Thank you for your interest in Colin’s music. Here your questions are answered by the man himself.
If you have any questions about this any of Colin’s work don’t hesitate to contact us.
Brian asks; You were nearly responsible for a pile up on the M4 last night. I was listening to your Policeman song at a serious volume. The way that the percussion whizzes around the speakers is fantastic and I couldn't take my ears off it! Trouble was I took my eyes off the road and had to slam on my brakes to avoid smashing into the car in front. Maybe there would be no need for drugs with music like this?
C.L.T.; Well I guess music is a drug in a way and I know that I am addicted to it. I'm glad you are O.K.
Kyle asks; Like your version of The The's Perfect thats on their website but can't find it listed anywhere. Is it available?
C.L.T.; There is a slightly longer version included in the downloadable version of April's edition of Radio Cineola (thethe.com) The actual complete track is part of The The's End Of The Day DVD/CD/Book which should be out later in the year.
Jo asks; I played Cover Star a lot over Christmas but then didn't listen to it again until today. It is really strong. How do you get it sounding so 'in your face'?
C.L.T.; It may be a case of less is more. Leaving holes so that the music can breath...if that makes any sense!
Charley asks;This song is killer... it is playing through a mp3 player, so I do not see the track titles... this mini has none. Maybe flugelhorn? Man who's name was time, says, I must be dying... What song is this? Brilliant? Murder Time? Nice.....what is this! Brilliant Colin, and to think how it may sound altered! Ha. Good work. >
C.L.T.; The song is October Song and was written by Robin Williamson of The Incredible String Band (it comes from their debut album) The brass is in fact a french horn
Baz asks;I rate Cover Star amongst your best work. I have been trying to find an old recording of the song Moon At Sea as I love it and I am curious. Any idea where I can find it?>
C.L.T.; To be honest Baz I have never heard the original Peggy Cochrane recording and like you have been searching for it. I discovered the song when I found the sheet music in a junk shop and it was that I worked from. I will let you know if I find it. If you find it first please do let me know!
Sandra asks;Why are there no songs from Cover Star & the Religious Experience on your site/ myspace etc.?>
C.L.T.; We haven't put any up yet. I wanted to give people the chance to hear the whole thing through for the first time without already being familiar with one or two tracks. I feel this can spoil the experience of hearing an album for the first time. We will issue extracts further down the line.
Jay asks;Lovin Cover Star Note that you have credited Pro Tools free Was it all recorded on PT free?>
C.L.T.; Yes, all of it. Apart from the track Stars. That was done on one inch 8 track tape.
Anon asks;How can you miss a guy who didn't do anything for years>
C.L.T.; It just seemed a better place when you knew he was still around, probably painting away in Cambridge.
Ryan asks; You remind me of Syd Barrett. Are you a fan of his music?
C.L.T.; Very much so. I think that if you love 'songs' then Syd's ditties are bound to appeal to you. He will be missed.
Seb asks; I note that the excellent Beside Myself is now eighteen months old. Any new product on the horizon?
C.L.T.; Blimey has it been that long? The answer is yes. A new disc will be available later in the year, tentatively titled Cover Star and the Religious Experience.
More about this soon. I hope to make it available in September.
Anoldpal asks; I found this, it sounded like a lot of fun. Do you remember much about these sessions?
Louis Philippe answers The Thanos Arvanitis Questionnaire
Fondest memories...?
"December 1986, Rooster 2 studio, we have just finished editing The King of Luxemburg's "Royal Bastard" album, after 3 weeks of mindless laughter, drinking and singing. Everybody's there: Simon, Richard Preston, Anthony Adverse, Momus, Colin Lloyd Tucker, Lindy and Amanda of the Go-Betweens. There are bottles everywhere; we're young, proud, and ready to take on the world. El's finest hour, without a doubt."
C.L.T.; Arr yes I remember. I recall it being much as Louis describes. Simon was Simon Turner of course and this was pretty typical of our sessions around that time. People would drop by and participate but we did knuckle down and work hard. We did a lot of vocals on that record (Simon, Louis and me). Thats why we got so thirsty!
Vash asks; I have recently been listening to The Gadgets records and was wondering if you would ever do another completely 'electronic' album? I note that Fear Of Flying was a partial return to that style.
C.L.T.; It is true that on Fear I used some of the recording technics that we first explored on The Gadgets early stuff all be it with new technology. For a while now I have been planning a new electro album. An album to play in the car, on the motor-way kind of thing. The trouble is I do a couple of tracks and then come up with an accoustic song that I like and the original concept goes out the window. It comes out less Tangerine Dream and more Green Tambourine. I think I find it more rewarding playing the harmonium than I do the Mini Moog.
Anon asks; Is Here Comes The Snowman about cocaine?
C.L.T.; Who nose?
Sue asks; I love the strings on Beside Myself and also The Desire Path. I noticed that you are credited as being 'The Loyal Sympathy Orchestra', how does that work?
C.L.T.; All the string parts are inputed into the computer by way of a written score. The program that I use is called Sibelius, many people will be familiar with that program. The computer reads the score and performs using samples of the instruments.
Dari asks; What the f##k are the background singers on during 'She Just Came In'? Horse tranquilizers?
C.L.T.; If I remember rightly, Thai and red wine.
Jim asks; Is the birdsong at the end of Hello Little Snowdrop a reference to Kate Bush’s Ariel?
C.L.T.; It honestly hadn’t occurred to me. I have used birdsong on earlier albums.
When we recorded the Mindbox album we were in a studio in Cornwall. The place was an old sawmill situated in a creek, you could only get in and out by boat. We had been up mixing all night and I decided in would be good to set up microphones around the creek and capture the dawn chorus. For some reason there wasn’t much of a dawn chorus, just the odd squawking seagull. We all crawled into bed feeling let down.
Caroline asks; At the beginning of She Just Came you are singing “Operating Manual For Spaceship Earth”. Are you aware of the Donavan song of that name?
C.L.T. Yes I am, I think it was on Essence To Essence. I don’t know that I was thinking of that though. I was thinking of Buckminster Fuller’s ‘Spaceship Earth’
http://www.bfi.org/our_programs/who_is_buckminster_fuller
MadMel asks; Why aren’t the words on your site?
C.L.T. Good point. Don’t know. I’ll sort it out eventually!
Dave asks; There’s a real sixties vibe to the album. Do you record on vintage gear?
C.L.T. You could say that. More due to the fact that that’s all I have rather than an effort to be trendy. I don’t use tape much now though, it all goes to Pro Tools. I think the way this particular record is mixed gives it that feel. Voice very high in the mix. I work eight track and do pre-mixes in the old fashioned way. (you lost me there-ed.)
