Reviews
Artist: Roy Hill
Album:Fun With Dave
Label:Deepdene Records
Tracks:12
Website: http://www.myspace.com/royhillwordsandmusic
If you haven't heard of Roy Hill before, in 1974 he won a heat in the Melody Maker Rock contest, and decided to become a professional musician. He was signed to Arista and released a solo album in 1977 which was produced by Gus Dudgeon. He's a brilliant singer, songwriter, and can be heard nowadays either as a solo artist, or as part of the duo "Cry No More", with Chas Cronk (from the Strawbs).
In 2008, he released two albums of archived tracks dating back from the 70's and 80's, with a brand new album due for release next year. Both "Hello Sailor" and "Fun With Dave" can be purchased directly from Deepdene records, via Roy's Myspace.
There's almost a common theme running through "Fun With Dave": Misandry. For those that don't know what that is, it's the antonym of misogyny. For those who don't know what that is either, you'll just have to go and buy the CD.
I'm convinced that this is a transparent attempt by Roy to feign empathy with the double X chromosomed members of the species, in order to lure them into his boudoir.
A typical example is the first track, "Jenny Takes a First Look at Life". Jenny's mother spent her nights crying over the mistreatment from her husband, so on Jenny's wedding day she jilts her betrothed and flees. Do we feel any sympathy for the poor sap left standing at the altar? No chance.
I hadn't previously realised that "Man Overboard" was a full song. Roy sings a part of it as a quick fill in when Chas is changing guitars. Good to hear the entire song for a change. Clearly, if you fell in love with a girl from Atlantis you'd have fallen overboard. So why not if you fall in love with a girl from Atlanta?
"Marion Jones" is another song laced with misandry. She's a murderess, cold blodedly stabbing her husband to death. Do we feel any sympathy for the poor sap dying on the floor? No chance. Some fantastic keyboards on this song. They really create the atmosphere leading up to the murder.
Think the saxophone is my favorite instrument (to listen to - not to play). Some gorgeous sax on "Small Adventurer", along the lines of "Will you" on Hazel O'Conner's "Breaking Glass", or Van der Graaf Generator's "Still Life". This song would not be out of place if Pink Floyd had included it on "Dark Side of the Moon". The song also features some very feminine sounding harmonies. Pretty sure than neither Roy nor Dave were responsible for that.
Believe it or not, "Sleeping With Ghosts" sounds very much in the style of Jon Anderson and Vangelis. Something along the lines of "Friends of Mr Cairo". Some fairly complex keyboards, and very soft vocals, (perhaps not quite as castrato as Jon).
"It Just Might Happen to You" is a warning to anyone who advises you to buck your ideas up and sort yourself out after your heart has been broken. It doesn't matter how strong they are, they still might make the mistake of falling in love themselves. This song does sound a little like an 80's pop song, but then I guess it has every right to, as that is what it is.
The vocals on "Superheroes" sound a little like Dave Bowie, and the guitar could even be Mick Ronson. My only complaint about this song is that the guitar break in the middle isn't long enough. Ah well, back to the leather and lurex. There's a nation out there that needs saving.
"The Man to Blame", isn't quite misandristic, (if there is such a word - if not there ought to be) but it still puts all the sympathy with the female side of the relationship, and all the blame with the male. The man to blame, if you hadn't guessed, can be found by looking in a mirror.
I defy you to listen to "Falling" without tapping your foot. Love this track as it contains what has to be the world's most unsuccessful chat up line - "As I listen to you and hang on every word, it may not be the alcohol that makes my senses blurred."
"Without Eddie" is yet another anti-male song. Again it is really sad. Marie never goes anywhere without Eddie. Unfortunately Eddie doesn't return the compliment and spends his time philandering without her. Strangely, the first time Roy performed this live there happened to be a couple in the audience called Marie and Eddie.
Roy is very good at writing funny songs that are also sad. "Every Single Time" is the complete opposite. It's a sad song that is also funny. At last a bit of good humoured misogyny. It's played like a typical sad song about a failing relationship - every single time you say goodbye to me - but the joke (or the tragedy) is that he's sad because the relationship doesn't end. The other person keeps coming back.
There's some cracking bass on "Don't Leave Me Here." Don't know whether that was added by Chas. This, the last song on the CD is hugely moving. It is a real tearjerker. It predates Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" by some two decades, but it is on a similar theme, but far more heartbreaking. I won't say anymore, because you can all go and listen to it on Roy's Myspace.
Can't say any more than that, because you almost certainly gave up reading this hours ago. For anyone still left, I urge you to go and buy this record, and also "Hello Sailor". Roy's budgie might not get fed if you don't.
Pete Bradley