A sizeable repertoire has evolved after nearly 20 years together; the three “Ways” recording projects has produced a diversity of songs by Schubert, Ives, Dolphy, Sullivan and Elvis Presley (1987). Later they composed for various commisions and projects using text from e e cummings, James Joyce, Adrian Mitchell, Lou Glandfield, Ho Chi Minh and the late Paul Haines, as well as exploring our own ideas for improvisations (“Ways past” – 1992). The final part to the trilogy – “…..past ” was released in spring 2004 and further explores song sources like Schumann, Hank Williams, Carlos Jobim, Monteverdi, Hubert Parry, as well as our own ‘settings & structures‘ for texts by St Augustine, William Blake, and Spinoza. Here is a reworking of an anthem written by us brought in to a contemporary context with words specially written by Lou Glandfield:
The words - by Lou Glandfield:
Over-indulged and wholly ineffectual Stout Brenda squats athwart her dragon throne. Inimical to all things intellectual, Her minions pant like corgis for a bone.
Mere instruments of atavistic lust, Her pious fools commit to holy wars. While rump-fed butchers decimate the just, The sated tyrant belches, farts and snores.
Her brave Olympiad panders to the purse Of poisoners. Meanwhile, her idiot sons, The toast of grocers, torturers and worse, Peddle preferment, salted snacks and guns
At last Great Anarch shall reveal himself. Glad god! who, when the bloated bankers tire And choke and stifle on their stinking pelf, Catches their wasting limbs in creels of fire.
