Rick Westhorpe Music

Rick Westhorpe Music

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Voice (1995)

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This was written as part of a song-writing project at Exeter Arts Centre, collaborating in this instance with Chris King (? – not sure of the surname now …).  I had a surdo (brazilian samba drum) and wanted to do something different with it. I improvised the words while we played around with the rhythm, and found myself writing about a very dark period in my life, ten years or so earlier, when I lost my will to live. Thankfully some truly amazing friends were there to carry me when I couldn’t walk, and encourage me to stand again.

Dedicated to the wonderful Stuart Lindeman, without whom I’m not sure I’d be here today.

Download ‘Voice’

voice.mp3 (206 downloads)

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The woof (1990)

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The Woof - Gwen print in frosty grass at Pistyll Gwyn

Probably the most annoying thing I’ve ever written, and that’s saying something. I’d heard Michael Nyman’s ‘In Re Don Giovanni’ and also a British Rail advert on the TV. This is nothing like any of those things. I was working with the extraordinary Sarah Bennett at the time, so I blame her.

The picture is of Gwen’s imprint on the frosty grass, and although this tune was written years before she was born it suits her down to the last … woof.

Download ‘The woof’

the_woof.mp3 (5 MB)

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Swan plane (1979)

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Swan plane by Rick Westhorpe

Sorry about the quality of this recording, but nevertheless I wanted to post this song as it means a lot to me. This tune has stuck with me for years and surfaced in several different ways – this recording is the second version. It was originally written on a harmonium in the South Africa Hare Krishna Temple where I stayed in 1976/77. 

A few years later in London I went into a studio with some friends to make this recording. It’s hard to imagine, but that was really the only viable way at the time – no portastudios existed and home recording was just a dream waiting to happen.

The friends:

  • George  Mitchell on guitar, who really gave me the confidence to make it happen.
  • Warrick Sony on tabla.
  • Pippa Hardman on vocals.

I already played with George in the fabulous Fighting Pigeons – somewhere there are other tracks with him singing which I would dearly love to find, but they may be lost to time now. Warrick was on holiday from South Africa after finishing his national service, emerging from the army as an amazing musician. Pippa, I had heard sing in The Rocky Horror Show (she played Janet at Kings Road & Comedy Theatres), and I just knew her voice was perfect for this song. I don’t think I’d  have the gall to do it now, but I just asked if she would sing and … she said yes!

You can hear my other takes on the theme here – ‘Breathing the city‘
and here: ‘Cherry Blossom‘

Download ‘Swan plane’

Swan-Plane.mp3 (6 MB)

If you know someone who might like ‘Swan plane’ please send them in this direction, or use the Share buttons. Thank you!

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