'Rise like the Phoenix' - and 'Its a Mean Old Scene (Special Edition)'

Here are some Clips from the albums 'Rise like the Phoenix',  and 'Its a Mean Old Scene SE' Turn up those speakers and  enjoy :-

'Chuck a Boy' has been a part of the live set for as long as I can remember... I was thinking about the effect that Chuck Berry's music had on me when I first heard it as a boy - ('Chuck-a-Boy' was a nickname often used for Chuck) as I wrote the lyric. I tried to remember that feeling I would get when listening to this wonderful 'new!' music years later, as I embarked on what has turned out to be my lifes work I kept getting that feeling again as I played this music to new generations of music fans... fantastic!

'If This is Love' came about when I was having a particularly bruising relationship with someone I really cared about, but who just seemed (to me) to want to hurt me. I imagine that many people reading this will have been there...

'Liar' was written by my friend Russ Ballard - another story of a broken heart, and again one that will ring true to many listening. I always fancied singing this song - I love the chorus!, those great harmonies, and it just came together really quickly in the studio - with, of course Bob (Henrit) who played on the Argent original, and Mark (Griffiths). The keyboard parts were added later by Ian Gibbons...

'Stay with me' is my favourite song of all time. Whatever might be troubling me when I start to sing this song has gone by the time I've finished - what great songwriting - thank you Ragavoy & Weiss! Due to popular demand I've now included this track on the 'special edition' version of our latest album 'Its a Mean old Scene'.

'Too Hot' came about when Max Milligan and I were messing around in the studio working on ideas. Max began to play this riff and I said 'play that again!' and quickly recorded it. A few nights later I came in from a gig with this idea buzzing around in my head. The night hot and humid and I had this vision of a guy coming home late at night 'hot to trot'. His lady turned to him in bed and said 'no, it's too hot to hug' - Max's riff idea fitted perfectly and pretty soon I had the whole thing down in rough form. I went to bed, woke up next morning and listened to my rough idea - which to my amazement sounded just fine! The song soon turned into a belter for live shows, and went down in double-quick time in the studio.. excellent! This too has been added to 'Its a Mean Old Scence Special Edition' - out in time for Xmas 2012...

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Unplugged

Playing an unplugged set was an entirely new experience for me when Max and I first got together a few years ago to throw some ideas together without the safety net of our amps and trusty electrics. I'm so glad we decided to do it, and I know Max feels the same as we both spend a lot of time doing unplugged shows alongside our usual plugged-in activites. These days I also do unplugged shows with Mark Griffiths - who is a great guitar player, or sometimes Andy Childs on bass, it just depends on who's available when the gigs come in... Also featured often at unplugged gigs is Jeff Dakin on blues harp - he's brilliant, a real treat!

As well as Max, I've the opportunity to record unplugged with these great musicians that I would have otherwise, probably have never met. First of all along came the amazing Mr Dakin! Jeff plays harmonica brilliantly and my song 'You are the one' just wouldn't sound the same without his harp laying.

Next came Rob Bond - the pedal steel maestro who also keeps our guitars in fine fettle. Rob is a fine Luthier as well as a wonderful musician with real talent in both areas. Robs playing on Pride really sets the scene for my first song with a country flavour - JV writing a country song!! We plan  to release more unplugged recordings soon - watch this space...

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