TRASH PANDA

Frivolous Plans, Impossile Schemes - Sleeve Notes...

This has been a long but enjoyable project. We've gone for a more eclectic mix of styles of music.
We hope you enjoy it, Tess and Phil xxx
The instruments we used were: Deering banjo, Northfield mandolins (F2 and F5), Bown guitar, Buchanan Octave mandolin, 2 old fiddles of unknown origin, Melobar lap steel, Guild fretless bass, Musicman Bass and a triangle. It was recorded on Presonus Studio One Pro here at Limbo Studio

1 See the Rain (Phil Snell)

Tess: vocal, guitar, Phil: mandolin, bass, backing vocal

In our often damp climate it's easy to forget that we do get dry spells and thence the beauty and relief that comes with the rain.

2 Hope Springs (Phil Snell)

Tess: vocal, Phil: guitars

This is a companion piece to the Rain song. It celebrates hope and the emergence of spring.

3 Dark Eyes (trad, Pomplamoose, arr. Trash Panda)

Tess: vocal, guitar, Phil: mandolin

Here's an old Russian folk tune. Tess found some lyrics in French by the excellent band Pomplamoose. We recorded it live, with no overdubs so we could play in looser time

4 Esperanza (Marc Perrone)

Tess: vocals, guitar, Phil: mandolins, octave mandolin

We love this tune - Tess went full a capella at the end. It's in melodic minor, as is Dark Eyes

5 The White Goose (Phil Snell)

Tess: vocal, banjo, Phil: guitar, bass

Near Phil's house there is the River Wharfe upon which live a few swans and goose who has decided to hang out with said swans. Tess said Phil should write a song about it, and here it is!

6 The Foreshore (Phil Snell)

Tess: vocal, guitar, Phil: mandolin, guitar, lap steel, bass, backing vocal

This song is based on the foreshore on the River Humber at North Ferriby where Phil was born and spent his first 12 years - often playing in the mud. It's a nostalgic stream of reminiscences.

7 Frivolous Plans, Impossible Schemes (Phil Snell)

Tess: vocals, guitar, Phil: mandolin, vocal, bass

We all have to work to pay the rent - well most of us! Sometimes it can get a bit much...

8 I Can See Clearly Now (Johnny Nash)

Tess: vocal, guitar, Phil: mandolin, percussion, bass

Just a great song!

9 Sally's Gone (Phil Snell)

Tess: vocal, banjo, Phil: vocal, mandolin, bass

This is a ditty that Phil made up for no particular reason.

10 Black and White Rag/Alexander's Ragtime Band (George Botsford/Irvin Berlin)

Tess: vocal, Phil: vocal, mandolin, guitar, bass

We both love a bit of ragtime..

10 Raggy Walking (Phil Snell)

Tess: vocal, Phil: vocal, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, bass

We both love a bit of ragtime and a walk..