No More Loving You (the very moving back story)

Well this is the third back story behind the songs from 'THE FENCE' and so far this is the most personal and most moving story that makes you really think different hearing the song after reading this.


I now hand you over to Rick -

Another back story for you this time "No More Loving' You"

Bit dodgy this one as what happened a few years ago I was rushed into hospital with a severe case of pneumonia and was really ill had heavy duty oxygen pumped into me and for a while no one thought I was gonna make it, James came all the way up from Surrey to see and things were not looking good.
All in all I was in hospital for 6 weeks and slowly I pulled myself around and got through it.

After I came out I was thinking of all the things me and the wife Vee, used to do together and things like me saying "hey you getting off the phone cause I need to make a call", waiting for the shower, meeting her in the pouring rain when we were younger to go to the pictures, saying goodnight as we lay in bed, you get the picture?

It's everything a couple would do together and then I wondered what would happen if I had passed away and we never done any of these things anymore, we would never stop loving each other but if one of us passed away there would be "No More Loving You"

So hence the lines in the song are about what couples do and what would happen if one of them was no longer there.
The only thought I had at the end of the song was which one to kill off (ha ha)

Then I thought of the ideal video which would go well with this song and that is a young girl sitting in a garden on a sunny day with a big hat on so you cant really see her face and is looking through a photo album with pictures of her loved one she had lost, little tear in the eye hence the big hat so no face actually seen only the tears. after this video came to mind it was always gonna be the man that I killed off.

There you go based around a true story this one

Oh! by the way I am fine now got over the pneumonia thing OK and carried on with life but it was mighty close for a while

Cheers
Rick

You Havin A Larf??

Rick Page ‘Having A Larf’ (the back story)


Now asking Rick about the stories behind the album ‘The Fence’ it is wonderful hearing these little stories.

Next track ‘Having A Larf’ seems to be something that come from meeting someone & having a jam just wonderful story.

I hand you over to Rick Page -

Simple this one

When I was staying at James house over one weekend we were recording some stuff.
The night before we were having a meal and talking about things in general when this female friend at the meal said she was “gonna hav a barf” (cockney accent) me of course being a Geordie started to take the pee out of her saying “it's Bath not barf” and I generally went to town on the cockney accent.
The following day James & myself had finished recording and decided to do a jam session James started to play this music and I started to make words up to go with the music but the conversation from the night before was still in my mind so the micky take of the accent started to come into the song hence ‘Having a Larf’ instead of Having a laugh. – Rick

Pure Magic I love the fact the song comes from basically a ‘wind up’ a joke that from a jam has turned out to be a wonderful unusual romantic comedy style of a song.
I just love where in character in song Rick sings his heart out to this woman he loves saying how he feels & in song she replies “you having a larf?” priceless musical magic. - Ace

DEAD OR ALIVE (the back story) - Rick Page

Working with artists I not only love hearing their work go through the many stages to what you the listener finally gets to hear. I also love to hear the back story of where the very idea or meaning of the lyrics started from.
Below is in Rick's own words how the track 'DEAD OR ALIVE' taken from the album 'The Fence' first came to be.

Dead or Alive - Rick Page


Was originally called 'White Steed' but after recording it me and James Marshall Black had a think about the title and as dead or alive was mentioned more times than white steed I decided to change it.

The original idea behind this song was just before 'Iron Man' the movie was released I was trying to come up with what I was hoping might be picked as a soundtrack for the movie. Thinking of a hero in a metal suit another movie 'Robocop' came to mind, hence the line from the movie "dead or alive your coming with me" the lyrics then flowed along the lines what a hero would be doing for a town and of course a hero always rides a white horse or in robocop's case driving a silver patrol car.
I asked James when putting the music to it to add sound effects of guns etc to make it sound like a gunfight in a street for the hero to come and save the day. What he did was brilliant and just what I wanted.

Unfortunately we missed the time limit for putting in the sound tracks for putting songs in for the movie because the production took longer than we thought - Rick

Yes may of missed the date but many agree we have an awesome rock song best played LOUD.

I asked James Marshall Black about the track & Rick's ideas & he replied...

'Dead Or Alive' Rick asked me to add all the sound effects, and personally I think it was a stroke of genius. We now have this rather interesting super hero who wears a mixture of Iron man clothes and Knight's armour, carries a gun and a sword and charges around on a horse !!! I am considering re-visiting this song - James

Below is a video made by Rick himself

The Land of In Between

To say I was surprised when I heard this mix will be totally correct but would it surprise you if I told you Rick Page & Debbie Leyton were just as surprised?

The words from Rick Page about the song are "this song is about a place we all dream about where we can go and meet up with lost loved ones The Land In Between where everyone waits to meet there maker and decisions are made as to where we go from here".

Even thou it features Debbie Leyton on the track it is not a 'Bitter Sweet' production more aimed at a Rick Page track.

Written by Rick Page & composed & produced by James Marshall Black I decided to talk to James on this change of direction & music style.

James told me the vocals are so smooth in sound due to the track originally being recorded as an acoustic number. It was when mixing it in 'Lofty Skies' where the complete track was made from start to finish that James decided he like to continue that feel Rick & Debbie had with their track 'Dreamy Lady (do you still love me)'.
So this new uptempo mix began.

It is very different to how it was intended but really works well and sounds amazing so I really hope you all enjoy 'The Land of In Between' - Rick Page


*NOTE - VIDEO MADE BY RICK PAGE HIMSELF

James Marshall Black & Rick Page

Message from James re Rick Page

"Ah yes, Rick Page, (also not related to Jimmy Page LOL) I composed the music to all of the tracks on the album 'The Fence', every single one, and play guitar on them all too, as well as engineer and produce, he pays the bills so can't knock him.
He writes most of his lyrics himself, although quite a few of his tracks I wrote the words and the music for.

He was also the first to record / lay down a track in the new home studio 'Lofty Skies' with his singer partner from 'Bitter Sweet' Debbie Leyton. They recorded 'Dreamy Lady (Will You Still Love Me).
They have also recorded a cover of Marc Bolan's classic number one 'Hot Love' (me playing guitar and producing - We captured a real big feel to it)."

Rick & Debbie both appear on James Marshall Black's album 'Tyrant Lizard King'

Bitter Sweet - Sounds like?????

This depends on the song Meatloaf comes across very strong as does Joe Cocker whilst Debs can be Dusty to Debbie Harry. Note that as this is a new duo in it's infancy there have been only a few recordings of songs which Rick n Debs have done together. Songs appearing in the song list at the moment 'No More Loving You' (original Rick Page track from 'The Fence') are cover songs of 'Something Inside So Strong' (Labi Siffrie) performed by Rick. There is also a cover version by Bitter Sweet of the superb love ballad 'Up Where We Belong' Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes,'Dreamy Lady (Will You Still Love Me)' & 'Hot Love' (both originally Marc Bolan numbers) These are just a few of the material Bitter Sweet have or will cover. Original material is in the pipeline and will appear as soon as possible

A Bitter Sweet Combination

BITTER SWEET is a remarkable combination of the rough and rugged voice of estabished Rock man Rick Page (voted best newcomer in Northern Ireland) and the Angelic, sweet and Powerful voice of Deb Leyton. (Without doubt one of the best new female voices around) Together they produce an unbelievable combination and give you some of the best cover songs and their own material you will ever hear. Formed by a chance meeting as Rick along with a few others was asked to judge a singing competition in a local pub. Debs was part of a girl duo but Rick could see and hear the potential that Debs had and asked her if she would like to pair up with him as the new Bitter Sweet, they both dedided to put their unique voices together later that month.
Somehow this talented pairing has come up with a high quality sound which has grabbed the hearts of all who have seen and heard them, they are definately the Duo to be seen and heard and are fast becoming very popular and in demand. Having already now done a number of shows and Charity performances they are proving to be without doubt one of the best duo's in the area and already have a regular following going to any and all of their gigs.. Their shows have an across the board appeal with some of the great hits from the 60's - 70's - 80's duets from famous films such as Up Where We Belong (Officer and a Gentleman) also UB40 and Chrisse Hines version of the classic "I Got You Babe" favourites like Build Me Up Buttercup, My Girl, Simply the Best, I Think Were Alone Now, Classic hits the likes of Chris Farlowe's Out of Time Lindesfarne's Meet Me on the Corner, the Cher hit song Walking in Memphis, Dusty's Son of a Preacherman, Womack n Womacks Teardrops, Alannah Miles Black Velvet, right up to present day songs such as Valerie Chasing Cars and many many more. Plus coming soon some original material which CANNOT be heard anywhere else. (Including the debut single penned by James Marshall Black "Into the Rainbow" This act is as flexible as they come, songs to suit all ages and all tastes
This is Without doubt an absolutely tremendous act that will have you bouncing in the aisle and wanting more each and every time you hear them. The Bitter voice of Rock combined with the Sweet voice of Angels make them a must see and absolutely a must hear duo

Solo Artist is there such a thing ????

Can anyone in the music industry truly claim to be a Solo artist. Mmmmm interesting question you may ask?

Lets start with the basics
Can a solo artist play all their own instruments or manage their own music or set up their own show or maintain their own equipment? That is if it's their equipment to maintain.
Maybe the answer to that is in fact they need a couple of roadies or at least a couple of good friends with knowledge of the industry.

Can a solo artist be their own agent/manager ?? Can they get their own work, their own shows, keep their own diary?? Maybe after they have spent hours in a car travelling around clubs or hours on the phone or hours setting up web sites they then may have a little time left to actually perform.

Does a solo artist have the resources, the finance the knowledge within the industry to make it on their own?? Maybe after consideration it does help to have friends already established within this cut throat world we call entertainment where the newcomer can call on the experience which is needed to survive.

All in all Solo Artist Mmmmmm let me think.
The answer is simple No one can truly say they seek a Solo career when they need money - equipment - knowledge - experience - transport - connections - people in the right places - backing - recording interest - managers - agents. etc.
BUT most of all FRIENDS who are prepared to help.

My opinion is simple THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SOLO ARTIST

Well maybe I may be slightly wrong there. I suppose the guy in the street with his guitar in hand and cap on the pavement is a solo artist.

In my career so far I have many people I would like to thank especially James Marshall Black who has been my inspiration but there are lots of people who without I would be no where.
Many thanks to all my Friends hopefully one day you will be rewarded for your efforts.

Much Love
Rick

THE FENCE - Rick Page (Track list)

Rick around 2008 - 2009 has been working on an album with James Marshall Black that features tracks co-written by Rick.


This is full track list of the album 'The Fence' & album details

Words - Rick Page
Music - James Marshall Black
Engineer - Jiff Pea

Produced - James Marshall Black
Assistant Producer - Rick Page

Vocals - Rick Page
Guitars - James Marshall Black
Bass - Eddie Roll
Drums - Roy Land
Keyboards - James Marshall Black

Backing Vocals -
Rick Page
James Marshall Black
Eddie Roll
Mandy Edge

TRACKS
Dead Or Alive
Live By The Sword Die By The Bottle
You Will Never Fall
No More Loving You
All In The Past
Can't Help Loving You
Ice Maiden
She Was An Angel
Snake Mountain
Having A Larf
Looking Over To You
The Man In Black

Rick Page 'Bio'

Rick Page has not only had 30 years in the music business, sang on TV & radio ads. Rick also is very busy on the music circuit & often appeared in a duo act 'Bittersweet' which also features Debbie Leyton.
As well as his solo work he has done backing singing for a few big names & has worked a lot this year (2009) with James Marshall Black on his album 'Tyrant Lizard King'.
If you ask "how does Rick Sound?" well some say... "Imagine grit mixed with versatility and gravel, a splash of warmth, and a touch of insanity and you're getting near".
Rick's life in brief - ex speedway daredevil has been a musician for as long as he can remember, Rick has always produced a quality product because his heart is deeply embedded in his work.
Rick is from a tough working class background and is proud of his heritage as the son of a heavy vehicle lorry driver who also spent many years making a living in the coal mining industry.
Rick is always performing live, and is constantly working on new material.
Rick has also turned his hand to acting in movies & featured in the original 'Get Carter' with Michael Caine and not a lot of people know that.