This album has been as much of a personal journey as a musical one, and each of the tracks tells its own story whether with or without words. Reflections Part 2, both instrumental and song version, follow on from the title track of an earlier album, which also featured on my Ictal Variations album. The words to The Phoenix identify the feeling of rising above Depression. They Call It The River Tyne was commissioned by North East of England Cultural Arts Historian, Author, and Lecturer, Dr Barbara Morden. This was to correspond with her book on the works of the artist John Martin, who, like many famous people, was born on Tyneside. The Bedlington Buzz, is designed to reflect and rejuvenate the sense of local community which should be cherished and carried forward for future generations. Millionaires Ain't Happy All The Time was musically influenced by Karen Carpenter's version of Jambalaya, and has been referred to as a "Love song in disguise." It features one of the best North East guitarist/songwriters Jim Hornsby, and Australian violinist Malcolm Bushby.. When Angels Dream is an instrumental track inspired by a work of commercial art discovered on a life changing trip to Japan in October 2014. Its melodic shape, pitch and structure mean it wouldn't sound out of place in a music box. The Better Half of Me was influenced by the style and work of both Rita Coolidge and Jim Armstrong, a cross between Don't Know Much and Angel In Our Corner. The lyrics first took shape after I spent 9 months of 2012 at sea as a piano/vocalist, and they are a juxtaposition of my own and my wife's feelings during our time apart, and how when we were reunited I felt whole again. I'm Shining was musically influenced by Human by The Killers. It is, like The Phoenix, a true story of triumph over adversity, in this case child abuse. It is saying to the abuser that despite their best efforts to destroy you, you have actually taken the abuse as a source of inspiration to drive you forwards to achieve great things, completely the opposite of what they'd hoped for. There are, as you can see, many stories, themes, angles and perspectives in this varied album, so I hope that in this album you find the track that connects with you. Happy Listening.