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Pilot The Craighall Demos 71:76
Buy UK CD at DPS
Buy Japanese CD at
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This is a collection of original songs recorded in Craighall Studios Edinburgh, by David and Billy. Although some songs are familiar, many of them are being heard for the first time. David and Billy first talked about working together outside the Central Library on George 1V Bridge, in 1971. We met there by chance while visiting the music department of the library. Billy was the house engineer at Craighall and during his free time he would write and record in the studio. Eventually, David and Billy were joined by Stuart Tosh, and it was as a trio we really began to develop our own style. Billy and Stuart left Edinburgh to live in London in 1974, David continued to record in the studio and some of these recordings can be heard in this collection. The tapes were restored and copied to the digital format after years of being stored in various attics and garages. The Craighall demo tapes have always been in David’s possession. It was in the late 90’s that the music was transferred to DAT tape and then onto CDR. Sadly the quality of some tapes had deteriorated to such a degree that they were unusable. However, what has survived is a perfect archive of David and Billy’s progress as writers and producers. From the first recordings of acoustic guitar, piano, bass and a battered old suitcase for drums, to the very complete demo’s for Second Flight including the first recording of January. By way of introduction the collection begins with the poignant and sensitive original recording of The Library Door then proceeds chronologically from 1971 to 1976. This is a very special glimpse into the beginnings of the partnership that evolved into the polished and distinctive sound of Pilot. You can purchase the CD at davidpatonsongs.com by clicking the button above. There is also a limited edition mini-LP style Japanese CD from Cool Sound with 1 bonus track and 1 hidden track i available in Japan through HMV and Tower and other online outlets.