Takin’ Aim is the stunning new studio album from London based vocalist, songwriter and piano man Andy Fleet. Andy mixes jazz, blues and rock into the melting pot creating a rich bittersweet sound pulling his influences from Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, John Lennon, Mose Allison, Randy Newman, Donald Fagen and Allen Toussaint.
Since first appearing on the scene with his debut release ‘The Night Falls Fast’ in 2009 Andy has been busy gigging and building a strong team around him. Andy explains: “Making my debut album was great fun - it was a useful experience as it allowed me to refine my sound and to work towards building a strong band around me for my first real statement as an artist.”
Andy was busy during 2012 laying down the new album in Derek Nash’s Clowns Pocket Studio with his quartet featuring red-hot American trumpeter Andre Canniere ( “beautifully balanced…exhilarating” Guardian ***** ) alongside in-demand electric and upright bassist Rob Rickenberg and the pulse of the group, Joe Evans on drums.
The album is set for release on June 10th on the Low Vinyl label. It’s a big dark luscious sounding record from the horns laden New Orleans vibe of the opening track to the anthemic celebration of old friends and good times in ‘Get The Boys Round’ to the cinematic ode to the port of Hamburg in ‘The Beast’ to the frighteningly honest and personal finale where Andy references John Lennon’s ‘Mother’ by baring his soul and telling the tragic tale of the night his baby son died.
credits
released June 10, 2013
CORE MUSICIANS
Andy Fleet – vocals, piano, keyboards & programming.
Andre Canniere – Trumpet, flugel horn and trombone on all tracks
Rob Rickenberg – Bass on all tracks (apart from tracks 7 & 10)
Joe Evans – drums (tracks 1, 5, 6, 8)
Ben Woolacott – drums (tracks 2, 3, 4, 9)
EXTRA MUSICIANS
WHO’S GONNA BE SORRY
Nick McNulty – all guitars
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL
Andy Fleet – guitars | Emma Fleet - backing vocal
GET THE BOYS ROUND
Nick McNulty – all guitars
TENDER
Jon gibbons – backing vocals
THE BEAST
Cello – Clare Oconnell | Nick McNulty – guitar | Emma Fleet - backing vocal
TAKIN’ AIM
Nick McNulty – guitar
JAMES (OUR BEAUTIFUL BOY)
Andy Fleet – keyboard bass
ALPHA FEMALE
Rob Rickenberg, Andre Canniere & Joe Evans – backing vocals
TICK ALL THE BOXES
Jon gibbons – backing vocals
BRAVE LITTLE SOLDIER
Andy Fleet – keyboard bass & programmed drums
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Recorded by Derek Nash at Clowns Pocket Studios and by Martin Aitkinson at M.A.R.S
Mixed & Mastered by Martin Aitkinson at M.A.R.S
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SONG CREDITS – ALL MUSIC AND WORDS BY ANDY FLEET EXCEPT…
Who’s Gonna Be Sorry (words by Dave Gill) | At The Bottom Of The Pool & The Beast (words by William Schwartz) | Tender & Alpha Female (words by Dave Burn) | Tick All The Boxes (words by Lindsay Wesker)
Special thanks to Andre Canniere, Rob Rickenberg & Joe Evans for your brilliant musicianship and selfless devotion to this project. Big thanks also to Ben Woolacott, Nick McNulty, Jon Gibbons & Claire OConnell for playing so beautifully on some of the tracks. Thanks to Jo Doolan, Ian Babbage and Anne Miller for your help, support and encouragement over the years and to my co-writers William Schwarz, Dave Burn & Dave Gill for trusting me with your beautiful lyrics. Big hugs and thanks to my wife Emma for her love and support and for putting her beautiful vocal down on two of the tracks. Thanks to my mum and dad for giving me the gift of music.
Also thanks to Pal Hanson, Anthony Ditchfield, Mick & Linda Rollitt, Chris Singleton and Emma Finnigan, Myles/Carolyn & Joe Carrapiett, Angus/Sabia/Katie & Euan Morrison, Joseph/Julie/Benji & Emily Iskaros, Fiona Stone.
And thanks to YOU for buying this album !
I dedicate this album, and everything else I produce in this life, to my precious daughter Martha and in memory of my son James (Jimbob) XX
Piano player, composer and songwriter Andy Fleet pours rock, jazz, blues and classical influences into the melting pot
creating his own eclectic rich dark blend.
He has released three studio albums to date and has toured extensively over the years both with his own quartet and as sideman including a stint with Universal Music. He also has appeared several times on BBC and ITV television....more
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