Electric & acoustic guitars, organ, piano, drums and vocal in the English tradition!
"In the beginning there was Pinky and Perky, Nellie the Elephant and Sparky’s Magic Piano – not quite delta blues, but at 10 years old, this was as good as it got! But when the Shadows played Apache, THIS was something to get my young juices flowing. I pestered my Dad for quite long enough in his eyes, and, eventually a guitar arrived, together with a book of chord diagrams.
By the time adolescence was hitting home, I could play a few interesting chords and riffs, until…. <da da da da da> - the Kinks and You Really Got Me, perfect music for a 14 year old would-be rebel, who happened to think that the Beachboys’ Hushabye was equally inspiring.
The 1960s was flying by in a cascade of wonderful music – and the great Ray Davies was writing songs about sunny afternoons, Waterloo Underground, and roast beef on Sunday. Joy of joys, this was my music, this was where I belonged. Stories about real people and real situations – God bless you, Ray!
As the great American singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman says in her stunning 2004 song Touch My Heart, “There are songs I love that catch my breath, when the first chord starts to play”. Amongst those very special songs (of the many) that still make me catch my breath are Gary Brooker/Procol Harum’s Salty Dog, Paul Simon (and Garfunkel’s) America, the Kinks' Autumn Almanac, Jeff Lynne’s Blown Away, and (Rod) Argent’s Hold Your Head Up. All of these most talented people, whose skills are undiminished over 40 years on from their initial successes, remain unashamedly my musical heroes."
The songs which make up "The Other End of the Wheel" are new and original compositions - words and music c/o Rob. There is an abundance of acoustic and electric guitar, organ, piano, and drums – “genre-free" music played on the keystone instruments of pop/rock. There are songs about childhood dreams, falling in love and out of love, saving the planet, living beyond your means, mid-life crisis, and what might happen when the fire goes out – and all packed into 10 songs! Enjoy the music in the spirit in which it has been written and played.
"Unequivocal thanks to my band of musicians.
AJ and Ally Bee are family - and if anyone thinks of accusing me of nepotism, they have passed their musicianly exams with flying colours, and I am delighted that they chose to accept their Pa's invitation to play. I knew that I could count on them for excellent performance. Adam Burgess came highly recommended, and I have sat in wonderment, witnessing his skill and instinct on the keyboard. Particular additional thanks go to the Clare family from Westbury-on-Trym for their skill and their friendship, and to Lee McCabe and Peter Carr for their significant contributions. And lastly, this album would not sound as it does without the craft, diligence and enthusiasm of Fred Purser - a fine musician, an inspired engineer who gets the best out of his performers, and tea-master extraordinaire. Cheers!"
BIO DETAILS
Born in Sheffield, Rob lives by the sea in South Tyneside, England, with wife Sue, and any number of their four children.
"The Other End of the Wheel" Words and Music © 2005 Robert Martin Barnes
The album was engineered and mixed by Fred Purser at Trinity Heights, Newcastle upon Tyne, and was produced by Rob Barnes and Fred Purser