Scotrish songwriter John Douglas best known for his work in the Trashcan Sinatras has released “I’m Not The Fella“, featuring storytelling drawn from an interaction in his past. The song is taken from his debut solo album, recently released via Scotland’s Reveal Records, and its accompanying video was filmed at the An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish language theatre in Galway City.
Hailing from Irvine on Scotland’s west coast, Douglas has been making music with Trashcan Sinatras for over thirty years. Apart from his role as a songwriter and guitarist there, Douglas has been playing live gigs across the UK and Ireland as part of his partner Eddi Reader’s band.
John Douglas shares:
I was on tour with Galway singer/songwriter Ultan Conlon when this was filmed. I had just added a few verses at the end and you can catch me taking an occasional glance at the lyric sheet on the floor. Hope you like this song and video, filmed by Black Gate Productions.
The John Douglas album features original material, along with new recordings of some of Douglas’ favourite Trashcan Sinatras material and his own rendition of the Prefab Sprout song “We Let The Stars Go“.
The eleven songs on this record were performed solo, recorded live at Kyoti Studio in Glasgow with no overdubs by Producer Mark Freegard (New Model Army, Lush, The Breeders, Del Amitri, Marillion), who also mixed and mastered the album.
He adds:
I’ve often been encouraged by friends over the years to make a solo album, but the timing or inclination didn’t flow. Last year – out of nowhere – everything suddenly felt right and the process was quick and natural. Mark just set the mics up and I played my songs. No other musicians or overdubs. Me and my guitar. That way, I became the songs and they became me. The finished record, though varied in song styles, has a mood to it… it’s warm, thoughtful and quiet.. as I generally aspire to be.
Lately, John Douglas has been performing solo sets at shows with musical friends, such as Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Jill Jackson and James Grant (Love & Money). Whilst visiting Irvine recently, John was invited to guest with Martin McAloon (Prefab Sprout), the two artists having first met in 1990 when the Trashcan Sinatras’ were touring with Prefab Sprout.
