A Life's Backwaters & Tributaries

Detailed description of each song on the album: Tracks 1-15

Track 1: Arthurs Hill

My birth in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne 1957, different themes of inspiration going on here. Drawing on some Roman history, Newcastle being the garrison frontier town for the Roman empire. I was was born in Wallsend (suburb of Newcastle) maternity hospital, Wallsend being the east end of the great Roman wall called 'Segedunum', a fortified town.

'Arthurs Hill' was the district where my grandparents lived in the west part of the city. There is a reference in the last verse to my grandad 'Joseph Patterson Strothard'. He had an opportunity to sing for an opera company, but sadly ended up working in the shipyards most of his life, just singing in public houses for beer money.

Lyric Sample ©Strothard 2023

Entering planet earth, sun peeps through a window, on a northern blue-sky day,

September indian summer, Paul Anka sings 'Diana', across the airwaves,

Here Hadrian proudly built, a strong-hold fort town, on the edge of the river Tyne.

Music: Acoustic guitar, piano, synth with a Celtic/Folk sound. Northumbian pipes underpinning. Mid-tempo, light percussion.

Track 2: Paradise

Inspired by mum's comment after we moved down to Leigh-On-Sea from Newcastle, from a cold & grim housing estate suberb. The quaint little Essex fishing town by the estuary was quite a culture shock! When Mum first discovered Chalkwell beach a 1//2 mile walk east of Leigh-On-Sea, she described it as 'Paradise' observing the panoramic view of the appoaching tide waters, glistening over the mud flats.

I loved my childhood days (4-11 years) in Leigh, it was the fabulous 60's with The Beatles on the radio-gram and lots of happy times. I've included some 60's references in the lyrics, with migration South in the mix as well.

Lyric Sample ©Strothard/Chambon 2023

Papa found a life down south for us, mama wasn't sure about leaving the folks,

Warmer air no coal dust, she went down with a lump in her throat,

So when mama gazed at the estuary, shimmering star-like in the sun,

she said, "This is like Para-Paradise".

Music: Power-pop & retro sounding tune. Melodic 60's vibe, fast tempo with jangley overlaid guitars. My buddy Phil Chambon helping me out on this.

Track 3: Andy, Geoff & Me

Another move after getting settled down South comfortably to Rayleigh, 4 miles north-west of Leigh. Our new home was on the edge of farmland a fair way from the town centre, in a growing commuter district. Again I was having to get used to surroundings and make a new set of friends, after bonding with my Leigh-On-Sea pals. At first I felt isolated again, not exactly contented at that point.

After a year or so I befriended a couple of local lads a year older than me: Andy Pickett & Geoff Hendrick. We bonded quickly & would attend the same comprehensive school (Fitzwymarc), walking there and back on a 1-mile journey up to Rayleigh town. Geoff & his older brother had a great vinyl LP collection, that got me into the bug of collecting albums. We would have regular LP listening sessions at my house along with other school pals. Andy had good angling skills and we would go off on various fishing (sea & freshwater) outings at weekends.

Mum & Dad divorced in '72, then Mum took the decision to leave our home becoming a professional nanny in Germany. I bottled up a lot of my inner feelings, we were very close and I secretly missed her loads. My two friends were rocks for me during those times, we would go everwhere together which took my mind off the subject, soothing the emotional pain.

The year Mum left home (1972) I learned to play the bass guitar, aged 14. I then threw all my energies into music taking my mind off the parental break-up situation, more therapy in music.

So, as I remembered all the fun times written down in my diary pages, I compiled lyrics for this tune dedicating the song to Geoff & Andy.

Lyric sample ©Strothard 2023

We moved out of our seaside town, to the edge of the country side,

A dream home chalet suburbia bound, another shift for my inner psych,

As a sensitive one and only child, I had to start all over again,

Found my strength to socialize, with my two kindred-spirit friends.

Music: Mid-tempo pop, bit of a bluesy feel. Piano & guitar driven.

Track 4: Class Of '76

After getting myself established a a young bassist locally I teamed up with Chris Turner, a singer-songwriter from Hockley 2 miles east of Rayleigh. I met Chris during my first job after leaving school in '74 in a furniture factory.

We formed a couple of rock/pop bands ('74-'76) then in early '77 we assembled 'TONIGHT' with Phil Chambon guitarist/songwriter from London, Dave Cook on lead guitar from Hockley & Gary Thompson on drums from Hadleigh 2-miles south of Rayleigh.

Times were shifting musically and we found ourselves being influenced by local legends: Dr. Feelgood, Eddie & The Hot Rods, also the Beatles & Stones 60's sounds. This song is all about that time just before we secured our record deal in Nov '77, one of the most exiting & euphoric periods in my life!

Lyric sample ©Strothard 2023

We were the young dudes dressed in a street kid style, trying to break through the malaise of '75,

We cut our hair, ditched our flares, show time! Grabbed a real deal, signing on the dotted line.

We were the class of '76, the class of '76, the class, of seventy-six

Music: Fast Rhythm & Blues, Power-Pop feel. Jangley overlaid guitars.

Track 5: Superstar

The only cover song on the album which happened to be an out-take from our 'TONIGHT' album, in the summer of 1978. It's one of my favourite songs we ever recorded but sadly never got released. We thought it could have been our 4th hit single, our record company thought otherwise!

Chris Turner's lyrics are a 'pastiche' on the fickle world of stardom, where it can be stratospheric in one moment then crash down to earth the next. It fits perfectly into my story here during that fantasical & euphoric time, in a band with a great new sound heading for the top, although tasting fame just briefly.

I'm giving Superstar another airing here as I believe it's a fabulous power-pop gem, it needs to be heard in my opinion.

Lyric sample ©Turner/Chambon 1978

I'm your superstar, I run around in my supercar, I must be a superstar, I never know who you are,

I'm your superstar, I'm always there at premiers, It's obvious I'm a superstar.

I need you to buy me, you been told to like me, when you change your mind, oh no! I'm left behind.

Music: Fast energetic power-pop, jangley guitars overlaid, 3-part bv's.

Track 6: Two Little Men

Another euphoric moment documenting the birth of my non-identical twin sons, Glen & Aaron. This song documents their entrance in 1985 and the years leading up to that from 1979. It's been a difficult song to compose as it mentions the meeting of my first wife, Sara. I'm now happily married to my second wife Tina the love of my life, I personally asked permission to include this tune.

My diary entries are crucial to the making of this album, so sticking to life's up's & down's is important to me. At the time (1979) I was very happy to move back to Leigh-On-Sea into Sara's mother's house over looking the estuary, back to the area I loved in the 60's. Sara'a mother Jenny had an amazing LP collection including: Van Morrison, The Allman Bros, Jackson Browne, CSN, Bob Dylan etc, educating me & infuencing me with my own collection. My music career was forging ahead also working with the legendary 'Wilko Johnson' (RIP) from 1979-85, my Rhythm & Blues apprenticeship!

Lyric Sample ©Strothard 2023

Perched on a bench glancing over, a young woman looking oh so fair,

Sun setting low across the creek, backlighting her long flowing curled copper hair,

Fisherman hauled in their last catch of the day, craggy faces weary with exhaustion.

Two little men came later on (from that cobbled-street encounter), two little guys were named Peter*

Astral weeks, Guinivere & Just like a woman became the soundrack, to that memorable bygone era.

*Peter is Glen & Aaron's middle name after Sara's father Peter, who tragically passed away aged 40 when Sara was only 16.

Music: Slow/Mid-tempo, Pastoral acoustic picked guitar, west-coast folk/rock, cello, strings.

Track 7: Mixed-Up Guy

Well life as previously stated has it's up's & down's, this song is drawn from the early 90's. I'm now in my 30's and things are not going to plan, I'd gone back to working as an electrician with music being a side-line. I had a good 10 years ('77--'87) gigging/touring as a pro-bassist, but now it was time to knuckel down. I then re-took my city & guilds in '86 which I abandoned in '77, when Tonight secured a record deal. The ecomomic crash of the early 90's caused rising debts upon us as a family, I was getting stressed & not coping very well with the situation. There are some dark days in my diary entries from this time which are mentioned in this song.

Lyric sample ©Strothard 2023

I 'aint any younger my works down the drain, can't make a profit I'm feeling the strain,

Overdraft in overdrive bringing me down, debts going up, oh! beam me up now.

The blues are gonna get me, 'cause I'm just a mixed-up guy,

I said the blues are gonna fix me, 'cause I'm just a mixed-up guy.

Music: Jazzy-blues, mid-tempo, guitar & harmonica.

Track 8: What About My World

This song was written way back in 1996 and would have been included on my 1st album, but at the time I felt it too dark lyrically to include. I re-visited & tweaked it recently to find it quite emotional still. I knew it was always going to be a big power-ballard, so now I'm ready and confident to include it into the mix finally.

It's painful still reading my diarys from this time, my marriage break-up with Sara was invevitable as we were growing apart and clashing personality-wise. This was one of those songs mentioned on the album info page which really feels like bearing my soul, but must be aired. We all (most of us) endure upsetting & emotionally demanding feelings in relationship breakups, but hopefully learn and pick up the pieces eventually.

So here it is my big weepy ballard, going for it big time!

Lyric sample ©Strothard 2023

Our time is over we're standing all alone, no four-leaved clover will save us now,

Never be the same again that flame will not return, the damage has been done, left me feeling so damn numb

What about my world (still gonna turn around, no good getting down),

What about my world (just gotta carry on, one day you'll be found).

Music: Big production power ballard, strings, guitar solo, slow tempo.

Track 9: Christina (Pt.1)

As I turned 40 I felt like I'd been through the grinder mentally & emotionally speaking. I'd been through a marriage break-up, un-controllable debt problems, my two sons living elsewhere, another short-lived relationship breakdown, a general loss of confidence with acute loneliness & eventually I slipped into a severe mental depression for 6-months (Sept '97 - March '98).

I finally snapped out of it after being cared for at my dear friends home, John & Trina Skelton. A mutual musician friend of ours: Maddie Maxwell arranged for a blind date on a girls night out, which I nervously & secretly agreed to attend. The rest is history so to speak!

Meeting Tina was a dream come true for me and we've been together ever since that day (04.03.98), Tina lifted my spirits up into the stratosphere being my true soul-mate & love of my life. It's interesting looking at my diary entries from that year, I'm sounding a bit cautious about my new lady friend at the time as I didn't want to get hurt again emotionally. We bonded quite quickly though in a few months, looking back I needn't have worried.

For this song I wanted a dance/latin feel to complement Tina as she loves to dance. I enlisted help on the chord structure from Chris Kibble, a local jazz musician & songwriter. This song documents that night the stars aligned for me. Christina is Tina's full birth name.

Lyric Sample ©Strothard/Kibble 2023

The angel Madeline came down between us, her fairy dust scattered all over our heads,

She had a prediction an intuitive hunch, for two lonely souls who could eventually blend,

A certain liason was maticulously planned, on a ladies night out, I secretly agreed.

I waited patiently by my angel to meet the future love of my life, ohh oh, Christina, Christina.

Music: Latin/Soul, mid-tempo, with piano & trumpet.

Track 10: Hypo

Up's & Down's of life kicking in again. After meeting Tina things just started to fall into place: I was incredibly happy in my new relationship & mentally stable, working full-time as an electrician, out gigging in 5 bands, getting my debts paid off, seeing my two dear sons grow up. Everthing was going so well, I was on the right path to a contented & fullfilling life again.

Then bang! From around Oct 2001 aged 44, I gradually began to loose energy & feel quite ill. In January 2002 I was diagnosed with Type 1 (insulin dependant) diabetes. I spent a week in hospital, then I was prescribed with an insulin & blood glucose monitering plan. It took a fair few months to get used to administering my insulin doses, checking out the right foods to eat etc. But eventually it became just part of life, basically self-treatment is in order here and 22 years later just a matter of fact.

This song was written shortly after my diagnoses in 2003, as with 'What About My World' I found it too sensitive to include on the 1st album. I re-visited the song recently and decided it ties in nicely to feature in this musical memoir story.

Lyric sample: ©Strothard 2023

Runnin' out of energy again, hands are shakin' I'm not thinking straight,

Need to re-set, re-level, retain, I'm gonna loose it if I eat too late.

Give me again that damned sweet stuff, the stuff I craved when I was normal like you,

Feels so strange when I'm losing control, I'm in a hypo, hypo*

* Hypoglacymic - When the blood sugar level is below 3.9 m/mols, urgent action is needed, i.e sugar drink, biscuit etc.

Music: Slow tempo, acoustic/electric guitar, synth, alternative rock/prog, with fast rock middle section.

Track 11. Christina (Part 2)

Same chord structure as Christina Pt.1 but twice the tempo. I wanted to record two versions of the song, so it be could repeated after 'Hypo' which recreates life events around that time. The whole health issue seemed like a unwanted interlude stopping me in my tracks, but I soon re-adgusted getting back to having fun times with Tina.

I wanted to sandwich the song inbetween 'Christina Pts. 1 & 2' to give the listener an impression of how it felt to me, being temporarily grounded for a while, then back to the fun loving life-style again.

Lyric sample ©Strothard/Kibble 2023

Our paths must have crossed so many times, but this was our moment our stars aligned.

So glad we met on that cold March night, she is the love of my life

Music: Latin/soul brisk fast-tempo, with piano & trumpet.

Track 12: Good Times, Fun Times

Describing a golden period from 1998 to 2018. This was a time of intense socially activity out with friends almost every weekend at local live venues, in-between my gigs in various bands (see bio). Three particular music venues served as dedicated social hubs for us, they all produced a superb variety of bands & artists to go & see, all three sadley demised now but not forgotten.

First was 'Jazz At Churchills' in Southend-On-Sea (1998-2007), a regular Sunday lunch/afternoon session hosted by Kenny Baxter a local jazz legend and bandleader. Hamish Stuart (AWB), Gilad Atzmon, Frank Mead & Geno Washington passed through these doors.

Secondly, 'The Riga Music Club' (1994-2014) run by local DJ Steve Cattermole & promoter Dave Ketteridge, a wonderful Rock & Blues venue. Many famous named artists played here including: Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), Glen Tilbrook (Squeeze), Carl Palmer (ELP), The Strawbs, Deborah Bohnam Band & The Groundhogs to name a few.

Thirdly, 'The Railway Hotel' (2007-2020) in Southend, a cultural hub for all artistic & creative people in the town. Managed by the fab-cool Dave & Fi Dulake, both fine musicians & performers themselves. They took the venue on to create a unique experience for all ages & genre's. Some celebrated names who performed here were: Wilko Johnson, Earl Slick (Bowie Band), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), The Jim Jones Revue & John Cooper Clark.

A regular chunk of my social life during those intervening years, these three venues were constanly entered into my diary pages. This is my tribute to those wonderful cherished places of live music.

It's Jazz At Churchills 1pm, we must go there my new love said,

She took me to a brand new scene, cool swinging music enters my head,

Kenny was charming the snake from the pit, his wailing sax wooing the crowd,

Wine & dine to the of the one-eyed sailor, a wonderful sound.

Meeting new friends every other week, we were havin' good times, fun times (not a care in the world), good times, fun times.

Music: Fast tempo 60's Soul/Pop, organ, electric piano

Track 13: Fallen Rocks

Losing your parents is a big life game-changer for us all, a time of sad reflection with memories flooding back. I lost mum in 2006 (age 76) after her on-going issues with emphysema. We were close, as her only son I would visit & care for her in her flat regularly. I remember the feeling of numbness & silence sitting in the chair opposite her empty seat after she'd gone, sorting through her possesions.

Dad sadly passed away 5 years later in 2011 (age 74) from a 1.5 year battle with lung cancer. I helped to emotionally comfort my dear Stepmum Badria & half-brother Adam who was only 24 at the time, then getting involved to sort out the family paperwork etc.

I was only 53 when I lost both parents and I do remember a feeling of great loss, as they were both rocks supporting me through life's trials & tribulations. They were both good parents encouraging me with my music passion in my younger days. Mum really helped out with looking after my two sons when they were younger, she adoured them. Dad would help me out with work, I worked with him on various electrical contracts from the 80's to the 00's. Both were loving/caring true geordie parents, and I could not have asked for more.

So this song is about that time after grieving, when you suddenly realise that you now have to be a rock to others now. As previously mentioned some re-reads of my diarys are emotional to say the least, but this is part of my story and I'm sure people will relate too.

When they go there's nothing left that you can do, sitting in that chair within that silent empty room,

It's now a shrine a memory of by-gone times, of this rock who stood beside you all your life.

Those rocks on which we stand, prevent us from sinking below the sand,

But as they pass eventually we become our children's rocks to stand upon.

So let us not forget, fallen rocks, fallen rocks, fallen rocks.

Music: Fast tempo, Rock/Pop, guitar driven.

Track 14: Time Is Marchin' On

A typical constant remark turning up in my diary pages in the 2020's: Can't believe it's XX years since then, re-calling a paticular event. Does not seem that long ago since so & so happened etc. It's true what my elders said when I was younger, about time going faster with age and now I'm experiencing just that.

You have to take advantage of the alloted time you are blessed to have been given on this Earth. That's one of the reasons why I'm taking on this mammoth task of my 2nd solo album, before I get any older!

This is a reflective & funny little song about the observation of getting to a certain age, then just chilling out & coping with it.

Seems like yesterday we were having so much fun, partying as another century comes,

Looking far back the decades lasted so long, or so it seemed our concept of that time.

What's those lines upon my face, is this mirror lying? Well I believe time is marchin' on.

Music: Mid-tempo, alternative pop, acoustic guitar, piano, synth

Track 15: Away With The Pharoahs incl: (i) Emergency Plan (ii) Solution Possible?

I'm definitely, as with a lot of folks these days, deeply concerned about the state of mother Earth & humanity's future existance. My diary entry thoughts about this subject are getting much more frequent, in recent years. I really don't know what the answer is to get humanity back on track in the future, it's a huge concern & difficult subject to take on. Our planet won't have a problem though that's for sure, we are just a tiny blip, just a sneeze or a cough in the billions of years in Earth's life span. She'll re-adjust & put herself right, no problem at all after we've gone!

I wrote this song back in 2007 when I was in a local prog band called 'Chalice', my band mates Rob Pearce (Keyboards) & Stephanie Andrews (vocals) helped me co-write the song. It never got recorded before the band ceased, sadly. It's a powerful epic piece of music that I'm quite proud of, and again fits in with my diary thoughts of recent years. So I revisited it few years ago, updated the lyrics and the instrumental solo sections.

It's my Earth's concern song trying to get my head around the issue of dictorial rulers, wars, religion, population & the planet degrading etc.

It's a fully blown prog song with pastoral folk, rock & jazz sections.

I've played & listened to many genres i.e Rock, Pop, Jazz, Soul, Blues, Folk, but Prog was my 1st musical love. I wanted the album to finish with a big bang and I think this track does that, a chance to prog out!

When will we ever learn to care for our precious mother, so much time we've had through the ages to let her inspire our dreams,

Only to fall down that spiral crevice of our so-called progess, we think it all makes sense to work hard, mutliply & consume,

But when the greed engulfs we all pay in the end, now I fear we held the key, many, many years ago, away with the pharoahs, away with the pharaohs.

Music: Slow-tempo Folk acoustic verses/chorus's, organ, mellotron & synth. Fast-tempo jazz rock solo section with sax & lead guitar, mid-tempo middle section with organ & synth.