https://youtu.be/2LDscdfKDPU 

May 13th see the release of 'Bluebird, Hollywood... Domino' the lead track from the anticipated mini LP '... from Prince's Park to Farsley - Volume I' to be released in on July 9th 2021

'Bluebird...' is a psychedelic upbeat 6/8 stomp. As one reviewer has stated reminiscent of '22 Dreams' period Weller and British psychedelic rock group Traffic. The overdriven bass and the chiming guitars have a hint of Macca's 'Rain' and Townsend's 'Seeker'

We have had some very kind people say some extremely nice things about us in recent time and about the track. Here are a selection:

"Psychedelic delight that will bring you to a state of bliss or trigger flashbacks to brilliant musical offerings of yesteryear... Superb musical mastery, fascinating dynamics and professionalism in production" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Pleading, swirling Powerpop that clearly references the heroic Pop of the 80’s with a contemporary bent' ~ Fresh On The Net

"A ridiculously talented duo... sublime" ~ Egg Box Essentials

"create an out of world shimmering sound that encompasses folk and indie pop influences with an expansive, dramatic horizon. It is a sound that is filled with grace, energy and a touch of psychedelia. This track is magnificent: a statuesque, heart pounding anthem that draws in a bucolic, almost medieval thrum with a stadium-filling melody." ~ Back Seat Mafia

"This group is fantastic, creating a landscape of sonic adrenaline-powered dream-rock bliss." ~ The Record Stache

'... from Prince's Park to Farsley - Volume I'

Bluebird, Hollywood... Domino

'Mr. Blue Sky Boat' is re-imagination of our track 'Broken Down Radio' that appeared on 2020's 'extended play one'. This version is by the genius that is Mr Choque Hosein from Black Star Liner, who tweaked, spliced, uptuned, downtuned and did all manna of delights to create an other worldly excursion into the Gorstey zone...

Check out more of Choque's superb songs, mixes, dubs here:
https://blackstarliner.bandcamp.com

'Mr. Blue Sky Boat' mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

'Broken Down Radio' written by Russ and Michael 
Originally recorded at the Gorstey Shack and Magic Garden Studios with Gavin Monaghan
Originally mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

'...from Prince's Park to Farsley (Volume I)'

Mr. Blue Sky Boat

'Lowbyrne (Ascent)' is re-imagination of our track 'Lowborn & Stargazing' that appeared on 2020's 'extended play one'. This version is by the genius that is Mr Choque Hosein from Black Star Liner, who tweaked, spliced, uptuned, downtuned and did all manna of delights to create an other worldly excursion into the Gorstey zone...

Check out more of Choque's superb songs, mixes, dubs here:
https://blackstarliner.bandcamp.com

'Lowbyrne (Ascent)' mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

'Lowborn & Stargazing' written by Russ and Michael 
Originally recorded at the Gorstey Shack and Magic Garden Studios with Gavin Monaghan
Originally mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

Lowbyrne (Ascent)

'Cinquante Cinq Six Huit' is re-imagination of our track 'Saint Marie' that appeared on 2020's 'extended play one'. This version is by the genius that is Mr Choque Hosein from Black Star Liner, who tweaked, spliced, uptuned, downtuned and did all manna of delights to create an other worldly excursion into the Gorstey zone...

Check out more of Choque's superb songs, mixes, dubs here:
https://blackstarliner.bandcamp.com

'Cinquante Cinq Six Huit' mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

'Saint Marie' written by Russ and Michael 
Originally recorded at the Gorstey Shack and Magic Garden Studios with Gavin Monaghan
Originally mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

Cinquante Cinq Six Huit

https://youtu.be/1zJNX7YE8B0

Written by Russ and Michael 
Recorded at the Gorstey Shack and Magic Garden Studios with Gavin Monaghan
Mixed by George Shilling
Mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

Hello brightness my old friend
Come and confide in me again
I know that it is sub-li-minal
So things can be far less complicated
Time is like a metaphor
For all the days that have gone by
I know that I am no great healer
No soothsayer just a faker

I'm leaving this burnt town
Tomorrow night on a runaway train
I need to seize this time
Sorry for lack of communication 
My heart and head in the sand
With carpe diem frustration

I keep on looking (I keep on looking)
They tell me it's not too far (…it's not too far)
I keep on asking (I keep on asking)
Praying for the flying car…

Hello blue line my old friend
I've come to reason life again
If you are buying we are selling
No time to stray I've got rent to pay kid
Time is washed away again
For every hour of yesterday
The magic isn't too far away
No time to save I've got bills to pay kid

I'm leaving this burnt town
Tomorrow night on a runaway train
I need to seize this time
Sorry for lack of communication 
My heart and head in the sand
With carpe diem frustration

I keep on looking (I keep on looking)
They tell me it's not too far (…it's not too far)
I keep on asking (I keep on asking)
Praying for the flying car…
I keep on looking (I keep on looking)
They tell me it's not too far (…it's not too far)
I keep on asking (I keep on asking)
Praying for the flying car….

I'm leaving this burnt town
Tomorrow night on a runaway train
I need to seize this time
Sorry for lack of communication 
My heart and head in the sand
With carpe diem frustration
I'm need to burnt this down
Sorry for lack of communication…

That Chitty Bang Majik

https://youtu.be/2LDscdfKDPU

Written by Russ and Michael 
Recorded at the Gorstey Shack and Magic Garden Studios with Gavin Monaghan and mixed by Gavin
Mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

One summer long ago before this all began 
We left school for fame and fortune
Took all our dreams away 
From these fields of green and hunger
Packed all our bags away
To gold lined streets without a plan
In our little rowing boat 

Bluebird, Hollywood, domino,
Star filled skies, pots of gold, 

One eye on the danger
One eye on the dream
Charms like the ocean 
From childhood is a line to the present time
Three wishes for tomorrow 
We never wished for pain or sorrow
I’ve always got you, and I’ll always have you 
Don’t want to be the first to blow

Bluebird, Hollywood, domino,
Star filled skies, pots of gold, 

Bluebird, Hollywood, domino,
Star filled skies, pots of gold, 
Bluebird, Hollywood, domino,
Star filled skies, pots of gold…

'...from Prince's Park to Farsley (Volume I)

https://youtu.be/F1CeX1dQRSo

Written by Russ and Michael 
Recorded at the Magic Garden Studios with Gavin Monaghan
Mixed by George Shilling 
Mastered by Mark Gardener @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford

Cello by George Shilling
Piano by Paul Cooper

Up with the larks... minds ticking... 
Awaiting the gold...waiting for gold...
And now that the 7’s prevailing
Inside our every thoughts 
So shoot those rays of sunshine
There's a new tomorrow a’coming
Come running - Come running

Rain it will now stop falling… 
From a sadness that we once knew
Remember those days
Remember those days
You calling out
Me calling out your names
So shoot those rays of sunshine
On these fifty seeds o’green 
It’s the start of something
Come running - Come running

Resurrection a sense of belonging
Hesitation a fear of not knowing
Believe and I'll do too
Breathe… 
So shoot those rays of sunshine
There's a new tomorrow a’coming
The start of new beginnings
Come running - Come running

Remember those days 
Remember those days
Remember those days 
Calling out your name
Calling out your name
Calling out your name
Up with the larks minds ticking
Awaiting the gold
Waiting for gold

Up With The Larks

I wish I could turn back the clock
Back to 1992
I get a gold in the 100
And the high jump too!
I wish I could turn back the clock
Back to 1992

Give me your hand
I pawn it to the sea
I tell the world of my masterpiece
I will slay the dragons of Mont Blanc
Just to be oh just to be
Heart, heart, heart

With my sweetheart

In the sky lines above
A statue of Columbus
And on the 'Day of the Rose'
I will walk through these bars
To where the beaches were before
To where my hometown was before

Give me your hand
I pawn it to the sea
I tell the world of my masterpiece
I will slay the Dragons of Mont Blanc
Just to be oh just to be
Heart, heart, heart

With my sweetheart
With my sweetheart
With my sweetheart
With my sweetheart

I wish I could turn back the clock
Back to 1992
I get a gold in the 100
And the high jump too!

The Dragons of Mont Blanc (Part I) - Radio Edit

The Gorstey boys take on 'In The Bleak Midwinter' where sleigh bells are mandatory.

Inspired equally by the Peaky Blinders, Phil Spector's 'A Christmas Gift For You' and Simon & Garfunkel. 
Initially recorded for a BBC Introducing in the West Midlands session in 2019 alongside versions of The Isley Brothers/Housemartins 'Caravan of Love' and the Fleet Foxes 'White Winter Hymnal' and then dusted down in the summer (yes the summer) of 2021. 
Thanks to Alex Noble at the BBC for giving us the impetus to record this.

Recorded @ the Gorstey Shack in Burntwood, Staffordshire with some added electric guitar by the extremely talented Luciano Narcisi from Bristol based Captain Suun & Los Suns.
Mixed by George 'Sleigh Bells' Shilling in deepest Devon.
Mastered by Mark 'Tinsel & Trimmings' Gardener in his OX4 Sound Studio in rural Oxfordshire.

*************************
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter, long ago

Angels and archangels may have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss
Worshiped the beloved with a mothers kiss

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb
If I were a wise man, I would do my part
Yet what I can I give him, give my heart

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter long ago
In the bleak midwinter long ago
In the bleak midwinter long ago

In The Bleak Midwinter

Featuring Junkyard of Silenced Poets

I wish I could turn back the clock
Back to 1992
I get a gold in the 100
And the high jump too!
I wish I could turn back the clock
Back to 1992

Give me your hand
I pawn it to the sea
I tell the world of my masterpiece
I will slay the dragons of Mont Blanc
Just to be oh just to be
Heart, heart, heart

With my sweetheart

In the sky lines above
A statue of Columbus
And on the 'Day of the Rose'
I will walk through these bars
To where the beaches were before
To where my hometown was before

Give me your hand
I pawn it to the sea
I tell the world of my masterpiece
I will slay the Dragons of Mont Blanc
Just to be oh just to be
Heart, heart, heart

With my sweetheart
With my sweetheart
With my sweetheart
With my sweetheart

I wish I could turn back the clock
Back to 1992
I get a gold in the 100
And the high jump too!

The Dragons Of Mont Blanc (Parts I & II) - Full Length Version

Enter The Dragons - NeonCrow Prelude

Back To Drag - BlackStarLiner Excursion

Junkyard Sweetheart Number 13 featuring The Junkyard of Silenced Poets

'Lowborn & Stargazing'

Lowborn 
Sundown
Stargazing 
Tomorrow 
The maps are set 
To be redrawn 
Lowborn 
Stargazing 

Tinderbox 
Memories 
Hymnal 
Blessed
Beliefs
Starless and bible black 
Under a red moon glow 
Tomorrow 
Hymnal

Promises. Of harvesting. Of hope. And home
Dreams. From the embers. Ashes. Gold
Ashes. Gold. Go! Go! Go! Gold

The Future: Inside 

You in my arms. You in my arms… You… Here…
You in my arms. You in my arms… You… Here… 
You… Here…

Sunset
Sunrise… 
HEY! the sunrise

Here is 'The Caretaker Rework' of our track 'Lowborn & Stargazing' to be released digitally on Friday 12th February.

The upbeat brass tinged ‘Lowborn & Stargazing’ was initially conceived in the aftermath of an emergency operation Michael had in the Summer of 2018, a song written in isolation whilst recovery commenced, ‘Sketches of Spain’ by Miles Davis was an influence and inspiration.

Tracks from the debut EP 'extended play one' were recorded at Gorstey Shack (Russ's converted garage), and brought to life by long term collaborator and friend Gavin Monaghan at the Magic Garden Studios in Wolverhampton.

Honorary members of the Gorstey Lea Street Choir that feature on the EP are: 
Ash Sheehan (The Twang, Dead Sea Skulls, Glen Hughes Band) adds trumpet/flugelhorn and percussion
Sebastian ‘Bid’ Beresford (Leftfield/Rodriguez/Edwin Starr) adds electronic percussion flourishes
Mark Gardener (Ride) adds strings to ‘Saint Marie’ and has mastered all tracks @ his OX4 Sound studio in Oxford
Further contributions from musical allies Gary Hill (piano/additional guitar), Paul Newton & Woz Szpalek (bass) and Craig Glover (drums) complete the roll call.

This rework has been produced by Phil @ his Caretaker studios in London. Phil has added some new instrumentation and Izzy has added some vocals. 

We love it... we hope you do to...
Stay safe, be well
Over and out… for now…

The Flat White Kid.
‘The Sunlit Sound of Staffordshire’

Lowborn & Stargazing (The Caretaker Rework)

Lowborn & Stargazing

'Broken Down Radio'

I reached out for a timeless branch of hope
A call out from the rooftops
A story from a broken down radio
Pack your bags and shelve your fears

Now you’ve gone and missed your ‘blue sky boat’
For a generation…
Dangled by the rise of tomorrows sun
Smell your blood and chase your fears

I won’t march alone
I’ll sing until my throat runs dry
Building bridges over forgotten tales
On a broken down radio 

Standing there with your eluded smile
Are you ready to jump?
Turn the volume up and change your gear
Are you ready to run?

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run…

Caught inside a storm of bedtime stories
Luckily kings will crumble
Tired of all the mid ships gathered round
Spread your seeds and take your clear

I won’t march alone
I’ll sing until my throat runs dry
Building bridges over forgotten tales
On a broken down radio

The opening track on our debut EP 'extended play one'. 
A call out for simpler times. 

Recorded in the Gorstey Shack and moulded into shape by Gavin Monaghan at his Magic Garden Studios in Wolverhampton in the winter of 2020. 
Russ and Michael played and sang most of the stuff.
Gavin added bass and 'monotronics'
Craig Glover provided drums.
Mark Gardener mastered the track at his Ox4 Sound in Oxford...

And here it is for you here in it's full glory. Enjoy.

Stay safe, be well
Over and out… for now…

The Flat White Kid.
‘The Sunlit Sound of Staffordshire’

extended play one

Broken Down Radio

So here's a story that you may need to grab a cup of tea and the biscuit barrel for, are you sitting comfortably? Then, let us begin...

The ‘GLSC’ formed one cold winters night in 2016. Two friends on a life long journey. 
Michael first met Russ in 1985, Michael was 15, Russ was 19. Russ played in 'the' up and coming local band ‘Soul Exit’. Michael admired his musical craft and ended up following the band around the country. A gig in Manchester was planned. Michael needed to go and went to Russ’s house (on Gorstey Lea) with a gift, a tape in hand. On one side The Pale Fountains ‘… From Across the Kitchen Table’ on the other Dexys Midnight Runners ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’. Russ welcomed Michael in and he attended the gig travelling in the bands van. 

The future was cast... the following year Michael formed his first band ‘The Great Divide’ inspired by what he had seen and the world of endless possibilities and free expression.

Fast forward some 31 years to August 2016 and a big birthday bash for Russ. Michael attends Russ's party. Talk turns to days gone by and Russ pops the question... “It’s about time we got together and did some music Michael, what do you reckon? No pressure. I have converted my garage into a recording studio, you should come round and we’ll have a play”. 

Michael was not sure, for 15 plus years he has not played an instrument, not sung a song, not written down his thoughts. The conversation was left. A mutual friend then messages Michael 4 months later to tell him that Russ is doing a gig and he thinks it would be good if they did a couple of their favourite cover versions together. 

Messages are exchanged and the meeting is arranged at Russ's new house in Gorstey Lea, 4 houses up the road and 31 years since that first knock on the door. Without any rehearsal the two friends agree to play together for the first time on that Friday evening… 

The reaction from the crowd and the landlord is overwhelming 2 songs turn to 2 hours and at the end of the evening the landlord books the duo to play the following month. ‘What’s your band name boys? ‘The Gorstey Lea Street Choir’ is quickly retorted an amalgam of that first meeting point and Van Morrison’s LP ‘His Band And The Street Choir’ … a door is unlocked, a journey is born.

So, to the ‘here and now’. The duo release their first track in October 2019 'The British Isles' which picks up national radio play from 6 Music, BBC Introducing and great digital stations such as Brum Radio, with the wind in their sails a double A side limited vinyl 'Lions' and 'Somedays' follows in January 2020 and in December 2020 their debut EP snazzily titled 'extended play one' hits the digital shops... 

Summer 2021 - the boys release an 8 track mini LP ''...from Prince's Park to Farsley (Volume I)' a tale of new found collaborations and two towns... aided and abetted by Gavin Monaghan, George Shilling, Choque (Black Star Liner) and Mark Gardener... Volume II will be a long before you know it!!!!

Stay safe, be well

The Flat White Kid

Gorstey Lea AKA

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