The Songs:
At the moment, just a list of song titles. More details, lyrics ("This should be good for a giggle!" Adele Williams*) and sound files to follow (possibly). The actual releases, formats etc. are in the Discography section. The Wav sound files are 30 second long and remain Copyright control of the respective owners. As do all my attempts at the lyrics, except the inncorect bits, which to be honest, is most of them. More to be added as I work them out.. But some contributions would be helpful!
Almost Chinook
B-side to Rapunzel. a slow take that takes its time to slowly build up, which highlights the subtle interplay between flute Zylophone and the loverly bass line. lasts around 7 minutes forty seven seconds so the 7" plays at 33. Instrumential appart from a voice at the 5 35', which could be the engineer telling them to get a wiggle-on, as they do then move into the outro, but to be honest I can't work out what he says!
Blue Chinook
The 'A' side of their fifth single, a Hi(er)- Fi remake of 'Almost Chinook', but with added Vocals, and a more 'pop' feel.
Boy Scouts of America
Fourth single, no obvious 'Dib Dib Dibs'! A great vocal preformance, despite being totally incomprehesable! Fab!
Burning Hoof
Album track, The intro is the spirt of Keith Moon reborn! Wicked! Guitar god, Jeremy Hepburn, explains how to play his part:
"burning hoof is just a ane em7 all
the way through. jane plays all the
complicated bits and i have no idea what she plays. sorry i can't
help."
Thanks Mr. Hepburn, sadly, a full description of his playing techique in this song will not be appearing in next months 'Guitar Stroker International'.
By Peggy's Well
Album Track, A unique accoustic version (Peggy's Mild, 2' 44") was used for the B side of the 'Blue Chinook' single. Another version was also recorded for the John Peel show, which was transmitted on the 14th April 1999. My fav Novak track at the moment.
Time to get better Now.
Green Grocers gone, ubrella stood all night,
in blue smoke, it's safe to run around town
in all of your silly smiles while we stand by,
holding you in light hands, for a lake of time.
We kissed you, in thanks for a sunny cheer
In time while we stood scared, a fallen mouse at a foot of stairs
(?)
by your own fast keeping, you airborn in smiles to keep you
by
fully blessed in butter and a fish to follow you to bed
In all this, no science, either warm space
In faith that we we've come by
in time to keep you inside
east west homes best, it's not a sign to follow until the night.
And days, and nights will keep you clear inside of us.
Put your arms around my Eyes...
Its only , what you crying, days and nights, silent, in distant ?
Cross Purposes
This is all important
This is ???????????????
This is not important
This is what you do with a silver smile
Fruit Cooler
Album track Maybe it's just me but the opening monologue, about eclipses, telescopes, presure waves etc, reminds me slighty of the vocals of Linda Steelyard of Prolapse but here's my feeble attempt at the sung lyrics:
Always a mystery
when stars shine to me now,
always a mystery,
always a mystery man
You belong, stop running away
We belong, stop running away
You'll know you'll never disappoint us (?)
Sing a song in a waiting room (?)
It's alright, alright, s'alright..
All in a dream, you know ???
all of your girlfriends came from miles
imagine the flames under the ??? making a name for lots of stars
but it's alright, you do right
in your dreams alright
it's alright in a pink light, there up where you thought they
were
Havana (Where She Was)
Final track on the album. Why not write to Robin Bresnark at the Melody Maker and tell him what you think it sounds like! See here for details! Lovely way to wind-down the album, just right for turning it over and starting again!
Happenstance
Track from the 'Alpine Assiment' EP
Hotter is Faster
Peel session track, transmitted on the 14th April 1999. Unavilable elsewhere... Probably the most Pram like of any Novak songs, with it's Bossa Nova (at a guess) stylee groove.
"It's not a dance in a beat of two by two, storm in a tea room.."
Lord Of the World
First track on the Album. Not a million miles away from a more laid back Rapunzel in style, gently building throught out it's relatively long running time. A different take was also recorded for the John Peel show, with a few adddition lyrics. It was transmitted on the 14th April 1999.
"Just the way, just the way it goes
now
This boy, he's well known for running along with both his feet on
????,
this boy well know for running along with me in tow,
on ??? missing (we miss him),
right now, he's fallen over me but he'll
come back
what's more, he's been gone a while now, it's all in his
smile"
Rapunzel
Another early classic. 4 Minutes, 35 seconds. There are two taped intro's, the orginal, made by a certain 'large American company known for it's Animated Films', would have created copyright problems of it had been recorded. Thanks to Paul Newsham for transcribing the lyrics, and the recorded version of the taped intro:
"Isn't it marvelous
that we have been given the gift of seeing and hearing?
Of course, seeing gives us a wonderful picture of the world
around us, but I
wonder how many of you think about hearing as giving us wonderful
soundpictures...
For, sounds are really tone colours that give us a picture of
what we hear.
We have all enjoyed show-and-tell at school. But, how many of you
have
played the exciting game of hear-and-tell ?
We will now hear sounds. Can you tell us what they are? And, who
or what, is
making them?
Lets try... First, close your eyes, and when you hear each sound,
try to
guess what it is... Either say what it is, or, if you are alone,
just think
about it...
Island breezes, and your travel-shop teases,
And all you want is a raise, yeah,
For all of the sunshine,
Better make you be mine,
Forever and no more,
All you do is play guitar and the melody for me, melody,
melodies...
You're .. My .. Life.
And you don't even boast of your extra-fine life or your flash
ship (Plastic? SR) upholstery,
All I can recollect - 'You better wear your best white dress'
Your .. Whole .. Life ..."
Relief Rain
Peel session track, transmitted on the 14th April 1999. Unavilable elsewhere... Uptempo beat song, with 'duo-zylophone frenzy' style intro and outro sections.
Schmaltz
Silver Seas wav. file
The first single, and an early classic! Slowly builds to a fantastic climax, compaired to more modern matterial, it does sound a little 'Lo-fi'. Whether on not that's a good thing or not, well, that's up to you!
Still Seas
A more Hifi re-recorded version of the above.
Telesphere
Closing track on the 'Alpine Assignment' EP. A slight Repreise of Telesphere, a slight return as it were.
Telesphore
Opening track on the 'Alpine Assignment' EP
Ultra Sheer
Another track from the 'Alpine Assignment' EP
*well, she may have said that when confronted with such a pathetic attempt to work out her lyrics.