Thank you
I am so grateful to you for getting a copy of my covers album: Covers Vol 2
I previously released Got You Covered in 2016 and this is a follow on from that EP with 5 more tracks and some re-recorded versions of my favourite cover songs.
1. Champagne Supernova
Written by Noel Gallagher (of Oasis)
Instrumentation, arrangement, recording and mastering by James Hawkins
I first learnt this song for a wedding aisle walk, I've since performed it regularly on the Southbank and fun fact it is one of my most tipped songs in Waterloo Station.
2. Make Your Own Kind of Music
Written by Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann
Piano: Will Noon, Violin: Richard Moore, Mixed and Mastered by Ian Hansen
I discovered this song on a compilation album of lesser known songs from big artists. Mama Cass from The Mamas and the Papa released it in 1969 and more recently it was picked up by Paloma Faith. Resulting in it being a really popular busking cover as well as well loved by my regular and loyal listeners. The message behind the song will always hold a lot of meaning for me.
3. A Thousand Years
Written by Christina Perri and David Hodges
Instrumentation, arrangement, recording and mastering by James Hawkins
I have been singing this song for years, since learning it especially for a first dance. It is one of my most popular busking covers as well as a regular request for weddings. I've since sung it for aisle walks, first dances, register signings and many wonderful times along the river Thames. I previously recorded this for Got You Covered and this is a new version with additions from James Hawkins on the instrumentation.
4. Waterloo Sunset
Written by Ray Davies (of The Kinks)
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During the 2012 London Olympics this song was used in the closing ceremony and it came to my attention what a beautiful tune and story it is. At the time Waterloo had become a regular part of my day to day as I had recently begun busking under the London Eye and the song spoke to me so much. I've been covering it regularly by the river and at gigs ever since.
5. Sea of Love
Written by Phil Philips and George Khoury
Recording and mastering by James Hawkins
An aisle walk song request that has stuck with me, this song was first released by Phil Philips in 1959 and reimagined in 1999 by Cat Power.
6. Mr. Brightside
Written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning (of The Killers)
Piano: Will Noon, Violin: Richard Moore, Mixed and Mastered by Ian Hansen
I was lucky enough to have this song featured on a reason series of the UK's Love Island after a producer heard me busking in Waterloo station. It has been one of my favourite songs since I first heard it in 2006 and I love reimagining well loved classics like this with a more acoustic/ballad sound.
7. All Of Me
Written by John Legend and Toby Gad
Instrumentation, arrangement, recording and mastering by James Hawkins
This song has been a go to love song for busking and weddings since as long as I can remember. Since it came out in 2014 its been in my busking set list and is often requested on romantic evenings along the river.
8. English Rose
Written by Paul Weller (of The Jam)
Recording and mastering by James Hawkins
I first learnt this song for a wedding aisle walk, its not one I'd heard before but I was drawn to it ever since as I take my spot as the (I hope) the English Rose of the Southbank. I performed it during the 2020 lockdown on a livestream and it became a favourite for some of my regular listeners.
9. Wonderful World
Written by Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert and Lou Adler
Mixed and Mastered by Ian Hansen
This is just one of my favourite songs ever. I recorded this little acoustic version at a gifted studio day back in 2016 and listening to it is a lovely reminder of how far I've come.
10. First Day Of My Life
Written by Conor Obserst
Recording and mastering by James Hawkins
The final song on this album is one I learnt for one of the first weddings I've ever played. I sang the bride down the aisle to this song and I remember feeling so nervous. I thought this song was such a perfect aisle walk song. To say that your life begins today, in this moment. It was beautiful to sing it as an aisle walk song and I've wanted to a do a recording of it ever since. At last I have put some of these songs onto an album of love songs and busking classics.
Thank you for listening x