From my past, Garry Christian has been back in the studio – I produced Garry’s first solo record (Your Cool Mystery) – and it’s been great writing and producing new material with him again. It’s over 25 years since we last made a record and nothing much has changed. He looks and sounds the same!
I also had the privilege of working with Italian superstar Gianna Nannini on her new album. It’s over 30 years since I was in her touring band as keyboard player. Producing and writing with her was an inspiring experience. My recollections of her army of fans from a stage perspective gave me a real advantage when approaching new songs with her. I can’t wait to see her perform some of them in her forthcoming tours.
I spent some lockdown time developing songs with my long-term collaborator Ryan Molloy. The result is a new album project under the name Missouri Breaks. By way of a ‘launch’ Ryan and I took a trip to the north of Sweden to perform a few tracks live. I’ve never been so far north (an hour’s drive from the arctic circle!) so seeing snow on the ground in early May was bizarre. The trip was a great success and the songs were very warmly received by our Swedish audience.
I began a new project with Turkish opera singer, Isin Turan – with whom we worked at Abbey Road Studio 2, accompanied by a 42-piece orchestra arranged and conducted by my good friend Sam Swallow. Writing songs in English and then having them adapted into Italian by lyricist Edoardo Bechis was a first and the songs are already released on Spotify (album title ‘Scrivo D’Amore’)
One of our great pleasures this year was producing and writing an album with Swiss band The Souls. Gavin and I sharing the role created 12 new songs with the band and recorded them in the legendary Eastcote Studios in west London. We hope to have a long association with the band and are optimistic they will be commercially successful… it’s a great record.
Records that saw releases in 2023 were Simply Red’s ‘Time’ and ‘Solstice Kiss’ by Simple Minds and it was massively rewarding to see tracks by these brilliant artists, regulars on our production calendar, enjoying great success. As well as singles, albums and records of the week, they’ve both had sell out concert tours and excellent sales. Long may they continue!
In between times, I took a productive and enjoyable trip to Nice to work with Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr. Always great to be with Jim.
I also found time for song writes with the smoky-voiced Rebecca Poole on her latest record, as well as a whole album’s worth of new material with the brilliant Betty Boo.
In addition, I have been continuing my work with the inspirational Miel de Botton and we are edging ever closer to having a new album and starting the ensuing promotion.
We released new songs with Annie Falconer and completed an album with another Swiss artist Pat Bornstein…more of that later.
In addition we recorded some truly special material from the very well-established Gilbert O’Sullivan’s enviable songbook.
In closing, I can’t forget to mention a remarkable evening spent in Brussels watching the legendary Bruce Springsteen from up close. The Boss gave a live performance I can only describe as awe-inspiring and truly mesmerising.
2023 was a remarkable year with so much to look forward to as the records are released and find their place in the world. Roll on the next twelve months…
]]>I was recommended as a candidate to produce Jeff in 2000 and, whilst I was unsure whether I would be the right man for the job, I agreed to meet him at Metropolis Studios.
We started working together shortly after our initial meeting - and what resulted over the next few years was 2 albums with Best Rock Guitar Performance Grammy’s for each.
It was such a privilege to collaborate with the most iconic guitarist on the planet at the time, something that has given me more kudos than pretty much anything I have done in my career. I have so many treasured memories of the time we spent together, and the sheer beauty and musicality that I witnessed in front of my eyes regularly brought me close to tears.
Jeff got in touch with me via his manager last October as he was keen to play a song from our first album ‘You Had it Coming’ in his live show and needed some of the files. Sadly, that show was destined never to be - but the work, and his music live on.
I’ll always be glad to have played a part in it.
]]>I was at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire for launch night – Mick and the band were amazing – and clearly in prime shape for their latest major tour taking in Europe and beyond. The energy was incredible - even after all these years, the flame still burns so bright.
]]>Production on ‘Time’ is now complete, (amazingly, my ninth record with the band!) and with a major tour beginning this summer it’s fantastic to see them continue to go from strength to strength.
]]>You can check out the feature ‘How I Got That Sound’ discussing his work with Jeff Beck here: https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/how-got-sound-andy-wright
And check out Andy’s ‘Top 5’ essential studio tools in Audio Technology Magazine here: https://www.audiotechnology.com/regulars/top-5-andy-wright
]]>Andreas is an outstanding musician, composer and global music figure – whose illustrious career spans five decades (and counting). A Grammy Award winner, film composer, and virtuoso harpist, highlights from his musical life have included sell-out performances the world over, Billboard Chart success, and notable collaborations with the likes of Bobby McFerrin, Carly Simon and Luciano Pavarotti.
Working with Andreas has been a meeting of minds - the melding of two different musical worlds. Out of it, we evolved one unified vision, and a work, I think, of real grace and beauty.
It’s been a thrill to see SlowFlow & Dancer reach No1 in the New Age Chart on release, and No 8 in the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart.
I can’t wait to see what the future holds…
]]>Not only is the album a terrific commercial success, it’s also been the recipient of outstanding reviews from the likes of Mojo magazine and Record Collector - and continues to gain wides exposure through substantial radio support and mainstream TV performances - including a long-awaited first-time appearance on ‘Later…with Jools Holland.’
Making a record during two years of a global pandemic was never going to be easy - but the result has been a triumph.
You can catch the videos for the first two singles, ‘Vision Thing’ and ‘First You Jump’ here:
]]>It’s wonderful to see the album out there doing so well - and I know this is only the beginning…
You can catch the videos for “Right by Your Side” featuring David Gray and “Miracle” featuring Chuck D right here:
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