Deviations Project

2010-10-04T20:43:00.001-07:00

Well it's nearly here - "The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness".

....Oh and while I'm quoting the Bard, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (in the groovey sense of course;)

Yes October is nearly upon us and we've been thinking about doing a new DP toon - How cool is that?

I'm gonna start next week - and tie it in with Blue Peter on the 18th.

If you hadn't already guessed, Mr L is going to sneer in the general direction of the existing Flight of the Bumblebee land speed record - and set a new Guiness World record live on BBC TV 18th of October 2010!

As a precursor to the event, Ollie did an interview with the TIMES last week, giving some fingering techniques to some younger players. (God knows I'm trying so hard to resist the evil innuendo voices ;) Heehee!

Anyhoo - it's gonna be featured in next Thursdays tissue - Oops I mean issue :)

Oh the new toon?

Watch this space .........

“Inexplicably compelling, uncompromisingly unturnoffable!”

2009-12-19T05:40:00.000-08:00

I was asked to come up with what is called an “Elevator Pitch”. In less than 300 words describe your music. This is what I came up with……

The inspirational “coupling” of Williams and Lewis (and I use the word “coupling” in a mature, non smutty way ;) has given birth to a wealth of “Heart swelling” violinicity, lovingly laced with a luscious dreamscape of soft synthesis.

Beauty and the Beast, Rogers and Hammerstein, Batman and Robin, Monty and Python - none these have anything to do with this achingly beautiful interpretation of some of the worlds most wonderful classical compositions. A combination of virtuosic instrumentation and lush, futuristic arrangements. Check out this carefully chosen, random list of a few of their lusty toons with cutesy titles:

“Tootin’ Carmen”…………………Habanera from “Carmen” - Bizet

“The Lying King”………………….In the Hall of the Mountain King - Grieg

“Really Big Swans”……………....Four Little Swans - Tchaikovsky

“Dear Old Swanney”…………….The Swan - Saint-Saens

Not to mention several original works from the pixilated pen of “The Wizard of Magical Music and Shoes” himself – Dave Williams.

All in all a quirky collection of Classics with a Twist, played with passion, genuine affection and a gentle tongue in the cheek.

No animals were harmed during the making of these recordings..…well not intentionally……and it was a stray…..

SO That’s what I came up with. I was felling pretty smug, then I started thinking about the phrase “Elevator Pitch”. It occured to me that 300 words was a hell of a lot to spew out to anyone unfortunate enough to be stuck in a lift with me. I reread the brief. It actually said 30 words! ……DOH! It was so close to 300 words. I was so really really miffed that I came up with this alternative……..

“Dave and Ollie - 2 toffs from the U.K. (They’ll blow your f***ing Tits off”)

It does what it says on the tin doesn’t it?

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY PEEPS!

Ooh and all three Albums – “Deviations Project” “Ivory Bow” and the Extremely Christmassy “ADESTE FIDDLES” are at last available on iTunes or any of the usual download shops – The perfik Christmas gift. To celebrate we are giving away a FREE MP3 download, which is available by clicking the pretty Christmas Card.

Now, all together after three (And in 4 part harmony if your up for it ; )...

“AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

New Year Resolution No. 1 – Stop teasing the Thunder Heads and actually tell the Keith Stories! : )

OLIVER! With a TWIST

2009-12-01T20:26:00.001-08:00

I took my mum to see “Oliver” in the West End a couple of months back (tickets kindly supplied by the Maestro). Sod’s law being the way it is, he was conspicuous by his absence! Mr Lewis was taking a break from the show, touring with Jeff Wayne’s“War of the Worlds” which is another story to finish next week!

The show was incredible – performances, sets, music, in fact you can virtually sing along all the way thru, the songs are so memorable. After the gig, with two daft grins on our faces, we nipped out of the theatre and began trying desperately to flag down a cab to take us to the station. This turned out to be pretty near impossible with all the crowds streaming out of the theatres. I looked anxiously around and much to my mum’s horror, spotted and started to haggle with one of those crazy rickshaw guys. Well, how funny! We jumped aboard and the driver careered out confidently into the busy street, pedalling and weaving breathtakingly through the traffic. He negotiated the roundabout at the top of Park Lane magnificently, crossing lanes as if he were the only vehicle in town and although it was pretty dark, mum’s white knuckles shone out against the London skyline helping to light our way.  My mum has never forgiven me by the way, but my sisters both mentioned in confidence that she boasts about our little trip at the slightest opportunity.

Click on the link below to see a wonderful preview of the show. And YES!! That is the REAL Oliver, our very own OLIVER LEWIS playing violin on top of the table! Sing along now.... "Oom-pah-pah! Oom-pah-pah! That's how it goes....."

Adeste and Ivory Bow still not up on iTunes, they were uploaded October 4^th!! - Booo! Still waiting to hear from Tunecore – fingers crossed.

NEXT WEEK Stuff I postponed LAST WEEK!

“That Towel!!

Recording with Sephira

Reinventing “Ye Olde G stringe” Joke (AGAIN!)

AND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*ATTENTION ALL THUNDERHEADS*

Keith gets busted trying to smuggle Booze into Glastonbury.

Keith builds a ramp to prevent Joyce and Ruth rolling on top of me during the night at Glastonbury - Doh!

Keith Harkin from Celtic Thunder recording in my Studio!

Just Like Starting Over

2009-11-17T17:37:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago we reconnected with Daniel Glatman who managed and helped to send the seriously successful boy band “Blue” into the stratosphere. He contacted us about a year after Ollie and I had begun our “Inspirational Coupling” (not my words I hasten to add ;) way back in the “Rocked on Klassix” days. I remember him setting up a meeting with EMI, but I think we were a little unsure of our direction at the time and we weren’t quite as pretty as Bond!

Time passed and I started experimenting with Soft Synthesizers, resulting in the jaw dropping sonic backdrops we now embrace.

So since having just parted company with the US Record label, we decided to give Daniel a call last week. He’s a really “Up” kind of guy – extremely spontaneous, and within a couple of hours had set up a meeting with DECCA Records. Pretty impressive I thought, except he’s just had to postpone till later next week - Doh! ……..After three?

”There’s No Business like Show Business –

There’s No Business I know……….and so on infinitum…..watch this space!

I MEET JEFF WAYNE – back stage after War of the Worlds (clothed only in a towel!)

Ollie had taken a short break from “OLIVER” in the West End which currently stars Omid Jilalliwhatshisface (the Iranian stand-up comedian / actor – The Mummy – Gladiator – Sky Captain etc. Our man with finely tuned G string (More of these low calibre jokes later) was leading the orchestra for the “War of the Worlds” tour. When the tour dates were released I noticed that the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham was on the list. Well it would seem rude not to attend  So off I toddled to the afternoon sound check, armed only with a stick of Wriggley’s chewing gum and a Manbag stuffed full of Deviations Project albums.

It’s quite a show, with an impressive array of session players including Chris Spedding on guitar and Herby Flowers on Bass. The “Rock Band” stage right and a full orchestra stage left. Justin Heywood strides manfully down the centre catwalk singing the main theme “The chances of anything coming from Mars” etc and Jennifer Ellison (Phantom of the Opera the movie - and spoof horror “The Cottage”) very prettily plays the Preacher’s wife. Richard Burton the narrator is represented by a huge digitally enhanced Hologram to the left of the stage and Ollie leading the orchestra just next to Jeff Wayne conducting.

The star of the show however, surely must be the colossal lazer blasting Tripod which lowers dramatically down from the ceiling and I have been reliably informed that on a good night apparently all three legs come down ; )

After the rehearsal I met Ollie for luke warm coffee and a strange selection of unidentifiable confections best described as unidentifiable. And while gnawing my way through something reminiscent of a diamond tipped rock cake, Mr Lewis casually informed me that he’d arranged a meet with Jeff after the show and to get the CDs ready!...........to be continued.

Postponed till Next WEEK (Bloody Hell, Now I’m doing it!)

“That Towel!!

Recording with Sephira

Reinventing “Ye Olde G stringe” Joke (AGAIN!)

Mr Bean’s old Oxbridge mate, funny man Griff Reece Jones taking over the role of Fagin mid December.

AND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*ATTENTION ALL THUNDERHEADS*

Keith Harkin from Celtic Thunder recording in my Studio!

The following Blog has been Rated 12+ for the Following:

2009-11-12T21:34:00.000-08:00

Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco or reference to these

Infrequent/Mild Profanity or Crude Humour

Infrequent/Mild Horror/Fear Themes

Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes

Well that just about sums me up! How did they know?

This disclaimer came from the fabulous peeps at Apple, with my Dave Williams Music Application – I think they must have gotten hold of a copy of my horoscope!

So, cutting to the chase - Because of the financial collapse of the universe as we know it, Ollie and I decided to terminate our record contract and promote Deviations Project ourselves. To be fair, most of the success we achieved was in the United States through the “Barnes and Noble” stores, so we were never promoted much in the UK.

But Now…………We got BAR CODES -YAY!

After months of phone calls, emails, inquiries, letters, forms, forms and more forms…..we managed to drag our three precious babies, kicking and screaming, back into the digital world. We now have our debut album “Deviations Project” available on iTunes. “Adeste Fiddles” - our Christmas baby (not the Messiah, but a very naughty boy ;) and “Ivory Bow” should be up soon. All three albums are downloadable from iTunes, E*Music, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster and LaLa.

In the mean time, here is preview to whet your Deviations appetites.

*FREE GIFT* for Christmas!!

We’re going to be giving away a free download for Christmas – (Yeah we’re just wild crazy guys!) A Wantonly Wistful Olde English Carol called” In the Bleak Mid Winter” – Check out Myspace / Facebook / Website for details.

It was originally intended for the “Adeste Fiddles” album but I ran out of time trying to meet the deadline. So beautiful it was, that I kept bursting into tears mixing down, my desk in danger of blowing a fuse as the hot tears streamed from the end of my nose onto the board ; )

Next week:

I MEET JEFF WAYNE – back stage after War of the Worlds (clothed only in a towel!)

OLIVER with a TWIST

2008-12-17T20:13:00.001-08:00

Uncommonly Interesting News

How very appropriate! Our Oliver has been signed up to appear in the new Cameron Macintosh version of "Oliver" (by far the most exciting musical production in London's West End!) He's currently in rehearsals and the show should open this week at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane. And guess who he is working along side? Guess who is playing (You gotta pick a pocket or two) Fagin? ....How absolutely perfik - YAY! Its only MR BEAN! Rowan Atkinson is absolutely ideal as the gangly gang leader - and the Tony award winning musical director and my own personal favourite choreographer is Matthew Bourne! I don't know if you've ever seen his version of Nut Cracker but it really is very pink, gorgeous and outrageously funny. If you think you don't like ballet.....think again! - You should also check out his all male version of "Swan Lake" Hillarious!

Earlier in the Year the BBC aired a weekly show called "I'd Do Anything" featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber and John Barrowman as judges to "Find Nancy". Out of thousands of contestants, a winner was chosen. Jody Prenger and .....Good grief! - I've just wikepedid her and apparently she won the second series of The Biggest Loser in 2006, starting the show a size 26 and weighing 18st 2lbs. During the series, she lost over eight stone and her final weight was 9st 9lbs!!!!! WOW!

Stop Press! .....Mr Macintosh has Adeste Fiddles in his car stereo!........During a recent after hours "lock in" at a Dickensian pub very close to the scene of rehearsals, the blatantly self promoting Mr.Lewis was seen by an insider passing a copy of "Adeste Fiddles" to the illustrious producer. Apparently the sub text "Christmas with a Twist" caught his eye :) Perfik!

Here's the link to the official website:

http://www.oliverthemusical.com

So, Question - What goes Oh Oh Oh? - Answer - Santa walking backwards (I opened my cracker early this year :) Speeks soon x

It’s all going rather well!!

2008-12-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

Only three weeks to go till Santa slides sveltely down the chimney (Even Santa has a personal trainer these days). He says he has big bones but Mrs Claus will beg to differ - She asked me to pass on a special message from her and the little helpers.

“Please don’t leave mince pies and sherry this Christmas Eve. If you want to help us and all the children of the future, place a nice crispy leaf of lettuce, some sliced onion, tomato and drizzle with some low cal dust ( you can eat as much dust as you like – its virtually calorie free and relatively inexpensive!) All washed down with a bottle of yummy still water! “With your help we can keep the blighter going for a few more years.

Talking of funny foodstuffs – I heard on the radio this morning that when the Tombs of Egypt were being excavated (raided and plundered if you like ;) Shopkeepers in London would import a Mummy and place it in their shop window - to give the impression of being well travelled and successful. One of the off shoots was a dubious delicacy called “Mummy Dust” – (See it's all linked – I’m not just rambling) Powdered Mummy - Eeeeeeew! You’d take a pinch and sprinkle sparingly into a good stiff shot of port for a bit of a lift towards the late afternoon.

You couldn’t make this up could you!

Anyway…….Number 19 in the Billboard Classical Crossover charts WOOHOOOO! I received an email from the Associate Chart Production Manager, asking who Deviations Project was, as we’d just popped in to their chart!! Well I had to have a quiet word with Matron, who very kindly reminded me ;)

We’re both ecstatic and I’ll be filling you in on the results of a very important meeting on Wednesday the 10^th next week!

Toodles!

2008-10-28T20:38:00.001-07:00

WELL! - Doesn’t Time Fly! Only one year late but “Adeste Fiddles” WILL Fly on November 4^th 2008.

Its already available on iTunes and Emusic, but now you can actually wrap your physical fingers around it, hold it up to your lips and kiss it gently and lovingly (No tongues mind – it’s a family album ;)

So! - A Holiday CD to pop in your stocking! – Barnes and Noble have made it Exclusive, so be prepared for your ears to be mesmerised by the overhead sound system when you pop in looking for exquisite gifts in the next few weeks. Be prepared - to find yourself inextricably lured to the sales desk with the hypnotic pounding of “The Sugar Plum Fairy” ….to be whisked helplessly to the magical strains of “My Favourite things” (Well! I tried to spell “Favourite” the American way and my spell checker won’t let me!!!) Be prepared to arrive home and find your bags and pockets filled with “Adeste” albums – EVERY ONE WILL WANT ONE! I always like to buy a CD then Rip - Call me old fashioned but I like to have something to hold in my hand)

Oh! - S'cuse the innuendo, but it is Pantomime season! OH YES IT IS! Till next time - Happy Trails!

You’re gona love our new baby! XXX

Dave Reveals Track 15 Mystery!!

2008-09-09T05:33:00.000-07:00

If you haven’t waded tirelessly through the reams of endless waffle I laughingly call a blog then I’ll save you some time. We’ve had several messages asking about track 15 on Ivory Bow “Oh, Eso es un Castillo Bonito” What does the title mean and what is the original title?

Well….*grandiose pause for effect* ….Firstly it isn’t from the brilliantly animated classic “Beauty and the Beast” – although the overture is soooooo similar – and I’m sure Disney must have been aware of this ;) The bit where the pages of the story book are slowly turning and the narrator begins to tell the story of Belle and the Beast. No - It’s a little classical toon from the “Carnival of the Animals” – or “Le Carnaval des Animaux” to be really poshJ by Camille Saint-Saens and its called Aquarium.

Our title “Oh, Eso es un Castillo Bonito”. (I’m not sure if the Spanish is correct cos I made it up - but it looks pretty cool?) is a tribute to an old joke. Cast your mind back to another Disney Classic – “Fantasia” Yeah -I know I’m waffling again but do you remember the lovely Goldfish from Nutcracker section? The one with the big eyelashes? Well when I heard Aquarium for the very first time I kept thinking of that gold fish. The title means “Oh – that’s a nice Castle” and apparently because a goldfish only has a 10 second memory, every time she swims around the bowl she “sees” the castle for the very first time!

WELL YOU DID ASK!

More soon – and be assured …..there will be wilful waffle!

It'll Soon Be Christmas

2008-09-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

Well! ......

Thank you so much to all the kind words from the guys at Barnes and Noble! Check out the enthusiastic comments on our MySpace page about Ivory Bow which is currently being played on the instore overhead sound system. Its really good to get such positive feedback in the early weeks of a new release and certainly helps to steady the nerves!

I can't believe that Ivory Bow has only been "free" for a couple of weeks and already we're talking about Christmas. I looked back over some earlier entries from almost a year ago and I quote from October 9th …

"After six sizzling months of intense musical shananigans - the Christmas baby has been delivered. "Fly away my darling" I cried as she took flight - Over the ocean to the land of the free and peanut jelly. She didn't even glance back, but I'm sure I heard a giggle on the wind and a little voice chirrup "I'm going to make it in the states!"

Ha! - Wrong again – (It's a gift)!

Cos last year, after all the excitement "Adeste Fiddles", - our interpretation of some of the world's most wonderful Holiday music – ( Christmas Classics with a twist ;) - ran into a bit of a legal mess and couldn't be released in physical CD form.

Now it's all hands to the pump as we're finalising artwork, checking and re-checking the master recordings. So gird up your loins and prepare for more insane, rambling Bulletins in the coming weeks...

...It'll Soon Be Christmas!!!

ONLY ONE WEEK TILL “IVORY BOW DAY”

2008-07-29T20:04:00.001-07:00

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! I'm so excited, I may pass out (carefully onto a strategically positioned sofa ;) *sigh*

I gave my entire staff a whole week off, so they'd be refreshed and ready for "Ivory Bow Day" ....not realising that the lawns needed mowing. “Bugger” I thought, as I manfully strode across the ankle deep grass. "I’m sure I can do this!" I scowled gracelessly to myself. Well! ....finding the mower was no easy task, as my enormous 47 car garage is full to bursting with "Stuff I'm going to absolutely need in 3 or 4 years time" ; ) It’s full of

Peculiar gifts that looked fabulous in the shop, then you get home and wonder what the hell were you thinking?

Full of half hacked logs that were too big for the wood burner – from my “I’m a lumberjack and I’m ok” phase. (I even bought the red tartan shirt ; )

It’s full of my old vinyl autographed Queen albums.

………Ooh! …my old Art and Design folder…*wistful smile* ….but I digress.

Talking of garages - Never in my life have I ever parked a vehicle in a garage – something I deeply regretted last week when I left the top down on my lovely CLK sport over night. I couldn’t believe she actually started up – she was utterly drenched and I had to literally bail her out with a mop and bucket. The day was really hot, so I left the top down to let her dry out…. (Later that evening…. having driven into the city) …Ha! It’s not until you actually climb out of the seat that you realise how wet your trousers are! As you walk away and your pants get colder and damper in the night air. Eeeeeeew!

Anyway - to cut a ridiculously long story short, I had to mow the lawn myself and the bloody mower packed in and spluttered to a halt halfway thru the job! Now I have to drag myself away from my studio – ( *Stage whispering* where I’m compiling new material for the next DP album! ) and go scouting for a new machine : (

Isn’t life a tease darlings?

In Next Weeks Thrilling Issue:

Making good use of used moist wipes – Keeping the “Greens” happy.

A cunning plan to help Mystic Pete with his English ‘Speeks’ whilst craftily promoting Adeste Fiddles.

Covering your car with Cling Film and experimenting with different colour schemes. (Please don’t try this at home)

Searching for “Rocket Fuel” – Some elementary procedures.

If you’re reading this on myspace or facebook our new webhome is http://www.deviationsproject.com

Only Two And a Half Weeks To Go! - IVORY BOW August 5th

2008-07-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

The Spanking New Release from our good selves!

(Not suggesting you should spank anyone whilst listening of course ;)

Well I’ll be…….I blogged last week and the release date didn’t change – Can you believe it? Confidence is at an all time High and so I thought why not try another?

So - now I can confidently announce that our FABULOUS new website is up, running and looking absobloominlutely gorgeous. Oh! which just reminded me of a fan letter I received when I was about 13 – in my first band …and I still recall to this day. She wrote ….”….I really love the band and think you’re absolutely “Georges” - hehe, lucky George eh?

The Interview

We had oodles fun and games on Wednesday night with Pete from Mystic Radio. We were set to start recording the interview at 9:00pm our time - 2:00pm New Mexico time. The idea was to set up a conference call across the pond because Ollie and I couldn’t be together. So I’m at the Olde Barn in the depths of Sherwood Forest, MSN-ing Ollie (Who’s in London). Pete’s emailing me from Albuquerque saying – “Tested the call - but it's not going through --- how do I get through? Call me!! And I’m furiously dialling on my landline to the good peeps at Ft Lauderdale – trying to get the U.S. Code for Merry England. I can feel one of me turns coming on just thinking about it ;)

BUT we did it and it was very cool. The end result should be up towards the end of next week and we’ll post the links.

If anyone out there has a favourite radio station – call them and suggest a phone or online interview? …..No really – we know how to do it now 

The Other Side of the Trax

An insight into recording the toons on Ivory Bow

The Ivory Bow (Track 8)

A romantic “Disneyesque” theme in very much the same style as She Too from DP1.

The working title for this was She3, but I was trying to think of a title for the album, something emotive that would encapsulate my relationship with Ollie. I wanted to combine elements of the violin with those of the keyboard and the obvious keywords were Ivory – for the keys and Bow for the fiddle. When spoken aloud, the words painted all sorts of pictures, but best of all, they sounded really good together, so Ivory Bow was born. Originally, I imagined a beautiful ribbon tied in a bow around a tree made from pure velvet. A message from a lover to a loved one that could never be spoken. Then another picture began to develop in my mind and I could see a hand stretching from a raging sea thrusting a different kind of bow at a stormy sky. The bow was Excalibur - or music fighting to calm our troubled world.

The title of the album came before the title of the track, so Its all back to front but life’s like that innit?

Ha! – Spell checker doesn’t like “innit” – but it doesn’t like “Disneyesque” either – think I’ll leave it 

In Next Weeks Thrilling Instalment:

Ollie Plays Moulin Rouge in the Rain

Explaining the Ranking System on “Comments” page

Dave goes to see Kylie Minogue (Well it was a free ticket)

Big Bad Bumble – the pain and the pleasure!

If you’re reading this on myspace or facebook our new webhome is HYPERLINK "http://www.deviationsproject.com" www.deviationsproject.com

DROP IN AND LEAVE COMMENTS!

ONLY THREE WEEKS ON TUESDAY! The Ivory Bow – August 5th

2008-07-10T22:20:00.001-07:00

I’m almost scared to post now, cos every time I mention a release date – it changes! However I’ve been “reliably” informed that the 5^th of August is set in stone (just like the 4^th was hehe ;)

So…… no more apologies, on with the show!

I had speeks with Pete from “Mystic Radio” last week, about recording a new interview to promote Ivory Bow and we’ve pencilled in 14^th / 15^th or 16^th July. This time Ollie and I’ll be together – and you’ll be able to hear the Maestro speak! We’ll be talking about the way we work together, how we capture the madness and voracity of a performance and squeeze it onto a tiny 5 inch CD. Ooh and if anyone has any questions we could use in the interview, please send ‘em over!

We’ll also be promoting our new website which should be up and running by the end of the week. It’s absolutely bursting with brilliant stuff. Wonderful Wallpapers – Marvellous Musical downloads – New Photos and with all the different formats there are bound to be a few hiccups. Your feedback would be brilliant 

Ollie’s just returned from another successful tour of Trinidad and Tobago . “Strings, Songs and Steel 2008” with stunning Soprano Natalia Dopwell.

So in the maestro’s own words an amusing anecdote……

In Trinidad the Churches (and many homes) have windows, but they have no glass in them; this helps the air circulate etc and no doubt dates them back to pre-airconditioning times... Well, one morning I was rehearsing with my pianist for an evening recital in the Church (as it had a piano in it and the Queens Hall where the concert was that evening was closed).... and low and behold after just 10mins of rehearsal, the Church went from being totally empty to choca bloc with about 200 children from the school over the road... they'd heard the violin sounds through the open windows and had apparently begged their teachers to let them come and listen!!!!! So what started out as a rehearsal turned into a concert!!!! We played them the fast movements from the concertos by Bruch, Mendelsohn, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky... And then of course Flight of the Bumblebee as an encore!!!!! And then.... their teachers dragged them reluctantly back to school!

Hmm – I think Ollie used up all the exclamation marks ;)

On the way home, waiting for the return flight from Barbados - Ollie had a great opportunity to get down to the beach and sunbathe for 4 hours. He had the audacity to text me while I was gazing miserably from my window at the English rain  “I’m having a cool beer on the beach in Barbados” …said the message. Four hours later he was well and truly baked, which kind of cheered me up in a sadistic way. Take that Lobster Boy!

So that’s about it for this week peeps…..

Fings wot I never had time for :

A Jolly day out in Croydon

My son Ribsy’s band “Fat Lady Singh” (what an awesome name) in the final of the Sky t.v’s “Live + Unsigned” battle of the bands competition. Oooh he’s just like his daddy!

My old band “The Ritz” reunion.

Ollie’s interview for The Strad magazine about violinists in film....How he coached “Ladies in Lavender” star Daniel Bruehl

Bewitching Music – music for animated short

On the road with “JAKE + ELWOOD”

Ok that’s it - toodles

Ooh - and you can pre-order Ivory Bow now !

Ooh – Ooh - and A NEW WEB SITE! at www.deviationsproject.com It should be up by early next week. Woohoooo! Oodles of fun with downloadable wallpaper, ring tones and music. New Movies – with downloadable soundtracks. Gasp…see you next week?..........oh go on.....I know you want to……. 

ONLY FOUR WEEKS TO GO! The Ivory Bow – August 5th

2008-07-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

Once again humungus apologies for the time between blogs. (Launching headlong into “It’s not our fault” tirade of excuses).

Horrendous Legal problems.

Distribution Difficulties.

Ollie playing Bumble Bee so fast, my computer kept over heating and crashing.

Couldn’t get the lid off my favourite honey for three weeks, due to numb fingers…..a consequence of trying to mix down Ollie’s maniacal “Bumble” madness.

The “Bumblebee” we are featuring on Ivory Bow is not the fastest version we’ve done, but so far its definitely the coolest, with a massive beat to back it up. It was going to be the opening track on the album but when I tested it in my Car (for the final audio check, I always wait for a sunny day, get the roof down, Crank up the volume, slip into “Sports Mode” and Floor it. WELL………….even with the top down, it nearly blew the bloody doors off!!!” – to miss quote Michael Cane ;) This is my over elaborate way of saying that I didn’t want to scare any bodies pants off until a little later in the album. So, you have been warned – Track 9 ……twitchy fingers hovering over the volume control……..

Bumblebee (2) will be featured on next years album – it’ll be faster with a completely new musical accompaniment – Every album will come with a free pair of disposable paper pants and a small pack of moist wipes.

So more next week – Including……..

Ollie goes to Trinidad.

Adeste Fiddles to be released for Christmas 2008.

Ollie’s interview with “The Strad” magazine regarding his violin coaching in the wonderful “Ladies in Lavender” movie.

….and “How I got the top off the honey with a screwdriver and a monkey wrench”

Ooh - and you can pre-order Ivory Bow now thru B+N!

Ooh – Ooh - and A NEW WEB SITE! at www.deviationsproject.com It should be up by next week. Woohoooo! Oodles of fun with downloadable wallpaper, ring tones and music. New Movies – with downloadable soundtracks. Gasp…see you next week?..........oh go on.....I know you want to……. 

Ivory Beaux

2008-04-06T14:52:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybodypeeps -

Spring is here and everything is all curly and new - Woohoo!

So here as promised is the new track listing with original titles and composers. Did anyone get the Camera Gazing anagram? Ooh and how about Bolliero? - how funny! Oh and if you still don’t get track 14 (The Spanish title) its not an anagram. A bit obscure, but the piece is based on Aquarium - so a vague reference to an old joke about the memory span of a goldfish ......Well if you’re still in the dark, message me and I’ll explain :)

1. Big Bad Bumble Flight of the BumbleBee-Rimsky Korsakov

2. Pavanorama Pavane - Gabriel Faure

3. Celtic Frock* Original – Dave Williams

4. Bolliero Bolero - Ravel

5. Carmen Over to My Place Carmen fantasy 3^rd Movement - Sarasate

6. Canned Rock Can Can - Offenbach

7. Arabian Knights The Arabian Dance - Tchaikovsky

8. The Lying King In the Hall of the Mountain King - Grieg

9. The Ivory Bow* Original – Dave Williams

10.Flight of the Crimson Queen* Original – Dave Williams

11.Edelweiss Rodgers and Hammerstein

12.Carmen Electro Carmen fantasy 1st Movement Sarasate

13.Gypsy Cream Czardas - Monti

14.Oh, Eso es un Castillo Bonito Aquarium - Saint-Saens

15.Dance of the Rude Peeps Dance of the Reed Pipes - Tchaikovsky

16.Camera Gazing Amazing Grace – Unknown

17.Ave Maria Bach / Gounod

Also some interesting news, I remixed a classic Amethystium track ( yipes - always have to check spelling - its just getting the E’s - I’s and Y’s the right way round ;) - called Arcus last year. It turned out really well and is now available for download on Oystein’s site! Well go on then - it’s absolutely FREE!

http://amethystium.com/downloads-remixes.php

Another little tasty "Ivory Bow" snippet - as well as the extactic fiddling from the Maestro himself, I’ve managed to sneak in some pretty tasty guitar licks on a couple of the trax.......Yeah I can play standing up too :)

Tune in next time to find out how the Artwork is coming along.

Toodles!

The Ivory Bow

2008-03-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

Pant ...Gasp.......Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!! Just come up for air!

Phew, that was a long blog break - nothing since November :( but now I can safely say that the new album "The Ivory Bow" is finally complete. WELL, what a long slog it was. We started way back in March 2007, but had to postpone whilst furiously fiddling away with the "Adeste Fiddles" our Christmas Album ( Yeah I know - enough said, except to say that it WILL be released this year in time for Xmas 2008.)
I’m posting a track list just to whett your appetites and you’ll notice that nearly all the titles are just as deviant as the music. In a couple of weeks I’ll print a "translation" so you can identify which classics we’ve taken liberties with. Just a bit of fun - but I don’t get out much ;)
Oh and btw - no prizes for guessing the title of the first one!

1. Big Bad Bumble

2. Pavanorama

3. Celtic Frock*

4. Bolliero

5. Canned Rock

6. Carmen Over to My Place

7. Arabian Knights

8. The Lying King

9. The Ivory Bow*

10.Flight of the Crimson Queen*

11.Edelweiss

12.Carmen Electro

13.Gypsy Cream

14.Oh, Eso es un Castillo Bonito

15.Dance of the Rude Peeps

16.Camera Gazing

17.Ave Maria

Oh - and no prizes for Track 11 and 17 ......OOoooh and 16 is an anagram. Woohooooo!
ps. * asterix means "Songs wot I rote"

Ta tha noo! (Don’t ask)

Is It Christmas Yet?

2007-10-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

Well this is well overdue, (last blog stardate - June 07) So appologies to everyone hanging on my every word.

After six sizzling months of intense musical shananigans - the Christmas baby has been delivered. "Fly away my darling" I cried as she took flight - Over the ocean to the land of the free and peanut jelly. She didn't even glance back, but I'm sure I heard a giggle on the wind and a little voice chirrup "I'm going to make it in the states!"

Yeah - six months - I didn't see that coming! It was so difficult not to be cheesey because of the nature of Christmas music. Ollie was playing sooooooooo beautifully and I got a bit wrapped up in the lovely cosyness of Christmas (We had about two days of sun this Summer so it wasn't hard ;) I did 16 tracks and finished them on the second day we had the sun. Confidently dispatching them to the lovely peeps at Neurodisc, I sat back and waited for the squeals of delight from across the pond. And waited ......And waited..............
And so my dear reader, you may have gathered that the first offering wasn't exactly received with rapture ;) .............I had forgotten to "Deviate"
Back to the Drawing Board
So with a lot of "Love" and encouragement I returned to the mixer and got busy with those luverly layers that swish and swoosh around the maestro's magic. In a couple of months the baby was complete and sounding soooooooooooooooo cool.
So it is done. Phew - Like a proud Daddy - So proud.
It's up to you now, there will be a new page on myspace with pixtures and sample trax and stuff. A bulletin will be coming round soon.
Lastly - I have to say that I am constantly amazed by the kind words from the myspace community.

Done now *sigh*
Ooh - Oliver sends his love x
Me too!

Good News and Bad News

2007-08-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybodypeeps!

Hmmmmm.....well I'd better just jump straight in and explain some stuff that's been going down over the last month or so. The Good News is that Adeste Fiddles (No it's no a typo) - our "Christmas Baby", has gone up onto iTunes and Emusic now, so I hope you've all got your ipods and mp3 players ready.

The bad news is that we can't get the actual CD (complete with gorgeous artwork) out till next year. Booooooooooo! It's all down to hideously boring legal shananigans, which I couldn't bear to burden you with - plus I'll probably start crying and sniffling and sobbing and breaking down and screaming and stamping and pouting and ......you get the picture right? So ( I was quite upset ;) anyway Ollie and I are being brave little soldiers and carrying on regardless. Even now we're plotting our next album and these are some of the goodies we've made a start on. There's a really sexy version of the Arabian Dance from Tchaikovsky - yeah I know, it's another "NutCracker" toon with a gorgeous melody and lovely moody arrangement. Then we're doing a really bizarre version of the "Hall of the Mountain King" incorporating retro industrial machinery samples - like pistons - whiring cogs and flywheels mixed into the percussion. If you enjoyed "She Too" from our first album, I've written a new piece in a similar vein called "Back into the Flame" Can anyone spot the connection btw?

So thats about where we are at the moment. I'm so sorry about the physical CD disappontment (I always buy the CD then Rip - Call me old fashioned but I like to have something to hold in my hand) Oh! - S'cuse the innuendo, but it is pantomime season!

Till next time - Happy Trails and hope you like our new baby.

At Last!!

2007-06-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

Wayhey!!!!! After Two weeks of impatience our Beauties arrived. We're very proud - well I am - Ollie's off in the Caribbean fiddling, so I have them all to my self - Moowahahahahahahaha!!!!

Ok - Ollie's been doing some concerts in Trinidad for the last couple of weeks, so the Christmas engine has slowed down a little. Still it's given me a chance to step back and look at the project a bit more objectively. I burned a copy of 12 of the most finished tracks and have been playing them in my car every time I go out. I have to say they're sounding really good - especially when played all together. A friend of mine said she could imagine a couple of them in a Tim Burton movie, like "Nightmare before Christmas" - I guess she meant like Danny Elfman - which is cool.

So now I've added another piece - seems like 17 is our lucky number. "The First Noel" - I can't believe I nearly missed that one and I can't wait for the wandering minstrel to come back from his travels (via Glastenbury with Dame Shirley on the 24th of June) to finish it off. Yipes I thought we'd nearly finished - still 5 to do ;)

Went to see "Pirates" last night - Hooray!

Went to see "Oceans" last week - Booooo! 'Nuff said.

To be continued............................................

The Story So Far.....

2007-05-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Well here we are again - still doing Christmas! This is the List so far - all done except for the last 4

1. Silent Night

2. We 3 Kings

3. Coventry Carol

4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

5. In the Bleak Mid winter

6. Ding Dong Merrily on High

7. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

8. I Saw 3 Ships a Sailing By

9. Sleigh Ride

10.Here we Come a Wasailing

11.Ave Maria (Schubert)

12.Bach Christmas Prelude No.1

13.Sugar Plum

14.Adeste Fiddles

15.Oh Holy Night

16.Amazing Grace

We should get the last ones done next week with any luck.

If anyone is wondering what the "Coventry Carol" is - (and it certainly isn't a bit of a go-er I used to know from the West Midlands) It's that "Lu Lay Lu Lah - Oh little tiny child" one.
Ollie's in the West end at the moment in a brand new production of Fiddler on the Roof (Eat your heart out Ms Steffani - yeah it's the "If I was a rich man" musical) Only Sundays off - so lucky we're nearly done!
Still waiting for copies of Beauty!!!!!! If they don't turn up next week I'm going to scream and scream till I'm sick - so there.
Ooh and Spider man 3? - about 2 hours too long! But did you notice the cunning product placement? The Title Font is Exactly the same as Playstation 3 - subliminal or what? Yeah both produced by Sony.

Beauty Is In The Ear of the Beholder

2007-04-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Hey Thrill Seekers, I've got some fab news! Neurodisc is releasing a Barnes and Noble exclusive album called BEAUTY, next month. By happy coincidence ;) the launch will coincide with "Mother's Day" - The perfect gift! It features 3 Dreamy Deviations Project tracks. "Dear Old Swanney", "Medication" and a beautiful version of "Edelweiss" especially recorded for this compilation. Also on this CD are some superb tracks from Amethystium, Blue Stone, Sleepthief, Kopas, and DaKsha.

You can check it out from the "Top Friends" section on our profile page. Ooh - and click the banner for the B&N on line store if youre too lazy to get out of the house.
(You may need a big box of tissues when you hear Edelweiss - there's a tear drop in every note.)

It'll Soon Be Christmas

2007-04-15T14:44:00.000-07:00

Well it's absolutely beautiful - everything smells fresh and new, British Summer time is finally here - no really!

Ollie was away in Rotterdam with Spirit last week - where he "surprised" several Dutch guests in the lobby of his hotel. Without going into gory details, someone - who shall remain nameless - had one too many beverages after opening night and managed lock himself out of his room. This wouldn't have been too embarrassing had he been fully clothed. Luckily - thinking on his feet, our intrepid hero managed to find some large sheets of paper, kindly supplied by some painters and decorators, to cover his embarrasement. (Did you notice I said "Large Sheets? Wheyhey!!!)

Anywhooo - unabashed he returned back home to "Blighty" just in time to record a TV show on Thursday with Dame Shirley Bassey.

Meanwhile back in the studio.....yep - I'm still here plonking away on my keyboards, but getting very excited about the video we should be shooting in June. Looks like I get out of the studio at last - bit of a trip to Florida Yahooooooooooooooo - I've ordered new sunglasses on ebay to celebrate!

Better leave it there or I'll have nothing to say next week - I won't mentioned Ollie being up for the weekend and recording two amazing new pieces for our Christmas album...................

Happy Trails!

She Was No Lady!!

2007-03-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

A highly charged air of excpectancey was tingling as the maestro strode in through the door of the "Old Barn". I could hardly contain myself as I impatiently waited for an introduction to his new mistress. With little more than a wry smile (damn those finely chiselled features) he lowered his voice and confided - "She was no lady" ............Well imagine my disappointment. Apparently after "playing her" all weekend, he just couldn't raise her to the dizzying heights of his exacting standards. And so - another hopeful is cast away like a faded rose petal into the river of unrequited ....................well you get the idea.

Good news - The "fiddle that has no name" has been tweaked to perfection and sounding emacculate - what a work horse she is! We've been really busy recording over the last two days and to answer many peeps about what's on the horizon, well.....We've recorded an exclusive track for Barnes and Noble which will be featured on an album called "Beauty" coming out towards the end of April.

We're also working on something special that should be ready by Q4 and Volume 2 should hit the streets early 2008!

Doh I've said too much - Laters! (don't you just hate that?)

A New Lady?

2007-03-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

Ollie has a new lady in his life - he's bringing her up to meet me this weekend for a bit of a session ........yeah right ....It's a new fiddle! He gave me a blast over the phone on Tuesday and although the accoustics weren't perfect, she does sound rather fruity particularly down the bottom end. Soooooo... if she's as good as we think she is, we'll probably want to record all the new stuff again!

Someone from B+N who's name I have no idea how to pronounce suggested we do a version of "The Hall of the Mountain King" - funnily enough I'd already done the arrangement and I'm just waiting for Mr Lewis to get his arse up here, so we can nail the blighter! We're going to call it the "Lying King" for many obscure reasons, but mainly cos I like to mess with words.
If anyone out there has any classical favourites they'd like us to consider for our fiendish experiment, please drop us a line with your suggestions (musical please). BTW have you noticed the new forum link underneath the "Fab Slide Show" ....all hail to the divine Ms P.

Lastly, we're back on iTunes in the States now, so hopefully we'll be on the UK site and worldwide before the weekend - Toodles!

Deviations Project - Press Release

2007-03-06T14:52:00.000-08:00

Deviations Project is a progressive look into many of the most delicate and famed compositions in history, merging skillful performance with modern electronic production. Deviations' is renowned producer Dave Williams and international violin virtuoso Oliver Lewis. Pieces such as Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake", Bizet's "Carmen" and Bach's "Sonata in G minor" are recreated with modern technology, presenting the listener with something fresh, loosely familiar and remarkably exciting. Contemporary compositions, including Dave William's own masterpieces, John Williams' "Theme From Schindler's List" and Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross" blend in perfectly with the classical works, at the same time adding character to the album and identifying a style and genre the Deviations project can call their own.

The wide range of experience between Dave Williams and Oliver Lewis is apparent throughout the album. Known for his record breaking speed, (he currently holds the world record for the fastest performance of "Flight of the Bumblebee") Oliver Lewis received his musical start as a child prodigy with the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain. As a professional musician he has performed with the Bern Symphony Orchestra, Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra, and as the star of Spirit of the Dance. His concerts have taken him throughout Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Asia, Brazil, and even to Trinidad where he performed for the president of Trinidad & Tobago. Currently Oliver plays regular recitals at the Wigmore Hall and with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, both of which are box office sellouts. In contrast, Dave Williams began his musical career playing with best friend John Deacon (bassist of Queen) in several different bands. After completing his A levels and receiving a degree in Art + Design, Dave Williams became a songwriter for Warner/Chappell, creating musical jingles for TV & Radio and can be heard all over the world. Most recently, Oliver performed the work of Dave Williams to over two billion people on national TV in Asia.

The self-titled debut begins with the hypnotic "Really Big Swans," also known as "Four Little Swans" by Tchaikovsky. Immediately the listener is drawn into a mysterious, upbeat, and compelling world, which sets the tone for the rest of the album. From the wistful "Carmen" to "Tocata in Fog", with its soaring crescendos and dynamic intensity, the listener eagerly begins to anticipate each note. Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" (known on the album as "Les Belles") pairs the violin with the keyboard, leaving a mystical sensation. In contrast, pieces such as "She Too", and the Saint-Saëns classic "The Swan", move at a slower pace, enhancing the ethereal beauty of the album. The electronic presence in Deviations compliments the styles and compositions perfectly, never once overshadowing the splendor and emotion that seeps from Oliver's violin. If anything it acts to enhance the compositions, adding power and texture.

Once described as Paganini meets Royksopp, Deviations is an incredible mix of "State of the Art" electronic computer technology and the pure, inspiring tones of the acoustic classical violin. Light hearted yet vibrant, Deviations' self titled debut is essential for music enthusiasts. This album revives standards and invigorates fresh new compositions, creating instant classics. Hailed by the New Zealand media as "…the fastest fiddler in the west…" Oliver's "hyper active bow shredding" style will dazzle you with the unparalleled panache of a true virtuoso.