Kiss Cuddle and Torture

KISS CUDDLE AND TORTURE

Very unreliable recollections from Jimmy McKenna (subject to amendment as better facts come to light!)

The album image is from my membership card for the Gemini Discotheque in Hartlepool and bears no relevance the actual music in this album.

I Can’t Make You Mind Up – Oh no not another song in which the singer has a rant at some unnamed person, well sometimes you just have to get things off your chest. Another one from the January 2009 session with Alan Scully on drums.

Eagle Eye – One of my oblique songs, the lyrics being self-explanatory, or not. This was recorded on to my 4 track Portastudio c1985 and of course has been tidied up a little.

Whistling in the Wind – my friend Graeme Wheatley wrote this in 1977, telling the tale of two Hartlepool lads in their first, short-lived job straight out of school. Recorded in February 2007 with Gavin and Jason Bell providing brisk accompaniment on bass and drums.

You’re My Baby – This has That Peter Scott playing incidental guitar and was recorded on my 4 track Portastudio c1985.

I’m No Good for Without You – One of my swing type tunes which has Gavin and Jason going full big band. Recorded in March 2006.

Postman’s Knock – in my late twenties, after a decade of assuming I was on the verge of errr stardom, I came to the realisation that I was on the verge of being unemployable! So I set about applying for real jobs, and within this over the top performance is the actual story of my application to be a Postman. This was recorded on my 4 track Portastudio c1985.

Conversations With You – One of my rational ‘if only’ songs. Recorded on my 4 track Portastudio c1985 and that Jason Bell added some real drums in July 2019.

I’m a Pooly – another song about my home town and its various claims to infamy. Gavin and Jason are joined by Danny Allen on piano. This includes musical references to other Hartlepool songs and was recorded in March 2006.

Melancholics Anonymous – I do like this. Recorded on my 4 track Portastudio c1985. I think I had just binge watched Great Expectations, The Four Feathers and Lost Weekend. Jason Bell added some real drums in July 2019.

Tell My Story – I was preparing to go and rehearse with Gavin and Jason when this song popped out unannounced. Gavin and Jason subsequently made it sound rather super. Recorded in February 2007.

Obsession – One of my most soppy and quite creepy songs Recorded on my 4 track Portastudio c1985.

Rock n Roll Star – another Peter Scott song which I decided to interfere with, with the fulsome support of Gavin and Jason’s bass and drumming and was recorded in March 2006.

Twenty-seven – and finally another of my heartbreak songs, from 1976 and finally recorded on to a Portastudio at Durham Street Studios c1990.