Fish Records - David Rotheray

01.	Mrs Jones Song (feat Lisa Knapp)
02.	Maggies song (feat Eliza Carthy)
03.	Daniels Song (feat Kris Drever)	play pause stop Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
04.	Roxannes Song (feat Kathryn Williams)
05.	Pearls Song (feat Gemma Hayes)
06.	Billy Joes Song (feat John Smith)
07.	Maries song (feat Josienne Clarke)
08.	Bobbys song (feat Naomi Bedford)
09.	Lucilles song (feat Mary Coughlan)
10.	Mrs Avery's Song (feat Jackie Oates)	play pause stop Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
11.	Sylvia song (feat Bella Hardy)
12.	Dinos Song (feat Alasdair roberts)(
13.	Jolenes song (feat Julie Murphy)

This is brilliant - David Rotheray, formerly of Beautiful South, has written an album of 'Answer Ballads'. If you ever wondered what happened to Rod Stewart's Maggie, Dolly Parton's Jolene, The Police's Roxanne or Dr Hook's Sylvia and of course her mother here is the answer from their own perspective. For example:

"Roxanne, a proudly independent businesswoman, moved from the oldest profession into the the second oldest profession opening a 1960s themed bar in Malaga. She is now retired and living in Devizes where she represents the Conservative Party on the local council."

"Pearl gave up singing, and music to become a serial foster parent. She is currently oscillating between bulimia and anorexia just outside Cowdenbeath."

Thje songs are sung by an array of talent including Eliza Carthy, Lisa Knapp, Bella Hardy, Kris Drever and Kathryn Williams.

This is not just a clever concept but songwriting of the highest quality - an excellent album and in my top ten of 2013 - highly recommended.

"It's such a simple concept one wonders why it wasn't done before; songs that adopt characters named in well-known hits....A witty, entertaining cavalcade. " Neil Spencer The Guardian

David left university in 1988 to form The Beautiful South with friend and fellow songwriter Paul Heaton. Over the next 19 years the band released 10 studio albums as well as three compilation albums, notably the successful 'Carry On Up The Charts' (1995). During this period Heaton and Rotheray penned several top 20 hits, including 'Song For Whoever' (1989), 'Rotterdam' (1996) and 'Perfect Ten' (1998). Rotheray also released three albums with his acoustic side project 'Homespun' between 2003 and 2008.

Since The Beautiful South split in 2008, Rotheray has issued two 'solo' albums, 'The Life Of Birds' (2010) and 'Answer Ballads' (2013). Though nominally solo records, both of these albums are collaborative efforts, made in conjunction with singers and writers from the English and Scottish folk scenes.

Rotheray still lives in Hull. He collects hotel 'Do Not Disturb' signs and follows Hull City AFC.

David Rotheray - Answer Ballads

Rotheray Dave