I’m probably not the first person who discovered that they could do something new by
being asked, but taking the first step in song writing was always a matter of self
confidence. I’ve always written so I didn’t have a problem with words, but crafting lyrics for song
is a different kettle of fish.
That said, in the past I often put spontaneous lyrics to bits of music in my head
(though that’s necessarily my usual approach now), so that was an early barometer of
my potential capabilities. Funnily enough my initial attempts at song writing came about through mistaken
identity.
I’d been talking to the great Marcus Malone about gigs and PR for his latest album,
so when I got a call from Marcus asking for some lyrics for a rock blues project, I was
slightly taken aback, until I realised it was Marcus Flynn the guitarist who leads The
Guitar Legends and whose CV includes Mike & The Mechanics, 10CC, Fun Loving
Criminals, Beyoncé and countless film and TV scores.
The fact I was sitting next to a swimming pool in sun kissed SW France may also
have been the reason for the misunderstanding. No matter, the die was cast and I agreed to try and help with some blues related lyrics.
This led to a rock-blues album called ‘Ain’t Nothing But The Blues Again’, of which a
couple of singles have been so far released. One of them ‘Hatful of Hope made the Hittracks Top100 chart in The Netherlands, a big boost for a wannabe songwriter. Marcus is a very inventive guitarist and is rigorous when it came to editing, a skill I’m still trying to learn.

Meanwhile, I’d been talking to guitarist Rob Koral and vocalist Zoe Schwarz from
Blue Commotion, which led to a completely different project.
It was still blues based, but they chose 4 of my story telling songs which appeared on
two of their albums. The song ‘Call of the Night from ‘This The Life I Choose’ was
probably the first Feenstra song to benefit from a video, while ‘Way Down In The
Caves’ from ‘The Blues & I Should Have A Party’ was a homage to Chislehurst
caves, the ground breaking subterranean venue.
I owe them a lot as both albums were well reviewed and indirectly led to other
contacts.
German guitar master Zed Mitchell was next. He’s a wonderful guitarist with a
magical tone, who has cut over 100 album and worked with the likes of renowned
film music composer and soundtrack producer Hans Zimmer. I’d reviewed a couple
of his albums and he mentioned that he was always looking for lyrics… I threw my hat
in the ring and we enjoyed some success with his ‘Route 69’ album which topped the
German Roots Rock charts for several months, while the opening Feenstra penned
‘By Sundown You’ll Be Gone’ was featured in Germany’s Radio 2 show.
It was also released on vinyl.
I penned 4 tracks on ‘Route 69’, including my first Americana effort called ‘Freedom
Trail’, which also benefited from a video.
Subsequent to that, Zed also included another Feenstra track called “A Lover Or A
Friend’ on his ‘Ha ha Ha Ha…’ album.
Back in the UK, the hard gigging rhythm & blues band The Sharpeez landed a deal
with a French record company and a Bill Mead, Pete Feenstra composition called
‘Desperate Man’ was chosen as the final track on a good selling album called ‘Wild
One’.
At that point the band also featured the great slide player Loz Netto, who transformed
the song with a great arrangement.
Some time before that, I had struck up an on going online conversation with the
hugely talented Croatian vocalist, guitarist and band leader Boris Zamba from the
award winning Voodoo Ramble.
It led to a working collaboration that still endures, with Boris’s relationship with
producer Dragutin Smokrovic-Smokva (aka The Fig) being the anchor to more
great arrangements.
It was with Boris that we received some nice reviews for some single releases, most
notably ‘London Town’, which was boosted by a great lyric led video. There was also
the rootsy ‘Midnite Train’, most of which I wrote on a train in South London. It felt
almost surreal when it was actually demo’d in Muscle Shoals, before finally being
mixed in Croatia.
We worked hard on the multi genre album called “Can’t Write A Pop, Song When
You’ve Got the Blues, which included seven co-writes, and broke new ground with
the gospel song called ‘Out Of This World.’
The song featured the amazing vocalist Ivana Galic (who also demo’d a few of my
songs), while the same Voodoo Ramble album also included the first country song I
ever wrote called ‘Down Home.’
We also worked on 3 tracks on the ‘Home Again’ album, which was an excellent mix
of new and revisited Zamba songs. The video for the co-written ‘Waterfall’ is a real
work of art, while a track called The Smell of Money’ features great guitar work from
Boris and some glorious bv’s.
I was busy reviewing albums again, when I struck up a conversation with former
Wishbone Ash guitarist Muddy Manninen, who mentioned that he could do with
some lyrics.
We subsequently started working on some songs, when Mudz announced that he
didn’t think he could sing some of them. I said that I might know someone who could.
Enter the London based Detroit and former Motown vocalist Marcus Malone.
Marcus is usually one of the busiest creative talents in the capital, but like the rest of
us was locked down. This turned out to be a window of opportunity for the three of
us. I wrote feverishly while Muddy and Marcus utilized their home studios. I was a
relentless pain in the ass driving the project on
The resulting self titled ‘Black Pearl’ album received 26 glowing reviews and plenty of
transatlantic airplays. 2 subsequent singles were also both well received, with the
latest ‘Take Your Time’ charting in Australia.
The album was a major learning curve for me as it turned out to be stylistically broad
based, encompassing rock-blues, funk, soul and Latino genres. I’d like to think my
song writing ideas benefited from working with such great talents.
Marcus has the voice of an angel, as evidenced by the single ‘Price On Love’. He has
a rare versatility to match his effortless range. and like Muddy he is a great arranger
(Listen to Muddy’s arrangement of ‘With My Baby By My Side’).
Muddy’s musical vision is an extension of his outer worldly guitar parts. Both
respective talents inspired an avalanche of songs. In fact we cut two albums worth of
material during that period.
Meanwhile my old pal Mick Pini had also made the best possible use of lock down in
Germany, by hooking up with innovative producer Craig Marshall (aka Audio54).
The result was the 55 th anniversary career compilation called ‘Back Track’, an album
with a completely new approach.
The following ‘Way Ahead’ included the co penned atmospheric blues ‘Last Night’.
Mick also released two EP releases including ‘Are You Blind’ which included a
couple of song I wrote including ‘Hard Lesson In Love’ which finds Pini at his
emotional best
He’s an old school feel guitarist unafraid to embrace new challenges, and the way he
way tackled lyrics was like watching an artist at work.
He never wastes a note and always serves the song, while his baritone evokes the likes
of Dr John and Tom Waits.
Meanwhile a few years ago I promoted the Lee Brilleaux Memorial show in
Hammersmith (London), with the Wilko Johnson championed Feelgood Band.
Guitarist John Simpson worked extremely hard on putting together a great bill with
former Feelgood band members and related guests.
It was a memorable night both musically and socially, so imagine my shock when
some time later he announced his retirement from the band after 10 years.
I asked him what he was going to do and he said he had a home studio and would
probably go back to what he did at the beginning of his career. Then he muttered the
immortal phrase: “But I’m not great at lyrics…….”
Little over a year later we have proudly released 7 singles as Feenstra & Simpson, a
pop-rock outfit, big on harmonies and cutting edge guitar (which is all John), and
more story telling lyrics from me.
Feenstra & Simpson was born out of a “can do” spirit, and the result has variously
been described as being influenced by Tom Petty, Traveling Wilburys, The Eagles,
Squeeze, Jeff Lynne, Wilko, Ian Dury etc, and always The Beatles.
Through song writing we discovered our mutual love of the Fab 4, and while we in no
way try and emulate them, they are definitely a major influence.
Coming up to date, I’ve also worked with World music percussionist Simon Webster
who like me is based in SW France.
In sum my lyrical journey has helped pen music in the rock, blues, old school &
rhythm & blues, funk, gospel soul, and Latino fields.
Inspiration comes from a number from a number of influences, including phrases,
literature, art, film, countless bands, and above all grooves which inspire melodies and
words to fit. Long may it all continue.