Paradox One

About pArAdOx OnE (Phil Jackson)

Reading Peter Hill's book, 'Stargazing', got me thinking about the past and my bands in Dundee- Valhalla (Never really got off the ground) and Banshee (Managed to lift a few inches!) I've lost contact with just about all the original members (Banshee had 5 drummers in its short existence!) and only have a pretty duff rehearsal tape to show for all the hard work and gigs. And can somebody tell me what happened to the posters that used to adorn the Scout Bar and other haunts? So, in true Friends Reunited style if Bob Stewart, Adrian LeStrange or any of the other drummers or the 'Reverend' Davy Rae (with whom I nearly formed a breakaway band called Village) happen to chance upon this site please get in touch! Coming up- the entire history of Banshee. I, like Peter Hill, also kept little notebooks!

5 defining musical moments

Seeing Keith Emerson and the Nice (as a schoolboy!)
Hearing 'Darkness 11/11' by Van Der Graaf Generator on 'Top Gear'.
Seeing Procol Harum play live with Jethro Tull (and hearing Procol's first 4 albums!)
Buying Egg's first album on the budget Deram Nova label on impulse and seeing Dave Stewart, Mont Campbell and Clive Brooks perform live (Great days!)
Hearing Camels' 'Never Let Go' and seeing them play live twice in a week when living in London.

5 keyboard influences

Keith Emerson (Say no more)
Dave Stewart (Wonderful sounds, wonderful talent- National Health greatly underrated!)
Brian Auger (That Oblivion Express first album is as good as it gets- also had privilege of seeing him play live)
Jon Lord (You'll hear a replication Deep Purple sound on some of my stuff)
Pete Bardens (Had a great weekend in Rotherham a few years back including a Mirage concert!)

Musical background

The first record I hummed along to apparently was 'Lipstick on your Collar' by Connie Francis (I was crawling at the time I think and the record was not a recent release!)
The next thing I remember was Holst's 'The Planets Suite' and my brother asking me to close my eyes and let my imagination run riot!
I still think the greatest record ever made is Procol Harum's 'A Whiter Shade of Pale'.
Porcupine Tree had a wonderful song about 'Piano Lessons' on their 'Stupid Dream' album that sums up a lot about what piano lessons were for me. Seeming like torture at the time but something I am now grateful for!
And then there was Banshee possibly the only Dundee progressive rock band apart from the more famous Exhibition (who played at the Caird Hall) We did original material (I hope to record some of this one day) and covers of bands like Deep Purple, Yes and Camel. We played 13 gigs (ominous!) and, luckily kept a diary at the time, so I can tell our two fans of the time (Was it as many as that?) every detail of those 13 gigs if they get in touch. It would be nice to hear from ex band members as well!

Coming nearer the present I still vividly remember discovering there were still progressive rock bands around. Ex Banshee member and friend Doug Milne got me into Anekdoten and Anglagard. I had no idea music like this was still being made and was inspired to get together some keyboards and start working on ideas. Five years later 'Reality Quake' emerged.
Others who have had a major impact on my music are: My good mate Sandy Greenhorn without whom I would not have listened to half the music that I have. Friends in music like Ken Senior, Bjorn Lynne, Robert Urban and Ed Macan for their feedback and encouragement. (Ken heard my tentative first steps but was always positive!)
A special mention to Rick Ray for his enormous energy, enthusiasm and commitment in selflessly promoting Paradox One.

The enemy is always time as I have a very demanding job and various other interests including reviewing music, doing interviews and writing articles for 'Acid Dragon' and also for' Mellotron', 'Colossus' and, recently, 'Background' and 'Progression'.

Musical influences and likes- past and present

The Nice, the Cream, the Beatles (of course!), especially 'The White Album', Procol Harum (proto prog!), Joe Cocker's first two albums Led Zeppelin's first, the Doors, Nick Drake, Camel (especially 'Mirage'), Van Der Graaf Generator, Steve Hillage's 'Fish Rising', Egg, Hatfield and the North, National Health, PFM, Rare Bird, Taste's 'On The Boards', early Floyd, Kate Bush, Ride's 'Carnival of Light', Anglagard, Anekdoten, Marillion, Amon Duul 11, Hawkwind, early Genesis, Yes (especially 'Fragile'), The Moody Blues, In The Court! ELP (especially the first), Spock's Beard, The Flower Kings, Salem Hill, White Willow, Joni Mitchell (especially 'Hejira')…there are many more!

Literary inspirations

I believe in concept works in unifying and realising musical visions. Arguably Hector Berlioz was the originator of the progressive concept album (called a musical program) Most great classical works have stories or concepts- like 'The Planets' or 'The Pastoral' or even 'The Rite of Spring'.
My personal inspirations come from the works of science fiction and popular science. Authors like Robert Sheckley, Arthur C. Clarke and Robert Silverberg fire my imagination.
I also admire the poetic prose of Lancashire author Jeanette Winterson (although it would be difficult to express this in music!)
I am currently working on a new piece with help from reading Alan Alford's 'Gods of the New Millennium' in the sense of reawakening my sense of mystery and wonder. The answers may be speculative but at least the big questions are being asked!