Gary Miller Songs

Just added to my Soundcloud Page, my brand new recording of new song 'The Butcher Baronet', as featured as the theme song to Lone Pine Pictures' upcoming documentary 'The Butcher Baronet' (and a precursor to my work-in-progress 'The Butcher Baronet' Folk-Rock Opera) : -

Listen to it HERE.

THE BUTCHER BARONET

Welcome to this city

So steeped in history

We’ll follow the trail of bold John Duck

So cloaked in mystery

Step into his buckle shoes

Come along with me

We’ll raise a glass then raise him up

Out of obscurity

From Fleshergate he was cast out

By the Butchers’ Guild it seems

They sought to put an end

To all his hopes and dreams

But all poor determined dreamers

Will fight hard to defend

Their dreams to go from rags to glory

To the bitter end

Paint yourself a picture

For his likeness and his character

Have slipped through History’s net

John Duck who went from Butcher’s Boy

To Butcher Baronet

Here on Framwelgate Bridge he stood

In a deep despondency

Till a fateful raven woke him

From his dark melancholy

Would you have the drive to do

What John Duck did then?

Would you have the pluck

To chance your luck?

Would you turn and start again?

Throw a coin into the air

Watch it fall, see where it lands

Does your own luck can reflect

John Duck who went from Butcher’s Boy

To Butcher Baronet?

Here on Silver Street there stood

His mansion on the hill

But for disrepair and planners

It would be here still

We can now but imagine

The view he must have seen

Would all the works that he achieved

Be part of that rich scene?

Step into the Town Hall

For he became the Mayor

The Butchers’ Guild must all have been

Tearing out their hair

But when he arose as Sir John Duck

It must have hurt them deeper still

To see him made a Baronet

At Haswell-on-the-Hill

Take a leaf from his book

Seize your luck and run with it

And be just like him yet

John Duck who went from Butcher’s Boy

To Butcher Baronet

We’ll repair at last

To a pub named the John Duck

We’ll raise a glass or two

And another one for luck

And then we’ll raise another

Lest we all forget

The man to whom this song is set

The Butcher Baronet

Paint yourself a picture

For his likeness and his character

Have slipped through History’s net

John Duck who went from Butcher’s Boy

To Butcher Baronet

This man who went from Butcher’s Boy

To Butcher Baronet

(Gary Miller)

© 2018 Whippet Records

Copyright Control MCPS/PRS

Taken from the soundtrack to 'The Butcher Baronet', a documentary by Lone Pine Pictures about the legend of Sir John Duck ("Durham's Dick Wittington") and Gary Miller's Folk-Rock Opera of the same name.

I have just added a new Whisky Priests T-Shirt to my Merch Shop. Based on the front cover design of the band's 'Grandfatha's Fatha' 12" EP (released in 1988), it comes in a choice of colours (black or white) and a range of sizes (from Small to 5X-Large).

Buy the Black Shirt HERE.

Buy the White Shirt HERE.

If this design proves popular, it could be the first in a range of designs featuring Whisky Priests front cover artwork, so please let me know what you think.

What a wonderful night Helen and me had on Thursday when I performed at The Cockpit in Pickering, North Yorkshire. We were made to feel so welcome and were amazingly well looked after by managers Phil and Jill at the Black Swan, Pickering along with my friend, gig promoter Dave Crabtree - Thanks guys!

I hope you enjoy the following video clips from the gig : -

A Rich Seam

A Dream of Joseph Skipsey

Madhouse Martin

The Paint and the Pain

Two Artists

It Will Be All Right

I Can and I Will

Euphonium and Cornet

Ballad of Lance-Sergeant William Stones

Miss Nightingale's Man

City of Dreams

Albatross and Endurance

Hurrah! The DLI EPs have arrived and sound great! - And just in time for me to take them to my gig at The Cockpit in Pickering tonight (please come along if you're in the area for a nice intimate gig and the chance to grab a limited edition CD rarity "hot off the press" before they're all gone!! Tickets £6 - available HERE.

They look fantastic too, thanks to Helen's incredible artwork - The front cover is her portrait of Jimmy Durham, and the back is her illustration of the execution of Joseph William Stones.

Track listing:

The Final Letter of Jimmy Durham

Ballad of Lance-Sergeant William Stones

Euphonium and Cornet

The Durham Light Infantry [featuring Ferryhill Town Band]

4 tracks, 24 minutes, £4.99 - available HERE.

Whippet Lodge now has its very own Facebook Page.

All likes are massively welcome and support valued more than we can say. Things have started off really well since Whippet Lodge was launched for let only last week, with bookings going better than we could ever have hoped so far. We really want to make a go of this. Thanks everyone who hits the like button, you're absolute stars!

Visit the Whippet Lodge Facebook Page HERE.

I'm really excited by the newly-released teaser trailer for award-winning Lone Pine Pictures' upcoming film 'The Butcher Baronet' which I think looks amazing. I'm delighted and honoured that it features my specially-written song of the same name (featuring performances by three Whisky Priests members - Gary Miller, Mick Tyas and Ralf Weihrauch - and produced by my great friend and regular musical collaborator Iain Petrie at Awake Music) and can't wait to see the finished film...

"One public house leads three friends to unearth another local legend. Durham's Dick Whittington. They discover the amazing story of Sir John Duck."

You can watch the Trailer HERE.

Also, check out the promo poster (below) based on Helen's design...

I had lots of fun in the Awake Music! studio yesterday with Mick Tyas and Iain Petrie recording a couple of tracks for the soundtrack of Lone Pine Pictures' latest documentary film 'The Butcher Baronet' (and the first advance recordings from my epic 'folk-rock opera' of the same name) about the legend of John Duck ("Durham's Dick Wittington"). Both of these projects also feature some fantastic artwork from Helen. Exciting times! More news on this soon...

 

Further information on 'The Butcher Baronet' is available HERE.

Helen and me feel both excited and nervous, but finally 'Whippet Lodge', our little house in the Scottish Borders has gone live and is up for holiday let. And, after lots of blood, sweat and tears, within minutes we've already got our first booking!! 

Whippet Lodge is a beautifully cosy, yet deceptively large, 18th Century stone cottage situated on a traditional village green in the ancient village of Swinton. Once belonging to the Swinton family, the cottage offers views of the ever changing and spectacular Cheviot Hills, steps from the front door, with the surrounding peaceful countryside and dramatic skies being perfect for walkers, photographers, artists and nature lovers alike to enjoy. There are also golf courses aplenty in the area.

To book Whippet Lodge, click HERE.

"Sack the Juggler", the latest in Helen's amazing series of Blogs on her official website is now up with lots of interesting stuff, giving her unique perspective on life and all manner of personal thoughts, amidst all kinds of news relating to just some of our recent activities, and all with a great selection of photos.

It really is a fantastic read and includes news of our further progress at Whippet Lodge, our trip to the 135th Durham Miners' Gala, plus various other fascinating other bits and pieces.

Check it out - HERE.

Please note, due to reasons beyond my control, the following gig is now cancelled. Apologies to anyone who might have been planning to go.