About me

From learning piano accordion as a youngster in the “sixties”, with all the influences of that great decade of music, to playing keyboards in the “eighties” and learning guitar in the “00’s” music has always been an important part of life and a way to relax from all the ups and downs of the every day. Having a son and daughter growing up through each of the decades since the 1980’s they kept appreciation of the latest music high on the agenda. So the cd player in the car, or the mp3 player, ranges from Beatles to Mumford & Sons, Genesis to Adele and everything in between. Since the late 1970’s Runrig’s music (www.runrig.co.uk) has been the soundtrack over the years, a reminder of a Scottish heritage and an inspiration that started my early attempts at my own songs. Early in 2001 tentative steps resulted in a number of instrumental tracks and a surprise in 2004 when “Musgate” reached the finals of the UK song writing contest (listen to it on the “Instrumentals” cd)
 
Probably more a poet than a musician it was clear that the words were as important as the tune (although the tune remains a vital ingredient). Concern over a limited vocal ability was addressed by a friend – “they are your songs and therefore only you can sing them as they are meant to be sung”.  It is amazing what a little encouragement can do. In 2007, finally, I at least learn how to play basic guitar and this helped develop a new opportunity to build word and tune together.
                                                           
The first cd was recorded in studio in 2008 – studio time being a Christmas gift from the family. It was recorded for friends and family - for Christmas that year - "The Heart of Christmas". Since then six more cds have been completed. Thanks to Dug Wolfsohn at Bentham Studios (http://www.benthamstudio.co.uk/) for his patience in engineering all of these.  I have tried unsuccessfully to get some of the songs noticed by publishing companies but have come to the conclusion that in most cases they just get added to the pile in the corner and so have decided that the songs are really for me and those friends (or indeed anyone) who wants to listen – and nothing wrong with that.
 
The creation of the song is still somewhat of a mystery. Some seem to arrive almost fully formed, others remain a snippet of a tune or lyric that lies in wait for completion by some additional inspiration or experience. This was most experienced with “Deeper Places” where not only did the songs seem to wait individually but the whole cd waited on “Be Still” – maybe a message for me.
 
So if you are brave enough to click to listen to any of the tracks – what can you expect? Mostly acoustic tracks – vocal with guitar or piano – and vocal could be an inaccurate description!! What you should expect? My songs – that mean something to me – and which I am happy to share with you. I hope that somewhere in the songs you find some that can mean something to you.
 
Bob Reid
 
January 2013