Interesting to hear that Neil sang back-up vocals at the Leigh Sawmill on Don McGlashan's achingly beautiful song Andy. I suspect there's a bit of a story there of shared loss and grief.

Don, of course, sang the backing vocals on the TOE version of A Sigh. That song responds to the death of a dear male friend. And so does Andy: "I turned 28 last night; if you were still alive, you'd just be short of 33 ... Andy, don't keep your distance from me."

Neil's joining in on Andy, then, was probably not just about returning a favour. It was in all likelihood also about the empathetic connection between two men who have each had an intense experience of loss.

I wish I'd been there to hear it. Andy is on The Front Lawn's 1989 album "Songs From The Front Lawn"; this record is a forgotten masterpiece, better (I think) than Don's subsequent Muttonbirds output. I'm really glad Neil and Crowded House are revisiting it. (And I'd love to hear Crowded House do a cover of Tomorrow Night from that album; Mark Hart would tear up the Polynesian slide guitar part!)

It never occurred to me what this song was about...it is a beautiful song and for those who haven't heard it go here (sans Neil but still awesome!)

http://www.myspace.com/themuttonbirds

Neil also sang background vocals for Anchor Me at both LA shows. If you'd like to hear it, check out this link:

http://www.areligionofakind.co.uk/audio.html#don_orph17

Those are both gorgeous versions - thank you so much for the link. Too much to hope we'll be treated to either of them at Westonbirt this time next week, I suppose ....?

Alice - thanks for those song links! I've been dying to hear I Hope Your Boyfriend Knows since I first heard it in early May. And now I have a whole lovely bunch of songs - thank you.

Beautiful versions on those links!

Thanks for posting; I've wanted to listen to the acoustic versions since hearing them at the Orpheum.

Yep, LOVE don!


Thanks for the link!!!

Had been really looking forward to hearing Don from the reports in the US and the bits and pieces I have on a couple of NZ music compilations.

He was absolutely outstanding and the versions of Andy and Anchor me at Sherwood and Westonbirt had me welling up no end.

Was lucky enough to meet him very briefly after the show on Wednesday and he did mention that he is planning to bring his band over at somepoint - I put in a good word for some venues in Scotland

Well, I got my wish to hear Andy & Anchor Me at Westonbirt a week ago. Now we have just been treated to Neil & Don duetting on R2/6 music for Throw Your Arms Around Me & Anchor Me from Glastonbury. They sound really good together - I'd love them to record some tracks.

The songs on R2/6 were beautiful. It was the first time I heard Anchor Me properly (youtube just isn't the same). I thought it was great that Neil suggested they sing Anchor Me instead of a crowd pleaser as was requested. The interviewers seemed impressed as well.