Gary Craig Watson (Dec 1959 - Jan 2003)
Gary was a great friend and musical infuence to me and many other local musicians. Having been fortunate to have been kindly given early cassette demo recordings (from 1984), thought it would be a great tribute to convert them to digital before they deteriorate and become lost forever! Placing the songs here on the website will allow everyone who knew Gary to reminisce and smile like I did when I heard these recordings again.
Although I have been kindly given the cassette recordings from Gary's family - I do not own these songs and also did not participate musically on any of them. Gary used to play these recordings to me and have been lucky enough to witness him making some of these recordings during the Double Vision band sessions at Gary's bed-sit studio.
Some songs have been written by Dick Burrows who I have lost contact with years ago. (Dick if you are out there drop me an email please - I do not think you would disapprove of having your recordings on this website - but if you do I will gladly immediately remove them.)
As far as I can remember back then, the recordings were made on a Tascam Porta One - 4 track tape cassette. The drums were programmed on the Roland TR-707 by Gary, the Synth sounds were from the classic Roland Juno-106 and I can definitely remember Gary only having an Echo Pet unit rather than reverb back then. Also these were done before the Atari ST so there is defintely no sequencing & midi going on (except programming the drum machine) so the recordings really do capture the excellent playing ability and 'tightness' created. Although recordings are a little hissy, they sound remarkably good for cassette based 4 track recordings.
I know Gary was really happy and stress free back then - everyone who went round the bed-sit in Chester Street had hours of entertainment and it was astonishing that so many people managed to get in the one room and participate in music recordings! The songs placed here were later played live as part of the "International Rescue" band set (in the early 1990's) where Gary played drums wearing a purple liotard and a long haired wig! (It's ashame I do not have the photos.)
Gary enjoying the fun & creativity vastly upgraded his studio, moving up to a Tascam 388 on which he recorded his best work - the theatrical musical "Jesu." before finally upgrading to the Fostex E-16.
Gary has and still does inspire everyone who was lucky enough to work alongside him. His personality, expertise, wit and humour won everyone over and he would always manage to bring out the best ability in everyone he recorded.
Thankfully his music and our memories of him will never be forgotten.
You are sadly missed Gary!
God Bless U M8.
Title : Arthur
Written By : Dick Burrows 1984
Guitar & Vocals : Dick Burrows.
Keyboards, Bass & Backing Vocals : Gary Watson.
Title : Axe to Grind
Written By : Dick Burrows 1984
Guitar & Vocals : Dick Burrows.
Keyboards, Guitar, Bass & Backing Vocals : Gary Watson.
Title : Chicago Skyline
Written By : Gary Watson 1984
Keyboards, Guitars, Bass : Gary Watson.
Title : Yorkshire Pudding
Written By : Gary Watson 1984
Keyboards, Guitars, Bass : Gary Watson.
Title : Being Poisoned
Written By : Gary Watson 1984
Keyboards, Guitars, Bass : Gary Watson.
Title : Funky Chicken
Written By : Gary Watson 1984
Keyboards, Guitars, Bass : Gary Watson.
Title : Jelly Bean
Written By : Gary Watson 1984
Keyboards, Guitars, Bass : Gary Watson.
Title : Spacemans' Breakfast
Written By : Dick Burrows & Gary Watson 1984
Guitar & Vocals : Dick Burrows.
Keyboards, Guitar, Bass & Backing Vocals : Gary Watson.
Title : Reggae Bash No. 3
Written By : Dick Burrows & Gary Watson 1984
Guitar & Narration : Dick Burrows.
Keyboards, Bass & Voices + Sounds effects : Gary Watson.
Title : Way Of The World
Written By : Dick Burrows & Gary Watson 1984
Guitar & Vocals : Dick Burrows.
Keyboards, Guitar, Bass & Backing Vocals : Gary Watson.
|
