Historic Daze

Unreliable Recollections from Jimmy McKenna (subject to amendment as better facts come to light!)

By late 1982 Studio facilities were becoming affordable. The recordings that mostly comprise Historic Daze are those made in my name at Durham Street Studios (DSS) of Hartlepool. That Peter Scott was always invited to participate and this led to the temporary formation of a DisGuise mkIII line-up with Paul Lynagh on drums and Michael Dixon on second guitar. Peter also made his own recordings at DSS but these have never been made available.

Dumb Guitar – a Kitchen Sink recording! – i.e. everything and the kitchen sink was thrown in, making use of 8 separate recording tracks. The song was from a January 1977 jam of the same name led by Peter which I later turned into a full song – it was never performed live.

(I Want to Watch My) Tele With You – a song of domestic bliss recorded at 8 Track at Durham Street Studios (DSS) Terry Ashley played drums.

Don’t Talk to Strangers – this song was written in late 1978 and recorded at 8 Track at DSS. Terry Ashley played drums and Peter was a bit menacing on guitar.

Run to Me – yet another bittersweet pop song with super solos from Peter on guitar and keyboards and Paul Lynagh on drums. Recorded at 8 Track at DSS.

Pedestal – My first attempt at a swing type tune. Recorded at 8 Track at DSS with Paul Lynagh on drums and Peter on guitar

I Don’t Want to Think – DisGuise performed this regularly in 1978, I decided to deconstruct it from its punky roots and make it into a keyboard vocal extravaganza. Recorded at 8 Track at DSS.

Anyone Who Had a Heart – a super soppy ballad by Burt Bacharach/Hal David which was a hit for Cilla Black in 1964. Recorded at 8 Track at DSS with Michael Dixon on guitar and Paul Lynagh on drums.

Go On – this really happened, though greatly exaggerated for the benefit of the song. Originally recorded with Peter as part of Portastudio weekend in 1982 this version was recorded at 8 Track at DSS with Paul Lynagh on drums.

Head – The creation of this song can be tied to June/July 1985. The popular TV comedy Blackadder had an episode entitled Head and there had been a separate drama series with same title. Peter and I were discussing a mutual friend and I observed that his head was all over the place, and suddenly there was a song. Peter and Michael Dixon on guitars and Paul Lynagh on drums.

You’re Too Loud /Small Town Chorale – Peter played guitar but declined to perform Small Town so I improvised. Terry Ashley on drums and Peter on dentist drill guitar

Five Minutes Left – Northern Ireland made it to the 1982 World Cup where they were not expected to do particularly well, being in the same group as the host nation Spain. I tensely watched their first game, against Yugoslavia, whilst nursing my acoustic guitar for comfort, whilst strumming sixties pop type tunes. Late in the game with the score still nil all, the excited commentator exclaimed ‘and Northern Ireland have Five Minutes Left to Hang On’, and suddenly a song popped out.  This recording was made with the help of Michael Dixon’s posh Portastudio and Peter’s guitar was recorded in one take. Northern Ireland went on to beat Spain in their group game (a great shock).

Boys and Girls – one of the bigger DisGuise songs from 1978. Finally recorded on to a Portastudio in 1982 with some superb guitar from Peter.

Hooks for Crooks – a little humorous whinge at the then state of music i.e. artists that I did not particularly rate were being rather successful yet I was not! Recorded by Michael Dixon on his Portastudio in 1982.

Doing it All for You – I came up with this in early 1980, when as a brand new Dad I marvelled at the way my baby son seemed to be seeing things that grown-ups could not, almost that they had secret knowledge. ‘Secrets, you can tell me all about your secrets’ was the starting point, then the song became something else. Peter on guitar.

There’s a Man up There – originally one of the new songs recorded by Peter and I during the Two Tape Recorder Sessions. This became reggaefied when we jammed it out with Peter and Michael Dixon on guitars and Paul Lynagh on drums.

Ice Cold and the Snowflakes – my homage to the pop groups of my childhood though the starting point was a line appropriated from Richard III. recorded on Portastudio.

All You Need is Love – that old English folk song by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Peter did a fast version first on his Portastudio. I liked the idea so much that I also had a go. Recorded by Michael Dixon on his Portastudio.

Film of the Book – if the version of December 1977 had sounded like it now does I might never have had the urge to keep revisiting this song. I ended up with four different versions! This therefore is version 2 with Peter on guitar, version 3 and 4 are on the Tortured Art album.