Paul Whittall
(Born April 29th 1959)
Paul’s musical career began in the late 1970’s. After leaving Chethams Hospital School of Music in 1976, he played in a variety of folk-orientated bands in his late teens, such as ‘Southern Cross’ with three part West-coast harmonies, and the more traditional ‘Blackwater’ with his friend Rob Allman who died tragically young in 1993. Then after a stint as a keyboard player/vocalist with the Manchester combo ‘Chris Sievey and the Freshies’ and also a brief encounter with punk stalwarts ‘The Tee Shirts’ with future Smiths founder Stephen Pomfret, he returned to pop music with old friend Rob to form the ‘White Dice’ with future ‘Smiths’ Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke. This fledging bunch did many prestifous gigs culminating in a studio session in London at the home of Nick Lowe where they they failed to gain a contract with Stiff records. ‘Challenge of the Passion’ and ‘French Without Tears’ were other musical collaborations that were begun in tandem with Allman but none of them succeeded in getting more than a passing glance from record execs and so after a concert at the International club in Manchester on September 25th 1986, they decided to call it a day.
A move to Devon in 1989 after traumatic events in the North West had left Paul feeling at the proverbial crossroads, led to several musical collaborations. Firstly with ‘Tom the Poet’s Future Now’ in 1991. An improvisatory combo featuring Gong member ‘Tom the Poet’ and local lad Brian Abbot on guitar. ‘Daevid Allen’ himself even collaborated at their opening gig at the Exeter Arts Centre, a fabulous evening that featured ‘Tony McManus’ ‘Paul Rowley’ and ‘Mark Robson’ of ‘Kangaroo Moon. Still very involved in the folk and traditional scene, an alliance was formed with Uillean Piper ‘Nic Scott’ and Paul was asked to join his trio ‘Porterhouse’ in 1993 replacing the outgoing ‘Tony McManus’ Porterhouse were agreat success, appearing at many festivals through the nineties and proving a very popular act. Two albums were released during this period. ‘Live 95’ and then the studio recording ‘Over the Gate’ The title track, written by Paul, being one of the most popular pieces in the set.
When they folded, Scott moved on to the successful ‘Last Nights Fun’ and Paul created the multi-instrumental band ‘Wishounds’ named after the pack of dogs that roamed the wilds of his now Dartmoor home. Featuring Mike Eaton on Hurdy-Gurdy, ‘Steve Graham’ on Bagpipes and Porterhouse percussionist ‘Adam Griffin’ many performances all over the South West and the album ‘Bone was released in 2000, with it’s eclectic mix of bourees and contemporary songs. Also about this time, a duo with old friend and sparring partner ‘Paul Rowley’ came into being. The lads made it official and were named ‘Dirty Shoes’ and over a period of years they kept audiences amused and entertained all over the South and West of England. A CD, ‘Big Trouble in Paradise’ came out in 2000, and featured original songs from PR and pieces by PW. One memory from a gig in Dorset where the lads were introduce by a disgruntled organiser (expecting somebody else) as Dirty Feet before grumbled away in the distance, the lads have the audience in fits within five minutes while the fellow sat glowering in the corner. Ah! Happy days.
Instrumental music had played an important role throughout the nineties. A degree in composition was achieved at Exeter University 1992-5 and works such as the first ‘String Quartet’ had been performed for the first time. Also piano pieces ‘Door’ and ‘An Ostrich at the Gates of Eden’ revealed a penchant for interesting titles that was to continue as the decade proceeded. A record label. Stars End’ was created to have an outlet for various collections of new music. An album of the same name was released and soon the imaginative titled ‘Stars End 2’ was launched including the ‘Penguin Suite’ and the 45 munite long ‘Kaia’ named after the cat. A compilation from this time entitled ‘Kaia’s Flight’ was the first cd to be issued in 1999.
The realisation that his music should meet no criteria but his own and with no desire to be ‘modern’ led inevitably to the ‘Oboe Concerto’ written over the winter of 2001, inspired by the teachings of Zen master ‘Thich Nhat Hahn’ and by visits to his retreat centre at Plum Village in Southern France. The lush textures of this piece reveals a pastorality in tune with the English tradition and renewed an interest in early 20th century song. ‘Loveliest of Trees’ by Housman and Paul’s own ‘Crown of May’ written for his forthcoming marriage are evidence of this. ‘Vigil for Strings’ was also written then as a prayer for all those who suffer as a result of the September 11th tragedy. There are also some incomplete movements of pieces from this time.
In 2002 Paul formed ‘Goliards’ a group to perform at festivals and fairs, dressed in rags (and tags). The album ‘Slipperty Stomp’ was realeased in 2003 and a second album has just been realeased entitled 'The Beasts are Rising' . Also in 2003 he joined ‘Sheerhopody’ a ceilidh band of great renown based in Mid Devon. Also ongoing is the theatre group ‘Guild of Fabulists’ featuring storytellers Clive Pig and Dave Oliver, telling the tales of the Tain and others from early Celtic tradition with Paul supplying all the sounds and squeaks that eminate from his side of the stage. ‘Music from the Tain 2004’ is another CD available to those who enjoy that sort of thing.
Always interested in the role of the eccentric in British culture, such as Vivian Stanshall, Ivor Cutler and Sir John Betjeman, a burst of songwriting began in 2003 which continues to this day. The idea of making a point through humour and whimsy appears in many of the songs. ‘Topical Timothy’ and ‘Better Neighbours’ with their references to early 30s cinema and love of cricket are tuneful and topical, so there. The tale continues. In JUne 2006 Paul and Alison had a little boy, Archie Owen who inspires everyone with his friendly little face 'he babbles with the best of 'em, and a new release 'the Ark and the Abacus' is imminent. For those (lawd help 'em)lovers of all things Whittall it is a similar kit bag to 'Stroking Bees' and the 'Family Album 2006' Paul's mother Edna passed away in February 2007 and the song 'Sweet Communion of the Heart', soon to be released as part of 'Ark' is a prayer to her memory. The world is still full of dogs, and plenty of em, now it is also the lad and all that comes with him. Finally, a new and very dubious project is in progress. it's working title is Playing Cards and Paper Clips, and it takes the shape of a sort of play, and featuring characters such as Rufus, sister Agnes, nephew Gerald and Mrs Jolly the housekeeper. Wilkins the Estate Agent is never far away and the cat has plenty of gherkins in it. Altogether a very sorry tale but full of mustards. The whole wretched business is accompanied by many ditties and threatens to be complete sometime toward the beginning of the coming year. For all our sakes, let it be done.