I'd like to start by asking about The Vibratos.  Can you tell me a bit about the thinking behind this project?   How has this come about....?

Basically, during a break in recording an episode of London's Burning, Dick (Plant) and I were discussing old   T.V. themes that would make good guitar instrumentals; so that kicked off the idea for this project

Is there a chance of some gigs if the CD sells well for instance?  Will  there be another CD?   Is this going to be a regular thing?

We will release the next Vibratos album in June 2002.Hopefully we will be able to promote this with a series of gigs.

Can you confirm who is in   "The Vibratos" band - I have read yourself, Dick  Plant, Mr Brian,   Mark Griffiths, Cliff Hall and also yourself, Dick Plant,  Mr Brian, Alan Jones, Alan Hawkshaw  .... is it all of you, some of you or what??

The Vibratos are Dick and myself. We hope to have special guests on each album.  On this first album we have, amongst others, Dave Bishop on alto sax and Brian Bennett on drums.   We did want Alan Hawkshaw to play some Hammond Organ, but he's been very busy recently working on an album for Des O'Connor! - however hopefully next time.. we never approached Cliff Hall or Alan Jones

Is the track listing for the CD what was in most recent Shadsfax - i.e.:- The Ghost of Old Compton Street, White Horses, Joe 90, The Persuaders,   Jezebel, Galvaston, On the Wings of a Knightingale, There goes my baby, The Knack and how to get it, Rawhide, Ipcress file, Dances with Wolves and two   Dick Plant originals?

The full track listing is - Rawhide/Gunfight at the OK Corral,  The Ghost of Old Compton Street, Galveston, The Ipcress File, Cala Mondrago, The Persuaders, Here Comes My Baby, The Knack.....and how to get it, Jezebel, White Horses, On the Wings of a Nightingale, Joe 90,The Trucker, Dances with Wolves.

What's the title of the new CD?

The CD is called 'The Ghost of Old Compton Street'.

An interesting choice of titles for the CD what's the thinking behind these - are they tracks u all like for example? (obviously I recognise "The Ghost of Old Compton Street" as being one of yours - but some of the titles are unfamiliar to me I have to say...can you tell me a bit about the tracks why you chose them etc.?

'The Ghost of Old Compton Street' was a track I wrote & produced for Barry Gibson and his band Local Heroes - he duetted with Jet Harris on it. This new version is more like the original demo that I did.  Dick (Plant) wrote 'Cala Mondrago' and 'The Trucker'.' White Horses' I always loved-it was a theme tune to a kids TV show when I was young. I think it was written by Michael Carr, who wrote a few Shads tunes I believe! John Barry is a huge favourite of mine, and we've done four of his film/TV themes - including 'Dances with Wolves'.' Wolves' was a track I arranged for Hank for inclusion on his Marvin@Movies album, but it never made it on there. A shame as I think it would have been perfect for Hank. Joe 90 - another old favourite of mine too. Plus other songs written by great composers like Paul McCartney, Cat Stevens and Jim Webb.

What else are you up to at the moment re your music?   Are you writing for  the next "London's Burning" series for instance; or television perhaps?

London's Burning - series 14 starts filming soon. I'm not sure whether I am going to do this new series or not. Sometimes it's time to move on in this business. Engelbert Humperdink - shock! horror! I've arranged and played on three tracks of  his new album.   The  tracks I worked on are "If",   "Brazil" and the title track " I want to wake up with you".

Barry Gray/Thunderbirds - I'm involved in putting on a concert at The Albert Hall to celebrate the music of Barry Gray.   He wrote all the music for every Gerry Anderson project - Thunderbirds, Joe 90,Captain Scarlet, Stingray, UFO,Space 1999 etc. - It'll be a full orchestral performance, and is something I'm looking forward to.   Mirage - We plan to do another album following on from the top 20 success of Classic  Guitar Moods. Rock & Roll collection- I've been working on this for some time.

I heard a whisper about the music from "The Knock" being available on CD soon  is this happening?  if so when?

Nothing planned on these lines as yet

Are we going to see another New Age CD from you sometime?

Possibly... in the New Year (2002) on my Waffles Music label

Are you and Mark Griffiths planning to record a follow-up album to "Close to the Hedge"  I see to remember you telling me ages and ages ago that this has been started  but touring with Hank took up a lot of your time so this project had been shelved for now?

We've always planned to do another one - it's just getting the time together. We've both started sketching new stuff.

Is the CD of yourself and Ben Marvin going to happen at some point?

Ben and I have recorded some tracks - but, similar to Griff and I it's just finding the time to finish it off.   Ben has been busy working on his own stuff - which is FAB BABY!

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