On The Release of The Poetry Pot
"Hundreds of hours work and a lot of frustration", Dave calmly describes the making of his second solo album, The Poetry Pot, that has been recently released on his own label Mackin Music and is also about to be digitally sold through iTunes in December. The album seems to cater for every taste with an eclectic collection of Jazz, Dance, Indie and Pop mixed with the weird and the wonderful. "The latter part of the album tips a nod to the classic sound of one of my favourite albums, Nick Drake's Bryter Layter, and I felt compelled to add a cover of his delicious Northern Sky for purely self indulgance...I've always wanted to play that song and this may be the only way I get to do it!"
Considering David has played almost every instrument on the album as well as composed, arranged, produced, engineered and mastered the product, he is very relieved that the long journey is finally over. "I actually recorded this album four years ago and held a finished product in my hand at the gig I did for Zoe's Place where I performed many of the songs from it. I wasn't happy enough with the recording and re-recorded it this year in my lovely new studio. Technology has now caught up with my brain and I'm able to do all the things I have always dreamed of doing in a studio."
He did draft in some exceptional talent to make the process more interesting for himself. "Having two incredible drummers as brothers, I was very lucky to be able to utilize both our Mike and Chris on the beats. My son Ben, who is of only six years old, also added golden tonsils and Jayne Dales did wonders on the sultry, powerful backing vocals. I'm fortunate to have married into the amazing musical Brown family for a guitar wielding Father-In-Law and bass and keyboard wizarding brother-in-laws Chris and Andy."
But another reunion made the whole thing extra special for Dave. "I had a real sentimental journey to my Grangetown Boys Club Days. Old mate Paul Haggarth who was a trombone master in the GBBC band is now a Sax blower. He played on two tracks and give it the texture that I was really looking for. I was stuck in my studio hating the sound of my trumpet and thought to myself, I wish I had a great acoustic room to record this. I gave Archie a ring at The Boys Club (now Grangetown Youth And Community Centre) and he and the manager Ian said...no probs come on down.
I got to record my trumpet in the great wooden acoustics of the old band room where the legendary Jack Kitching used to conduct me and stamp his inspirational boot. The room even still smells the same. Happy days."
Twelve tracks written by David and two covers by some of his favourite songwriters, The Poetry Pot is billed as 'An Album To Talk About'. David has covered another influential band on the album in the eccentric choice of Was Not Was.
"I absolutely love them. Their music is so penetrating. The melodies are deliciously catchy whilst the lyrics are dark and brilliantly sarcastic. Return To The Valley Of Out Come The Freaks is one of their finest moments and I just had to record it. I saw them in 1993 supporting Dire Straits of all bands.... I only went to see Was Not Was I must stress! Their trumpet player played two trumpets at once; a skill I have been trying to emulate for years. They are easily the greatest band I have ever seen."
The album has been initially released in CD form in a unique vinyl format and limited edition record player sleeve. "My early musical education, until I was taught properly by geniuses such as Joe Mullen, Kel Dennis, Jack Kitching and John Potter, was grabbed by placing my ear to a Dansette record player to my parents fantastic record collection. The same record player is now part of my album cover. A worthy thank-you for all it has given me; a life in enjoying and creating wonderful music with amazing people".
The Poetry Pot is available from David's website (see button on sub menu above when the site is finally complete) and in a downloadable format from iTunes from December.