What to do when you run into famous people?
Well, don't recognise them for a start.
It only encourages them.

I Never Realised You Were Famous

Caravaggio was a 16th century painter, revolutionised the way artists painted light. Very dramatic paintings and a very dramatic life.  Wild party guy, killed a man in a duel, Pope had a warrant out for his arrest while he was painting masterpieces as a fugitive.
This is a gangsta reggae style song about caravaggio recorded by 'Figure of 80'.

Caravaggio

A Rasta poet wound up in jail.  While there he wrote lots of poems saying
"I and I".
Prison psychiatrist read them, diagnosed him as schizophrenic.
Sad but true

The Truth, The Whole Truth, And Nothing But The Truth

The press in the UK tried to do a hatchet job on Labour party leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn because he wore an open necked shirt over his vest.  The tactic backfired, and this rank outsider romped in with 75% of the member's vote.  Thanks to Street Smart musicians Peter Damian (Guitar), Louie William Garcia (drums) and Petr Hrmadko (double bass).  Recording engineer Michael Yost got the authentic 1960's do-wop sound in his Venice beach, CA studio Blue Seas.  Many thanks, Michael.  Recorded and mixed in two hours flat!

He's Got The Look

A Rasta woodsman was clearing some undergrowth in his friend's wood.  A passerby out walking his dog saw him with his machete. And the dog walker called the police.  The police came, and they were great, by the way.
Henry sang and played guitar and dubbed bass and percussion.
Sonia Dziubanowsjkyj sang and played that crucial, totally authentic cheesey organ.  She also plays Mozart and Dave Brubeck, but she got the cheesy organ bit perfectly.

Rastaman With A Machete

I was in a park in the USA watching a yoga class.  the instructor got everyone in a standing asana (position) and told the "Hold that position like a gin'd in your back!".  Some songs just write themselves.  Comrade Sir Henry played all instruments except piano, which was played by my producer, Lizzie A Welbourne (who is also known as "Ms Boss E. Bootz" by those with courage and quick reactions).

Hold That Position

When everything goes wrong in a man's life, where does he turn?  To Johnny Cash, of course!
Picture is ''Black Sunrise" by David Cockerton

Only Cash Will Do

Hillary Manning Morton sang, Mick Godwin played guiter, so did Comrade Sir Henry, Alex Rowson played drumms and Ben Battle played bass on this ultimate country song.  When all goes wrong, where does a man turn?  To the man behind the bar.

Henry Lawrence's Album

man behind the bar

The Koh-I-Noor is one of the largest diamonds in the world, currently it is the UK crown jewels.  Tradition had it that whoever held the Koh-I-Noor ruled india.  This song tells the story of the man who managed to loose it.  Song written and performed live at Bath Folk Festival by Comrade Sir Henry, with chorus sung by the audience (who included the noted local vocal group 'Eagle Alley')

Where'd I Put The Diamond (Eagle Alley)

The Koh I noor is a large diamond that holds pride of place in the crown jewels.  Who ever held the Diamonmd was recognised as the ruler of India.  Sham my ancestor Sir John Lawrence lost it.  But then his servant found it! Phew

Where did I put the Diamond

You see a homeless person, but do you see the back story.
This is inspired by the dignity showed by a homeless ex serviceman being questioned by the police on Venice Beach.
drawing of boats by David Cockerton

Comrade Sir Henry

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