My forthcoming album, "On Earth, As It Is", is taking shape.

Part of the last track has a deviation in to jazz-rock/fusion territory.. This is a rough "push up some faders" mix of the piano solo in the middle of the tune

Power And Glory - Piano Solo [rough work in progress]

A Muzak version of Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight for the May 2006 KvR Monthly competition.

KvR May 2006: Muzak           

In The Aisle Tonite

A short sampler of bits and bobs of Work In Progress mixes from my forthcoming sixth album, "On Earth, As It Is"

Excerpts featured
"Heaven" (opening) two segments
"Lead Us Not" [Leland Sklar, bass; John Hackett, flute]
"Fissures Of Men" [Lizz Lipscombe, violin, viola]
"Valedictory (Power And Glory)" [John Steel, guitar]
"This Day" (middle section) [Leland Sklar, bass; John Helliwell, clarinet; Lizz Lipscombe, pizz violin]
"This Day" (coda) [Leland Sklar, bass; John Helliwell, sax]
"Heaven" (coda) [Nick Fletcher, guitar]

This is mostly just to show that I've been doing something vaguely constructive with my time! These are not final mixes and subject to change, but, for now, close enough for prog and roll..

Full album due for release in 2022 (9 tracks of new music, 66 minutes)

On Earth, As It Is - Sampler 1

In Spring 1993, Jeremy and I convened for what would be the last productive 'i' session (they started in 1988, last was in 1996).

We improvised/wrote/recorded 4 tunes over a weekend, all recorded on a 4track Tascam PortaOne.  Tapes recently found, digitised and remastered. Arguably, this was the beginning of my production career.

Forgive us, we were 21.

Jeremy Richardson - Electric, Classical and 12String Guitars, Vocals, Bass, Telephone Box
Duncan Parsons - Drums, Keys, Electric Guitar, Voices, Mandolin, Glockenspiel, Production

Under The Flood

Monsoon

Mirror Calls

On the 28th of July 2017, I was interviewed on Sheffield Live Radio about a range of topics - being a musician in Sheffield, the ups and downs of being a musician, the John Hackett Band, The Lantern Theatre, and an impending visit to the theatre by iconic singer-songwriter Dean Friedman.

With thanks to Susie Casson, T-Boy, and Sheffield Live.
www.sheffieldlive.org
www.lanterntheatre.org.uk

Tunes played:
If I Knock On Your Door - Duncan Parsons (2012)
McDonalds Girl - Dean Friedman (1982)

Abandoned Buildings

If I Knock On Your Door

Interview on SheffieldLive 28th June 2017

I found I had a somewhat ridiculous cover version of The Zombies' "She's Not There" that I did in 2004 hanging about on my hard drive, and felt that sufficient distance had passed between it's creation and now that I could post it up..

This version took its lead from the likes of Flanders And Swann, Peter Sellers, and Willian Shatner. Thirteen years later I would, I hope, give a better delivery, and do a better job on the production - but this was a quick and easy job for a thread on the audio forum 'KvR' The idea was to create something like a 'Peel Session' vibe - so it's all a bit impromptu, the mix is a bit wrong [eg when the drummer picks up sticks for the keys solo after using brushes, the drums are way too loud], the singing is just slightly out.. still, adds to the excitement, eh..?

Rod, Colin - I'm so sorry..

She's Not There (Zombies cover)

Excerpts from some of the late 'Work In Progress' mixes of my forthcoming album, "Common Sense Dancing"

In order:
I Could Dance With You
Play's Cool
My Robot
Cupboard Luv
Take Me By the Hand
Antasia
Ladybird
A Breakthrough In Sound

All music (c) Duncan Parsons
Additional voices on "Take Me By The Hand" - Judith Silver with the massed lady voices of HOLY ROBOTS

Common Sense Dancing WIP Sampler One

Common Sense Dancing - Work In Progress Sampler: One

Second collection of excerpts from some of the late 'Work In Progress' mixes of my forthcoming album, "Common Sense Dancing"

In order:
Family Entertainment
Come On! (Put That Hoedown)
My Island
Clare's Dance
Green Cross Code, Man
Furry Leaves
The Lobster Quadrille

All music (c) or Arr. Duncan Parsons

Common Sense Dancing WIP Sampler Two

Common Sense Dancing - Work In Progress Sampler: Two

Excerpts from the 2012 album 'Abandoned Buildings, Songs of Love, Loss and Questions, by Duncan Parsons'

'Abandoned Buildings' follows an emotional arc telling of grace against a backdrop of falling in love and failing in love. It features solos from John Hackett (flute, brother of guitar legend Steve Hackett), and Raul D'Oliveira (trumpet, Mike Oldfield, Elton John, Wham!, Joan Armatrading). 
This is modern progressive music, taking in Rock, Pop, Folk, Funk, Jazz, Electro, Classical and Minimalist stylings, culminating in a 130-voice choir and world music drum ensemble.

Each of these pieces are 50-90 second segments taken from 11 of the 18 tracks on the album.

More details about the album, and where to purchase physical copies and downloads can be found at http://duncanparsons.roughdraftaudio.com

Rekwiem (Track 17) [Excerpt]

I was interviewed on the Rony Robinson's show on BBC Radio Sheffield (with Simon Morykin sitting in) on Mon 9th March 2020.

The show was focussing on nostalgia,  and my album Common Sense Dancing provided the background for later discussion/phone in through the programme.

The first couple of verses and chorus of Green Cross Code, Man got played, battling through the broadcast compressors(!), along with discussion about 70s Public Information Films, The Broadcast Interruption at the Hannington Transmitter in 1977, and the source of the name of the album..

Green Cross Code, Man

Interview on BBC Radio Sheffield 9th March 2020

Born and raised in the South of England, Duncan can't recall a time when music didn't exert some pull on him.

A drummer first, he also plays guitars, keyboards, bass, mandolin, and will try anything else he can get his hands on.

Following tutelage from Bill Bruford, being very politely turned away by Anthony Phillips, appearing on a handful of obscure releases in the 90s, and producing work which caught Rick Wakeman's ear, a decade and a half later his debut album, “Abandoned Buildings,” was released.

duncanparsons

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