Welcome to the feathered brotherhood who join me today for Episode 47 of the Radio Owlsnest syndicated blockbuster world dominating songwriter podcast series … Ahhh - not really. In truth, it’s remained an intimate, small, close knit village concern which has been lovely for me to host over the last few years. So thank you to you “OwlHeads” who have given me your ears so consistently and graciously.

I’ll start proceedings off by playing a very rare demo I wrote with fine female lyricist Terry Cox, which surprised me how ‘Elton John’ it sounded after all these years. I was beginning to write with Bernie Taupin at that time and I think the aesthetic was rubbing off on me a little. Dusting this demo off after all these years was illuminating to me.

I’ll spin a track I’m preparing for volume 3 of my, “The Poetry of Collisions” demo/odds and sods compilation series/releases; a song title that refers to the suffering-laden cyclic nature of death and reincarnation - no beginning no end … Bugger me, that sounds heavy and fun! But have no fear my friends, my song relates to a beautiful woman and lover.

And it’s my great pleasure to play a track in progress - an unheard song I was writing with the great Wang Chung man Jack Hues. I was watching the Beatles, “Get Back” documentary recently (again), and was fascinated at how Paul McCartney conjured up the song, “Get Back”, from nowhere; It made me remember a track I was writing with Jack - how we were creating it ‘live’ and organically on the spot. It’s called “Big Cathedral” and it’s a great track we never finished; I’ll play you it’s very birth, warts and all. It’s a great illustration of how inspiration hits as you jam - improvise - perform.

My motivational talk this month is about just that, ‘Motivation’! What motivated me to be a songwriter? What drove me on, what inspired me to dig deep and to make my dream materialize; what made me never give in when disappointment reigned - what was the essence of my desire. I think a few of you budding song crafters out there might find this section of the show a touch interesting.

Scurrying around the dark song archives, I found a terrific demo I wrote and recorded with the mighty Clif Magness, a track eventually recorded by Eric Martin for a movie soundtrack. It’s hard to believe it’s an 8 track analog demo - such is Clif’s magnificent production values and lead singing. Sometimes the demo beats the master!

And amongst other ditties from my demo song vaults, I’ll play a brand new song I’ve just finished for a forthcoming solo album I’m preparing. I’m very proud of this new piece - it has a personal psychological spirit about it ... I hope you like it.

It’s time for you to become an “OwlHead” again.
Settle back - enjoy the show.
Martin 🦉