The Luck Of The Irish
September 6, 2006
I came on here mainly to write about progress on the Pugwash single mentioned below.
But first I want to say hello to a good friend HIYA PAUL ! We’re thinking of ya mate.
Today’s blog is brought to you by Maurice Michael Culnane who was a good dad and sounds like he was a top bloke.
On my way home from work yesterday I stopped off at The Bunker studio in Tallaght to see how the boys were getting on with the single. Now how freaky was this – the studio is located behind a house that I passed by every day on the way to school. I don’t think I had walked those pavements for 20 or more years.
The lads had done the drums, bass, guide vocals and were finishing up the guitars when I arrived. While flicking through a recent copy of Viz I listened as Thomas did some mellotron type parts.
Today I stopped off again to see how things had progressed. The vocals were all done and the kids vocals (the ones we recorded on Sunday) were now in the mix. There’s a great middle section that is not a million miles from the wonderful vocals in God Only Knows. I played a little bit of mellotron (that’ll be me in the “I wrote my letter to Santa Claus…. “just before the chorus).
They’re looking to add some Tubular Bells, Sleigh Bells and possibly are going to extend the end section… or maybe put a nice section at the start with the kids singing and loads of Christmassy bells.
Plans for the launch of the single are in full swing and ironically this could be the biggest break for the Pugs in Ireland to date. Watch out though… the album “Jollity” is coming out in the UK on October 30th.
Oh it’s such a perfect day I’m glad I spent it with you
September 3, 2006
Today we recorded…. oh what a blast.
Thomas Walsh (he of Pugwash) has written a Christmas song which is to be released in a few weeks in aid of the Brainwave (Irish Epilepsy Association) charity.
Tinsel and Marzipan is the working title. Of course I’m biased… but … frankly… I really truly believe this could be a classic. It’s Christmas-sy but it’s not annoying and doesn’t make you want to punch the radio.
Thomas and I chatted about this a few weeks ago and I offered to record the kids singing on the track – you can’t have a charity Christmas single without children !!! So during the past week I heard from Thomas and basically it’s all gone very busy: national radio are behind this, there’s a gig in October and he has some people such as Mundy, Hoppy (as in Therapy? , The Frames etc etc) and a certain Neil Hannon (oh, you know… The Divine Comedy…. Father Ted Theme, My Lovely Horse) all agreeing to appear on the single.
Alison, Heather and Ben sang… as did the boys from next door (Chris, Seán and Conor). To say that we had a lot of fun singing “Merry Christmas everyone, Merry Christmas everyone”) for an hour or so is an understatement. Making music should be joyous, it should be tiring, it should be a gas. It was all of that and more. We have bits of video, a couple of photos and a lot of memories.
When the kids had finished singing (we recorded them several times to create a big “gang-of-kids” sound) Thomas and I retired to Apple Venus and did some vocoder stuff (if you’re not familiar with the vocoder sound think of the very last line in ELO’s Mr. Blue Sky).
I’ll be dropping by another studio on tuesday or wednesday to take a peek at the remainder of the work they’re doing on the song. We sang along, you see, with a sandpaper rough MP3 file that had guide drums , guide bass , guide guitar and guide vocal. It served as our guide. Eric Matthews (he of Portland, Oregon) had already added some horns and a harmony vocal and sent his contribution via the internet.
In the last section of the song the happy Irish kids voices merge with the American horns and the 40 years of power pop to create a sound that belongs on a 7″ single to be spun at 45rpm.
Just another brick in the wall
August 22, 2006
How many times can you be kicked silly before you’ve had enough ?
Hey there Mr. Blue, We’re so pleased to be with you
August 21, 2006
Look around see what you do, Everybody smiles at you
Hey you with the pretty face Welcome to the human race
A celebration Mr. Blue Sky’s Up there waitin’
and today Is the day we’ve waited for
Heart of the country, smell the grass in the meadow
August 10, 2006
We visited the Airfield Estate today. This wonderful farm/house/garden is worth a visit if you happen to find yourself in Dublin.
Within minutes you forget that you’re in the suburbs and if you’re lucky, as we were, you’ll encounter a young fox or a cheeky goose.
For me the most rewarding part of the visit was getting to touch the Giant Redwood. Soft and warm is the only way I know to describe this tree.
In the midst of the fruit garden there was a small pond where I found the lily in this photo. It reminded me of the photo George Harrison used for one of his last singles.
While eating lunch we were joined by a robin who wasn’t backward about coming forward to sample some food. The sheep were joined by a young fox who seemed more interested in chasing the butterflies. “Cuddle that and you’ll never play the piano again”
Upgraded to a Class 5 Relic
August 9, 2006
Unlike the Holy Stone of Clonrichert (… it’s a Ted reference…) the ancient ruins at Glendalough (literally “glen of the two lakes”) have some real history.
We spent yesterday picnicking and walking around the area. Pushed for a comment I think the kids’ favourite part of the day was the flight-less butterfly. This was only marginally better than paddling in the lake.
A young tit has been visiting our garden and pigging out on the peanuts in one of the feeders. Young and probably not very street-wise the bird allowed me within a few feet so I could take some photos.
Ob La Di Ob La Da
August 7, 2006
It’s been a 48 hour party. Friday (my birthday) was divine – even though I went into the office. Before leaving for work I was presented with my very own Banjo. This means I can now join the Billy Connolly school of annoying-old-man. The kids gave me a few CDs including the Hits Of Abba – Played on the Pan Pipes.
What more could a man ask for ?
Friday evening we (Val & the kids & I) had dinner with in a local Italian restaurant. A proper Italian restaurant (you know… with actual Italians) with the owner sitting watching business being done and making sure that the families felt welcome. While in the bathroom the kids asked for a dessert with a birthday candle (of course). In exchange for the embarassment I received a flaming Sambuca served up by a very pretty Italian lady. Fair swap.
Saturday was spent buying ice, beer, wine and a few nibbles. Saturday afternoon, evening and night were spent in the company of some great people and having a blast. I do believe we managed to massacre the Beatles back-catalogue (and many others…. The Boxer took a particular drunken hammering). Switching between guitar and piano I jammed with my friends on various guitars, banjos etc that littered the living room.
It’s now Sunday and I remain a content, happy individual.
Being the host with the most I only managed a couple of photos. Some are here…
You say it’s your birthday ? Well it’s my birthday too.
August 1, 2006
I wasn’t excited about this until the kids got involved. Now I’m positively humming like a spinning top with anticipation.
Do you remember when 40 was years away ? Well, this Friday I’m 40 and it’s surreal. I still feel 23.
This Saturday pretty much all of the people who mean fun in my life are coming to our place for a party.
There is even a bouncy castle. What more could you ask for ?
The Wheels On the Bus Go Round And Round
July 15, 2006
I took the bus into town on thursday evening (work night out so was leaving the vehicle at home) (town=Dublin City)
it wasn’t the driver
it wasn’t the road
it wasn’t the fumes
it was the chap with the near-full can of Dutch Gold in his jacket pocket who decided to sit beside me.
“starrrrrrrrry bud?”
At this point do i pretend not to speak english or would that be inadvisable?
Before I could reply he takes out his mobile phone and proceeds to stare at the screen while trying to to send an SMS text.
Moving the phone nearer to his eyes in an attempt to stop the letters moving around i guess.
A few minutes later he gives up
“mark? maaaaaaarh..k ? statue? lookitsmartin … yeah. … yeah.. be there in fi minits roigh? fucksake.. said be there in fi minits……fuckin mobiles……”
I had a delightful meal courtesy of our Fiscal Year Morale Budget and then proceeded to get rat-arsed on Black Bush in some bar.
My mate Paul who drives a taxi was very kind and took me home.
I didn’t go to the office next day.
Neither did most of the people in the office. We all logged on and worked in a virtual hungover world via email.
I wonder how Martin and Mark got on ?
I’ve got a bike, You can ride it if you like
July 11, 2006
I’ve got a bike,
You can ride it if you like
It’s got a basket, a bell that rings
And things to make it look good
I’d give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it
You can ride it if you like
It’s got a basket, a bell that rings
And things to make it look good
I’d give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it
You’re the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I’ll give you anything, everything if you want things
I’ve got a cloak it’s a bit of a joke
There’s a tear up the front it’s red and black
I’ve had it for months
If you think it could look good then I guess it should
You’re the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I’ll give you anything, everything if you want things
I know a mouse and he hasn’t got a house
I don’t know why I call him Gerald
He’s getting rather old but he’s a good mouse
You’re the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I’ll give you anything, everything if you want things
I’ve got a clan of gingerbread men
Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men
Take a couple if you wish, they’re on the dish
You’re the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I’ll give you anything, everything if you want things
I know a room of musical tunes
Some rhyme, some ching, most of them are clockwork
Let’s go into the other room and make them work
blue eyed dressed for every situation 