Heavy Disguise
Encyclopedia
"Heavy Disguise" is a song by English
band Strawbs written by bassist
John Ford. The track first appeared on the Grave New World
album and features just John Ford from the band singing and accompanying himself on the acoustic guitar
backed by "The Robert Kirby
Silver Band" – i.e. a brass section arranged by Robert Kirby (who later became a Strawbs keyboard player).
Ford has said in interview that the song was inspired by the rhythm of a Jethro Tull
song he heard on the radio. The lyrical content was inspired by him seeing a news report of a Vietnamese demonstration at the US embassy, but also draws heavily from the situation prevalent in Northern Ireland at the time (in the same way that "New World
" does). The song was originally entitled "IRA Meeting Blues".
with
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
band Strawbs written by bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
John Ford. The track first appeared on the Grave New World
Grave New World
Grave New World is a studio album by English band Strawbs. It was the first album to be released after the departure of Rick Wakeman, under circumstances about which band leader Dave Cousins was very bitter. Cousins has admitted that the track "Tomorrow" was written about Wakeman...
album and features just John Ford from the band singing and accompanying himself on the acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
backed by "The Robert Kirby
Robert Kirby
Robert Kirby was a British born arranger of string sections for rock and folk music. He is best known for his work on the Nick Drake albums, Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter, but has also worked with Elton John, Ralph McTell, Strawbs, Paul Weller and Elvis Costello.-At Cambridge:Patrick...
Silver Band" – i.e. a brass section arranged by Robert Kirby (who later became a Strawbs keyboard player).
Ford has said in interview that the song was inspired by the rhythm of a Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
song he heard on the radio. The lyrical content was inspired by him seeing a news report of a Vietnamese demonstration at the US embassy, but also draws heavily from the situation prevalent in Northern Ireland at the time (in the same way that "New World
New World (Strawbs song)
"New World" is a song by English band Strawbs written by Dave Cousins. The track first appeared on the Grave New World album.-Lyrical and musical content:...
" does). The song was originally entitled "IRA Meeting Blues".
Personnel
- John Ford – vocals, acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
with
- The Robert Kirby Silver Band