Track by Track Reviews of Blue Sky Morning
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Suki and Simi
A driving rock and roll song with strongly featured Sax. A story about a boy and girl who escaping the narrow confines of their communities in Japan and come to the UK and express themselves artistically. The need to break out and express oneself that Harris tackles in different ways in a number of his songs.
Suki & Sumi
A rocking punk-fairy tale, taking a Murakami-esque look at Japanese modernity.
Josh H. Kirkwood, Writer of Modern Fiction
Suki & Sumi
I really like the lyrics and upbeat rhythm of Suki and Simi, very fresh and retro but at the same time contemporary, but I particularly like the unexpected guitar sound which comes through as a theme, it's dystopic but cheerful at the same time, Great!
Particularly like the amusing lines like "look like Sonny and Shairi but a little more scary". I really like this one.
Louise Tarpey, English and French Language Teacher
Janey Blue
A Klezmer style music which is a eulogy to someone who had great inner strength but experienced tragedy at a young age. String haunting melody and toes form clarinet and violin.
Janey Blue
Again, interesting lyrics. Have a weakness for the clarinet from Greek music I used to listen to in the 70s, really like this song, testament to that is that I've been whistling it! Has a French cafe feel, musing with a Gauloise on past times. Good insight into human condition " hunting like a tiger, hunted like a deer", we are brave and fearful at the same time. Really like this one too.
Louise Tarpey, English and French Language Teacher
Smiling at Strangers
One of Rob’s two collaborations on Blue Sky Morning, and the title says it all! This is a song designed to look at the positive qualities in human beings and inspire listeners to step out of their comfort zone and interact!
Smiling at Strangers
Definitely hummable! simple, happy, describes one of those good days we all have occasionally really well!
Louise Tarpey, English and French Language Teacher
Face of A Cherokee
A song with a simple message using the Cherokee as one example of a minority that faced persecution. Strong evocative imagery evoking a cinematic feel.
The animated music video of the song is aimed at a younger audience as is I think the songs.
Interspersed with choral sections that express a cry for help.
Face of A Cherokee
Like the intro, wistful female voice and horses hooves, your voice sounds a bit hesitant on this one Rob, don't know why, but the tune is less clear I think Nice guitar riffs in between singing, again the words are interesting, and you are obviously gifted, it's hard creating images and metaphors which aren't cliched, and you are well on the way!
Louise Tarpey, English and French Language Teacher
Nature’s Corner
Rob says this will be the first of a number of songs that highlights the beauty of our natural environment and the need to protect and save our planet. Dashboard
Delicate, lilting melodies supported by lyrics that draw a dramatic contrast between nature’s beauty and the effect of humanity on the environment. The Bridge evokes a desperate call to action.
Gone Man-Wrong Man
Rob has decided to support a Young person’s mental health charity, www.youngminds.org.uk, by donating a large proportion of any proceeds from Blue Sky Morning:
And Gone Man-Wrong Man very much focuses on Mental Health. It is a song about an individual expressing a cry for help. The “Gone Man” is on the run from some terrible crime he believes he has committed, but in fact he is trying to escape from the mental illness inside himself, that is pressing in so hard.
The song is underpinned with a “easy listening “country blues style treatment, with a Dobra and lead guitar overlay of piercing phrases, to echo the cry for help and pain of the individual.
Gone Man-Wrong Man
Lovely beat, reminiscent of Dylan, the chorus lines are very resonant to today's issues about finding the key, and lots of people can relate to them I guess, which is good if you are writing to appeal to lots of people.
Louise Tarpey, English and French Language Teacher
Gone Man-Wrong Man
Classic Delta blues addressing important issues around perceptions of mental health issues.
Josh H. Kirkwood, Writer of Fiction
Chloe Louise and the Land of One
Chloe Louise is a song about drawing on inner strength, to meet the challenges that might prevent a person forming a relationship with a potential partner because of their background.
A finger picked, acoustic style, the singer asks Chloe Louise to be strong.
Chloe Louise and the Land of One
Like it, very contemporary and addresses the mixed-race marriage thing well, "we can be different and hold hands" pretty guitar bits, quite a sad sound to this one Rob I thought, I don't know why but it reminded me of the Beatles song about the girl who got up every morning has a shower and waits for the man of her dreams to take her away. Don't know if that was intentional on your part?
Again, great lyrics and melodies.
Louise Tarpey, English and French Language Teacher
Johnny’s Place
Johnny's Place was inspired by a long weekend spent with some young friends in Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast of Cost Rica! It is an older person’s take of a lost night in a beach club.
Reggae is very much the sound of the Costa Rican East coast and so inspired the feel of the song.
Johnny's Place
Dylan meets Bob Marley! Again, great words, makes me think of a 60s house party in Birmingham, from the descriptions I have heard from old folks here, where Jamaicans and white Brummies used to party on a Saturday night!
Louise Tarpey, English and French Language Teacher
Johnny's Place
Intricate lyrics over pumping ska beats tell a story of a modern-day hippie retreat.
Josh H. Kirkwood, Writer of Modern Fiction
High on Natural Energy
The other co-write on this album, Rob set out with Gary and Fran to create a more contemporary and commercial sound, with positive, upbeat lyrics. A simple storyline about a person who inspires others when they walk into a room, they feel energised!
High on Natural Energy
Outrageously catchy Indie tune capturing something of the early-noughties pop innocence.
Josh H. Kirkwood, Writer of Fiction
High on Natural Energy
I'm High on Natural Energy, is one of the best choruses tune wise (the singing is lovely), like Smiling at Strangers, it captures one of those great moments we sometimes feel.
This one I found myself singing to myself "breath it, feel it, Own it". This is a fab song.
Louise Tarpey, English and French Language Teacher
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