Album: Swinging for England: JD and the Longfellows This is the third album from JD and the Longfellows (Confessions, 2006; Happy Hour Again!, 2008). There is lots of information about every song below (some true, some slightly true, some true after a few drinks and some I wish was not true). It tells you what each song is about, who wrote it and played and sang on it and other stuff like that! JD and the Longfellows are: Josh Davis D LongFellow: Vocals, guitar and song-writing Clare Portman hortFellow: Vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboards and washboard Gemma Gayner tringFellow: Violin, string arrangements and vocals Supported on this album by: Greg McDonald cMulti-InstrumentalistFellow: Mandolin, harmonica, accordion and vocals James Boston ingersFellow: Piano and keyboards Harry Perry eepNoteFellow: Bass Nathan Persad otcomfellow: Nathanisms, drums and vocals Engineered by: Chris Mansell Recorded at the Music Complex, Deptford, SE London Produced by Josh Davis and Chris Mansell Photographs and artwork by Ann-Marie Malarkey 1. Swinging for England 2. Losers, Cruisers & Dirty Rotten Schmoozers 3. Why? 4. Meteoric Weekend 5. Drink you under the Table 6. Destitute's Lament 7. Rhythm & Soul 8. Good Time 9. Old Town Zanzibar 10. How many Bottles (did I drink the night that I quit drinking)? All songs written by Josh Davis except Track 10 (Kevin Carney) Track 1: Swinging for England (An adult take on pass the parcel. When the music stops who will carry your keys?) Lyrics and Music: Josh Davis Time: Written soon after the release of the Longfellow's second album (Happy Hour Again!), Swinging for England has been an ever present live song and the eponymous track of the Longfellows new album. Extolling the merits of the seventies fondue and swinging parties it establishes the current direction of JD's song-writing - a little bit of sleaze, and a truck full of farce. Featuring a duet between Clare and JD, it includes a standout highly decadent Germanic vocal solo by Clare. No longer just the thinking man's drinking band; JD and the Longfellows promote a new collective musical and living experience for the whole family - except perhaps the children. Drums: Nathan Persad Bass: Harry Perry Acoustic Guitars: Josh Davis, Clare Portman Violins: Gemma Gayner Lead Vocals: Josh Davis, Clare Portman Backing Vocals: Gemma Gayner, Greg MacDonald, Nathan Persad Track 2: Losers Cruisers & Dirty Rotten Schmoozers (A lounge lizard anthem for the girls) Lyrics and Music: Josh Davis Time: Another vocal duet by Clare and JD, and again Clare provides a blazing heartfelt solo middle section. Women might suggest this describes a stereotypical night out in a down-market pub, with dreary, annoying men dropping out of the woodwork. In contrast, JD claims it immortalises a successful night out with an obviously willing female companion. Funny how she never called..... Drums: Nathan Persad Bass: Harry Perry Acoustic Guitar: Josh Davis Violin: Gemma Gayner Accordion: Greg MacDonald Lead Vocals: Josh Davis, Clare Portman Backing Vocals: Gemma Gayner, Greg MacDonald, Nathan Persad Track 3: Why? (True angst can only be found in the ice of the heart and a bottle of wine) Lyrics and Music: Josh Davis Time: This is the second time the Longfellows have recorded this song. It first appeared on Confessions and sung by Nathan, when previously playing guitar for the band. However, Clare soon started performing this song in her own memorable show-stopping style and the band were always determined it should be recorded again. Drums: Nathan Persad Bass: Harry Perry Acoustic Guitars: Josh Davis, Clare Portman Violin: Gemma Gayner Lead Vocals: Josh Davis, Clare Portman Backing Vocals: Gemma Gayner, Greg MacDonald, Nathan Persad Track 4: Meteoric Weekend (A rags and riches holiday romance) Lyrics and Music: Josh Davis Time: A clandestine love affair? A fleeting holiday romance? Who knows? What we do know is that JD returned with this from Malta, a Mediterranean island with a surprisingly traditional English colonial seaside attractions, although perh
