Promises & Bargains (2016)
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This, their second studio album, was released in March 2016. It features eleven tracks - five written by Phil, five written by Ian, and a powerful version of the Robert Burns' song from 1791, 'Ye Jacobites', a live favourite of many fans.
It is available on CD and digital formats on The Huers' Bandcamp page, and also to stream via all the main online channels, e.g. Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
Album Preview |
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Here are two full tracks from the album for your listening pleasure...
Kick the Little Man (written by Phil Caffrey)
Kick the Little Man (written by Phil Caffrey)
New Year's Eve (written by Ian Cleverdon)
Radio stations and live venues: please e-mail The Huers' management for CD or mp3 tracks for broadcasting or reviewing.
Here's some detail about each of the tracks.
You Still Shine (Caffrey)
This is a classic tale of unrequited love, ever hopeful, but ultimately resigned to rejection.
Lost In Your World (Cleverdon)
A song about how Ian's Mum and Dad met during World War II. Ian's Dad, George, was a Prisoner Of War in Italy having served for years with the South Wales Borderers and was held in a cell with Jim Sullivan, the brother of Vera who was to become George's wife and Ian's Mum! Jim suggested that George write to Vera and they fell in love via their letters. They were married within a year of WWII ending. The last section - Live, Love Learn to leave a legacy - was inspired by a book, Mastering Time 24/7, written by a good friend of Ian's, Simon Phillips - have a look at Simes' website to find out more.
Mud On Your Shoes (Caffrey)
A song about 'the dream move' from the city to a so-called 'rural idyll' that doesn't work out.
Borderline (Cleverdon)
A bouncy song about positivity...and cliches!
Memory Box (Caffrey)
A parent finds a box of useless junk that has taken on huge significance since the child left home. Something that that become very real in both Phil and Ian's families very recently. Live performances of this song tend to resonate with audiences to the degree that a 'tear count' measure has been implemented!
Ye Jacobites (Burns)
A great song by Scottish poet and songwriter Robert Burns, written in 1791. The Jacobites marched through the North West of England, close to the homes of Phil and Ian, and past many of the venues they have played. It's also a live favourite so it was agreed to give it the studio treatment.
Kick The Little Man (Caffrey)
An angry little number bemoaning the way big corporates, governments and besuited dictators treat the voiceless majority. The Huers get all political!
New Year's Eve (Cleverdon)
Ian's never been a fan of 31st December, mainly influenced by working behind a bar on this night in a Southport social club during his student years and being the only sober person in the building...including the other bar staff! He does change his perspective at the end of the song though...
I Know (Caffrey)
This was written by Phil at a time when two people close to him were losing parents. The song is really saying that whatever is in the past doesn't matter anymore - just be together and enjoy the time that is left.
Drift Away (Cleverdon)
This is a sequel to the Traditional song 'The Bonny Ship The Diamond', an arrangement of which appeared on Up For Grabs. This time, the story is mainly told from the perspective of the sailors rather than their families. In the last verse, the Grandson of one of the sailors is still toiling, but this time in the trenches of Flanders' fields.
Old Friends (Cleverdon)
A song about three different sets of friends, whose names have been changed to protect the innocent or guilty.
Phil Caffrey plays acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, piano, cello-mandolin, cuatro, bass guitar, low whistles and percussion.
Ian Cleverdon plays acoustic guitars, (6 and 12 string), mandolins, tenor guitar, cello-mandolin, keyboards, McNally Stick and percussion.
Promises & Bargains: ©2016. All rights reserved. Copyright control on songs by Phil Caffrey and Ian Cleverdon.
Phil and Ian play hand-made acoustic instruments by David Oddy of Oddy Luthiers, Exeter, Devon, Dan Williams of Bridport, Dorset, and use DI boxes by John Godsland of Orchid Electronics, Exeter. Instrument set-up by Simon Bamber of Si-Co Setups, Bristol and Andy Tatlock of A6 Guitar Repairs
Recorded at Ian's Karona Studio, Up Holland, Lancashire and Phil's back bedroom.
Produced by The Huers. Mixed by Phil and Ian Dec 2015 - Feb 2016
CD mastered by Ian Cleverdon
Cover design and photos by Phil Caffrey
CD duplication by Martin Johnson and the team at Duplication Centre, Essex
Phil and Ian would like to thank
Why is the album called Promises & Bargains?
The usual debate about what to call the album occurred at the start of mixing in December 2015. Ian really liked this phrase used in Phil's song 'Kick the Little Man', suggested it was a contender and the rest is history!
Here's some detail about each of the tracks.
You Still Shine (Caffrey)
This is a classic tale of unrequited love, ever hopeful, but ultimately resigned to rejection.
Lost In Your World (Cleverdon)
A song about how Ian's Mum and Dad met during World War II. Ian's Dad, George, was a Prisoner Of War in Italy having served for years with the South Wales Borderers and was held in a cell with Jim Sullivan, the brother of Vera who was to become George's wife and Ian's Mum! Jim suggested that George write to Vera and they fell in love via their letters. They were married within a year of WWII ending. The last section - Live, Love Learn to leave a legacy - was inspired by a book, Mastering Time 24/7, written by a good friend of Ian's, Simon Phillips - have a look at Simes' website to find out more.
Mud On Your Shoes (Caffrey)
A song about 'the dream move' from the city to a so-called 'rural idyll' that doesn't work out.
Borderline (Cleverdon)
A bouncy song about positivity...and cliches!
Memory Box (Caffrey)
A parent finds a box of useless junk that has taken on huge significance since the child left home. Something that that become very real in both Phil and Ian's families very recently. Live performances of this song tend to resonate with audiences to the degree that a 'tear count' measure has been implemented!
Ye Jacobites (Burns)
A great song by Scottish poet and songwriter Robert Burns, written in 1791. The Jacobites marched through the North West of England, close to the homes of Phil and Ian, and past many of the venues they have played. It's also a live favourite so it was agreed to give it the studio treatment.
Kick The Little Man (Caffrey)
An angry little number bemoaning the way big corporates, governments and besuited dictators treat the voiceless majority. The Huers get all political!
New Year's Eve (Cleverdon)
Ian's never been a fan of 31st December, mainly influenced by working behind a bar on this night in a Southport social club during his student years and being the only sober person in the building...including the other bar staff! He does change his perspective at the end of the song though...
I Know (Caffrey)
This was written by Phil at a time when two people close to him were losing parents. The song is really saying that whatever is in the past doesn't matter anymore - just be together and enjoy the time that is left.
Drift Away (Cleverdon)
This is a sequel to the Traditional song 'The Bonny Ship The Diamond', an arrangement of which appeared on Up For Grabs. This time, the story is mainly told from the perspective of the sailors rather than their families. In the last verse, the Grandson of one of the sailors is still toiling, but this time in the trenches of Flanders' fields.
Old Friends (Cleverdon)
A song about three different sets of friends, whose names have been changed to protect the innocent or guilty.
Phil Caffrey plays acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, piano, cello-mandolin, cuatro, bass guitar, low whistles and percussion.
Ian Cleverdon plays acoustic guitars, (6 and 12 string), mandolins, tenor guitar, cello-mandolin, keyboards, McNally Stick and percussion.
Promises & Bargains: ©2016. All rights reserved. Copyright control on songs by Phil Caffrey and Ian Cleverdon.
Phil and Ian play hand-made acoustic instruments by David Oddy of Oddy Luthiers, Exeter, Devon, Dan Williams of Bridport, Dorset, and use DI boxes by John Godsland of Orchid Electronics, Exeter. Instrument set-up by Simon Bamber of Si-Co Setups, Bristol and Andy Tatlock of A6 Guitar Repairs
Recorded at Ian's Karona Studio, Up Holland, Lancashire and Phil's back bedroom.
Produced by The Huers. Mixed by Phil and Ian Dec 2015 - Feb 2016
CD mastered by Ian Cleverdon
Cover design and photos by Phil Caffrey
CD duplication by Martin Johnson and the team at Duplication Centre, Essex
Phil and Ian would like to thank
- David and Ruth Cartlidge for the use of Wigan Parish Church for the photo shoot
- All our families, friends and fans for your support and encouragement - none of this would have been possible without you!
Why is the album called Promises & Bargains?
The usual debate about what to call the album occurred at the start of mixing in December 2015. Ian really liked this phrase used in Phil's song 'Kick the Little Man', suggested it was a contender and the rest is history!