Last year, Rab Noakes and Brooks Williams began recording an album that celebrated the songwriting of Don Everly. The album, Should We Tell Him, will be released on 25th August 2023 (pre-order here). As many of you will know, Rab, who had been at the forefront of Scottish folk music for over fifty years (releasing his first of nineteen studio albums in 1970 and a founding member of the folk-rock band Stealers Wheel), passed away in November 2022.
We have the pleasure of sharing the video for the title track below, which features some great photos Kris Kesiak took during the recording sessions. There’s a gorgeous vintage vibe and feel to this number, backed by a superbly talented band (more on below) and Rab and Brooks putting in some fine harmonies.
Sharing the backstory to the album below, Brooks says, “Hopefully, you’ll catch a glimpse of the vibe of the recording sessions. It was out of this world.” It sounds it as well…Should We Tell Him is also our Song of the Day.
Brooks Williams on the album:
“My word, we’re making a good record.” That’s what Rab Noakes texted me after hearing the results of our 3-day recording session at Chem19 Studio. The record he is referring to is SHOULD WE TELL HIM, an album of songs by Don Everly.
The plan to make this recording was hatched long before Rab and I actually got into the studio. Five years, to be exact. But for Rab, it had been on his radar for many more years than that.
“I’ve long had familiarity with the recordings of the Everly Brothers,” he said, “and I’ve harboured an idea to record some of Don Everly’s accomplished works for quite some time. There’s little doubt he doesn’t get celebrated enough as songwriter.”
In May 2022, we were finally able to get started. Every few weeks, we’d meet up at Rab’s flat in Glasgow. Arrangements flowed, and rough demos were made on Rab’s phone.
By September, Rab and I were standing in the middle of the studio, acoustic guitars in hand, surrounded by Hilary Brooks (piano), Kevin McGuire (bass), Conor Smith (pedal steel/electric guitar) and Signy Jakobsdottir (drums). With Paul Savage at the mixing desk, we recorded ‘live from the floor,’ eleven songs in three days.
Thankfully, we had also invited photographer Kris Kesiak to be with us in the studio. With the title track as the soundtrack, it is Kris’ photos, assembled and edited by him, that you see in this video.
Hopefully, you’ll catch a glimpse of the vibe of the recording sessions. It was out of this world.
“It is an honour to have worked with my musical collaborator and dear friend on what turned out to be his final recording, and an honour to help this recording see the light of day and get out into the world.”
Pre-order ‘Should We Tell Him’ here