When it was decided to make this album, I was asked to put together a selection
of some songs I would want to perform, if allowed to be self-indulgent. Well,
that is not a chance I was going to pass up. Then I realised the vast choice,
'cause I'm no chicken, and time has taken me through many years of musical change,
with a passion influenced by many different styles.
'THINGS YOU GAVE ME' is simply a good catchy song that spans the years with
a very strong chorus. The 'LAST FLIGHT OF AMELIA EARHART' captures a moment in
history that highlights the bravery of an amazing pioneer of the air. Eric Bogle
is a brilliant Scottish songwriter, and I first recorded Eric's 'THE BAND PLAYED
WALTZING MATILDA' when I was in Nashville. Over the years, I have received countless
requests to sing that song, and I still get emotionally moved, by it's powerful
lyrics.
I began singing 'ARE YOU TEASIN' ME' about 30 years ago, and it somehow got
lost in time, but I was pleased to have the chance to bring it back to life on
this album. I picked out 'ROSEVILLE FAIR', a Nancy Griffith composition, and 'SPANISH
PIPE DREAM' the John Prine classic, as songs typical of the kind of song-writing
born out of observing life's characters.
OLD DAYS GONE echo's a sentiment expressed by many people, and I wrote it to
reflect their yearning.
I'LL WALK BY YOUR SIDE IN THE RAIN was penned by another of my favourite folk/country
writers, John Denver, and is probably one of my favourites on this album. I confess
to having thought about 'hanging up the boots', on several occasions, but the
itch to play and sing, and audience encouragement, prompted me to continue. I
wrote 'PLAY ONE MORE' with that notion in my head.
LYIN' BLUE EYES was written by John Anderson, an American writer/singer I worked
with back in the early days when he came over to play a festival in Edinburgh.
And finally, the 'celtic influences' in my life span beyond Scotland, to our neighbours
across the water. Consequently, I put together a medley of Irish songs that I
learned over many years, and I guess are known internationally. I hope you enjoy
this musical 'snapshot' drawn from a lifetime of melodies.
Best Wishes Geordie Jack
