I had your FAWM playlist going and sort of forgot I was supposed to be active listening, but this one pulled me right back into it... then I saw your liner notes. I know the feeling of not being happy with something but needing to get it out, but this is great. I'm curious to see what you do with it, because I think it works far better than you it seems. You better close the stadium with this one, because all those lighters and voices in unison are going to violate some sort of by-law.

I'm a little perplexed at the narrative, but oh what a great narrative it is. That second verse paints a pretty vivid picture, although I'm a little unsure that being denied pastries is an apt consequence, but then Ive never had a Chelsea Bun.

Congratulations on the FAWM "win", especially with only 23 days to do it. A great start as well. I share the sentiment on production. Part of me wants to do RPM next year because I wonder if I had too, could I move fast on production? It sounds a lot more exhausting than FAWM, that's for sure.

Well sir, you smashed this challenge - and ended up with a stunning unplugged album. It's made me want to hear some of your established tracks with similar stripped-down arrangements, leading the listener to concentrate on the sheer artistry of your words and astonishingly soulful vocal. Next challenge for you is the 24 hours album. 24 minutes of original music in 24 hours. I believe it originated on alonetone. Off you go.

Glad you didn't bin it! Liking the driving feel - immediately hooky also.

A sweet almost-lullaby - glad this one found a home in your February. So very pretty.

Really love this melody and the breezy feel. Some gorgeous little acoustic guitar runs in there too.

Great song writing - loving the sentiment and your tender vox here. I love it when the FAWM and RPM parameters draw out his kind of track, any more of an arrangement would detract from the message - IMHO.

Woohoo! Logged in and back from Brighton. <3 Can now fave this utter classic.

Hauntingly sad and beautiful

Great tune Andrew. we held back on a few old ideas too. i'm glad you put it out there

Hehehe... there's LOTS of youthful angst is these Songs from the Shoebox... possibly an embarrassing amount... You wait... let's see if I'm brave enough to record the ones from 1978/9!!!

That's rather wonderful ...... a bit of youthful angst ??

You've been a writer / poet for so many years!!! How delightful to put these songs out. I'm glad you found the shoe box.

Another beautiful piece of storytelling through haunting voice and gentle music

You sing these words perfectly … I am just in awe of your story telling

So lyrical

Intrigued … who is this written for? Whoever it is is a lucky person … love this

I saw your comments on my site. Thanks. It sounds like you’ve got this recording process figured out. I’m still learning as I go. Thank God for YouTube. 😎

Another little gem ......

Nice one

Aha! Love it :)

Rockin stuff.

Absolutely KILLER! Love the harp and those vocals. What a track.

Woo... like this one a lot, straight from the off. There's some fab guitar going on. Love the solo.

Love it :)

Not sure I've heard the unstripped version - have to go hunting. Like this one though :)

And this too... love the harmonies.

Yep :)

Wonderful.

lol - the bass was an organ set to "hammer house of horrors", perhaps I overdid it! (The reverb on the vox is deliberately "chilly" as well) I wanted stark and lonely in the verses. But I also wanted comfort in the choruses - which is what the other instrumentation was intended to bring... but I've given up on that idea... it now sounds to me like the singer is incapable of bringing the comfort he offers, and he knows it... so I'll leave it them both to it :) And nope, I didn't steal the teddy bear... But mine were removed from me and given to my sister when I was about 8 years old... so I do know exactly what I'm talking about lol

This is a little bit special.

Oh this one! Without a doubt :) Listened to all four tracks as well. Nice one. I loathed the Buzzcocks in the late 70s, but I came to appreciate them a lot more later.

Woo yeah. This un's a goodie. And a real stand-out Reg vocal on here. Superb.

Having another listen for that guitar sound :) Funnily enough, my SG and Explorer have swapped pickups (wonder if this had anything to do with it?). The SG has come off slightly better I think, been using it a lot last few days - slightly more, er, raucous than this, but it can do these sounds as well now.

I'm reaching that conclusion too :) If I'd held it back and put the parts on that I was rehearsing that day it would have been fine... and possibly better... But I was trying them out today, and they seem surplus to requirements now! (Mrs R has got her way lol)

:) It's the rock part in the middle that grabs me most - love your vocal in that section, almost fluid and liquid. I like how the whole things hangs together. Just waiting for that weird ending now.... ah here tis... oh yes, very cool ending!

Woo yeah... two nice songs. Looking forward to hearing more.

Nice one. Heartfelt stuff.

Wot a voice!! Magnificent.