Two original songs from late 1970’s (so young 🤓)

[Mark T]

My dear AMers – this submission is inspired by Ralph, who recently posted an old recording he’d made on a 4-Track Cassette recorder. Way back in the late 1970’s – my late teens/early 20’s – I had a Yamaha 4-Track Cassette recorder/mixer, and I’ve found some old recordings 🤓 I’ve included some Art by my wife, Fiona (Fin), as I don’t have video of me ❤️

Firstly though, an update on my Cancer situation: Last Tuesday we saw the Oncologist, and my PSA continues to drop – from the initial 213, it’s now 0.73! 😃

I’ve been hoping to attend Fiona’s Son’s wedding in Hungary next year, but was initially denied Travel Insurance when first diagnosed and have heard of people quoted up to £4,000 – ridiculous! However, on Thursday I tried again and got a quote of £34.56 for 7 days! I wondered how much an Annual policy would cost for Europe – £251.19 😳😳😳👌👌👌

So, we’re now booked on a 19 day Cruise around the Med, starting mid-April – Wonderful 🤩 🎉🥳

Anyway – onto the songs: All original and I’m playing and singing everything (the drums are played on a midi-keyboard).

Externally Insane (Internally Strange) – based on a documentary about a chap in an Insane Asylum. He’s convinced he just ‘looks’ odd on the outside, but inside he’s just a little ‘different’ and believes he’ll be out soon. He spends most days drinking coloured water that he thinks is Coke, listening to a single tape on his Sony Walkman. During the interview he’s convinced the film crew are his old friends. Suddenly, he starts screaming and yelling and throws himself against the wall, has to be restrained and placed in a padded cell to avoid further injury. So sad 🥺

Song for Andy – I was introduced to Andrew by a girlfriend who lived in the same Bedsitter house. Andy was gay, had an Italian boyfriend – Clyde – and a large group of us often went to Reggae gigs at Dingwalls, Camden (Nth London). When I split from my girlfriend, I continued to meet with Andy & Clyde. Clyde was moving back to Italy when, suddenly, Andy said he’d stay if I wanted him to! I was stunned, and told him there was no chance of me ‘turning’ – so he went with Clyde. I’d always thought he was just very weak and nervous – think I was just so naive – but 9 months later, just before Christmas, Clyde sent me a note to say Andy had passed away from HIV-Aids. He was a gentle soul and a lovely chap ❤️

Hope you enjoy these old recordings – best wishes ❤️

[James B]

Very impressive, Mark. ‘Song For Andy’, especially. A well crafted song musically and lyrically. Did you play the bass and percussion also? Fiona’s artwork is fabulous. Great news from the doctor too.

James

[Mark T]

Thanks James 👍

Yes, I’ve always loved playing Bass. I still have the one I used in this recording, though I never looked after it! I had to buy a new one just recently 🤓 The percussion is played on a midi-keyboard 🎶

Best wishes and thanks again 😎

[WBlues]

Great news from the doctor, Mark!!!
With that I wish you a pleasant journey; it’s going to be a great April!!!

You submitted a definitely successful track, everything was very consistent. Well done!

Play guitar just like you live; don't get bogged down in theory, it's just a tool without feeling.

Wilfried

[Mark T]

Thank you, Wilfried! 👍

We really didn’t think travelling was an option when originally diagnosed with a 6 to 9 month life expectancy. I’m now playing ’Extra Time’ 😂😂😂 Just shows, never give up hope! I’m buzzing at the thought of the Cruise – it’s going to be brilliant 🎉🎉🎉

Best wishes 😎

[Guido]

Liked both songs, Mark! Very interesting and evocative lyrics and very original music and arrangement. A talented songwriter, considering also you was so young! Really impressed how you managed to play and sing and put together all this by your self in those times: a home made excellent production. Your wife’s artwork is beautiful!

Guido

[Mark T]

Thank you, Guido 👍

It’s amazing what we used to do with rather basic equipment – compared to today, that is! One track I reserved for the MIDI signal for the drums; so I was really only working with 3 tracks: Bass on track 2; piano on track 3; bounce them onto track 4 with added Rhythm Guitar. And on it went – all had to be done in single takes. You had to be so precise and inventive! But I remember the thrill of creating a ‘band’ rather than just soloing all the time – it was wonderful 🎶🎶🎶

Thanks again 😎

[JFL]

I love this! Sounds great Mark, cool songs too. I also started recording on a tascam 4track. A lot of work but also a ton of fun!

JFL

[Mark T]

Thanks, JFL 👍

On reflection, I wish I’d bought a Tascam – they are still available with the label “Vintage” on them! Boy, does that make me feel old 😂😂😂 The Tascam is a lot more portable than my huge Yamaha 🤓

I guess many of us, of a certain age, started this way – and I think we learned a lot about the recording process. Paul McCartney said the Beatles did a lot of their best stuff on 4/8 Track tapes, though their early stuff was on 2 Track, so effectively live performances! 🎶

Best wishes 😎

[Mark T]

I found a photo of the Yamaha recorder. This is a slightly later model (1983) than I had, but from memory it looks identical. You can see just how large it is, especially compared to the Tascam – but oh, all those knobs, faders and dials to play with – heaven 😂😂😂

[Ralph P.]

Hi Mark,
First off, I’m so happy your treatments are going well, and you’ve made such good progress and are ready to Cruise around a little bit. You deserve it.
I liked both of your tracks. Both songs are well thought out and played, and of course they sound very British. Cassette Multitrack Recorders were so much fun. I had a cheap Vestax 4-track, but soon moved up to a Yamaha MT120S 8-track, which I still have in my music room. Those recorders were great for getting the music in your head down on tape to see if the music sounds as good on tape as it does in your head. LOL
I do miss the manual faders on analog equipment, but the main advantage of digital recording is NO TAPE HISS. That hiss was so annoying, and it would add up with every new track that was added.
It’s cool to know you’ve been into music for a long time like me.

Keep getting better Mark, and send my compliments to Fiona for her artistic skills,

Your US Mate,
Ralph

Ralph P.

[Mark T]

Thanks Ralph, really appreciate it – and yes, I’ll pass your compliments on to Fiona ❤️

Oh boy, yes, that tape hiss! Sometimes you only had to bounce once to notice it! Ahh, to have had an 8-Track – I’d be jumping around like a mad puppy 😂😂

Very best wishes to you and your family my friend ❤️

[Ralph P.]

Hi Mark, I just had a look at my Yamaha and it’s a 4-track. I don’t know if you ever experimented with turning the tape over and doing backwards guitars. Very cool. Also, you didn’t need an interface, you could plug the instruments in directly. I’d like to hear more of your “Old Stuff”.
Ralph

Ralph P.

[charjo]

Very creative work, Mark. I especially enjoyed your guitar skills in these. The art work was beautiful and I think you just forgot your shades in the closing scene. Great news on the PSA and have a great trip.
John

[Mark T]

Thanks John 👍

Yes, both Wallis & I forgot to bring shades for the picture – the others were not pleased, but we had to continue with the shoot 🤓

Best wishes 😎

[Clarke]

Mark,

Congratulations on the great PSA numbers. The Cruise sounds amazing, I have only done that once but loved every minute of it. Your wife’s art work is nothing short of fantastic.

I remember the 4 track days and bouncing tracks and yes precision was the key, a lot harder in those days. Great recordngs, I know you are glad you kept them. Very creative writing with just the right music behind them.

An early Bon Voyage my friend.

Clarke

[Garry]

Hi Mark,

Great news on your health, wonderful to hear.

Your originals sound so good. You’re a multi talented guy! I especially enjoyed the second song, there’s even shades of early Pink Floyd I reckon. Keep on pickin’ and enjoy the cruise. 🥸🎸🥸

[Rene A]

HI Mark,
I love Fin’s artwork, so lovely and the colors are so alive!
Congratulations on the Med trip, and really glad to hear the doctor report!!!
Andy, indeed, a friend!!!
Love both recording, and the harmony in Andy is lovely!!!
Thanks for these great recording.
By the way the Yamaha recorder looks great, like a dinosaur!!!
With love and respect,
Rene

[John H]

Great news from the Doc Mark. Wonderful submission and performance(s). Great stuff. I wish you a steady recovery and wonderful journey.

John

[Scott M]

Hello Mark,

Great to hear your PSA has dropped and you’re able to source some reasonable travel insurance. Enjoy the cruise!
Excellent songs and well recorded and mixed, great showcase of your talents.

Scott

[Helen Lazaridou]

What wonderful news my dearest Mark!!!!!!it keeps getting better and better!!!!!and now the cruise that you were so looking forward to!!!!!!!Fiona and you must be thrilled 🥰🥰🥰Thank you so much for sharing these artistic moments from the past!!Someone said above that you sounded so British!!!!I had exactly the same feeling!Especially in the first one I thought you sounded like Cure 🥰so much creativity all these years!!!you must be so proud of yourself!!!!🥰🥰🥰I wonder what the grandchildren say😜😜Especially if you showed them the photos at the end of the second video 🤣🤣As about Fiona ‘s paintings what can I say?they absolutely reflect pure love for life!!!My compliments to the most artistic couple!!!!!🥰🥰🥰💖💞💖💞💕❤️

[Mark T]

Thank you so much, from both of us – Fiona asked me to send her love and appreciation ❤️

I’m not sure what makes this sound so ‘British’ though. Obviously my accent is British (I’ve been told I have a ‘BBC accent’ – very proper English 😂), but I think it must be more than that? I remember at the time listening to a lot of Reggae (Yellowman, Eek-a-mouse, Dillinger); Rickie Lee Jones; John Martyn; Soft Machine and Tom Waits. So, quite an eclectic mix! If anything, I’d say my songs were more influenced by Rickie & Tom, but I tried to have my own sound and style, not anyone else’s. But the main thing is that you enjoyed them 👍🎶

Thank you again and love to you all ❤️

[David L]

Mark – That’s great news about the PSA numbers. Keep it up (or actually, down!) I enjoyed these tunes immensely. You have a very unique and refreshing style. Thank you for providing the interesting background information. And I always enjoy Fiona’s wonderful artwork. Well done, on many levels, as always.

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