Leader of the Starry Skies: A Tribute to Tim Smith, Songbook 1
Encyclopedia
Leader of the Starry Skies: A Tribute To Tim Smith, Songbook 1 is a compilation album
featuring cover versions of songs by Tim Smith
(the songwriter behind Cardiacs
, The Sea Nymphs, Spratleys Japs
and Panixphere
). It was released on CD on December 13, 2010 on the Believers Roast label (via Genepool distribution). The release date for download, via iTunes, is 20th December 2010.
All contributing artists and bands have either stated a strong Cardiacs
influence in their music, profess sincere admiration for Smith's work, or feature at least one person who has at some time been involved with Cardiacs
. Contributors to the project include The Magic Numbers
, Robert White of The Milk and Honey Band
with Andy Partridge
(XTC
), Steven Wilson
of Porcupine Tree
, Katharine Blake
of Mediaeval Baebes, psychedelic metal band Oceansize
, Julianne Regan
of All About Eve
, 1990's Britpop
band Ultrasound
(who reunited especially to record their cover version), Jason Pegg of Clearlake
and no less than five current or former Cardiacs
members - former keyboard player William D. Drake
, former drummer and keyboard player Mark Cawthra
, former guitarist Christian Hayes
(under the project name of mikrokosmos), current guitarist Kavus Torabi
(with his Knifeworld project) and former drummer Peter Tagg (with The Trudy).
The album was recorded as a response to Tim Smith's hospitalisation in 2008 (following a combined heart attack and stroke in London) was released in order to raise funds for his ongoing care and recovery. All profits from the album sales go directly to help Tim Smith. A bonus disc, called A Loyal Companion
, was free with CD preorders.
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
featuring cover versions of songs by Tim Smith
Tim Smith (Cardiacs)
Tim Smith is an English singer-songwriter, composer, poet, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and music video director....
(the songwriter behind Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
, The Sea Nymphs, Spratleys Japs
Spratleys Japs
Spratleys Japs was a British psychedelic rock band formed by Cardiacs leader Tim Smith and Joanne Spratley. The band is known to have been inspired by the sound of a malfunctioning Mellotron loaned to Tim Smith by Planet Mellotron coordinator Andy Thompson. The Mellotron is used extensively on the...
and Panixphere
Panixphere
Panixphere are a British rock band featuring various past, present and future members of Cardiacs and Levitation, Dark Star, Dragons and The Wildhearts....
). It was released on CD on December 13, 2010 on the Believers Roast label (via Genepool distribution). The release date for download, via iTunes, is 20th December 2010.
All contributing artists and bands have either stated a strong Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
influence in their music, profess sincere admiration for Smith's work, or feature at least one person who has at some time been involved with Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
. Contributors to the project include The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers are an English pop rock band comprising two pairs of brothers and sisters from Greenford. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their critically acclaimed debut album titled The Magic Numbers on 13 June 2005...
, Robert White of The Milk and Honey Band
The Milk And Honey Band
The Milk And Honey Band is an English rock band centred around the talents of singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Robert White .-Sound:...
with Andy Partridge
Andy Partridge
Andrew John "Andy" Partridge is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has been known as Sir John Johns and Melchior and rose to fame as a founding member, guitarist and chief songwriter of the pop/new wave band, XTC. He lives in Swindon, Wiltshire, where he was raised.Partridge also...
(XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
), Steven Wilson
Steven Wilson
Steven John Wilson is an English musician, best known as the founder, lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of progressive rock band Porcupine Tree...
of Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
, Katharine Blake
Katharine Blake
Katharine Blake is a British singer, songwriter and musician originally from London. She was the lead singer of Miranda Sex Garden, and is a founding member, singer and musical director of the musical group the Mediæval Bæbes....
of Mediaeval Baebes, psychedelic metal band Oceansize
Oceansize
Oceansize were a British rock band, formed in Manchester, England on 19th October 1998. The band consisted of Mike Vennart , Steve Durose , Richard "Gambler" Ingram , Mark Heron and Jon Ellis for the majority of its career, with Steve Hodson replacing Ellis on bass in 2006...
, Julianne Regan
Julianne Regan
Julianne Regan is an English singer, song writer, guitarist, bass guitarist and keyboard player. She is best known for being the lead singer of the band, All About Eve.- Early life :...
of All About Eve
All About Eve (band)
All About Eve were a British rock/pop band. The creative core consisted of the Coventry born Julianne Regan , and the Huddersfield born Andy Cousin , with other members changing over the years...
, 1990's Britpop
Britpop
Britpop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom. Britpop emerged from the British independent music scene of the early 1990s and was characterised by bands influenced by British guitar pop music of the 1960s and 1970s...
band Ultrasound
Ultrasound (band)
Ultrasound are an English indie band, predominantly active during the late 1990s. Although the band's focal point was their tall, obese singer/guitarist Andrew "Tiny" Wood, the main songwriter was guitarist Richard Green, with the line-up completed by drummer Andy Peace, keyboardist Matt Jones and...
(who reunited especially to record their cover version), Jason Pegg of Clearlake
Clearlake (band)
Clearlake are an indie rock band, based in Brighton, England. The members of the band are:*Jason Pegg *David 'Woody' Woodward *Toby May *Jim Briffett -History:...
and no less than five current or former Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
members - former keyboard player William D. Drake
William D. Drake
William D. Drake is an English musician, keyboardist, pianist, composer and singer-songwriter. He is best known as a former member of the cult English rock band Cardiacs, whom he played with for nine years between 1983 and 1992...
, former drummer and keyboard player Mark Cawthra
Mark Cawthra
Mark Cawthra is a musician and music producer working in the UK. He was born in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire.-Biography:...
, former guitarist Christian Hayes
Christian Hayes
Christian Hayes , also known as Bic Hayes, is an English rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. His highest profile musical role has been fronting the band Dark Star between 1998 and 2001, whom he formed with fellow ex-Levitation members David Francolini and Laurence O'Keefe.He has also played in a...
(under the project name of mikrokosmos), current guitarist Kavus Torabi
Kavus Torabi
Kavus Torabi is a British musician and composer . A multi-instrumentalist, he is known for his work in the avant-garde rock field...
(with his Knifeworld project) and former drummer Peter Tagg (with The Trudy).
The album was recorded as a response to Tim Smith's hospitalisation in 2008 (following a combined heart attack and stroke in London) was released in order to raise funds for his ongoing care and recovery. All profits from the album sales go directly to help Tim Smith. A bonus disc, called A Loyal Companion
Leader of the Starry Skies - A Loyal Companion
Leader of the Starry Skies - A Loyal Companion is a limited edition compilation album featuring cover versions of songs by Tim Smith . It was released on CD on December 13, 2010 on the Believers Roast label...
, was free with CD preorders.
Track listing
- "Savour" - William D. DrakeWilliam D. DrakeWilliam D. Drake is an English musician, keyboardist, pianist, composer and singer-songwriter. He is best known as a former member of the cult English rock band Cardiacs, whom he played with for nine years between 1983 and 1992...
- "Big Ship" - UltrasoundUltrasound (band)Ultrasound are an English indie band, predominantly active during the late 1990s. Although the band's focal point was their tall, obese singer/guitarist Andrew "Tiny" Wood, the main songwriter was guitarist Richard Green, with the line-up completed by drummer Andy Peace, keyboardist Matt Jones and...
- "Fear" - OceansizeOceansizeOceansize were a British rock band, formed in Manchester, England on 19th October 1998. The band consisted of Mike Vennart , Steve Durose , Richard "Gambler" Ingram , Mark Heron and Jon Ellis for the majority of its career, with Steve Hodson replacing Ellis on bass in 2006...
- "Let Alone My Plastic Doll" - Mark CawthraMark CawthraMark Cawthra is a musician and music producer working in the UK. He was born in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire.-Biography:...
- "Day is Gone" - The Trudy
- "Foundling" - Stars In BattledressStars In Battledress (band)Stars In Battledress are an English musical duo featuring brothers Richard and James Larcombe. They are notable for their complex but tuneful compositions, their unorthodox fusion of folk music sources and British/American art rock influences, and for their intricate and allusive lyrics.A related...
- "Will Bleed Amen" - Max TundraMax TundraBen Jacobs, more commonly known by the stage name Max Tundra, is an English multi-instrumental musician, singer and music producer. His work is predominantly electronic music but incorporates non-electronic styles and instruments...
featuring Sarah MeasuresThe Monsoon BassoonThe Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times... - "Shaping the River" - Julianne ReganJulianne ReganJulianne Regan is an English singer, song writer, guitarist, bass guitarist and keyboard player. She is best known for being the lead singer of the band, All About Eve.- Early life :...
- "The Stench of Honey" - KnifeworldKavus TorabiKavus Torabi is a British musician and composer . A multi-instrumentalist, he is known for his work in the avant-garde rock field...
- "A Little Man and a House" - The Magic NumbersThe Magic NumbersThe Magic Numbers are an English pop rock band comprising two pairs of brothers and sisters from Greenford. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their critically acclaimed debut album titled The Magic Numbers on 13 June 2005...
- "Is This the Life" - mikrokosmosChristian HayesChristian Hayes , also known as Bic Hayes, is an English rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. His highest profile musical role has been fronting the band Dark Star between 1998 and 2001, whom he formed with fellow ex-Levitation members David Francolini and Laurence O'Keefe.He has also played in a...
- "March" - North Sea Radio OrchestraNorth Sea Radio OrchestraNorth Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
- "Lillywhite's Party" - Robert WhiteThe Milk And Honey BandThe Milk And Honey Band is an English rock band centred around the talents of singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Robert White .-Sound:...
featuring Andy PartridgeAndy PartridgeAndrew John "Andy" Partridge is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has been known as Sir John Johns and Melchior and rose to fame as a founding member, guitarist and chief songwriter of the pop/new wave band, XTC. He lives in Swindon, Wiltshire, where he was raised.Partridge also... - "Wind and Rains is Cold" - Rose KempRose KempRose Kemp is an English singer and guitarist who performs in a variety of genres. She is the daughter of Maddy Prior and Rick Kemp of the folk-rock band Steeleye Span.- Singing career :...
vs. Rarg - "Up in Annie's Room" - Katharine BlakeKatharine BlakeKatharine Blake is a British singer, songwriter and musician originally from London. She was the lead singer of Miranda Sex Garden, and is a founding member, singer and musical director of the musical group the Mediæval Bæbes....
- "Stoneage Dinosaurs" - Steven WilsonSteven WilsonSteven John Wilson is an English musician, best known as the founder, lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of progressive rock band Porcupine Tree...
- "Home of Fadeless Splendour" - The Scaramanga SixThe Scaramanga SixThe Scaramanga Six are an English rock band noted for their aggressive live act, their flamboyant and theatrical songs and their independent business practices...