After years and indeed decades, which I’ve enjoyed immensely but don’t like to dwell upon, I was thinking about the people I’ve met through music. Friendships made and lost, times shared in rehearsals, studios and on stages, and about the songs they’ve written which I enjoy hearing and, more importantly, singing. I’m in awe of their ability to craft beautiful soundscapes and decided, with their permission, to mistletoe their musical output with this CD. But it’s also about leaving something behind for my beautiful wife and boys (both of whom contributed to this project).
There’s no chronological order to the tracks, some of which go back to the halcyon days of the 1970s when I met Ady & CJ at college & formed a progressive rock band – Gehenna. Fallen Leaves comes from that era, written by another band member Rob Heeley, with whom I’ve sadly lost touch.
Around this time I was introduced to a budding young performer called Nigel Mazlyn Jones – Jane & I were given his album, Ship To Shore as a wedding present, it still remains dear to us both – and through a mutual friend and one of the contributors on here, Rog Patterson, Nigel allowed us to cover his brilliant song A Singularly Fine Day. Rog also wrote and played on the opening track, Vital Signs, another of my very favourite songs.
After college came the need to earn money and after flitting in and out of several bands I met Chris & Paul McMahon in Sheffield and joined Haze. Amongst many memorable moments was my introduction to Paul’s song In The Light, for the first time – one of the best-loved of all my favourite songs.
When rock music became too loud and strenuous I started playing acoustic music again with Chris & Paul in Treebeard and, more recently, with CJ and Ady – a kind of musical circle of life – with Ady proving to be a fine songwriter who has contributed five of the pieces on here.
Finally there are a couple of songs which I co-wrote with CJ and a traditional piece which I’m proud to have recorded with my son Calum.
I have to say a huge thank you to...
Calum Chisnell, Ady Hall, Chris Jellis (CJ), Rob Jourdain, Chris McMahon, Paul McMahon and Rog Patterson for playing for fun.
Even bigger thanks go to Dave Hadley for his time and support in recording and mixing it all, and to Martin Gregory Smith for the mastering.
My thanks also go to my son Kai Chisnell and Ellie Ashworth for the artwork and invaluable assistance with the black art of social media.
For now I continue to play, principally with the folk/acoustic duo/trio/quartet (depending on availability) Ar Faoued based in Chesterfield, but also with anyone who’ll have me.
And finally my thanks go to anyone for listening, I hope you enjoy it...
Mr C – May 2017
credits
released May 26, 2017
Mr C provided all vocals & percussion but the true indispensables are:
Calum Chisnell, Ady Hall, Chris Jellis, Rob Jourdain, Chris McMahon, Paul McMahon & Rog Patterson
Recorded & mixed by Dave Hadley at Mu Studios @ The Laundry Rooms
Mastered by Martin Gregory Smith
Maer, from Switzerland, debut with a haunted (and haunting) folk song that will warm you heart as it sends shivers down your spine. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 23, 2022
The haunting new record from Canadian folk artist Avi C. Engel bridges old and new traditions with a minimalist approach. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 24, 2024
The instrumental ensemble Dt/IG straddles the line between folk and classical, stirring acoustics augmented by sumptuous arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 29, 2023
The Icelandic songwriter packs her stunning debut with sweeping melodies delivered via intimate, folky arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 12, 2023