| Stormcloud * Need you by my side Fame and Fortune * Another day gone First time blues Why do you treat me this way Memories of you * Puppetmaster Count me out Easy Living * End of the line Summertime |
PRMCD1 |
Stormcloud.
(1999)
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* Click to hear a sample of the track.
| Musicians | Pat Rowbottom | Bass guitar, Vocals |
| Peter Cheetham | Tenor Saxophone, Flute | |
| Daniel Hall | Lead Guitar, Acoustic guitars | |
| Keith Bonthrone | Vocals, Drums, Percussion |
With special thanks to Chas Duncan who played piano and organ.
Cover artwork by Julian Homer.
Engineered by Paul Walster.
Recorded at Shipwreck Studios, Glossop, Derbyshire.
Produced by Pat Rowbottom.
All songs by Pat Rowbottom except 'Summertime' by G. Gershwin arranged by Pat Rowbottom.
Background to the album
During the 1990's, Cold Flame toured extensively across England and Wales despite undergoing some personnel changes with drummers and guitar players leaving including ,at least for a short time, drummer Vince Walton who eventually returned to the fold ten years later. However by 1998, with Cold Flame finding themselves once again with a stable line up and some new material, the band returned to the studio. Stormcloud was the second studio album by Cold Flame released six years after 'On Thin Ice'. The album is a collection of original tunes written by bassist Pat and recorded by the band during spring and summer 1999. Although three or four tracks were regular stage favourites at the time, the remaining material was written specifically for the album during early 1999. Snatches of folk and jazz merge with the more dominant rocking blues elements as Pat's song writing skills became more developed and diverse. For the first time in the band's history, flute and sax were added to the mix courtesy of multi instrumentalist Peter Cheetham, whilst Derbyshire keyboard player Chas Duncan also guested on several tracks. It took Cold Flame nearly six months to record and master the 'Stormcloud' album with several additional songs and alternative takes completed. Recording took place in one of the area's premier recording studios - Shipwreck Studios Glossop with sound engineer Paul Walster. Following the initial release of 'Sormcloud', Cold Flame were briefly signed to EMI with the new album released under the record company's 'Peoplesound' initiative.
In 2017, four previously unreleased songs were found and together with the existing twelve songs from the original album were all fully remastered at Starring Studios in Littleborough, Lancashire. These four 'new ' songs are Why do you treat me this way [ early version] Rhythm and Greens, The Hunter, Salamander.
This new package is now available to download https://music.apple.com/us/album/stormcloud/1304508006
The album 'Stormcloud' is available via the band website Shop.
Stormcloud
It's always nice to have a strong title track which perhaps musically, lyrically or visually can then stimulate
conceptual ideas which might prove useful as an album develops. Stormcloud, with it's warning of global
catastrophe as the ozone layer rapidly disappears, was written specifically with this in mind. A lively paced
out and out rocker with an interesting intro which features a real Glossopdale thunderstorm. If you listen
carefully, you can even hear the sheep grazing.
Need you by my side
One of those tunes that seems to have been in and out of the band's sets for ever. Rocking r'n'b inspired by a
trip to the very sweaty and packed out Gallery club in Manchester to catch Dr. Feelgood all those years ago.
This is actually a new recording of the tune written specifically for the album.
Fame and Fortune
A simple yet catchy little tune with jazz/blues overtones dedicated to bands everywhere who ply their trade
often for small reward and response in pubs and clubs throughout the land.
Another Day Gone
The acoustic piece... A reflection of life yesterday, today and tomorrow. This is about as serious as it gets.
An alternative version of this song can be found on the album 'It came from the pond'.
1st Time Blues
Another of the band's early tunes completely reworked for this album relating the sad tale of a young man's
early experiences with a young girl whose physical experiences heavily outnumbered his own.
Some things never change.
Why do you treat me this way
This one was written with Peter in mind to showcase his prodigious talent on the tenor saxophone. A classic
bluesy piece in every sense of the word which has translated extremely well to the live setting. Lyrically the
tune focuses on the fickle nature and simple misunderstandings that often exist within relationships. Rather
cynical wouldn't you say?
Memories of you
Typical Cold Flame rocker if there is such a thing which highlights some very rude guitar playing from Daniel as
well as a keyboard intro in true prog-rock tradition coutesy of guest musician Chas Duncan.
Originally written many years ago, I just couldn't resist recording what has become an audience favourite
and a staple of our live sets during the last few years.
Puppetmaster
One of those heavy, riffy rock tunes. Inspired in part by a Dave (Conner) tune of the same name which can be
found on the album 'Second Contact'. The song deals with the thorny problem of manipulation which seems to be an ever increasing issue in the modern world... but who is working who?
Inspired by nobody and everybody!
Count me out
The nearest that the band will ever get to jazz. A gentle laid back piece tailor made for saxophone about how
to deal with someone who lets you down.
Easy Living
No not the well known Uriah Heep classic but a song acknowledging the fact that in reality life can be
dammed hard... a case of whatever next and can I cope. Folk rock in style with links, lyrically to the title
track though in the end more optimistic. The only song from the album that the band has never played live as yet.
End of the Line
On a simple level this song is about a bloke waiting for his girl to show up at the train station. The deeper
meaning once again links up with the ideas expressed in the title track. Is this really the end? Musically
familiar territory for the band - rocking blues àLa vindaloo.
Summertime
We had been playing the Gerchwin classic for several years with varying degrees of success. Inspired by hearing a
Gary Moore album one evening, I rearranged the song and told Daniel to do his best G.M. impersonation. The result
seemed both a pleasing and contrasting way to end the album on an upbeat and hopeful note.
Fast forward to September 2017 and a brand new remastered version of Stormcloud. Work was undertaken at Starring Studios in Littleborough with sound engineer Neil Scales and band frontman Pat Rowbottom. Each track from the original album release has been enhanced ever so slightly with the final track Summertime extending by a further one minute...a real bonus find from the original tapes. Additionally four, previously unreleased studio tracks have been rescued from the original sessions and now find themselves included on this 'new' extended digital release - The Hunter, Rhythm and Greens, Salamander and an alternative early version of Why do you treat me this way.
STORMCLOUD [2017 digital remaster]
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Please go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/stormcloud/1304508006 to hear samples of these tracks.
| Musicians | Pat Rowbottom | vocals, bass guitar |
| Dan Hall | lead guitar, acoustic guitar | |
| Peter Cheetham | tenor sax, flute | |
| Keith Bonthrone | vocals, drums | |
| Chas Duncan | piano, organ, synths |
All tracks PR except Summertime [George Gershwin] arranged by PR and The Hunter [Albert King] arranged by Cold Flame
Original cover artwork - Julian Homer.
Original sound engineer - Paul Waster
Mixed and Mastered at Shipwreck Recording Studios, Glossop, Derbyshire - Spring/ Summer 1999.
Remastering sound engineer - Neil Scales
Remastered at Starring Studios, Littleborough Lancashire - September 2017 http://www.starringstudio.co.uk
Produced by Pat Rowbottom.
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