11. Dogs

Stephen Clarke – Ruff

Very rock’n’roll to record this on the bathroom floor with a travel guitar. It was a good move - the guitar sounds very effective, a bit like that metallic accoustic favoured by some country and western stars. Nice idea to bring in the chorus at the beginning. A dog made of ‘pick ‘n’ mix’ sounds like good subject matter for a song, and there’s a good use of space, with the withdrawal of instruments at the right moments. The sparse guitar that precedes the chorus is very effective. Stephen would be the ideas man in any band lucky enough to have him. My favourite lyric of the week, along with Tim’s and Julie’s.



Tim and Julie - Fat Dog

A gloriously kooky song made great with the tuba, some clanging on the guitars and goofy Hawaiian-style tremolo work. It could have been plucked from the middle of Tom Waits’s Swordsfishtrombones or Rain Dogs albums; a crazed march pumped up with over-sized portions of Pedigree Chum. I like the comedic touches, and that Tim sings from the point of view of a dog who feels he’s been let down by his owners and doesn’t much care much for running after balls. There’s very good phrasing and melody on the ‘was it my destiny to be…’ section and I’m fond of that little swirl of the keyboards in the intro. It’s got the lot – humour, oddity, world weary singing from the titular dog and intriguing choices of instruments. Oh, and a great chorus. The glitches you worry about are barely perceptible and add to the charm. Best in show.


Colin and Parish - My Dog

A very welcome return to action for Colin, who captures the less pleasurable elements of dog ownership with humour and sympathy, alongside the benefits of companionship. There’s a great echo effect on the ukuleles, and this is the first time I think I’ve heard distortion on a ukulele – good stuff. The two ukuleles combine really well to bring momentum to the buoyant tune. I like the line: ‘my dog’s a winner, he’s not a dog’s dinner.’ Colin’s unnamed hound comes across the same way as Stephen’s Ruff; the runt of the litter and yet still loveable. The sparseness in the musical arrangement is an advantage, which adds to the clarity of the melody. Very enjoyable.


Phil Sanderson - Unconditional

This is a touching, brave song of the love and devotion between a dog owner and his pet. The verse is great, with some lovely acoustic guitar work and excellent singing. For a song that celebrates the human/pet relationship, however, the chorus has a melancholy and mysterious mood which doesn’t really fit the upbeat and positive sentiments behind the words. Sorry Phil – it’s meant as a constructive criticism. As always, there are some terrific bits – the high pitched harmonies work a treat and the singing generally is very good. The chord sequences are as creative as ever. I like the lines: ‘You are not my whole life but you make my life whole,’ and ‘it’s great to have you around, you understand when I am down.’ A great production, and the small number of instruments was an inspired choice. You’ve created an atmospheric piece, driven by heartfelt sentiments and some high quality playing.


Rob Warner - I Want a Dog

Great that you’re back, Rob. Like Phil, you’ve produced a warm-hearted celebration of a man’s relationship with his dog. It was a good idea to write verses from the point of view of both the owner and the dog. The piano playing fits snugly as a backdrop in the verse and the high notes on the bass work really well on the bit before the chorus. The ooohs are a nice touch. I like the brass behind the chorus, and as usual you’ve delivered a purity in the production that makes all the instruments stand out and contribute something. I like the way you’ve avoided chucking in any filler instrumentation, making every note count. Good stuff.

Christian D

I love Christian’s sleeve notes even before listening. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with ‘giving the game away’ as (in my case) it makes me much more attentive to the lyrical content.

The melody is so simple but the beautiful chord progression does all the work and the two intertwine perfectly.

This is a much bolder mix (vocals up loud) and not an overly complicated sound at all (and no drums!) This has a great ‘folk’ feel (probably due to the mandolin) and would get a standing ovation at any folk club I’ve ever been to!!

Great work (again) and a seemingly effortless progression to a top two finish, surely!!


Stephen C

As with Christian, his sleeve notes are almost as entertaining as his songs. I saw almost because this - as with virtually ALL of his contributions - is a treat. He’s right about the ‘bathroom floor’ production but the overall feel is very pleasing. This is a great combination of simplicity in terms of the chords, a great melody and brilliant lyrics (and a lovely - if small - guitar break.)

I love the idea of a dog called ‘Ruff’ who’s a miserable old punk. This was great from start to finish.


Tim & Julie

Wobbly is a good word for this but not in terms of the execution. There is confidence in its wobbliness!

I love Tim’s choice of melody and his lyrics are funny as ever. And I really enjoyed the arrangement (even though he’d buried the Tuba too deep for my ears.)

Great guitar playing as ever. Very accomplished, very good (and not a loop in sight, unlike his little bro’)


Colin P

Distorted Uke is the way forward!!

This is a great melody and I like the deep south feel. I also really like the lyrics. A man and his dog (his best friend) cannot be separated, through thin and thinner!!

This is simple but very effective.


Phil S

I loved the opening (12 string - just like a Genesis tribute band!) Also, the sound was great (great recording!) I’ve been saying for ages to anyone who’ll listen that I constantly yearn for the unconditional love I once enjoyed from my children and you sum that feeling up perfectly here for me. I absolutely loved this on every level. My favourite track of this bunch. Brilliant

Christian Duffin – Moon Over France

I liked the clarity of the mandolin and the acoustic guitar and the vocals sound just great, with good strong harmonies. I have avoided looking at the other comments (it’s easier to when you haven’t submitted a song) so I don’t know if this has been answered but does the cartoon actually exist? The lyrics are so descriptive, it’s very easy to visualise. The theme tune definitely makes you want to watch and has a sort of simplicity that would really work well. Perhaps with a reprise a couple of times during the action? The mandolin introduction was so strong, you could certainly reprise that – I would have liked it to have been revisited in the song as well.

Stephen Clarke – Ruff
This is such fun – so many great lyrics it’s hard to keep up. You capture the feeling you described in your sleeve notes perfectly, with a sort of hoedown feel and the double tracked/harmony vocals that are really effective. The recording quality sounds fine – particularly the guitar which has a nicely rounded sound for a travel guitar. The dog with ears of a goat and whose favourite pastime is running away fits the musical and recording style perfectly.

Tim & Julie – Fat Dog
Wonderful! If Stephen caught the feel of a scruffy, punk dog, this takes it even further. You can imagine the waddle and roll (perhaps that’s a musical style yet to have its day) from the first note to the last. Obviously, songs about fat dogs was just what the inventor of the tuba was thinking of. I won’t ever hear it again without the vision of canine obesity.

Colin Parish – My dog
A flea-ridden son of a bitch. Great line among many and such a good delivery. The uke sounds mighty and the voice sounds really strong. I really liked how you recorded the ukulele – I wouldn’t have known what it was without your sleeve notes. This is great fun and really delivers – everything comes together, with a good hook, good playing and a feel that is just right for the subject.

Phil Sanderson – Unconditional
Surprisingly heartfelt stuff from Phil – we’re more used to darker subjects than this. I liked the guitar playing – the instrumental break was lovely and the high backing vocals keep the song flowing along. I sort of expected a twist in the lyrics somewhere but actually it’s really touching and catchy with it. Enough to make you get down to the local dog rescue centre.

Rob Warner – I Want a Dog
Great brass! This must be the Warner family brass section month. It just seems to capture the mood beautifully. This is a difficult trick to pull off – synthesized brass can sound dreadful and here it’s great. I like the songs’ up and down atmosphere – melancholy one minute and then upbeat and strident the next and the sort of child-like demanding particularly at the beginning of the song is really strong. Great stuff.

Well done Colin and TAFKAEC (the artist formerly known as Eddie Custard). Two hugely likeable songs, well done.