AT LAST! GLENN TILBROOK HAS ANNOUNCED NEW TOUR DATES IN OZ!
Squeeze’s iconic frontman returns for this first time since 2007 for a December tour of Oz with his brand new studio album, Happy Ending, on limited edition vinyl, CD, and digital bundle.
“stuffed with ludicrously catchy melodies” — Mojo Magazine * * * *
As half of the iconic songwriter team Difford and Tilbrook of beloved pop legends Squeeze, Glenn Tilbrook has written some of the most enduring pop classics of ’80s UK New Wave with such global hits as “Tempted” and “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell).”
With more recent performances in the States on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Live from the Artist’s Den, Squeeze has proven itself to be relevant and enduring as new generations of fans discover the band’s incredible songbook.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Tilbrook is back — ducking and diving, bobbing and weaving — with his fifth non-Squeeze album, Happy Ending, available now digitally and as a limited edition vinyl through www.glenntilbrook.com, iTunes and Amazon.
Inventive, witty and stuffed with a twinkling treasure trove of brand-new melodies, Happy Trails proves that the man’s musicality and sense of craft are as fresh and energised as ever. The album sprang out of a quiet period in the writing of a brand new Squeeze studio album.
Says Tilbrook, “Momentum’s very important. It went a bit quiet at Chris Difford’s end, so I thought, ‘you know what? I’ll just get on with my own thing and make my own momentum.'”
The result is a revelation. To begin with, it’s an acoustic album — a multi-instrumental, layered acoustic album.
“What I’ve tried to do is just strip my writing back to guitar or piano and start out from there. One of the next goals I have is to make a sparse record, because I’m very good at putting in detailed information. I just like doing it.”
But the details make this even more delightful. Beside Tilbrook on masterly bass and guitar (plus iPad keys and “atmospherics”), there are kazoos, sitar, Indian harmonium, ukuleles, bongos, Chinese drums and a full string arrangement by Lucy Shaw.
There’s assistance from Squeeze drummer Simon Hanson, multi-instrumentalist Chris McNally and Nine Below Zero guitar man Dennis Greaves. Tilbrook’s offspring Leon (aged 10), co-wrote track “Bongo Bill” and both he and seven-year-old Wesley assist on vocals.
Tracks include the poignant orchestral story-song “Persephone”; “Rupert”, a pean to Mr Murdoch that’s far more appealing than he deserves; the infectiously jaunty “Kev and Dave”, about two brothers who run a pub; and a tender meditation on Beach Boy Dennis Wilson. Tilbrook is yet again in top form when co-writing with his old friend Chris Braide (currently working with Beyonce and Lana Del Ray) on the acerbic but funny dig at big businesses’ lack of accountability in “Everybody Sometimes”; and there’s a good old knees-up at the end. Lyrics are all by Tilbrook.
“I’m really, really vibed up on what I’m doing now,” says Tilbrook. “To me, this record takes its place alongside [Tilbrook and The Fluffers’] Pandemonium Ensues and [Squeeze albums] East Side Story, Argybargy and Cool for Cats, which are my favourite records that I have made. So that’s five albums that I’ve thought, ‘Yes! I’ve actually done that properly now’…”
Happy Ending? Hardly an ending — with something this buoyant, brainy and brilliant, Tilbrook’s just getting going!
Praise for Happy Ending:
“The stories he tells on Happy Ending are cleverly-wrought and full of easy English charm and wit.” — R2Magazine ****
“An unqualified triumph.” — DailyMirror ****
“…the ambitious sounds and clever arrangements are matched by Tilbrook’s serious lyrical themes.” — Guitarist present Acoustic
Visit Glenn at http://www.glenntilbrook.com
For sounds/pics/interviews please ring Karen on 0400 527 365 or email karen@karenconradpublicity.com
TOUR DATES
Thu 4th Dec Lizottes, Kincumber, NSW
TIX AT http://www.lizottes.com.au
Fri 5th Dec Lizottes, Dec Dee Why, NSW
TIX AT http://www.sydney.lizottes.com.au/live
Sun 7th Dec Lizottes, Newcastle, NSW
TIX AT http://www.newcastle.lizottes.com.au
Thu 11th Dec Spotted Mallard, Melbourne, VIC
TIX AT http://www.spottedmallard.com
Fri 12th Dec Caravan Music Club, Melbourne, VIC
TIX AT http://www.caravanmusic.com.au
FURTHER SHOWS TBA!
Please say hello to Glenn at www.glenntibrook.com
