no reason to be as Nancy is one of the most lovely and genuine people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. She is a massive talent and still has a great, unique voice. We got on immediately and started a friendship that still lasts today, she asked me to support her on her European tour as a solo artist which I enjoyed immensely. She aslso asked me to get up with her band and duet with her every night, which is a memory I will cherish for all my time. She’s one of the kindest people I’ve met and is generous to a fault, Nancy made my children a snowman out of hat boxes filled with sweets. Made herself and posted to our family home I was amazed by and obviously the kids were thrilled too, a truly lovely woman.
www.sinatrafamily.com
Baxter Dury
I can’t remember how we met but I ended up producing a few things with Baxter that never saw the light of day. But, a few years later he called me for guitar duties on a track on his first album. He is a strong writer with a unique approach to music and i enjoy his company and friendship very much – he could make a cat laugh.
www.myspace.com/baxterdurymusic
The Pastels
I did some guitar on one song of theirs for a film, Jarvis sang it as i recall. They’re one of my favourite bands ever to have come out of Scotland.
www.myspace.com/thepastels
