(Written by Terry Reeves)

Terry Reeves: Vocals
Gary Reeves: Drums
Hans-Michael Albers: All other instruments, arrangement & production

Illustration: 'Floating Man' by Enrique Mendez

I don’t believe in luck but I do feel very privileged to have two angels looking after me. My wife Jo and my daughter Charlotte have saved my life on three occasions keeping me alive until the ambulance arrived. I have been told that without their interventions I would not have survived.

Both have chosen not to believe in any God or indeed any outside power that can change our lives.  There may be many of you who disagree but these are the choices we make - each of us believes what we feel is best for us.  If a belief in a higher being helps give anyone’s life more meaning and guides them through each day, we have no argument with that at all.   

I think of Jo and Charlotte as my Atheist Angels.  The care they have given me during these close-to-death experiences shows what beautiful souls they are, always there for me at the time of greatest need.   

On every occasion, there were times when I truly thought that I was drawing my last breath, my existence disappearing as they fought to save me and all I could think of at the time was that, barring my brother Gal, all of my closest male antecedents died when they were just 63.  I was the same age during these episodes and I really didn’t want my name added to the sequence.  My Atheist Angels made sure that it wasn't.

Now I am 67, a proud grandfather, still around to enjoy the experience of watching my family thrive and grow.  There is another grandchild on the way later on this year and the more time I can spend with the love of my life Jo, the better and although my illness is not exactly how I planned things, I still try to enjoy every extra moment.

The continuation of ‘Cripple Club’ with Gal and Hans has been another unexpected bonus and we plan to keep going as long as we can. Here’s to the next song - I do hope you enjoy this one.   (Terry Reeves)

The whisper of a distance voice
Two angels arriving single choice
Keep breathing slow not too much
Your not leaving just stay in touch 

I’m floating yes I’m floating yes I’m floating floating away

A feeling of desperate final breath
Lonely moment no time to caress 
Fighting every 63rd dying thought
Surviving each gulp of air caught 

I’m floating yes I’m floating yes I’m floating floating away

Has time arrived to lay down still
Not accepted by two who really feel
More than one chance to live again
The Angels alongside helping pain

I’m floating yes I’m floating yes l’m floating floating away

Fight to avoid final thought of death
A fading light continues to suggest
Only time decides what, when and how
My Atheist Angels this time will not allow

I’m floating, yes I’m floating, yes I’m floating, I’m floating
I’m floating, yes I’m floating, yes I’m floating, I’m floating 
I’m floating, yes I’m floating, yes I’m floating,
Floating to stay……………………..cont

MY ATHEIST ANGELS - CRIPPLE CLUB

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Terry Reeves: Lead Vocal
Hans-Michael Albers:  All instruments, arrangement & production

Whenever we send Hans the demo of a new song, one of the most enticing parts of the process is that we never know what is going to come winging it’s way back from Hamburg.  We never try and steer him in any particular direction because we have total faith that whatever he sends will  be much, much better than anything we’d had in mind.

Quite often, once a week or two has passed and he’s had the chance to expand on his thinking, he’ll send another version, totally different from the first but always something equally as brilliant, causing both Tel and myself to ponder which one to post.   A quandary of the very best kind.  

Chris O is a multi-faceted musician who seems at home within any genre but there’s no doubt she is best known for her mastery of The Blues, hence the demo leaning very firmly in that direction…or so we thought  However, on hearing it for the first time, Hans heard something very different.  His thoughts focused on a simple piano / voice ballad, something we were certainly not expecting but which totally blew us away.

By the end of that weekend though, along too came the blues version, a delicious groove to which I couldn’t wait to add some drums and as those who’ve already heard it will know, that’s the one we eventually posted.  Nevertheless, the indelible mark imprinted on my sensibilities by the unplugged mix simply refused to go away.  Even though it’s precisely the same vocal, the pared-back accompaniment pushes it’s heart and it’s power to the fore and I felt that it deserved to be heard.  So that’s the reason we’re posting ‘The Love of Mrs. O’, phase two…

In closing, despite our retirement from active involvement here on SC, Cripple Club wanted to send each and every one of you our sincere thanks for continuing to support our work.  Your generosity of spirit and kind words always mean so much to the three of us.  (Gary Reeves)

I met a brave woman by the name of Mrs O
Playing ‘The Blues’ flying high sometimes flying low
Guitars and Banjos pitching..always acoustic 
Singing and sharing a love affair with music

The Love Of Mrs O

No distance too far, mile by mile growing warm
Confidence of written word believing in art-form
Marriage strings and voice harmonising sounds
The love of freedom scales tightly in bounds

The Love Of Mrs O

Concerts of brave, pulse to a time
Ensemble in waves, helping the climb
Brothers of blues, traveller of love
Live music choose, to fit like a glove

The Love Of Mrs O

Mrs O keeps soaring magnum opus in her hands
Song of friendship for a man from many bands
Expanse of cumulus clouds, filming for all to see
Never hiding from the challenge in the Nebulosity

The Love Of Mrs O

Up and down across the world finding a closeness
No discrimination of any kind, love is always best
From ‘The Beatles’ land to a Sydney education 
Fondness for Mrs O, giving a continuous ovation

The Love Of Mrs O

THE LOVE OF MRS. O (UNPLUGGED) - CRIPPLE CLUB

Terry Reeves:  Vocals
Gary Reeves:  Drums
Hans-Michael Albers:  All other instruments, Arrangement & Production
(From the forthcoming album ‘From London To Hamburg’)

Photograph and post production by Dan Duchars.
Hans’ video: https://youtu.be/Lm8WoxCegRE?si=XFq1zX8Gkz3oLDmH

When you’re brainstorming ideas for album covers, you never really think they might involve placing yourselves in the middle of a road as traffic bears down on you.  However, that is precisely what we did.
Now I’m not one to tell tales but it was all Gal’s fault.  He thought our front cover  should feature an image of the entire band, which was quite compelling aside from the fact that we lived in London, Hans in Hamburg and have in reality never met.  But Gal had a mate called Dan (who lives in Norfolk, hence the title), a professional photographer whose comprehensive knowledge of Photoshop could bring the three of us together.
We’d always loved the pre-fame, Astrid Kirchherr portraits of The Beatles, taken during their club-playing, Hamburg days and two of these became our template - in focus subject occupying the foreground, covert and blurred figure (in our case, 2  figures) in the distance.
And so it was that, armed with a pin-sharp shot of Hans, we met with Dan to photograph the background scene which, as outlined previously, was in the middle of a busy side road.  Camera in hand, Dan teetered on a plastic crate as Gal and me  dodged back and forth to avoid a plethora of oncoming vehicles - everything from lorries to mobility scooters - who were, on the whole, very accommodating in the circumstances. Some even smiled and waved - at least I think that’s what they were doing…
We owe Dan so much, not only for his consummate skills and kindness but also for laying his life on the line in the name of art.  This song is for him.  (Terry Reeves)

I met a man called Dan holding a magical light
Viewing future moments, giving individual sight
Shadows from Hamburg, combination of skills
Show London reflection of a figure standing still

Chorus:
A flash of light, picture to follow
In black & white, diverse as tomorrow

Stand high in right places, enchanted vision of art
Friend of ageing musicians, sorcery skills from the heart
A Wizard conjuring cover, Kirchherr’s copy of claim
Painting light into a picture, producing Album in frame

Chorus

Viewing from height - sparks of vision
Seeing it tight - artist precision
Know left from right - avoid collision
Negative in sight - develop position

Chorus

Confidence in commitment, enjoying musical tracks
Working four to an image, platinum vinyl plaque 
Black and white cover photo, a clue why, when and who
Monochrome life connections, enjoy vision past to new

Chorus

A feeling it’s time to give a show
A feeling making history grow
A feeling, a feeling only one way to go
A feeling thinking fast going slow
A feeling Duchars photos will glow
A feeling CC one day will all know

FROM NORFOLK TO LONDON  - CRIPPLE CLUB  (Video)

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Terry Reeves:  Vocals
Gary Reeves:  Congas
Hans-Michael Albers: All other instruments,  Arrangement & Production

Illustration by Michael Tompsett

Behind the mix video:  
https://youtu.be/B8sz6TwQfh0?si=_vU1R8YKlnKTCMNm

My niece Sam has always been a wholly free and singular spirit, something which enables her to fully embrace life and live it exactly how she pleases.  For his proposal of marriage, her partner Tom arranged for a busker to play ‘Here Comes The Sun’ (her favourite song) as they walked along the beach one bright Sunday morning.  They decided to tie the knot on the Isle Of Wight, a small island set off the coast of Southern England and known by locals as ‘The Jewel Of The South’.  For various reasons, none of the band are able to travel to the ceremony, which is taking place today, on the 27th. August 2024 so, as means of both apology and compensation, I decided to write a song to commemorate the joining together of two profoundly unique people.  We hope our gift will always help remind them of this very special day on their Island of Dreams.

Most of my songs are connected to events from both past and present and as I searched for the catalyst that would light my path to a song for Sam and Tom, my mind alighted on something that happened at my 60th. birthday party.  

In the traditional Reeves’ fashion, live music was an essential part of the celebrations.  
To get things going, Gal and myself played a few Cripple Club songs, my brother Bri’s kids Joby and Blue did a couple of theirs until we eventually reached a point where it seemed there were more people on stage than in the audience.  For those in the latter category, I left various percussion instruments laying around so that even they could join in if they so wished.  Sam chose an old  tambourine, which sadly fell apart in her hands as she was playing.  She felt so guilty that she brought along her older sister Elizabeth for support when breaking the news to me, thinking I might not react too well.  But I just smiled and told her that these things happen.  Over the subsequent years it became something of a running joke between us and was referenced every time we met at birthday celebrations.

Consequently, it was uppermost in my mind when I was writing the song and is even  referred to in the lyrics, so it struck me as a good idea to buy her, from the band, a wedding present of a lovely new tambourine as a way of keeping the memory of that lovely evening alive.  I can’t wait to see her playing it….  

I am most indebted to both Hans & Gary for their input into the song it has become.  Most importantly, though, we all hope that Sam and Tom enjoy hearing it.  Our distanced garage band wish them a lifetime of happiness, music and fun.  (Terry Reeves) 

Sam and Tom on a journey, channel to cross
Ceremony of joining, no history being lost
No forgotten treasures of a family and past
Dancing for enjoyment, recognition to last

Chorus:
A theatre of emotions 
Performance of dreams
Forward excitement 
Happiness it brings (Happiness it brings)

The asking of questions, the answer I do
Legal bonding connection of one into two
Marriage much more than a paper to sign
Promise to each other, feelings underlined

Chorus

Partnership giving a respect and affection
Supporting each other, every life direction
Jewel of the South, East Afton Farmhouse shines
Confirmation of your love, together combines

Chorus

Best wishes from the band, club of enjoyment 
Thinking of you both, this very special moment 
Synchronicity of music, on new tambourine 
Lifetime share forever, supporting the theme 

Chorus

This tiny island, brings the largest of dreams
Combined love and kindness always to be seen
Celebrate marriage, squeezing close real tight 
Commitment forever, on this tiny island delight

ISLAND OF DREAMS - CRIPPLE CLUB

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Terry Reeves: Vocals
Gary Reeves: Drums
Hans-Michael Albers: All other instruments, Arrangement and Production

Reaching the age of 60 can signal a difficult time in one’s future life but may also, if you so choose, be a time when there is much to which you can look forward. My wife Jo was 60 earlier this year and wasn’t wholly enamoured with the idea so, as a family, we decided to make it extra special for her. If anyone deserves to be spoilt rotten it is she, having had to put up with me for 37 years along with being the most wonderful Mother to 3 fantastic children. Our family means the world to her, especially since we were blessed with 2 beautiful grandchildren and what she loves most of all is having them gathered around her. Over the years, we have followed the Reeves’ tradition of making Christmas a time to push out the boat in right royal fashion and as soon as December begins our house is festooned with lights and decorations, creating a party atmosphere that stretches right into the early days of the New Year.
In the lyrics, you’ll find many references to moments that always bring a certain Yuletide brand of merriment. For example, our Golden Retriever, ‘Prince’ Marvin The Magnificent’, makes it his exclusive responsibility to collect Jo’s slippers as soon as her back is turned. Try as you might, he won’t let you have them back until He decides the time is right (see cover pic). For myself, I take on the combined mantle of Court Jester - without fail, the same jokes every year folks - and Dextrous Magician (hence ’Abracadabra!’). I have recently discovered a new audience for these sleights of hand (of which they never seem to tire) in the shape of said Grandchildren, Richard and Theo.
We eat and drink our fill, we laugh and we sing, for even in a world as mad as this there is always room for a month of unbridled fun, so you’ll certainly get no apology from me! If you can imagine such a thing, this year we have decided to crank things up a little to make it extra memorable for Jo, starting with this special song to celebrate all of the Christmas days she has known. She doesn’t know about it yet so let’s hope it’s the catalyst for her best one ever. For me, I’m sure they must all have been memorable, merely because Jo has been there to see them.
Sincere thanks to all our loyal, generous listeners. Hope you all have a Peaceful, Relaxing and above all Happy Christmas & New Year!
ABRACADABRA! SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS!
(Terry Reeves)

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Sixty four to a twenty four phase
Family singing classic hit songs
Melodic vibes, help Jo party long
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Repeat the Father Christmas craze
Dressed in red with individual style
A gift for Dear Jo and a family smile
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Experience a life of generations
Family growing with imagination
Sixty Christmas Celebrations
Giving all our love for inspiration

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Making sure the groundhog behaves
Repeating good times, fun we have
I think we’ve heard that joke before, Dad
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Deja Vu theatre of Panto plays
Shouting out loud “it’s behind you”
Prince Marvin knows, Jo fits the shoe
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

Celebrating Sixty Christmas Days
Entertainment in grandad’s matinees
Abracadabra, another magical spell
Rich and Theo know but never tell
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS
ABRACADABRA! ABRACADABRA! ABRACADABRA!
SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS

SIXTY CHRISTMAS DAYS - CRIPPLE CLUB

(Written by Terry Reeves)
Gary Reeves: Lead Vocal
Terry Reeves: Spoken Vocal
Hans-Michael Albers: All instruments, Arrangement & Production

Video: youtu.be/4t-H-HHpQ20?si=_reTvkVVmF73vkRi

I was walking down Mare Street, Hackney
Climbing boots and back pack on
Looking for a song of mountains
I had climbed them many times before
Challenge may help to find another door

I’ve climbed arduous N.H.S mountains
Planted flags a'top of wedlock peaks
Hung upside down on magical fountains
With my muscles springing major leaks
My heart is growing smaller by the week

Stood and pointed at hours of darkness
Winds of silence a challenge of their own
Worn out boots a testament to distance
But the misery of counting my toes alone
Sixty three feet behind me as it goes

I have loved being a man of mountains
I hope many will profit from my deeds
I will try to climb just one more mountain
Slide down the other side to save my feet
At the bottom I'll need brand new cleats

This was written over 10 years ago as a George Formby style (Google the name if you’ve never heard of him) ukulele song - a mildly amusing message to Gal to let him know that I was fully aware of the mental health difficulties he was having and that I would always be there if he needed me.

Over the years, we spoke often about the song but nothing much came of it until Gal suggested slowing the tempo and giving it a kind of shuffle beat. As it was about him, I thought he should definitely sing the lead vocal, which I think works rather well. (*Vocalist’s note: It would help if I could still sing…)

You’ll find many personal references to Gal’s life in the lyrics. At the time it was written, he was 63, literally a fatal age for men in the extended Reeves family and he wasn’t having the best of times himself, still wrestling with the grief of a marriage break-up alongside the loss of his big brother and closest friend less than a year before. But even with all of this going on (and not always out of choice) he found there were plenty more mountains to climb.

The transition of the tune from Formby to Albers is a story in itself but suffice it to say that Hans somehow managed to transform it into this rather poignant opus.  He has also made a beautiful film to accompany the piece (see link above). All in all, it testifies perfectly to the reason why Gal’s cleats are somewhat care-worn...and he still has many mountains yet to climb.. (Terry Reeves)

MOUNTAIN MAN - CRIPPLE CLUB

Mountain Songs is a project dedicated to my brother Brian Reeves (aka Rocky Mountain, 1948–2012), an accomplished songwriter, guitarist and arranger.  He was the creative force behind so many of the songs on this page.  If you have time, please click for lyrics and track history. 
This is for you Bri, with love and thanks from us all.   We miss you. (Gary Reeves)

New tracks tagged #hans-michael albers