Tombstone

ush with a 40 piece string orchestra, Slumbering runs with a quote from Boris Johnson’s leadership acceptance speech. If post Brexit UK is a “slumbering giant, rising up”, then her head’s in the clouds; she’ll stumble and fumble to her protector (the USA) before crumbling into rocks on Liberty Island.

Themes of tradition and fairytale are drenched in strings, piano, drums and guitars, with Jack’s voice balancing on the head of a pin. Jeff Buckley meets Elbow.

The orchestra was recorded in a 30 minute session by Budapest Scoring during COVID, with Jack patched in by Zoom from Naarm (Melbourne). It’s taken a battle with perfectionism to get this out just before the UK goes back to the polls early July and this chapter in his homeland’s history is hopefully closed.

The band was tracked by Fraser Montgomery (Aviary Studios) and mixed by Alex O’Gorman (Angie McMahon) as the third track from an EP to be released through 2024.

“This track has been a long time in the making but was a great teacher” said Jack. “The investment in the strings really made me want to get everything else perfect. But perfectionism is often your enemy disguised as a friend. We've made out peace for now!”

Slumbering

Inspired by Boris Johnson's Conservative leadership acceptance speech, this song continues the story of his Slumbering Giant metaphor, as she "pings off the guy ropes of self doubt" and finds her way in the world.

This song was self-produced - constructive comments welcome.

Vox and keys: Jack Lewis
Drums: Amelia Allen
Bass: Antonio Troiano
Guitar: Marco Troiano
Strings: Members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (who played this in a workshop recorded by a video camera and I ended up using that track for the strings).

I acknowledge that this song was recorded on land stolen from the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nation, by the same "Great" Britain some of my countryfolk yearn for nostalgically.  I pay my respects to the elders of the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung people, past, present and emerging.

Pretty Ain't Enoughmp3

Última Vez

A light heart, a deep soul and a big sound.  Champagne Jacket is the moniker of UK born, Naarm based Jack Lewis. From a wandering past, his songs explore diverse perspectives: the arrested teenager, the “other” woman; and the ancient, cynical pebble.   A flightless move to Australia led to creating acclaimed comedy series scores and a re-launch as Champagne Jacket in 2021 with modern blues classic "Walls of China".  In 2023 scored the Apple chart topping podcast "Starship Q Star" and is releasing pop-funk banger "Sarah", the first single of his upcoming EP.

Slumbering

Champagne Jacket

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