When
You're Smiling/Bring Me Sunshine
I'd like this album to be a good representation of my
live act, so I chose to open with these two classic songs
because they sum up what my shows are all about - they're
bright and breezy songs with a high feel-good factor.
This opening medley also introduces my the superb
musicians who backed me on this album - featuring a great
trombone solo from Chris Dean with Sid tanner jamming on
tenor sax. Completing the front line on trumpet is Robin
Smith, who did some great work with me on the We'll
Meet Again album a couple of years ago.Fiddlin'
Cowboy
This song came about because I wanted a number in which I
could play the violin and sing. When I wrote it
I was working with the great Ken Dodd, and he very kindly
contributed a couple of lines to the lyric!
Everyday
I've always been a Buddy Holly fan. When he
first released Everyday it was just a B-side,
but now it must rank highly among the world's most
popular songs. On stage I perform it with guitar but for
the CD version I have overdubbed violin and uke as well.
In fact I have made the most of the 24-track studio
throughout the album, so on most of the tracks you will
hear me multitracking ukes, violin tracks, banjos and
guitars, vocals, bass, drums and keyboards. And if you
listen carefully you will notice a bit of washboard later
on too!
Leaning
On A Lamp Post
It's hard to believe but it's 70 years since George
Formby first recorded this, his biggest hit. So that was
a good excuse - as if I needed one - to record a new
version! As the keen ukulele maniacs will know, I am the
lucky owner of the Gibson banjo-uke that Formby used for
his very last screen performance of this song, so
naturally, that is the instrument you will hear on this
track.
Singin'
In The Bathtub
Anyone who has ever seen my act will know
that I always like to throw in a few comedy songs. This
is one of my favourites, and if you listen to the CD in
the bath, I hope you will sing along.
Czardas
Monti's celebrated Czardas is one of the most
popular showpieces in the violin repertoire. From the
very first time I performed it on stage, people have been
asking me to make a recording, so here it is!
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