After
our performance at the 2010 New
Years Eve Community Concert at Ford Park, Merimbula, we were approached by a
chap who introduced himself as Raymond Toms, video clip producer. Raymond had
seen our set and wanted to know whether we might like to have him make a video
for us.
Well
we ummed and aahed for a while and sort of lost touch.
But
in early 2012 Raymond got back in touch, apologised for taking so long, and
asked if he might come over to The Shed one day to see what goes down.
He
came, and we learned that Raymond dabbles with a few instruments, including
drums and flute.
Well
Raymond liked what he saw in The Shed, and started turning up fairly regularly.
We
explained that we tend to focus on original material, that taking on new
musical challenges is a staple of shed life, and encouraged Raymond to write a
song.
Raymond
is nothing if not enthusiastic, and it wasn’t long before he presented us with
the bones of his first original, which he had titled “Shy and Retiring”.
Raymond
had worked out a couple of bars on the flute, and developed it into a melody of
sorts. Neil and Gus worked out
some chords for the verse, and we started to knock it into shape and get
comfortable playing it. Neil and Gus came up with the contra-feel chorus chords
and the chorus/verse transition that helps make it a little different. Raymond
then developed the lyrics.
In
early May 2012 Chris Ralfs joined us for a Sesh and we decided we’d give Shy
and Retiring a run with the
recorder on.
Well
we were pleasantly surprised with the result, which you can hear by clicking on
Shy and Retiring on the Juke Box.
What
you hear is a live take of the song, with Raymond on vocals ( his first
recording as a vocalist ) and flute, Neil on acoustic guitar, Gus on slide,
Chris on bass and Pete on congas and bongos. It is the first full recording of
the song. It is a bit ragged, but we think it works.
Hope
you do too !
By
hoicking a song onto the PBGB Juke Box, Raymond becomes a fully fledged member
of the PBGB Family. We are all very pleased about that because Raymond has
become one of The Shed regulars and he is keen and open to new musical
endeavours – just what we like !
Read
more about Raymond’s background and endeavours by clicking on his name on ‘The
Musicians’ page at the top of this page, and you can also read a bit of
background on Shy and Retiring by clicking on the title in ‘The Songs’
page.
So
Raymond, welcome to the PBGB Family sir !! Great to have you on board..
