In summer 2020, I began a recording collaboration with Andy Bell, an old acquaintance from Darwen, where we’d both had bands at the same high school.
During the 2020 lockdown, Andy sent me a short instrumental acoustic guitar composition. I (being as much of a producer as a musician) added several instruments to it, turning it into a short instrumental. It worked out well, and we agreed to do more together.
Lowly Man EP
That autumn, we started work on a collection of songs with a psychedelic vibe. It turned out that Andy’s tunesmithery and my electrickery were complementary. We completed the Lowly Man EP in February 2021.
Alpha Dogs EP
Spurred on by positive feedback, we continued writing. This time, Andy developed a lyrical theme based around male stereotypes, and I introduced more musical experimentation. On a roll, we quickly completed the Alpha Dogs EP in April.
The Lowly Man Album
I relocated to Dorset, and work continued on new songs later in the summer. The new material added elements of electronica, psychedelic blues, and a strange pseudo-live ballad. With enough material for an album, we compiled the 11 songs in the autumn.
The Lowly Man album was released in October 2021, as a limited number of handmade CDs, given to supporters as a thank you. It was put on general release in December.
Pine Walk
In 2023, after a 2 year hiatus, I rediscovered a composition from the early 80s, which I’d always wanted to record. Andy added poignant new lyrics, and Pine Walk was released on 29th December.
There are no further plans for Lowly Man.