Strip
The Chameleons
Dave Fielding: six and twelve string acoustic guitars, didjeridu, harmonica
Reg Smithies: Six and twelve string acoustic guitars, electric six string guitar, percussion
Recorded at Suite Sixteen Studio, Drake St, Rochdale
Engineered by Shan Hira and Jonathan Barrett
Produced by Shan, Jonathan and The Chameleons
Artwork by Reg Smithies and Mark Burgess
Hello again
Well here I am writing sleeve notes for another fresh Chameleons record. It started with the decision in February to play a few gigs together in May 2000. For valid reasons I won't go into here it was impossible for John to come aboard until mid April, so rather than hang around waiting until then to start something the possibility of a few acoustic shows evolved into recording an acoustic album, which is the essence of what we have here. Our friend and advisor Simon Lawlor put up the money to make and press the record and it was originally envisioned that 'Strip' as it came to be called, would be a DIY project recorded on some equipment I have a 50% share in. As it turned out though, Shan Hira at Suite Sixteen, Rochdale, offered us the use of the studio over ten days at cost and we were able to return to the studio in which we'd made our name. Shan and another regular engineer at the studio, Jonathan Barrett, then worked with us for no fee over the period in order to finish the record in time. we can't thank them enough for making it possible for us to work at S16 and for working hard to ensure that the CD sounds so great.... Nice one! We'd also like t say a big thanks to Paul Fallon of Johnny Roadhouse Music, Manchester, for the practical help and encouragement he gave us during the pre-production stages of making this record.
mark burgess
What Is It?
Well it's an album of acoustic arrangements of some earlier songs along with one or two new tunes...
But, What is it?
Well it began as a way for Dave, Reg and myself to keep busy until John could join us for rehearsals for some gigs we'd arranged to play in May, but we soon realised that what we were doing here was something rather special...
But, what is it?
Well it' a group of songwriters getting back together after a ten-year lay-off, rediscovering their own music and redefining themselves as a band...
Yes, but what is it?
Er... It's a new album by The Chameleons.... Basically! We are The Chameleons. Is this album number four? I'm not sure.
Mark Burgess, 3.25 p.m., Reg's flat
Ps Additional didjeridu by traditional Didjeri Dave...
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All songs published by EMI Publishing Ltd except track 9 and 10 - copyright control.
The Chameleons can be contacted via www.the chameleons.com or by writing to The Chameleons c/o PO Box 190, York YO42 4YU, England
A Paradiso Communications Production PARADISO CD001