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Voices From The Cones

by Dan Whitehouse and John Edgar

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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Ten Steps, Reflections On The Glass Age (acoustic), Voices From The Cones, The Glass Age, Raw State, Reaching Further For A State Of Mind, Reaching For A State Of Mind, and Dan Whitehouse. , and , .

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1.
VOICES FROM THE CONES In the fields of opportunity You could choose your trade Glass cutting was the one for me Working as a team all day A rougher and two smoothers An apprentice alongside A rougher and two smoothers Learn the ropes, take your time 400 years on this land And we haven’t finished yet Voices from the cones We never, never will forget Words now etched in time Memories, of sitting on the peddle riding up and down As my father worked the lathe My calling I had found Practicing engraving On jam jars and milk bottles Started out 'tekin' in And weighing items made Let it pass through 29 pairs of hands Let it pass
2.
Moving 05:41
You can’t stop the rain You cant’ stop clouds from moving Glass is just the same Watch the craftsman at his lathe Playing like a bow on a fiddle May your secrets travel with you From the Middle East to the west of the middle Flowing where it needs to Spinning, spinning Spindle, copper, stone or diamond wheel
3.
Black by day Red by night Around the sweltering furnace we unite Down your hammers and sing our song To fight, to struggle, to right the wrong In Cradley heath, they bared their teeth Mary MacArthur, the Chainmaker's strike, That was the beginning there's no end in sight Equal pay, for equal work Hear our voice, these are our rights Rouse Ye Women
4.
Front Door 01:28
Late one night I was in the pub Having a pint with a bit of grub When who should come in but my mate Jack In through the front door and out through the back I got swans none can surpass I got decanters, I got cut glass It’s all here in this old sack He was in through the front door And out through the back He’d have a look round and then he’d holler Who wants this for half a dollar? Two and six? I’ll tek two, Jack In through the front door and out through the back You’ll have to join the queue there chum This fell in my pocket on my way ‘ome Look at it, perfect, not the slightest crack In through the front door and out through the back Don’t call it thieving, gentlemen After all, I made this stuff me sen Hang about, there’s a manager best not slack He’d walked in through the front door But he ran out through the back And across the land you still can see The finest examples of friggery Made by blokes just like our Jack That come in through the front door And out through the back
5.
Flip Flop 02:19
Flip Flop, Hip Hop Frigger, do your own thing Glass hammer, pigs, swans Frigger, let me hear you sing It’s nice to say ‘I made that’ If you wanna frigger in your baggin' time Percy made pigs for baby born Frank made swans red eyes adorned I’d wrap them up, 'tek' um o’er the road On Charlie Saunders they were bestowed 2 and 6 pence for a swan Quick before the tax man catches on Peacock feathers with streaks of glass Marbles, turtles, fish We used to 'mek' a 'biggun' Whiskey measures, de canters, or a dish If I find myself in a charity shop I can tell my dad’s swans from a mile off You won’t catch me using paris o' plaster If it’s a real glass sword your after I’m your master!
6.
Let me talk with the authority of substance Let the glass lead this debate tonight Here’s a piece of metal son Go on and make a knife Now slice through these dreams before you Trust the shears & know the glass Show respect for the master Skills to you he’ll pass Go out and find your wand Get it from the canal bank You’ll know it when you see it You’ll know it when you see it Picking up sticks Picking up sticks See a break now in the clouds Sunlight passing though Witness the glory rising Picking up sticks Picking up sticks The lathe maybe my instrument But it’s my heart that plays the tune Let me draw this melody on glass for you
7.
The last apprentice there’ll be no more Thinking of those who’ve gone before I’m the last apprentice, not the worst Can’t help wondering Who was the first? Does he know I’m thinking of him long dead? Thinking of his hands his heart and his head I'm the last apprentice the last apprentice There’ll be no more
8.
I was walking past Brettel Lane, With my future wife to be We were arm in arm, headed toward Wordsley When her dad came out of the dial pub He caught us slightly off guard What o wench? What o chap? Whaddya know? Don’t go all the way to the garage Get off the bus at the old savoy Now I didn't have a clue When I heard those words as a boy I said I didn’t know what the bloody hell it meant Get off the bus at The Old Savoy Frankie Young gave me this lesson My very first sex education Oh there was nothing from parents or school To temper this fiery temptation I can picture it now so clear Wise words he did extend As he walked towards the lehr and asked Are you courting a girl from up Silver Ends? Now you know what’s right what’s wrong son And I know you’ll not let me down I’m not trying to spoil your fun But know this when you’re out on the tow
9.
Rose Bowl 03:40
How are things at home? I know your wife’s been unwell We’ll pay you in full No questions, no warning bell We don’t want to see you here Until yum ‘appy at home We know it’s so hard Staring at the unknown A rose bowl for my first child I can still remember the friendly smiles Hiding in the safe ‘til the thunder passed outside Go in when you want to Joan Gentle words as glass was blown Then etched into my soul and in my mind My family from the cone I can’t leave behind Nobody ever grumbled about much at all Oh the people you would meet At the cricket and football Going out together Those nights at the Talbot hotel Up there in the main room Memories, oh the stories we could tell A rose bowl for my first child I can still remember the friendly smiles Hiding in the safe ‘til the thunder passed outside Go in when you want to Joan Gentle words as glass was blown Then etched into my soul and in my mind My family from the cone I can’t leave behind I can't leave behind No regrets Yeah a life well spent I see saints and angels now As the glory rises A rose bowl for my first child I can still remember the friendly smiles Hiding in the safe ‘til the thunder passed outside My family from the cone I can’t leave behind
10.
Free Beer 02:25
As a young lad you were sent down the road To the pig or the fish for the beer I’d carry it back up put it down Til on of the seniors said: “son, get ‘ere" You’ve been drinking out of that I said “I aye" He said: ‘you have” So the next time he sent me down to the pig I lined up the bottles on the wall and I had a Sip from this and sip from that Little bit of foam before the beer goes flat Sip from this and a sip from that Pot settings such a sweaty task Free worker’s beer, there’s common sense in that Until the health and safety went mad
11.
The Hive 02:25
Instrumental
12.
Hands, Heart & Head We’re digging deep from all sides Hands, Heart & Head We’ll tend to each other at all times Hands, Heart & Head We’re digging deep from all sides And we’ll tend to each other Especially in the hardest times The ground beneath our feet Has all the minerals we need Silica, clay and coal Stourbridge fireclay stands supreme Robust melting pots Crafting glass as a team From the earth to table tops Hands, Heart & Head We’re digging deep from all sides Hands, Heart & Head We’ll tend to each other at all times Hands, Heart & Head We’re digging deep from all sides And we’ll tend to each other Especially in the hardest times None of us have come Through the factories like you We heard the call of the drum through our art From Yorkshire via High Wycombe And drawn now to Dudley Engraving and cutting Oh this dance we’ll do together The past and the present entwined forever Hands, Heart & Head We’re digging deep from all sides Hands, Heart & Head We’ll tend to each other at all times Hands, Heart & Head We’re digging deep from all sides And we’ll tend to each other Especially in the hardest times You give a little piece of yourself To the copper wheel spinning endlessly As brittle as we are Hands, Heart & Head We’re digging deep from all sides Hands, Heart & Head Hands, Heart & Head

about

Voices From The Cones’ written by Dan Whitehouse and John Edgar Celebrating The Artistry and Communities of Glassmakers in The Midlands

For over 400 years, the glassmaking industry nourished the communities of Stourbridge in the Midlands of the UK, where thanks to the skills of immigrant French Huguenots it became the most important glassmaking area of the country. In recent years the industry has faded away with the last factory apprentice, Malcolm Andrews now teaching artisan makers - who are the last link in this glassmaking chain.

In 2019, Dan Whitehouse and poet/storyteller John Edgar were invited to research archive sources and interviews and conduct new interviews from which Dan wrote a song cycle, and John Edgar a narration, based on this incredibly rich social history,

From the huge cone-shaped furnaces of the past to the reflections on more recent times - this work celebrated the largely untold stories of the region’s master craftsmen and their communities. Thanks to the Arts Council England the songs and the narration have now been recorded as a 2 disc album. Disc 1 with the song cycle, and Disc 2 with the same songs plus John's Radio Ballad style narration.

credits

released September 30, 2022

Voices From The Cones’ written by Dan Whitehouse and John Edgar Celebrating The Artistry and Communities of Glassmakers in The Midlands

For over 400 years, the glassmaking industry nourished the communities of Stourbridge in the Midlands of the UK, where thanks to the skills of immigrant French Huguenots it became the most important glassmaking area of the country. In recent years the industry has faded away with the last factory apprentice, Malcolm Andrews now teaching artisan makers - who are the last link in this glassmaking chain.

In 2019, Dan Whitehouse and poet/storyteller John Edgar were invited to research archive sources and interviews and conduct new interviews from which Dan wrote a song cycle, and John Edgar a narration, based on this incredibly rich social history,

From the huge cone-shaped furnaces of the past to the reflections on more recent times - this work celebrated the largely untold stories of the region’s master craftsmen and their communities. Thanks to the Arts Council England the songs and the narration have now been recorded as a 2 disc album. Disc 1 with the song cycle, and Disc 2 with the same songs plus John's wonderful Radio Ballad style narration.

Artwork Martin D Hyde

Songs written by Dan Whitehouse - except Track 2 *Moving and Track 11 *The Hive - John Large, Simon Smith, John Elliott & Dan Whitehouse, Track 3 **Rouse Ye Women - John Elliott & Dan Whitehouse, Track 4 *** Front Door - John Edgar & Dan Whitehouse, Track 7 ****The Last Apprentice - Chris Cleverley & Dan Whitehouse.

Songs performed by
1. Voices From The Cones. Voice: Kim Lowings & Dan Whitehouse, Guitar: Lukas Drinkwater, Harmonica: John Edgar; Pedal Steel: Gustaf Ljunggren; Interview voice: Malcolm Andrews.
2. *Moving. Voice: Dan Whitehouse. Bass: Simon Smith; Drums: John Large; Piano: John Elliott; Synth: Gustaf Ljunggren.
3. ** Rouse Ye Women. Voice: Elizabeth J Birch & Dan Whitehouse; Synth, programming, drums & all other instruments John Elliott.
4. *** Front Door. Voice: John Edgar; Piano: Gustaf Ljungreen; Guitar: Dan Whitehouse.
5. Flip Flop. Voice: Nicole Justice; Synth & drum programming: Nicole Justice; Guitar, Keys & Synth: Gustaf Ljunggren.
6. Picking Up Sticks. Voice: Kim Lowings; Voice and Piano Dan Whitehouse. Hammer Dulcimer: Max Z-T
7. ****The Last Apprentice. Voice: Chris Cleverley; Synth: Gustaf Ljunggren.
8. The Old Savoy. Dan Whitehouse Voice and Guitar.
9. Rose Bowl. Voice: Angella Corinna, Pedal Steel: Gustaf Ljunggren; Guitar: Dan Whitehouse; Interview voice Joan Plant.
10. Free Beer. Banjo: Gustaf Ljunggren; Guitar & Vocals: Dan Whitehouse; Interview voice: Malcolm Andrews
11.* The Hive. Voice: Katie Whitehouse and Dan Whitehouse; Guitar: Chris Cleverley; Pedal Steel Gustaf Ljunggren

Rouse Ye Women was inspired by The Strongest Links Vase by Vic Bamforth.

Produced by Dan Whitehouse. Mixed & Mastered by John Elliott.

Disc Two – The Story

Narration written by John Edgar. Spoken by John Edgar.
Interview voices: Malcom Andrews & Joan Plant. Original Interviews by Ian Dury & Adrian Horton.



Concept & direction by Lorraine Kenny. Project funded by Dudley MBC and Ruskin Mill Trust, Chloe Winter-Taylor and Lorraine Kenny (National Heritage Lottery Fund). Project management From The Whitehouse. Album funded by Arts Council England. Artwork by Martin D. Hyde

Thanks to Alan Ellsmore

WTK 002
P & C (of recording) DAN WHITEHOUSE 2022
DAN-WHITEHOUSE.com

Dan’s website: www.dan-whitehouse.com
Socials: Facebook @danwhitehousemusic
Twitter @dan_whitehouse
Instagram @whitehousedan

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Dan Whitehouse Birmingham

“Subtle and delicate melodies” The Sunday Times

“Nothing short of beautiful – **** ” RnR Magazine

Singer-guitarist Dan Whitehouse renews, reinvents and reimagines - touching listeners with his observations and moving them with his sensitivity and impeccable songwriting.
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