At the risk of making an exhibition of myself, I tried to make this song paint a picture. My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for proving that there is "still life" in his studio. Thanks also to Allyson Ross for the original artwork.

I'm no artist

A song - cheerful, I hope - inspired by Leonard Cohen's "Tower" but meant as a tribute to all those talented but unknown singers and songwriters. Thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his peerless production and catchy backing vocals. Thanks also to Andrew Ross for the photo.

Down in the basement

A light-hearted song trying (and failing)to divert the blame for a break-up away from, well, a chauvinist pig (who, me ???). Thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his ideas, his additional vocals and most of all his peerless production.

Least I Can Do

A song about looking back - as we get old - at life's ups and downs, and how they have shaped us. Thanks go to my producer friend Chris Dempsey - without whom etc etc......   Thanks also to Mary Stout on Westray for the photo.

High Tide

Some of us are fated to be "second choice" in various aspects of life..... My thanks go to Bill Passmore for his inimitable guitar, and to Chris Dempsey for his peerless production. (And to Andrew and Allyson Ross for the photo !)

Merlot Blues

A song co-written with my fellow football fan (different team !) Chris Dempsey. Thanks go to Chris for his Champions-League-level production skills, and for his silky vocal on the chorus.

Out Of My League

It's getting near that annual season of festivity again. Except that we don't always feel like joining in........      My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his peerless production skills.

December Sometimes Does That

The buzz and bustle of the festive season sometimes has an adverse effect on our productivity. Or so this song pretends......   My thanks go to my producer friend Chris Dempsey for not letting the season affect HIS creativity.

My mojo has gone home for Christmas

I am old enough to remember Wink Martindale's cheesy but iconic version of "Deck of cards". My song was probably subconsciously influenced by such cheese. My thanks go to my producer friend Chris Dempsey for his essential tidying up (and more !) of the track. And to Allyson Ross for the photo.

Cards you are dealt

A short comment on bodily improvements. And yes, a hair transplant, tummy tuck etc would certainly improve me.  All inspired by Annie's "Lil ol me" (soundcloud.com/nnieversaries). My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for greatly beautifying my rough demo.

Eyebrows

It doesn't matter how old I get, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up........    My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his skilful production and to Allyson Ross for her scary drawing.

Gonna Be

Just what the world needs - another song about loneliness, loss and despair, with a passing nod to the whole "life is a journey" thing.....
My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for improving it as much as anybody could.

Highway

A wee song extolling the delights of empty calories.  My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his sweet  production.

Two Sugars

We all know a back-seat driver (or, more likely, a passenger-seat driver). And not just in the context of car journeys !  My thanks go to Bill Passmore for his limousine-smooth guitar, and to Chris Dempsey for his turbo-charged production.

Wrong Lane

Like many, I never really appreciate the joy and beauty that is around us everyday. My thanks go to Toxicfish for his backing vocals, to Allyson Ross for her artwork, and to Chris Dempsey for his production.

Simple Pleasures

This was inspired by Margaret Atwood's chilling "The Handmaid's Tale", which brought my attention to the (fake) Latin phrase "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum". My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his sympathetic production (and to Allyson Ross for her artwork).

Grind you down

A little song gently questioning the benefits of running. Written with my feet up, on the lazy side of the couch. I would like to thank Chris Dempsey for his Olympic-quality production, but another wave of tiredness is washing over me.......

Run your fingers

I have no idea what this is about. Probably trying (and failing) to harness my inner Dylan. My thanks again go to Chris Dempsey for his always-sympathetic production.

Walking down the highway

Looking back with gratitude at those who have been dear to me over the years, some of whom are no longer with us. Another track sympathetically produced by Chris Dempsey - thanks, Chris !

The people I've known

Does anyone else feel like this right now ?  My thanks go to those of you who help me get through it all, including Chris Dempsey (who produced the track) and Allyson Ross (who illustrated it). Oh, and Annie Townsend and Irene Szymoszowskyj (just for being themselves !).

Downward Spiral

I don't think we can help what kind of music we like ! With me it began with the Beatles, then gravitated to to old rock'n'roll, to the blues, and finally to a long love affair with country music. My thanks to Chris Dempsey for his production skills, and to Iain Sinclair for his photographic skills.

A country mile

It's funny how the fates (or is it the stars) can affect our lives - says he, not believing a word of it......   My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his celestial production, and to Allyson Ross for the loan of her 'golden globe'.

This much I know

Despite what Johnny Cash and many others have sung, life's railway does not always lead to heaven. My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his steam-powered production, to Moothie McMoothface for, well, his moothie, and to Allyson Ross for her illustration.

One way ticket

Yes, the old "parent/child/circle of life" theme is a well worn one, or maybe even a well worn-out one, but I thought I'd have a go anyway. My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his sympathetic production, and to Allyson Ross for the loan of the prop.

Not on my watch

And I just can't believe how lucky I am.........  My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his peerless production (and also for believing in me). And to Allyson Ross for her drawing.

I just can't believe

When it comes to the really important things in life, I believe the old adage about the "weaker sex" actually being the stronger one. My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his uplifting production, and to Allyson Ross for her drawing.

Heavy Lifting

A wee song about the effects that loved ones can have on you. Not meant to be too serious. With thanks to Chris Dempsey for his peerless production, and to John Lee Hooker for inspiring me by his song "Dimples".

Wrinkles

I have loved rock'n'roll since the late 1950s - my republican sympathies came to the fore slightly later !  My thanks go to Chris Dempsey for his rockin' production, and to Allyson Ross for her illustration.

Rock'n'roll has failed

A wee tribute to the football heroes of my childhood.  With huge thanks to Chris Dempsey for all his production skills.

malcthep

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