ROCKET IN THE DESERT
LINER NOTES
We love Geoff and we loved making music with him. 2023 marked the tenth year of our band, The Shadows of Doubt. Geoff was a wonderful musician and a wonderful friend to us all and we will always be grateful for the time we spent together. All the rehearsals, the gigs, the arrangements, the chats in the car, the burgers, all the plans, the pre show last minute chats. The whole lot and everything in between. He was a kind and talented man who believed in art and fairness. He was our bass player. Dr G on the Fender P.
This album was recorded under very emotional and extraordinary circumstances. It all happened very quickly. In February 2023 we were playing a full set at a packed, sweaty Betsey Trotwood in central London. We were tight, the sound was good, we really went for it for this show, we played some new tracks, we gave it our all. Tragically, just a few weeks later Geoff informed us that things were moving much faster with his illness. Now an inpatient at a local NHS hospice, he told us in the remaining few weeks of his life, he had set a goal of recording 8 songs for our next album. This will forever be our honour and privilege that Geoff wanted to do this in the situation he found himself in.
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Geoff at our last show at The Betsey Trotwood
We set about finding studios in Norwich where Geoff lived. We contacted everyone we could find. The first person to call us back was Gavin from Catch 21 Studio. I think the biggest stroke of luck was us meeting Gavin; an incredibly professional, talented sound engineer who totally got the situation immediately and gave himself wholeheartedly to the project. In order for this recording to happen, it took a lot of organisation and we would like to give our deepest thanks to Geoff's wife Sue, Geoff’s sons Richard and Joe and the medical team at the hospice; Priscilla Bacon Lodge who were so supportive throughout.
The first 8 tracks on the album were recorded in 2 days. On the Saturday morning we met Gavin at his studio at 9am. Gavin rolled in, fresh from being on tour, having been up all night driving from northern England. Pro plus and black coffee. "Let's make an album!” he said as he put on his headphones.
By 10am we were set up, and as a 3 piece band we recorded the 8 songs. We played each song twice and chose the best one. By 11.30am we had finished. A few backing vocal overdubs later and we were in a taxi heading to see Geoff at the hospice with the recordings hot of the press. Geoff met us in the dayroom. He looked determined and in the zone. Under all the unworldly circumstances, somehow there was a trace of normality. This was us talking shop. Another day at the office. Making our music. Making our album. We were talking tempos, basslines, arrangements. Geoff was a working musician and he was in work mode. Gavin had a great mobile set up and Geoff with headphones, bass guitar and his eldest son, Richard by his side, added his bass lines to the recordings we had made earlier that day. The hard drive was literally still hot from the session just a few hours before. This was as close we could possibly get to playing together one last time. Geoff, put a lot of thought to his work on these songs and was determined to lay it down.
Taking a bow and pointing to the stars at our last show
Incredibly, fighting through pain and exhaustion, Geoff did it. He had to be tough and brave to do it. He had achieved his goal and had given us something extraordinary. By the next day, he had all 8 songs in the can. Gavin did a beautiful mix down to 1/4 inch tape and then
there it was, complete. It sounded like us playing live. This was us and we were so happy that Geoff could hear the results.
That weekend was the last time we saw Geoff.
A few months after Geoff's funeral we made plans with Richard to come and play on the last 2 tracks on the album. This was an idea Geoff had suggested to us before he died and we were so happy that Richard was up for it. We recorded them in London with producer, Sean Read at his studio in Hackney. Sean is a wonderful musician and engineer who gave us time to play around with the tracks on the day, and jam with Richard. This was the first time he had played with us and he did an incredible job playing his dad’s bass. It was a great session and a lovely day. The last 2 tracks of course sound very different than the first 8 from the live session with Geoff, which we have kept raw and live as they sounded in that final session. Having Richard on the album is very special and we know would have made Geoff very proud.
We are so happy to have been part of Geoff’s life. It was a very fun part! A happy place. On this album you will hear us all together. Full of energy. The sound waves will travel out into the great beyond forever and that is, as Geoff always used to say, outtasight.
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoy listening to it!
SSW and TSOD
At Sean Read's Famous Time Studio i
n Hackney with Richard Easeman
With producer and engineer Gavin Bower's at
The Priscilla Bacon Lodge Hospice
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At The Green Note Camden
Heading back to London after a show in Oxford
Shadows of Doubt Shadows
LYRICS
I'm a Worrier
This Ain't It
Always thinking of the worst, I’m a worrier
Give me a bubble and I’ll make it burst, I’m a worrier
Have you had enough to eat
Are you feeling okay?
If you it not enjoying this
Then you don't have to stay
It's hard to keep hungry wolves at bay
I'm a worrier
Looking health issues up on the internet, I'm a worrier
If you look for the worst then that’s what you’ll get, I’m worrier
Did I say it all wrong?
Did I cause offence?
I can fend off reason and common sense
My stomachs in knots and my shoulders are tense
Cos I’m a worrier
Take a look does that look normal to you? I’m a worrier
Cos I know better than the experts do, I'm a worrier
It’s getting really late
And your not home
I can only get through to your answerphone
Somethings never leave you alone
I’m a worrier
I trained up in the mountains by a river or tears
A dedicated scholar in fabricating fears
Sitting in there in silence and raking the ground
Whatever you throw at me, I can turn it around
Our Solar systems got an asteroid belt, I'm a worrier
Am I making the most of these cards I’ve been dealt, I’m a worrier
Did you hear that noise?
Did I lock the door?
I can't sleep and it's almost four
I think its getting worse than it was before
I’m a worrier
All we need is a hit record
One song to get that break
And it must be put there somewhere
We're gonna do anything that it takes
And I lives are gonna change when we write it
All the money will all roll in
We'll get a million view on YouTube
Yeah this time we're gonna win
But This Ain't It
This Ain't It
Surely you can tell this one ain't gonna sell
This Ain't It
It's gonna tear up all the airwaves
It's gonna get right under your skin
It's gonna take you by the hand and show you they
To a place that you've never been
It will sound fresh and new and yet familiar
It will sound so close home
It'll be so full of surprise even the dead's gonna rise
It's gonna role away that stone
But This Ain't It
This Ain't It
Surely that is clear this one ain't even near
This Ain't It
Oh it's gonna be an absolute belter
Maybe our number one hit
The love will shine on through, that's what it's gonna do
But I tell you This Ain't It
I was standing where the land meets the ocean
Underneath the endless midnight sky
I saw the ancient stars burning above us
With their light that forgot to die
And then I reached down into my pocket
Took out my phone to write a line or two
Then I turned into a song that I thought was pretty strong
And one day I'm gonna sing it for you
But This Ain't It
This Ain't It
This ain't the one this is just some bubble-gum
This Ain't It
Everybody's gonna be up dancing
Everybody will have to admit
What a relief it'll be when it comes to me
But I tell you This Ain't It
Tony
Rocket in the Desert
The session at Gavin Bowers's Catch 21 Studio in Norwich
You always look so good yeah you look so fine
Walking with a duck umbrella by your side
Rings on your fingers, sparkling eye
Riding on the night bus, N63
Tony, Tony
Oh I'm thinking of you tonight and how you hug me so tight
Yeah one time you bruised my ribs
Tony
Let's talk about Biba, let's talk about Les Cousin
Let's talk about Woodstock, let's talk about Primrose Hill
Carly Simon and the Betsey on a Whitstable Bay
Warm Leatherette
Come on now people smile on your sister and brother
Everybody get together lets try to love one another
Tony, Tony
You know it won't be that long until we all hear your song
You make us feel like it's all worthwhile
Tony
Autumn leave are falling and I'm thinking about Georgia O'Keefe
Bare bones in the desert, painting above the clouds
We met North of the river by Blackfriars bridge
Looking forward to another Midsummer's Night Dream with you
Tony, Tony
Je ne parle pas français, je pense que tu aimerais
Je pren ce petite peu pour toi
Tony
New Years Eve
Would you believe
Desert plains by Erg Chigaga
One week a year
They may appear
Camels come from near and far
Rocket in the Desert
Moisture-less air
Dunes everywhere
Rain heading South from Zagora
Oh the arid ground
Salad abound
Green field in the Sahara
Rocket in the Desert
Didn't think I would find you here
With nothing to loose and nothing to fear
The sun is high and no rivers flow
You never gave up and you found a way to grow
Performing at Come Down and Meet & Meet the Folks, Clerkenwell
Bigfoot Baby
Designated Driver
Well as I went walking in the wood one day
I saw a hairy tall creature standing in my way
I saw the Bigfoot Baby (Bigfoot Baby)
The Bigfoot Baby (Bigfoot Baby)
I saw the Bigfoot Baby walking next to me
He was eight foot tall and unbelievably
He was standed on two feet bi-pedally
I saw the Bigfoot Baby (Bigfoot Baby)
The Bigfoot Baby (Bigfoot Baby)
I saw the Bigfoot Baby standing next to me
It goes by many names
The Sasquatch, the Almasty, the Orang Pendek
The Wingago, the Boogyman and the Great Yowie
The Abominable Snowman and the Florida Skunk Ape
The Wildman and the Woodwose and the Big Yeti
Well a lot of folk will tell you that it ain't real
But try saying that out loud when you're gonna be its next meal
I saw the Bigfoot Baby (Bigfoot Baby)
The Bigfoot Baby (Bigfoot Baby)
I saw the Bigfoot Baby screaming next to me
It goes by many names
The Sasquatch, the Almasty, the Orang Pendek
The Wingago, the Boogyman and the Great Yowie
The Abominable Snowman and the Florida Skunk Ape
The Wildman and the Woodwose and the Big Yeti
Well I first read about you when I was only eleven
I saw the footage of you they got from 1967
I fell in love with the Bigfoot Baby (Bigfoot Baby)
The Bigfoot Baby (Bigfoot Baby)
I fell in love with the Bigfoot Baby, you were taking hold of me
I’ve got keys in my pocket
I’m not drinking tonight
Gonna have a lime and soda
Coca Cola or Sprite
Everyone’s intoxicated but I don’t feel alone
Cos the the music stops and party dies
I’m gonna take you home
I’m the designated driver
On the highway of love
Everybody’s talking loudly
And getting really close to me
Time is going slowly
But I know what I’ve got to be
I’m in total control, you’re in a drunken paradise
But you don’t have to thank me
Cos this ain’t no sacrifice
I’m the designated driver
On the highway of love
I’m mad enough without it
And I’ll stick it out to the end
There’ll silver moonlight on the river
Waterloo Bridge at 2am
My stamina is outrageous, I’m here for the long stay
I’m well under the limit
In line with the DVLA
I’m the designated driver
On the highway of love
Minne and Adam
They are both movie stars
The drove themselves to an Oscar's party
But they only took one car
Minnie said to Adam
“I've got this, this is on me
Besides there's something behind the bar
and it' is alcohol free"
I’ll be the designated Driver
On the highway of love
Deadheading
Terpsichorean Footwear
It's getting light outside
Oh this night can't last forever
And this might be the last time
Cos it's not that often we are together
No more standing at the back
While others have their fun
Too many years of wondering what I could have begun
I'll put on my Terpsichorean Footwear
You may laugh baby, I don't care
I've got my Terpsichorean Footwear
The competitions steep
But baby I've got the fever today
It's time to stand up
And start this long overdue courtship display
Like the antelope
On the African plain
I'm gonna move my feet and drive you insane
I'll put on my Terpsichorean Footwear
You may laugh baby, I don't care
I've got my Terpsichorean Footwear
Long words you've gotta look them up
Unless you already know then
I've got my Terpsichorean Footwear
Yeah yeah yeah
I've got sticky fingers baby, been out for hours
Clearing up the mess from yesterday's flowers
It's the price you pay for a fruit for bloom
If you wanna smell the roses, then you gotta make room
Making space for tomorrow petals waiting in the wings
When it's just you and me, I forget everything
Some already fallen laying on the floor,
But there's always room for a little bit more deadhead
Deadheading
Out with the old and in with the new
You gave me everything you had and I thank you
I'm 36 years old and I used to be hip
But now I worry about when my old buds need a snip
The more you look the more you see
Sometimes I feel like some kind of bee
One minute you were there and next year gone
Oh no, that was a new one
Deadheading
Sue hear my voice my flower song
Sometimes I feel like Monty done
I saw him on the TV; he's got curly hair, he's got some dogs
Hear the gift of life, give it one more chance
Keep the door open for one last dance
I'm talking about basic garden maintenance
Deadheading
Don't Go to Seed
Don't Go to Seed
Don't Go to Seed
Don't Go to Seed
Get your knees down in the mud
Shadows of Doubt nip it in the bud
Deadheading
'Dr G on the Fender P' it at Maverick Festival
When September Comes
Loving You
Well I just cannot wait to see you
It's been much longer than I can bear
I'm sitting here in the Springtime
And your sitting out of reach over there
But the temperature keeps on rising
And we'll be together again
When the leaves start falling
I'm gonna start calling
When September Comes
The sun is warm but it just feels so cold here
The days are endless and they all feel the same
The summer is a mountain between us
And tomorrow just a flickering flame
But there are taps that keep on dripping
No matter how tight you try to turn them off
I've been there before I swear
Gonna do all I can to make it there
When September Comes
The humidity keep on rising
The sun is getting higher in the sky
And the swallows from the South they are returning
And the canal shines like crystal in my eye
So hold on cos it cannot be much longer
Hold on like you've never before
The morning is hazy and unclear now
Abd the future just some mutant distant shore
But there's a tango up in heaven
And like clockwork the seasons come again
Everything is gonna start flowing
Who knows where we'll be going
When September Comes
I don’t know what tomorrow going to bring
My crystal ball is empty and I can’t see a thing
Time is a stranger and grabs you by the hand
Drags you kicking and screaming across the shifting sands
But sure as dogs will bark and birds will fly
The night is dark and the desert is dry
Sure as the ocean is deep and the sky is blue
This time tomorrow I’ll be Loving You
Leaves will fall and seeds and will grow
Planets turn, rivers flow
I know you cannot forever be with me
Cos a ship is safe in the harbour but it’s built for the sea
But sure as dogs will bark and birds will fly
The night is dark and the desert is dry
Sure as the ocean is deep and the sky is blue
This time tomorrow I’ll be Loving You
Big sun dipping under the horizon
Shadows fade to darkness as it slips away
But in that same moment somewhere that sun is rising
Streaming across the land to start a brand new day
Everything changed in that moment when I first saw you
Something deep inside shifted, it was like I had been split in two
There's a Supernova up there in the midnight sky
It took a billion years to put a twinkle in your eye
But sure as dogs will bark and birds will fly
The night is dark and the desert is dry
Sure as the ocean is deep and the sky is blue
This time tomorrow I’ll be Loving You
Post gig shot with original Shadow of Doubt and great friend Ty Watling
On stage at the Upstart Crow Festival in East London