January 2015 - Valentine's Day Comments and Voting

I thought last month it was hard to choose a top three, but it’s even more difficult this time. It seems that thinking about love has bought out the best in everyone.



Under Your Spell – Robbie Good Band

The opening here is really strong, with the band functioning superbly: guitar, organ, piano and bass locking together for a tight and confident minor blues swagger. I love the delivery of the line ‘I’m Under Your Spell’ and a brief snatch of what sounds like a backing vocal, but might have been a synth. It was such a good hook of a vocal line that I wanted it to come back. It never did, though; instead there was a succession of verses, and I couldn’t help thinking you’d have been close to a barnstormer if there had been a bit of a focal point for the song. That doesn’t detract from a fine vocal performance with some excellent vibrato, and some spot on musicianship. The mood is key here and on that count it’s a big success; the Claptonesque/smoky basement bar blues working to great effect. The guitar solo is very good, shifting from a low register to a high one with skill, with good use of space.


Valentine’s – Colin Parish

There’s a very nice bit of acoustic guitar and understated piano work at the beginning.

Lyrically it’s an interesting way of saying we’ve become so wrapped up in computers and phones that we don’t engage with each other enough. You’ve captured this well on: ‘Come out of your bedrooms and put away your phones/it’s time to face the real world if you’re not to be alone’.

That guitar solo sounds terrific and your harmony singing is as good as ever.

You’ve used stereo really effectively, with instruments popping in and out of the left and right speakers. There’s some really good interplay between the guitar and another synth sound towards the end. Well done.



Put it There My Son - Colin Parish

This has a lovely chorus and is a wonderful celebration of love. On top, it showcases once more your talents in juggling different instruments.

There’s an excellent intro with a group of synths sound and some very nice Spanish-style guitar and buzzy guitar. I like it that you’re not afraid to sing in a low register. It works well and shows the breadth of your vocal skills, given that some of your other stuff has been quite high. It’s certainly not ‘mawkish and embarrassing’ as you feared in your sleeve notes – it’s touching. The chorus is very good and it’s all clear and tuneful. ‘You’re in my heart and under my skin’ is a nice line and I like that bit where you say that your son will only appreciate your love for him at the time he has his own children. You’ve given a lesson in how to construct a song using a repeated four-chord sequence that sounds interesting all the way through because of the clever use of variations in the vocals and instruments. Excellent.



It Won't Be Long - Mike Gosling

You’re at the top of your game with this one. Very enjoyable for lots of reasons: beautifully played and sung, including good snare and cymbal work from Karl, a lilting tune and warm sentiments. It’s up there with Under Your Sky as a personal favourite of mine from your back catalogue.

All of the instruments are mixed and produced to a very high standard; best of all letting your velvety but strident vocals take centre stage.

Great that you used your Christmas present to kick things off – the ukulele sounds good. Then the accordion complements things well, and the bass comes in with perfect timing to provide further energy. That aah, aaah bit at the start of the bridge is brilliant.

It’s another reminder of your skills with words – there’s a directness and economy about the way the lyrics emerge, and the phrasing always fits very snugly around the instruments. I like the bit about the hearts melting the frost on the lawn, and ‘arms wrapped tight round our bodies warm and strong’. Lean, smart, tuneful and very enjoyable.


Valentine Moon – Colin Steward

Where the feck have you pulled this one from, Colin? After several months of inactivity I thought you may not be back but I’m very glad you are because this is wonderful. It’s such a gorgeous tune that it could have been handed to you through a crack in the clouds.

You’ve kept your piano playing fairly well hidden until now and I don’t know why – because it’s terrific. You play with finesse, verve and emotion. I will be phoning to book a lesson. The whole thing is etched with momentous chord sequences, and Robbie’s crooning is superb. He sings excellently throughout, especially the key line of ‘With you every night has a Valentine moon’, which is startlingly well delivered. I like the way that the vocal melody and piano melodies intertwine, sometimes with the same tune, following each quite closely now and again, and sometimes very different, but always complementary. The strings and drums are really good when the chorus kicks in.

I liked the longing in the line: ‘My hopes would always die when the postman passed me by’ and also the bits about the moon having a trance-like pull. There’s a funny (some would say endearingly daft) section of lyrics on the bridge where Christmas and birthdays are ‘overrated’ and ‘chocolate eggs and pancakes make you fat…away days and May Days… never turn out to be all that.’

The trumpet solo later on is great. You describe the song as ‘old fashioned’, but it feels timeless to me. It’s going to be hard for you to better this, but it’ll be intriguing to watch you try over the coming months. I hope you’ve played it to Sharon, but when she’s with you I don’t think you should perform it down your local boozer around other women. They will swoon.

Monumentally good.


(Don’t Forget My) Valentine - Patrick Duffin 
An excellent, light-hearted romp - nicely put together and arranged. There’s a playful and very effective accordion intro, with the trademark spot-on harmonies on the chorus. It has a hootenanny/hoe down feel and I like the lyric idea of your partner remembering global events to improve civil rights (and the Beatles playing in Saville Row) from the 60s but neglecting things closer to home. As you’d intended, these lyrics made me think of the slightly bizarre importance we put on cards (Christmas, birthdays etc) and that forgetting to send one can bring long term repercussions. The line ‘It’ll take me a year to forgive you my dear’ works really well. That slide guitar solo is inspired and the layered harmonies in the last chorus are a joy.


Love on the Doorstep – Tim and Julie Warner

Nice dreamy guitar and keyboard intro, and with a bassline that’s so great it looks like you’ve paid for a session guy. You’ve certainly achieved your ambition of creating a groove. This is a funky, sexy, sassy dance number. It reminds me of the Isley Brothers. I like that sudden blast of loud drums at 35 seconds too. This feels like a new direction for you into the dance world – and long may it continue. Despite all this (minor criticism alert) it feels like half a song. Short tunes are fine but after you established such a powerful and vibrant opening it seemed a shame to end things so quickly. I wanted to hear more of that bass and the jagged guitar. That said there are stacks of good things here, including the ‘stun gun smile’ line.


I Got a Crush on You - Stephen Clarke

A punk classic and one of your best. The chorus is excellent and I think it’s a sign of a good writer if a song sounds this impressive when it’s boiled down to the instrument on which you wrote it plus only a few extra bits. You said you worry that it needs drums. Maybe, but it’s very good as it is. STOP PRESS: you’ve just added some drums to the original version and they do give the song extra oomph. All this reminds me of your August song Waiting for a Drummer, although ironically that wasn’t even about drumming. (Rob – can I temporarily pull my song off the website to add some castanets?).

The Buzzcocks reference is evident, as you said, and I like the Jilted John elements. The harmonies on the bit just before the chorus work very well and then again in the chorus itself. That very brief section of lead guitar before the chorus is great.

As usual we don’t have to look far for some inspired lyrics. The bit about not being able to carry her school books because she doesn’t go to school is pure Buzzcocks, and I liked the lines: ‘How am I ever going to make you mine if I can’t even send you a valentine’ and ‘I’d offer to buy you roses…I am a bunch of neuroses when we meet eye to eye.’

Good work in adding the extra drums – sounds very punk now. I’d finished writing my review by the time I saw your note on the message board so I’ve added one or two lines rather than changing the whole thing.

Jilted John would be impressed. No morons in this band.


As Long as I Live – Phil Sanderson

Phil Sanderson and the Penguin Book of African Verse? That sounds like you and your new backing band, assembled with the riches generated from Symphony Two.

After laying waste to the field last month there’s a spring in your step and you’ve delivered another impressive tune. The vocals are improving all the time. Your songs bear the tastiest fruit after a few listens and this is the same. Much as I like your 12-string work I enjoyed the change of scenery provided by the classical guitar. It's very well played. That accordion bit on 1.40 is inventive and a clever surprise. Unlike most of the songs this month yours has quite a sad feel, and seems to be about a love lost. No matter – it’s another addition to your ‘Best of’ collection. That refrain of ‘so long when I call your name’ has stayed with me. Good stuff.


Valentine - Tim and Glyn

A great ballad, expertly played and sung. There’s a very nice opening – sparse and atmospheric with the two guitars and single vocal. There’s loads of space and that makes everything crystallise into something of beauty.

Glyn delivers some more high quality singing – and I think there’s one of the best lyrical sections about romantic love of the month: ‘I’ve known you over half my life/I’ve known you such a long time/ I don’t need a husband and you don’t want a wife/Please be my valentine. Another bit that works well is: ‘You’re the constant in this crazy life.’

It all sounds very economical in a sense, yet thoughtful, well planned and tuneful. Some of Tim’s guitar playing is a bit special. A definite winner.



Monkey See, Monkey Do - Tim and Julie Warner

More zoology from T and J, and I’m very glad to hear it. I’m going to stick my neck out and say this is even better than Rat Park. It feels like a companion piece to that song, with a related theme of controversial research involving animals poked and probed under cruel conditions. I love the theatrical vocals, the plinky-plonky organ and the moody guitar. The low pitched guitar playing round 1.20 is very expressive and the fact that you’ve written about something obscure from the 1930s is highly commendable.

I don’t always know who does what in your duo (apart from the vocal bits of course), but it doesn’t really matter. There are lyrical nuggets, and I like the clever psychoanalytical theorising of the very first line where you ponder whether the researcher was once a victim of the very problems he is now investigating among the monkeys in his lab: ‘If he’d been hugged more by his ma, would Harlow know he’d gone too far?’

In some hands the rhyming of rats, macaques, brats, and scats in rapid succession in the same verse would sound naff but you’ve pulled it off. Your stuff usually sits outside any conventional categories, though the spirit of Marc Ribot and The Fall live in this one. Like Love on the Doorstep it’s got a good dance groove - they’d have loved it at the Hacienda in the late 80s. Was I hearing things or did you lapse briefly into a cockney accent at one point?

That heavy breathing in the background sounds a bit scary on 2.00.

If we put 20 macaques in a room with an electronic organ would they eventually come up with this song? Possibly, but it would take a while because it’s very, very good.

Patrick's thoughts - Once again well done everyone.

1 - Robbie Good - Under your spell.
Lovely expansive rich sound, well mixed with lots of space in the middle for the heartfelt, quality vocal. The only thing missing for me is a chorus or some kind of repeated melodic riff to give it some structure. Nice to hear a band type production, reminded me of Black Magic Woman by Santana, or I put a spell on you by Screamin Jay.

2- Colin Parish - Valentines
Echoes of Eleanor Rigby with the strings and "lonely people", meanders along nicely and develops wistfully. I like the lyrics "quit the dating websites", despite the uplifting theme, the music feels quite dark. Hints of Morrissey in there too.

3 - Put it there my son - Colin Parish
Attractive melody to start, feels like a thematic development on from the previous. Again I like the contrasting mundane with the philosophical lyric. The drums bubble along nicely underneath giving it some stability. As with Robbie's I miss a chorus or repeated melodic riff to give it structure. Nice to hear the beginning section at the end to bookend it.

4 - It won't be long - Mike Gosling
I get a sense of Mike having just written this, as it feels wintry and fresh, which is in the spirit of the thing. Like the sudden emergence of colour from the frost there's lots of melodic form fluttering around in the shape of Beatlesy Aaahs harmonies and accordions. Nice uplifting lyrical theme, and well done on using the ukulele and resisting the guitar, gives the tune more space. (By the way, the washboard in mine is actually a metal Zydeco Tie, a portable version of the Vest Frottoire, you wear it round your neck and play it with two supplied thimbles. twenty quid off ebay. Get one next christmas - bargain !)

5 - Valentine Moon - Colin Steward
Marvelous, Cole Porteresque epic, I can imagine as a centrepiece to a Fred Astaire musical to end Act One, the audience transported as the scenery transforms behind the tuxedoed leading man. Beautifully realised with all the sharpened fifths, and florid piano. You could easily have gone overboard with this but you maintain the elegance till the end. It's pastiche but with a loving fondness for the source. I liked it a lot.

6 - Our Love is a moveable Feast - Eddie Custard
Don't know whether Eddie considers late Jam period Weller to be an influence, but I hear a lot of that here. The upbeat and touching lyrics leap out of the shiny, insistent production, the a capella section is a good idea which builds nicely back into the chorus. Full of uplifting and poignant details, can love ever get better than a shared Baked Alaska at the Ivy ?

8 - Love on the Doorstep - Tim and Julie,
I like the 70's funky style, lovely bass riff, with some effective Isley brother's lead guitar. I was getting into it, and would have liked it to develop into a full song.

9 - I've got a crush on you - Steve Clarke
Funnily enough I listened to the Police's first album in the car today, and this reminds me of that. You've made a good job with the ingredients available, sparse guitar bits in unison with the bass underpin the chorus to good effect, and the pauses work really well. I can't believe I've not heard Coffee rhymed with Toffee before. It's got a bit of a flabby middle section, but then so have I.

10 - As long as I live - Phil Sanderson,
It kind of sits between romantic and sinister, with reference to body parts. It's haunting in the way that Phil's tunes often are. I think it works well as a short rather menacing gothic piece, with the listener left entombed in the minor keys.

11 - Tim and Glynn
Echoes of Tracy Chapman's Fast Car to start. Lovely to hear just the voice with the guitar, but it develops nicely when the band come in. Glad that it feels like it was written fresh for the task, understated and graceful, with an assured simplicity.

12 Tim and Julie - Monkey See, Monkey do
It's got a cheeky infectious groove, which I like. Great Ribotesque guitar sound and solo. Great vocal in the style of nineties Tom Waits with his boneyard band. Two chords ? brave to leave it at that as I don't think it needs any more. Catchy chorus. Not sure I get a sense of Love or romance from it though. I can imagine a funny video like the marvellous basement Jaxx 'where's your head at' one.

I don’t know if anyone else is troubled with lyric writing as I am. Judging by these songs, probably not. I seem to spend forever trying to think of anything even remotely useable. Phil hinted at it in his sleeve notes but has a clever solution.

Under Your Spell - Robbie Good Band
Like Tim, being part of this rules me out of commenting too much. I do agree with most, however, that it did need something else other than verse after verse. The way Rob realises the vocals never fails to impress me, I’m sure he could sing the dictionary and make it sound listenable. That would be the first time Aardvark was ever given a bluesy feel!

Valentine’s - Colin Parish
I like this. Melancholy and a bit of a sad reflection of our modern times. The low piano in the minor key is very effective and well done, as are the guitar solos.

Put it There My Son - Colin Parish
A very touching song. I feel like I’m invading a personal message sandwiched between the guitar solos. It’s not mawkish or embarrassing at all. I like the electronic drums just doing their thing, it doesn’t need any special tricks or acrobatics.

It Won’t Be Long - Mike Gosling
A feel good song and good sounding uke playing. Karl’s percussion was just right with this. It builds very nicely and I felt swept along with it’s joyfulness. The repeating “Ah Ahs” is a pleasing little hook and very effective and I can imaging many people swaying and singing along with this. Nice crisp, clear recording too.

Our Love is a Moveable Feast - Eddie Custard
I’m always envious of Eddie’s melodies - the way they weave around and are never too repetitive and so memorable. It’s fairly trademark now. It’s a really enjoyable song and I love the lyrics (“baked Alaska”) - very nicely done. Nice harmonies too. To me, there’s a bit of XTC in there. I always view your songs as a lesson in how to write a flowing, memorable melody.

(Don’t Forget My) Valentine - Patrick Duffin
The only thing that stops this being full on Cajun is the fact that Patrick sings so much better than most authentic Cajun singers. I almost expected a full washboard break rather than the slide guitar but on reflection, a good choice. Great song, full of energy and engaging lyrics and so well delivered vocally. I really like the lyric about the Beatles roof top gig without ever having to use the word ‘Beatles’. Harmonies are just pure joy to listen to and sound brilliant with headphones. Clever twist about consequences of forgetting to send a card.

Love on the Doorstep - Tim & Julie Warner
I heard a little of this in development and was struck how Jamiroquai and funky it sounded. I left me wanting more of the main body of the song (verses and choruses). As usual some fine guitar playing going on and interesting voicing in the chords.

I Got a Crush on You - Stephen Clarke
I heard both versions of this and, I think Tim said, the extra drums really weren’t necessary. It stands up pretty well without them, not that they spoil it. It’s a kind of non-angry, non-political Billy Bragg!! It would work as a electric guitar punky song too so this is more like an unplugged version. Congratulations on rhyming roses with neuroses!

As Long As I Live - Phil Sanderson
The trademark 12 strings gives way to the classical guitar and the effect is a much more reflective and subtle song than usual (apart from your winning entry last month). Nice little accordion break that was unexpected. And well done on getting under three minutes.

Valentine - Tim & Glyn
Nice dreamy song that drifts along. Opening guitar is a really nice start and I like hearing the sounds of the fingers as they move over the strings. Good harmonies in the chorus. It’s a song to make you pause a while and reflect. Very, very nice indeed.

Monkey See, Monkey Do - Tim & Julie Warner
I absolutely love this. Tim continues to morph into Tom Waits. So quirky. I sometimes wish I could see the world through Tim’s eyes (or Julie’s depending on who came up with these lyrics). The electric piano and organ is simple and effective and helps to add to the off-the-wall attitude. What really sells it all is Tim’s vocal delivery - it’s all done with complete conviction. Love the first instance of ‘Monkey See, Monkey Do’ with that little falsetto rise on ‘do’. The distorted ‘bullhorn’(?) effect is very fitting. Even though I see you had a problem with the interface and had to be a little more creative in getting the guitar done, it didn’t detract at all. Can I connect to a Valentine theme? It’s a tough call but I’m glad it’s on here nonetheless. Fabulous!

Voting is tough this month!!

So many great songs this month critiquing them is getting harder. So many of them would slot effortlessly into the playlist for a number of radio stations. Very high quality and as I said before, a new, free album every month!

Robbie Good Band
Under Your Spell
Great drum intro and soulful Hammond organ. Love the drums throughout. Sounds live, like it should be heard in a smokey basement. Santana-esqey guitar solo - much too short for my liking - give us more! The song ended too soon - I wanted to hear a middle eight or a chorus with a big hook (I know, coming from me that’s a bit rich!).

Mike gosling
It Won’t Be Long
As a ukuleleist I love the beautiful sound you have out of yours - is it a tenor? Great vocal - you have a really warm voice. The accordion gives a nice bounding bouncy feel to the song, made me want to dance. Love the harmonies, especially the Aahhs. Reminded me of Neil Innes. great job!


Colin Steward
Valentine Moon
Starts like a song from a musical, setting the scene before launching into that wonderful tune - the series of questions works so well and then it’s all Fred and Ginger and just perfect from 1.04 onwards. It could come straight out of a 1940s Hollywood musical. Really brilliant.

Eddie Custard
Our Love is a Moveable Feast
From the off this song has great harmonies and super playing - reminded me of Tears for Fears. Lovely lyrics telling me of some interesting places I’ve never heard of. Your songs always have such an energy. Not sure about the harmonies on the last bit of the acapella section but the first bit is delightful.

Patrick Duffin
(Don’t Forget My) Valentine
More bouncy blues - love the accordion. A jovial song with a subtle threat. Lovely singing as usual, with spot-on harmonies and diction, and I love the slide guitar - maybe this is a country song…..

Julie and Tim Warner
Love on the Doorstep
Funky intro with really nice interplay between the guitar, bass and drums. And then the drums come in with a great surprising beat. Super vocals from both of you, I think the ‘then perhaps some dancing’ line is very suggestive. My only criticism is this song is two minutes too short - I wanted more. You are definitely channeling Santana this month.

Stephen Clarke
I Got a Crush On You
Sounds like a happy song but I love the sentiment - haven’t we all ‘wasted the hours dreaming of you’ at some point of our lives? Sounds like a live recording of a band from 1978 - loving the energy. Great rhymes throughout - neurosis with roses is inspired. Lovely guitar solo. The idea of dreaming all year long about sending a Valentine card - crushing indeed!

Phil Sanderson
As Long As I Live
This song has a very dreamy romantic feel. The ‘so long will I call you name’ refrain is beautiful. Your voice sounds very sweet and warm - heartfelt. I like the Frenchified accordion (a popular instrument this month!) and the strings come in lushly to underline the romanticism. Lovely.

Tim and Julie Warner
Monkey See, Monkey Do
Quirky from the first beat to the last - love the bullhorn vocal and the way the almost comical arrangement subverts the terrible message - I remember this monkey experiment from the pages of my introductory psychology book from many moons ago. Great guitar work throughout and it’s so unusual for a song to be so thought provoking that it makes you go on to Wikipedia!!

Robbie Good Band – I’m Under Your Spell
Great playing by all – very clear recording, with all elements well mixed. Great vocal delivery and really enjoyed the organ part in particular. Really liked the bluesy feel of the song – like the others, I would have really liked the “I’m under you spell” to make a re-appearance as part of a chorus.

Colin Parish – Valentine’s
I love the flow of the chord changes in this song and the restrained playing – strings that were welcome when they first arrived but replaced the guitar part, rather than augmenting it. It made it really interesting to listen to. I’d have liked the vocal a bit further forward in the mix but still thoroughly enjoyed the melancholy of it all.

Colin Parish – Put It There My Son
You have developed a really distinctive overall sound, so that this is at once very different from ‘Valentine’s’ while still being identifiably a CP song. I thought this was obviously a happier song than Valentine’s but was actually a really moving tribute to fatherhood and certainly not mawkish. Whether or not James plays it to his friends might be a different matter!

Mike Gosling – It won’t be Long
You’ve got a habit of doing this. I wasn’t sure about this for the first minute – for me it didn’t have a natural flow to it until the aah-aah’s came in and the snare joined in. From then on, it was thoroughly enjoyable, with a really enjoyable sort of Cajun feel to it. The accordion sound was great and I immediately played it again (and this time enjoyed the first minute as well).

Colin Steward – Valentine Moon
Amazing stuff! You’ve commented on your musical influences in your song comments over the past few months but you didn’t mentioned classic musicals. The arrangement is so well thought out - the high strings and wonderful piano playing make this completely absorbing. The brushed drums and the cornet/muted trumpet solo are just lovely and the twisting melody line and key changes make for a surprisingly complex composition. Robbie’s voice and delivery deserves special mention and great lyrics – I particularly liked the comparison with other holidays/celebrations (“birthday’s make you old..” is a great thought). Not my style of music and yet my favourite song this month – it shows the benefit of the collective...it makes you listen with a different mindset.

Eddie Custard – Our Love is a Moveable Feast
This is the most celebratory mood of all the songs this month and that really sets it apart. A real celebration of a relationship and the places associated with it. This cries out for a video – the descriptions are so finely wrought it sounds like a joyous travelogue as well as a love song. I’m beginning to take for granted that I’ll love the sound of your songs, the great arrangements and killer key changes and this is no exception.

Patrick Duffin – (Don’t Forget My) Valentine
Wonderfully witty lyrics and effortless sounding production make this a pleasure to listen to. I particularly like the paradox “Take as long as you like but I want my card on time”. I loved the slide guitar playing and the beautifully restrained harmonies. As always, your production is a lesson to us all and the performance is so ‘right’ with everything fitting perfectly in its own ‘space’.

Tim & Julie – Love on the Doorstep
Great groove – it sounds loose and tight all at once, which I love. The most unpredictable song here and the most unconventional. I liked that it was short but desperately wanted it to carry on. I thought the very brief descriptions of a first date left so much unsaid (which is wonderful as it leaves so much to our imaginations) and yet I wanted to know more about it. Knowing how long you’ve been together, perhaps it’s asking too much for more than 1 minute 38 seconds of shared memories! Great guitar playing on here and good crisp recording (in spite of the problems you indicated).

Stephen Clarke – I Got a Crush on You
Roses rhyme with neuroses! Brilliant. This channels a cross between Buzzcocks and Jilted John beautifully, with witty lyrics and a great groove. I liked the harmonies in the chorus and playing in the solo – particularly as it seemed that there wasn’t going to be one – just a change of chords instead. I liked the vocal sound and the simple arrangement and clear production. Most of all the chorus is catchy – a hit!

Phil Sanderson – As Long as I Live
At first I thought it sounded a little too earnest but by the end I just thought it sounds really honest. Lovely sounds –the classical guitar and the accordion in particular are really nicely put together. I really enjoyed the laid back groove – the song feels almost like a monologue / stream of consciousness and yet there’s just enough variation to maintain interest and the line ‘so long will I call your name’ really makes the song for me. Lovely.

Tim & Julie – Monkey See, Monkey Do
Love the vocal sound – a slightly uncomfortable song to listen to and all the better for that. Yet again, you’ve shown a wonderfully experimental approach and no particular desire to follow a formula – the song is structured enough without being constrained and could easily have gone anywhere but for the electronic sequence tumbling along throughout the song. I loved the interplay between that and the guitar. Congratulations on the Robert Fripp style playing – it fits brilliantly with the unsettling lyrics and the uneasy atmosphere you created. Terrific stuff.

Two worthy winners - well done guys.

Some lovely comments, thanks everyone. Fist bump to Eddie. Onwards and upwards!

Thanks for the kind comments.
Well done, Colin - your song's a beauty.

Well done Colin and Eddie. Though if you form a duo, I think it should be Steward & Custard. 

Two really good songs and worthy winners. Please don't form a duo because we want to hear 2 songs each month (although Colin Custard has a certain something)!

Sounds like a good name for a prog rock band. I'm in!