||| RAMBLINGS |||
It's strange how things happen in life. This album, for
instance is a thing of wonder to me. It began as a suggestion that maybe
George and I should think about working together. So we did think about
it. We met, swapped musical references and influences, and then agreed
to try it out for a session. I don't think either of us had much idea
of how each other's style would work together; I'd heard some of George's
demos but he just knew I could sing and that was about it. The first session
can sometimes be like baby steps, just gently feeling your way - it's
usually just a jam out of which little is likely to reach the final recording.
Out of our first session we got the basis of two, possibly three songs
that would all find their way onto the album - first up was "what
can you tell me?" And that, pretty much, was the way it went.
I had thought I might have to draw on some of my old repertoire of songs,
unsure that I had an album's worth of subjects to write about. Apart from
one cover, which I've always wanted to record ever since I heard a friend
of mine perform it a few years back, and the reworking of an old song
to encompass new thoughts, they are all new songs - I didn't think I had
so much to say. There was so much material, in fact, that we had to short-list
what is now on the CD.
I also wanted to bring friends into the process, to involve the extraordinary
talents of some of the people I've met and worked with since I've been
here. It became a true collaboration, with everyone being extremely generous,
taking time out of filming and other work schedules. As one song after
another came together the album truly took on its own identity. "Music
for Elevators" was meant to be just a working title, but as the record
took shape so the name kind of stuck - and to me, it's still a thing of
wonder.
I hope you enjoy it - it'll be in the shops early 2002.
--Anthony Stewart Head