About the Musicians

November 2009

Ian performed many of the male lead vocals, played most bass parts, and contributed guitar, piano and percussion throughout. He arranged most songs together with Mike, and the orchestral arrangements together with Rick Benbow. He supervised and engineered all recordings and is the Executive Producer of the collection.

Ian has performed live in some of Europe's finest concert halls and countless venues. Contrary to his rock and roll life, he is addicted to classical organ music — in his recording studio at Comfy Towers you will find a wonderful three-manual pipe organ, hidden behind towers of electric guitars, amplifiers and drums.

In his own words, November 2009:

I'd like to invite all of the musicians involved in The Nursery Rhyme Collection to write a comment here about their experiences recording at Comfy Towers Recording Studios on this project — and others. Let the readers know which songs you performed on, what instrument you played, how the session came about, how it went, how you feel about the results and the other musicians' contributions, your favourite track… well, anything you like really!

Ian

November 2009

Mike played most of the electric and acoustic guitar parts, along with backing vocals, sitar, mandolin, bass, drums and percussion. He wrote an original lullaby, "Star Sky Lullaby", and mixed the album.

In his own words, November 2009:

Thanks for the invitation! I always enjoyed our recordings at your studio. I remember the sessions for the Silver Beatles Tribute CD back in 2006, which went on to become one of the best-selling Beatles albums on iTunes. Crazy world!

And I've just realised it was one year ago to the day when we started the Nursery Rhymes project. After the first sessions we wondered whether to aim for a Christmas 2008 release. But instead of a quick shot, this became the most ambitious nursery rhymes recording ever made: 33 musicians, six months of recording sessions at Comfy Towers, ten weeks of mixing and three weeks of mastering.

I'm looking forward to the next project.

Cheers — Mike

November 2009

Rick has worked with Ian and Mike since the Come Together Right Now multimedia theatre show celebrating the music of John Lennon, which toured in 2004 and 2005. His keyboard work on the Nursery Rhyme Collection spans the full range — orchestral arrangements (the Skye Boat Song), comic sound effects (Jack and Jill), honky-tonk piano (She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain) and delicate tone colouring (London Bridge Is Falling Down).

In his own words, November 2009:

One long day and night in Ian's studio laying down keyboard parts for all those songs! My contribution fell into distinct categories: orchestrations, silly noises, adding to the style of the music and general tone colouring.

My two children Tristan and Rosetta, both aged two, love the whole album — especially "The Big Ship Sails on the Ally Ally Oh", where they love to shout HEY in exactly the right places!

Rick

November 2009

Rebecca's voice is rich, soulful and full of beauty and character, with just the right amount of attitude — which made her the natural first choice for the main female lead vocals. Often known as Bead, she is also the backing singer and bass player with two Nottingham bands: The Andy Whittle Band and The Becky Syson Band.

In her own words, November 2009:

What a great project to be involved with! So much fun — if a little surreal at times. I'm not often expected to make animal noises at work! But it's a first-class album at the end of it all.

Thanks for inviting us to be part of the Nursery Rhymes Collection!

Rebecca (and Jay) Leivers

Celine performs backing vocal parts across the album, as well as all the speech and counting sequences. Her sweet, clear voice sits in a higher register than Rebecca's, providing the perfect contrast throughout. She takes the lead vocals on "Sing a Rainbow" and "Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes", and performs on stage from time to time with Pete Bradbury's band, lucca.

November 2009

Gary is one of the two main drummers on the collection and an invaluable asset throughout. He usually plays Ringo Starr in the fantastic Beatles tribute band The Fab 4 — and his ability to find the right style and perform it perfectly, quickly, made for a fun and thoroughly enjoyable full day of recording.

In his own words, November 2009:

When I first got the call, my initial thought was that Ian had finally lost it. Right up until the point I arrived at Comfy Towers I thought it might be some kind of wind-up — but how wrong I was, and how much I had underestimated just how involved and enthused I would become.

In thirty years of making music I have played on literally thousands of recordings in countless studio environments, but I can honestly say this has been one of the most enjoyable projects I've had the privilege to take part in.

Gary

November 2009

Ian is the other main drummer on the collection — 17 songs in a single rainy Sunday session with Ian Watts and Mike. His great ability to come up with new beats and feels was essential to the project. He plays drummer Mick Avory with the Kinks tribute band The Kinx, has his own band Airbourne, and is an avid collector of drum kits. (That's Ian laughing heartily at the end of The Muffin Man.)

In his own words, November 2009:

Thanks for letting me be a part of this fantastic project. When you originally called me and told me what you were planning, I was a little sceptical to say the least! But you and Mike had "the vision" and knew exactly what you were doing.

The time just flew by and a few hours later my small part in this project was done. The end results are fantastic. My personal favourites are the two tracks by My Mate Kate — modern takes on old nursery rhymes that are simply outstanding.

Ian C

Mat is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer with a deep love of Irish folk music. On "Little Liza Jane" he performs the lead vocals and plays banjo, mandolin, fiddle and flute. On "Hey Diddle Diddle" he contributes a wonderful fiddle part, and his harmonica playing appears at several points across the album. He may be the most versatile musician on the entire collection.

In 2012, Mat released the Traditional Irish Folk album Full English, mixed and produced by Mike Wilbury. Mat and Mike kept recording together through the decades, concentrating on original music, also involving Mat's daughter Briony and Mike's daughter Sina.

November 2009

Mark recorded the guitar part for "Hush Little Baby" using an original 1959 Höfner Club 40 jazz guitar — the same model John Lennon played in the pre-Beatles Hamburg days. He also played twin Stratocaster guitars on "Brahms Lullaby" alongside Jay Leivers: two great guitarists performing together for the very first time, with outstanding results. Mark plays with Chris White and Ian Cunningham in The Kinx, the UK's finest Kinks tribute band.

In his own words, November 2009:

Three hours later, luxuriating in the warmth of Comfy Towers Recording Studio's control room, my fears had been completely allayed. I had just sat through the preliminary mixes of around seventy arrangements. There was simply too much to digest in a single listen — but the gorgeous, soulful voice of Rebecca Leivers remained at the forefront throughout, rendering the more adventurous arrangements immediately accessible to the younger listener.

Finally, Ian handed me a battered old Höfner and asked me to "do my thing" over Rick Benbow's augmented thirteenth piano chords on "Hush Little Baby". After a couple of false starts, the job was done.

Mark Sansom

Nottingham-based guitarist and guitar teacher, and bass player with The Andy Whittle Band. Jay contributes a haunting E-bow guitar part to "London's Burning" and plays twin Stratocaster guitars on "Brahms Lullaby" alongside Mark Sansom — two great guitarists performing together for the first time with outstanding results.

November 2009

Pete has played music with Ian since 1989 — over 80 original tracks recorded together, records released, hundreds of gigs, festivals and radio sessions. He also wrote "Good Night Good Night" especially for the album, one of only two original songs on the collection. Pete is the warm voice behind all 20 Bedtime Stories.

In his own words, November 2009:

"So mate," I say, "what's the latest project?" He says: "Wheels on the Bus." I say nothing. For a few days. And then I suddenly find myself going "round and round, round and round…"

I love the Nursery Rhyme Collection and I'm very proud to be a part of it. It is recorded with the same love, care and attention as everything that comes out of the doors of Comfy Towers Studios.

The album is a stroke of genius, mate. Thanks for talking me into it.

Rock (a-bye-baby) 'n' Roll — Pete

Phil performs the lead vocals on "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain" and "The Muffin Man". A Nottingham entertainer and singer, he also performs live as The Wedding Singer — and does a mean Elvis set.

Steve plays the lap-steel guitar on "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain" — a beautiful, swooping part that gives the song its distinctive character — and electric guitar on "Rock-a-bye Baby".

November 2009

Nick is a guitar teacher and Nottingham-based guitarist and songwriter who performs with his original band Nick and The Numpties. On the collection he sings the lead vocals on "Teddy Bears' Picnic" and backing vocals on "Georgie Porgie".

In his own words, November 2009:

From turning "Georgie Porgie" into a Who-esque romper-stomper of a track, complete with Daltrey-style vocals, through to the gloriously camp middle section of the "Teddy Bears' Picnic" — this was a new chapter in my alter ego as a musician.

The true highlights were witnessing highly accomplished rock musicians getting to grips with "Ten Green Bottles" and "Wheels on the Bus". Hugely entertaining, and providing memories I will not forget.

Nick

November 2009

Kev recorded Gibson Les Paul lead guitar on "Ten Green Bottles / Wind the Bobbin Up" and "The Teddy Bears' Picnic".

In his own words, November 2009:

Just like so many of your other friends, when I got the call I thought you were having a laugh, Ian — "Teddy Bears' Picnic" in the style of Alex Harvey's "Delilah"!

But what a fantastic project. So grateful to be involved — wish I'd done more. Put me down for any other projects.

I also want to thank you for producing my acoustic album "Things I Need to Say" down at Comfy Towers. Production is a talent you have, and you certainly inspire me to create and push the boundaries. It is so good to know you.

Cheers — Kev Beal

November 2009

Peter played all the beautiful trumpet and horn parts on the album — giving songs like "Hush Little Baby" their distinctive, haunting character. He had previously performed with Ian and Mike as part of The Silver Beatles on a European tour in January 2007. He went on to found Whiteshake, one of the world's finest Whitesnake tribute bands, and today fronts his own band Jack is Back.

In his own words, November 2009:

It was a great honour when I received Ian's invitation to add some horn ideas to this beautiful production. Having performed with Ian and Mike with The Silver Beatles, we often found ourselves in a kind of magic atmosphere on stage. To be included in one of their projects means to be surrounded by professionals and real friends.

Love and respect — Peter

November 2009

Steve recorded the up-tempo drum track for "Ten Green Bottles / Wind the Bobbin Up". He has toured for many years with the Pink Floyd tribute band Think Floyd, and was also a member of the Come Together Right Now John Lennon tribute show alongside Ian Watts, Mike Wilbury, Rick Benbow and Steve Heappey.

In his own words, November 2009:

Yet another fine mess you got me into, Ian! When any one of us gets a call from Ian Watts, we never know what he has in mind. The nursery rhyme project was the craziest — and yet the most surprising fun — to be had at Comfy Towers.

My contribution was "Ten Green Bottles" to the tune of the Jackson 5's "ABC". Great fun. That's the kids' Christmas presents sorted!

Steve Farmer (Think Floyd, The Vow, Andy Whittle Band)

November 2009

Steve played drums on "Pop Goes The Weasel". He performs with the Beatles tribute band The Beatalls — and all the nursery rhyme tracks were recorded on a similar kit to his beloved 1964 Ludwig 'Downbeat' Black Oyster Pearl. He was also a member of the Come Together Right Now show with Ian, Mike, Rick and Steve Farmer.

In his own words, November 2009:

Having worked with you for many years on numerous projects, none has been quite as quirky as this one. It was my pleasure to be asked to contribute to a fantastic idea. Recording at Comfy Towers is always fun. The coffee is very often cold by the time we get round to drinking it and the pubs are shut — I wonder why?

Good luck with the album.

Steve

November 2009

My Mate Kate recorded two high-energy tracks for the collection: "What Shall We Do With The Grumpy Pirate" and "The Big Ship Sailed On The Ally Ally Oh". Jack had this to say:

What an honour to be asked to play some nursery rhymes with a twist! That is some crazy idea — but of course it would work. Mr Watts was the guy creating this concept. The album has turned out better than I could have imagined, and we all had a great time in Comfy Towers, as always.

Thanks, Mr Watts! And let us know when you want to do some fusion-punk-opera-rock TV theme songs.

All the best — Jacko

November 2009

In his own words, November 2009:

When Ian came to me asking if I'd like to play on some nursery rhyme tracks with My Mate Kate, I genuinely thought he'd lost the plot. Why on earth would you want a loud, modern twist on nursery rhymes? They're meant to be traditional… aren't they?

How wrong could I have been. We had the privilege of playing on two songs: "The Big Ship Sailed on the Ally Ally Oh" and "What Shall We Do With The Grumpy Pirate" — two high-energy, in-your-face tracks. The Beatles-esque touch with the Ludwig kit, Rickenbacker guitars and Höfner bass added extra sparkle.

Well done Ian and Mike. Sterling job.

Danny Gould

November 2009

John played drums on ten nursery rhymes for the album and also recorded "This Is The House That Jack Built" on a beautiful 12-string Rickenbacker guitar. He and his bandmates in Billy Fury's Tornadoes — John Raynor, Graham Wyvill and Chris Raynor — actually performed live on tour with the one and only Billy Fury.

In his own words, November 2009:

You caught me out once again! I popped round to Comfy Towers on some Billy Fury business and within ten minutes you had me playing drums on the Nursery Rhyme Collection. How do you do that?

At first I thought you'd gone potty, but it turned out to be a fantastic project and I had a great time.

Best wishes — John

November 2009

Chris is the guitarist with Billy Fury's Tornadoes, and joined Dave Needham and Martin Clarke of the Schoolhouse Rockers for the vocal parts on "I'm a Little Teapot".

In his own words, November 2009:

This was an album that needed to be made. We have those nursery rhymes and tunes that we all grew up with — but running beneath them are the feel, the harmonies and the real instrumentation of a wonderful era of British music. Perhaps now they can be passed down to the next generation.

Teach the children well.

Chris Raynor

November 2009

Dave Needham recorded the rockabilly-styled "I'm a Little Teapot" on his hot-rodded Gretsch Nashville guitar. Martin Clarke played upright bass and contributed vocals alongside Dave and Chris Raynor of Billy Fury's Tornadoes. Martin had this to say:

Coming from a gritty rockabilly background, imagine our delight when you informed us that "I'm a Little Teapot" was to be our contribution — despite our having prepared several arrangements of rather more masculine pieces from the nursery rhyme genre.

We were also slightly disturbed when you insisted we do the actions.

Thanks for the inclusion, Ian. It was a hoot.

Judge Clarkie — SHR

November 2009

The Ray Davies of The Kinx — Chris recorded lead vocals on "There's a Hole in My Bucket" and "Old MacDonald Had a Farm". He performs with Ian Watts and Mark Sansom in The Kinx.

In his own words, November 2009 — in character as Old MacDonald:

Ayup Ian and the Nursery Rhyme Team, me old muckers! Just got back from muckin' out them pesky pigs. They've been gruntin' with excitement at the prospect of a mention on your new album.

I wish you every success with The Nursery Rhyme Collection, although it makes very strange noises on my record player — I think I need to change the needle.

All the best — Old MacDonald, aka Chris White (The Kinx)

A special guest on the collection, Johnny Silver performed lead vocals and guitar on "Underneath the Spreading Chestnut Tree".

A special guest on the collection, Kev Benson brought his ukulele and lead vocals to the album — a joyful contribution that adds a wonderfully different colour to the collection.

Roger Morgan contributed his drumming skills as a guest on the Nursery Rhyme Collection.

Dominic Watts — aged two — is credited as Executive Producer of The Nursery Rhyme Collection and delivers a commanding performance of "Baa Baa Black Sheep". He is Ian Watts's son. The title was entirely his father's idea.

The Lovac brothers — Adam, Abel and Aaron — performed on the collection as lalala, bringing youthful energy and a fresh sound to the recordings.