May 2021 marks the one year anniversary of the HughCarsonMusic site. That’s 12 months of uploads so far with much more still to come. Enjoy.
This Month’s Audio Uploads:
This Time (CGN Songs) – 2010:
This Time, the CGN Songs track, not to be confused with my mid-90s ballad of the same name, was a track written by myself and Peter Godfrey as a commission for something or other back in 2010. The main story that came out of the recording sessions was my inability, no matter how hard i tried, to hit the highest note in the chorus and subsequently having to draft in a very reluctant Karin Hasselström to help me out. She wasn’t having it, but I think she did a great job and definitely saved the day because I think one more attempt by me and my vocal chords would almost certainly have tied themselves into a round turn and two half hitches.
Sanctuary – 1995:
Sanctuary, despite being all over the place production-wise, has always been one of my favourite songs that I’ve written, thanks in no small part to my old mate, Paul Jackson‘s fantastic vocal which really lifts this track. An unfortunate SMPTE malfuntion during Phil Mayers‘ mid-track rap briefly throws his timing out which is a real shame, but what can you do?
Trumpet Chase (Anlg) – Section – SKETCH – 1996:
I think there was a vague plan to have a female soprano sing some lines on this track if the opportunity ever presented itself. This is a lively piece intended to conjure up dramatic images of a galloping horse and rider going hell for leather over the rolling hills of a British countryside scene. I think I may have gained some vague inspiration from the opening credits of the original Blackadder comedy series.
Hindsight – SKETCH – 1996:
A laid back atmospheric sketch from the SY85 sessions of the mid-1990s.
Making Cents – 2021 Remaster – 1992:
This was one of the more convincing cuts from my first unofficial ‘album’, Just Enough. The lyrics for this song were written during my U.S travels of 1991, specifically when I found myself downtown in San Francisco. The levels of homelessness there were really quite disturbing for an impressionable young 19 year old, and Making Cents is basically all about that. A special mention for Jim ‘Pasty’ Thomas‘ memorable guitar solo.
Generations – Section – SKETCH – 1996:
A section of a further contemplative SY85 sketch no doubt thrown together in a small amount of time.
A song that I wish I’d finished. It’s a crusty old cassette recording of a rough sketch, but there’s definitely something about it which still appeals to me to this day.
Rampaging Rickshaws – Sections – 2009:
I was working on an upbeat ‘world’ music track for my audio library which had something of an Asian feel to it. The idea, however, was soon adapted to be a prospective theme track for a documentary about an Indian ashram that Justin Carroll had filmed footage for and was now working on. But it was a big undertaking under difficult circumstances for him, and the project never materialised in the end.
Just enough – Sections – 1992:
A section taken from the title track of my first album. A big thank you once again to Graham Joiner of Audio Restored for rescuing all eight songs from the album, from an old DAT tape of mine, at the beginning of 2021.
Miles Off – SKETCH – 2009:
A very brief snippet taken from a smooth smokey jazz track with Miles Davis-esque muted trumpet overtones. Niiice.
A song that laments the end of one of my long-term relationships. I forget who laid down the guitar parts. Possibly Nick Rundall? It’s a song that I’ve occasionally revisited over the years, and thankfully one that continues to please despite its various mix frailties. All vocals are courtesy of me. A brief summary of Forgive Me can be found in the A-Z section of the site.
HERE COMES THE RETRO HAMMER – FULL VERSION – 2010:
Michael Bublé’s silky tones on his smash hit, Home, are a seriously tough act to follow when it comes to cover versions. And although my own version limps along somewhat feebly some way back in the distance, there are still some elements of it that were pleasing, including a new outro section that I devised and tagged onto the song’s end.
Another Yamaha SY85 Workstation sketch. This was a sort of current-affairs TV programme theme that I cobbled together back in my late teen years. Probably inspired by any number of news programmes over the years. Maybe even John Craven’s Newsround, or some other such kids’ show from my childhood.
This was a second, strange CGN Songspitch for a light-hearted scene in a U.S TV show. It was shelved in favour of my CGN Songs partner, Peter Godfrey‘s offering. Sadly, neither was ultimately used, if memory serves correctly.
Sections taken from an instrumental that was loosely inspired by the majestic, ever-so-slow-moving Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia, Argentina. I recall staying in a tiny neighbouring town whose bars were all packed full of locals staring at TV coverage of the glacier, waiting for a section of it to crumble away and fall into the water below. Riveting stuff down that way, apparently.
Hugh Carson Music 