Up For Grabs (2010)This is Phil and Ian's debut album, released in May 2010. it features 13 tracks, with a mixture of self-penned material and Huers' arrangements of classic songs. It opens with Phil's critically acclaimed 'Broken Boats' and their well-broadcasted version of Billy Joel's 'The Downeaster Alexa'.
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. Price: CD £10 / Digital download £8
Album PreviewHere are two full tracks from the album for your listening pleasure.
Broken Boats (written by Phil Caffrey) Bell Book and Candle (written by Boo Hewerdine)
Thanks to Boo for allowing us to post this on our site |
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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. If you'd like to hear an audio clip, go to the iTunes site by clicking on the album cover above and selecting the appropriate track. You can also see versions of Broken Boats and Road Again performed live on the Video page.
Broken Boats (Caffrey)
An old man's memory of happier times. Inspired by Port Isaac and a line from the poem "Three Fishers" by Charles Kingsley in 1858 "For men must work and women weep, and there's little to earn and many to keep"
Road Again (Cleverdon)
A song about rejuvenation and finding your youth again...or a mid-life crisis, you choose!
John Robinson (Caffrey)
A Wirral legend - don't succumb to the advances of the mermaid on the black rocks!
Downeaster Alexa (Joel)
One of the greatest modern-day folk songs in our opinion, and continues the fishing theme. This is Billy Joel's take on the demise of the US East Coast fishing industry. For more information on Billy Joel, visit www.billyjoel.com
Up In Smoke (Hay)
A song by ex-Men At Work lead singer Colin Hay, complimented by a tune written by Ian on tenor guitar called Embers (an instrumental version of this tune appears as the last track of the album). For more information on Colin Hay and his music, visit www.colinhay.com
It Doesn't Matter Anymore (Anka)
The old Buddy Holly song, written by master songsmith Paul Anka, but given the laid-back and soulful treatment the lyrics deserve. It features one of the first arrangements written by Phil on his cuatro - thanks to Steve Bennett for hearing the tune and suggesting this song.
St Teresa (Bazilian, Chertoff, Hyman, Osborne)
We saw Joan Osborne perform this classic song on Transatlantic Sessions series 3 and decided we just had to have a go. A favourite of ours to play live.
Flight 447 (Caffrey)
In memory of all souls lost when Air France Flight 447 came down in the Atlantic en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on 1st June 2009. A song of letting go.
Bell Book and Candle (Hewerdine)
A classic Boo Hewerdine song, which was one of the first we played live and recorded. Boo's version was used in a BAFTA-award winning episode of ITV's Emmerdale to accompany the local pub blowing up!
Go to www.boohewerdine.net for more details on one of the UK's finest songwriters.
Balloon Man (Shindell)
Phil first heard this song on Mike Harding's folk programme on BBC Radio 2 and fell in love with it. This is a regular request song from our live set, and we've both become big Richard Shindell fans as a consequence. Go to www.richardshindell.com for more details.
The Bonny Ship The Diamond (Trad arr Caffrey / Cleverdon)
A traditional 19th Century whaling song. Whalers would be away from home for 6 months at a time and this song looks at the effects of this from the angles of both the fishermen themselves and their wives. This song has been given many different arrangements over the years.
Save It For A Rainy Day (Louris arr. Cleverdon)
A classic song by The Jayhawks, suggested by our great friend and sound engineer Richard Abley. In fact he performed it so well that we asked him to do the lead vocal on the album, while we did harmonies! This track also features Steve Bennett on harmonica and Mike Turner on bass. Steve happened to be in Paris when we needed him for the solo, but thanks to modern technology the backing track was e-mailed over tout de suite and the recording of Steve's solo done on the Left Bank was e-mailed back the next day and added in at the studio! Ian also thought the song was too short, so wrote a concluding verse. www.myspace.com/thejayhawks for more info.
Embers (Caffrey / Cleverdon)
A poignant instrumental, the tune of which featured in the earlier track Up In Smoke. This was born at the end of a long day's recording session, and features Phil on piano and harmonica, and Ian on tenor and acoustic guitars. Credits and Thanks
Up For Grabs: ©2010. 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 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
Recorded at Karona Studio, Up Holland, Lancashire, England.
Produced by The Huers. Mixed and mastered by Ian Cleverdon, March - April 2010.
Cover design by The Huers.
Photos by Phil Caffrey and Stuart Cleverdon.
Phil and Ian would like to thank
Photo on back of CD cover by Stuart Cleverdon. Taken at Hadlow Road Railway Station on the Wirral Way - children please note that this is a disused railway line and used as a museum. No Huers were harmed in the taking of this photograph!
Photos on CD booklet apart from front cover taken at Hadlow Road railway station, Heswall foreshore (both on the Wirral) and in Karona Studio, Up Holland, Lancashire, by Phil and Stu.
Why is the album called Up For Grabs?
It all came about when Mike Turner visited Karona Studio to record the bass for Save It For A Rainy Day one Monday night in April 2010. Mike enquired of Ian:
Mike: "What are you going to call the album?"
Ian: "We haven't decided yet, so I suppose it's up for grabs"
Mike: "That would make a good album title, you know!"
Ian: "Do you know, that's inspired!!"
The rest, as they say, is history...
Here's some detail about each of the tracks. If you'd like to hear an audio clip, go to the iTunes site by clicking on the album cover above and selecting the appropriate track. You can also see versions of Broken Boats and Road Again performed live on the Video page.
Broken Boats (Caffrey)
An old man's memory of happier times. Inspired by Port Isaac and a line from the poem "Three Fishers" by Charles Kingsley in 1858 "For men must work and women weep, and there's little to earn and many to keep"
Road Again (Cleverdon)
A song about rejuvenation and finding your youth again...or a mid-life crisis, you choose!
John Robinson (Caffrey)
A Wirral legend - don't succumb to the advances of the mermaid on the black rocks!
Downeaster Alexa (Joel)
One of the greatest modern-day folk songs in our opinion, and continues the fishing theme. This is Billy Joel's take on the demise of the US East Coast fishing industry. For more information on Billy Joel, visit www.billyjoel.com
Up In Smoke (Hay)
A song by ex-Men At Work lead singer Colin Hay, complimented by a tune written by Ian on tenor guitar called Embers (an instrumental version of this tune appears as the last track of the album). For more information on Colin Hay and his music, visit www.colinhay.com
It Doesn't Matter Anymore (Anka)
The old Buddy Holly song, written by master songsmith Paul Anka, but given the laid-back and soulful treatment the lyrics deserve. It features one of the first arrangements written by Phil on his cuatro - thanks to Steve Bennett for hearing the tune and suggesting this song.
St Teresa (Bazilian, Chertoff, Hyman, Osborne)
We saw Joan Osborne perform this classic song on Transatlantic Sessions series 3 and decided we just had to have a go. A favourite of ours to play live.
Flight 447 (Caffrey)
In memory of all souls lost when Air France Flight 447 came down in the Atlantic en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on 1st June 2009. A song of letting go.
Bell Book and Candle (Hewerdine)
A classic Boo Hewerdine song, which was one of the first we played live and recorded. Boo's version was used in a BAFTA-award winning episode of ITV's Emmerdale to accompany the local pub blowing up!
Go to www.boohewerdine.net for more details on one of the UK's finest songwriters.
Balloon Man (Shindell)
Phil first heard this song on Mike Harding's folk programme on BBC Radio 2 and fell in love with it. This is a regular request song from our live set, and we've both become big Richard Shindell fans as a consequence. Go to www.richardshindell.com for more details.
The Bonny Ship The Diamond (Trad arr Caffrey / Cleverdon)
A traditional 19th Century whaling song. Whalers would be away from home for 6 months at a time and this song looks at the effects of this from the angles of both the fishermen themselves and their wives. This song has been given many different arrangements over the years.
Save It For A Rainy Day (Louris arr. Cleverdon)
A classic song by The Jayhawks, suggested by our great friend and sound engineer Richard Abley. In fact he performed it so well that we asked him to do the lead vocal on the album, while we did harmonies! This track also features Steve Bennett on harmonica and Mike Turner on bass. Steve happened to be in Paris when we needed him for the solo, but thanks to modern technology the backing track was e-mailed over tout de suite and the recording of Steve's solo done on the Left Bank was e-mailed back the next day and added in at the studio! Ian also thought the song was too short, so wrote a concluding verse. www.myspace.com/thejayhawks for more info.
Embers (Caffrey / Cleverdon)
A poignant instrumental, the tune of which featured in the earlier track Up In Smoke. This was born at the end of a long day's recording session, and features Phil on piano and harmonica, and Ian on tenor and acoustic guitars. Credits and Thanks
Up For Grabs: ©2010. 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 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
Recorded at Karona Studio, Up Holland, Lancashire, England.
Produced by The Huers. Mixed and mastered by Ian Cleverdon, March - April 2010.
Cover design by The Huers.
Photos by Phil Caffrey and Stuart Cleverdon.
Phil and Ian would like to thank
- Richard Abley for live sound and vocals and guitar on track 12
- Steve Bennett for harmonica on track 12 and suggesting track 6
- Mike Turner for bass on track 12, ongoing support and advice, and helping come up with the album title (see below)
- Stuart Cleverdon for photo skills, and creative assistance with photo sessions and mixing
- All our families, friends and fans for your support and encouragement - none of this would have been possible without you!
Photo on back of CD cover by Stuart Cleverdon. Taken at Hadlow Road Railway Station on the Wirral Way - children please note that this is a disused railway line and used as a museum. No Huers were harmed in the taking of this photograph!
Photos on CD booklet apart from front cover taken at Hadlow Road railway station, Heswall foreshore (both on the Wirral) and in Karona Studio, Up Holland, Lancashire, by Phil and Stu.
Why is the album called Up For Grabs?
It all came about when Mike Turner visited Karona Studio to record the bass for Save It For A Rainy Day one Monday night in April 2010. Mike enquired of Ian:
Mike: "What are you going to call the album?"
Ian: "We haven't decided yet, so I suppose it's up for grabs"
Mike: "That would make a good album title, you know!"
Ian: "Do you know, that's inspired!!"
The rest, as they say, is history...