Yes Why Not
My debut album, released in March 2017, with thirteen original songs.
Sleeve notes
Company: Words & music John Booth & Alan Fish, guitar & vocals Alan Fish, accordion Andrew Yearley.
Wrong Side of the River: A true story, written while working in Dublin and passing homeless people every day on my way to the office. Words, music, guitar & vocals Alan Fish, accordion Andrew Yearley, lead guitar Louie Macleod, bass guitar Noel Eadie, drums Del Gunn.
Baby’s Eyes: Written on the birth of my first child, but true of all six, and even truer of my grandchildren. May the cycle continue. Words, music, guitar & vocals Alan Fish.
Whisky on the Way: A song about the tradition of carrying coffins from the rocky east coast of Harris to the sandy west coast for burial, and what it says about the men of the island. Words, music, guitar & vocals Alan Fish, mandola Andrew Yearley, cello Neil Johnstone, bass guitar Noel Eadie.
Mairi’s Smile: A young lad alone at a shieling in Lewis, watching the sheep, and thinking about what young lads think about. Words, music, guitar & vocals Alan Fish, smallpipes Anna Murray.
The Sinking of the Annie Jane: In 1853 the brig Annie Jane was wrecked on the coast of Vatersay, near Barra, with the loss of 350 lives. Words Calum Watt & Alan Fish, music, guitar & vocals Alan Fish, accordion Andrew Yearley.
See How We Fly: I wrote this while alone on a long journey in an empty train at night, singing to the rhythm of the wheels on the track. Words, music, guitar & vocals Alan Fish, accordion Andrew Yearley.
Human: Words, music, guitar & vocals Alan Fish, accordion Andrew Yearley, trumpets Debbie Woods, Gavin Woods & Calum Watt, bass guitar Noel Eadie, drums Del Gunn.
Alice: A girl I was introduced to once at a party in the 70s and never quite forgot. Words, music, guitar & vocals Alan Fish, keyboard Andrew Yearley, string bass Peter Cooper, drums Del Gunn.
Mine Tonight: Commissioned and sung by my dear Cath. Words & music Alan Fish, vocals Catherine Fish & Alan Fish, guitar Alan Fish, piano & percussion Andrew Yearley, trumpets Debbie Woods, Gavin Woods & Calum Watt, bass guitar Noel Eadie, drums Del Gunn.
Four Truths: Not everything that is true is comforting; not everything that is comforting is true. Words, music, guitar & vocals Alan Fish, string synth Andrew Yearley, cello Neil Johnstone, string bass Peter Cooper, drums Del Gunn.
Yes Why Not: An edifying tale of the dangers of excessive credit. Words & music Alan Fish, vocals Alan Fish & Gerry Blane, guitar Alan Fish, piano & percussion Andrew Yearley, lead guitar Louie Macleod, trumpets Debbie Woods, Gavin Woods & Calum Watt, tuba Gavin Woods, string bass Peter Cooper, drums Del Gunn.
Heartfelt thanks to my Hebridean friends whose musicianship
has transformed these songs:
Gerry Blane: vocals
Peter Cooper: string bass
Noel Eadie: bass guitar
Cath Fish: vocals
Del Gunn: drums
Neil Johnstone: cello
Louie Macleod: lead guitar
Anna Murray: smallpipes
Calum Watt: trumpet
Debbie Woods: trumpet
Gavin Woods: trumpet, tuba
Andrew Yearley: accordion, mandola, keyboards, percussion.
Cover design and artwork by AteljeStudio, Belgrade.