The Future Past of Green Pepper Junction
So… what have we got here?
Well, a little bit of history on the (making) and the contents of the album. Like where, when, how and why the songs were composed, and recorded all those years ago.
All the tracks were produced and recorded with real musicians, and its only now that a few extra “sounds” have been “laid on” to some of the tracks. All the songs were originally recorded as potential “singles” but were then for various reasons “shelved” – until now!
As we are “back tracking” over history, via music of the 43 plus years of Green Pepper Junction, it is interesting to note, that – as all the tracks were recorded then stored away, none of them have ever been heard or released onto the commercial retail market.
This is the second Anthology album of the company Green Pepper Junction.
The first “The Inner Mind of Green Pepper Junction” was to say the least, diverse in styles and genres, as is this – the second Anthology album.
So…. let’s take a closer look.
The Tracks
“Holding on to nothing but a handful of dreams”
Composed and recorded originally back in the days of 1975 as a gospel song. Though this version is more lovers rock, with a touch of country – and “spiced” with reggae. Really about relationships, life and love. “Bright lights and funny sights” It’s 1977 and all about the SOHO area in downtown London, and the night and day life in that “quirky” and colourful part of town – in the mid-seventies.
“Little fish in a jar”
From 1976, written on a sunny day in a Glasgow park, and recorded as a “filler” with a few musicians and the singer – just hanging around in the studio, waiting for the rest of the musicians to show up for a recording session.
“Song and Dance man”
Written, composed and recorded in 1976 – and the companies first real production number. Little realising at the time many years later (now), the song was really about – well who?
“Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere, Anywhen”
Back to 1982 and written for and about a special girl friend and a long relationship. Recorded and added to from time to time over the thirty-six-year period, in five different studios, in the UK and USA.
“Rainbow man”
1977, and the song was composed as a rock song – with an “element” of blues. We wanted to create real excitement on the track when we recorded it. So, when we went into the studio to lay the track down, we decided after a few practice “run throughs” to record the entire track “live” with everybody – singer, musicians and drums all on one track – and one “take”- to energise and “capture the feel” – and that was to “rock” the joint” with a “live” sound. So, we went for it – and with “flashback” on vocals – the musicians – featuring Robin Rankin on keyboards laying down a rockin’ groove – plus an amazing “dig” on mouth organ from Fraser Speirs – all “live” – WOW! We just about nailed it!
“Get down on your knees”
Well, sort of speaks for itself! Though, at the time of writing and recording it – 1976, it was suggested that if released as a “single” no radio station would play it, as it was sure to get banned. Hmm, we should have ignored the “advice” and just gone with it, more so as T.Tee Jackson made it “special” with a great vocal rendition of the song.
“Tomorrow’s Girl”
Back to the “fifties” in small town America, with milkshakes, soda-bars, bobby sox, brylcream hair, “big fin” cars, jiving, a dash of Latino – and Rock ‘n’ Roll!
“Shangri-La” 
Its 1985 and the days of the “cold war” – and the iron curtain. Shangri-La was specially written for East European Hungarian star “Klari Katona” – why? – Well, that’s a story for another time! Klari flew to Glasgow to record both Shangri-la and the first track.
“Holding on to nothing but a handful of dreams”
But she fell ill with a serious throat infection, was unable to sing – let alone record – so fifteen years old “Shani Raindrop” was found – well “discovered” stood in for Klari and recorded both “Shangri-La” and “Holding on to nothing but a handful of dreams” and gave a great performance on both songs!
“Take my cat for a ride”
Composed on a train travelling from Arbroath to Glasgow – way back in 1975 – and recorded “live” a few weeks later. What was going on in the Green Pepper Junction world at the time? – who knows! A really crazy lyric – but hey! It’s just Rock ‘n’ Roll! And you ain’t seen ‘nuffin’ yet!