Beautiful
Beautiful with Ray on drums.
Beautiful demo version with sampled midi drums.
This is a pretty lively tune – there’s a mighty whack on the snare to bring us in on time at the start of each section. For the main beat, we used a tambourine for the verses, then switched to the snare for the choruses. Feel free to adapt this to what feels comfortable for your style!
Funny Girl
Funny Girl with Ray on drums.
I love playing this song! We haven’t recorded it yet, but you seem to have the right vibe. For me, it’s got a kind of liquid, flowing feel. Maybe a bit of jazzy ride cymbal in the “My heart belongs to you” parts? Just do what you feel.
99 Percent Stardust
99 Percent Stardust with Ray on drums.
99 Percent Stardust demo version with sampled midi drums and finger snaps.
This song is pretty jazzy, and we used a sampled finger snap to keep the beat in the verses. You seemed to get the vibe for this one during the rehearsal. There’s lot’s of scope for your own little fills, toms and cymbal swishes – have fun!
Stargazing
Stargazing with Ray on drums.
Stargazing early demo version with sampled theramin.
As you can hear, we’re still getting to grips with this new tune! We used the sampled finger snaps to keep the beat in the verses. On the recording, in some sections I had the kick drum directly following the bass line for more punch and a spacey vibe to put Stu’s quiet singing to the front. Love this tune and the lyrics. The volume and tension gradually builds as the space capsule slowly disintegrates and evaporates into the void…
Rothbury Raindrops
Rothbury Raindrops the demo version that’s on YouTube.
There’s not much percussion on this recording – just a bit of ride cymbal and a few splashes on two crash cymbals. Feel free to get creative on this one. For inspiration, the video focusses mostly on Rothbury’s clouds – and the River Coquet (which is made entirely of Rothbury raindrops!).
Friends Again
Friends Again with Ray on drums.
I liked the beat that you fitted to this tune! As an experiment, it would be interesting to hear the drums doing the da da da da – da da bits along with the guitars. There’s a little interlude in the middle where we hold back before the grand finale. Lots of scope for fills and rolls in this tune!
Golden Slumbers
Golden Slumbers with Ray on drums.
Golden Slumbers demo version with prominent claves.
Another one of my favourites! For me, this is like drifting into the dreamworld of half-awake/half-asleep. Watch out for the “Silver stardust fills my eyes” parts where the snare comes in with a solid beat. If any of the audience have dropped off – this should wake them up! As always, feel free to experiment and try any ideas out in the rehearsals.
Lyrics for Stuart’s songs
Hope this PDF file link is accessible and that you can read the contents!
I can print paper copies if needed.