It is with much reticence that I do this (thank you Clare!), but I have agreed to dust off the old demos, resurrect the old anecdotes on which I have been dining out for years and publish them here on Myspace….somebody, somewhere may just find them interesting reading…
A bit about me: Lionel Azulay the drummer/musician/songwriter
Dad was a trad jazz drummer in the thirties…
Big brother is flamenco super-star Antonio Vargas (www.antoniovargasflamenco.com .... he also acted in/choreographed Strictly Ballroom/Mission Impossible II with Tom Cruise). Look out for his newest movie to be completed soon entitled "Flamenco Academy".
Went to Eltham Green School which also produced Glen Tillbrook (Squeeze) and Boy George (O’Dowd) , Steve Dixon (drummer superieur of The Real Thing etc. and good friend), Rony Robinson Beeb drama critic, as well as the notorious Peter Dawson (Headteacher upon whom the movie ‘Clockwise’ starring John Cleese was based)
Attended Kingsway College with Anthony Carreras (father Michael – Hammer Horror fame). Also met Charlie Gillett (BBC World Music DJ/Oval Records) there who was really supportive during my early musical ventures and is doing very nicely for himself nowadays!.
1973 signed to Essex Music/Cube Records with my very talented band ‘Company’ comprising Del Palmer (www.delpalmer.com, also see his myspace from my friends list), Brian Bath (probably the most talented person in the universe and contributed to almost everything I have ever done!! Visit www.brianbath.com), Barry Sherlock and occasionally joined by Paddy Bush live on mandolin. However, in 1974, a motorbike accident brought my promising career to an early and abrupt end. Following exhaustive auditioning, Charlie Morgan (www.manicdrums.com) was drafted in to more than capably take over my drum throne. As you may know, aside from many other huge involvements, Charlie was Elton John’s drummer for 13 years.
1974 met John Stevens whilst in Lewisham Hospital (we were in adjacent beds!) between his SME and Away periods. He had damaged his knee badly on a pedestrian bollard and remarkably continued to play for months with a stiff leg –he was a great inspiration to me to continue drumming with just one arm– what a ‘diamond’ John was, ya just had ta luv ‘im! Amazingly, he was visited in hospital by Julie Driscoll. I still have the mini Zildjian cymbal he gave me as a birthday pressie when he came along to my 21st party in South London. John invited me to see his band at the Camden Jazz Festival – what a surprise to meet Charlie Watts! He was John’s second drummer in the band!
Did loads of work with Ossie Burns during the 70s and 80s (who was responsible for bringing the Bee Gees over from Aussie and then sold his share out to Robert Stigwood). Ossie had also produced The Seekers, The New Seekers, Marty, Paul Leyton and Danny etc.
1976 onwards played as a Club drummer using only one arm backing cabaret artistes such as Ray Harris, Stella Starr, the talented Roy Castle, Stocking Tops aka pre-Tourists Annie Lennox, Geoff Downs, etc). Annie did actually ask me and Barry to join her new rock band venture -Tourists - but like fools, we declined! Doh! Also narrowly missed the opportunity of being part of the KT Bush band project with Del and Brian due to full-time drumming commitments with Barry. Indeed, that band’s early residency at the Rose of Lee at Lee Green had recently been Company’s former residency.
Worked loads with Felix Krish (indeed a very close friend at that time, known for Beverley Craven/Judie Tsuke/SFX/Bad Company/Robert Plant/Jimmy Page and several of my Myspace friends), Nico Ramsden (Sweet/Mike Oldfield & many more!), Dave Chilton (dad was ’The Goons’ producer) on early stuff and bread and butter gigs/sessions/productions..…these guys were and still are seriously good musicians whose success speaks for itself. Occasionally had the good fortune to work with the outstandingly gifted and hugely missed Alan ’smurph’ Murphy at the Stapleton, Crouch End and at the Oval Cricketers (but I was never going to elevate myself to their heights.
Worked on many sessions at Graphic Sound recording studio with brother Albert and John Caulfield (sound manager for beeb). Customers included the lovely Rolf Harris. We brought a smile to the faces of the patrons and customers of the Sangley Café in Catford when we took Rolf for breakfast there!
1977-80 Publishing deal with Carlin Music. For a brief period joined the amazing Dudu Pukwana in ’Zila’ as lead vocalist/composer/arranger – wrote lyrics to Madodana. Played The 100 club with Dudu, Keith Tippett, Harry Beckett, Nick Evans, Churchill Jolobe, Mark Wood (gtr), Eric Richards (outstanding bassist - check out www.myspace.com/ericthomasrichards)...also recorded a ’lost’ album with most of these guys...which I have now locate and pending negotiations with Mrs Barbara Pukwana, will soon be available.... there are some outstanding ’never before heard’ alto performances from the great Dudu himself!!! Man, he could blow!! Whilst with Carlin, I also rubbed shoulders with some amazing writers including Mike Stoller!
Had a US hit with disco ‘diva’ Sylvester with ‘Sell My Soul’, which was also the album title track and heavily featured the Weather Girls on bvs – this song was also chosen by Harry Casey (of the Sunshine Band) for a cover by Teri Desario. Met Sylvester a couple of times and, this may seem like a contradiction, but he was a real gentleman!
On the strength of the Sell My Soul demo done at Ossie’s Rayners Lane studio (Felix/Nico/Ben Barson/myself on drums, Brian Bath on lead guitar and a full brass section,) I was invited to join ’Hi-Tension’ in 1980 for about 4 hours until it was explained to them that actually, I was a white guy!!
1981 Capital Radio sessions with Nico/Felix/Graeme Broad/Richard Cottle where I met little Nicky Horn, lunched with Alan ‘fluff’ Freeman whilst incredibly Dionne Warwick was performing live in the studio next to ours!! Trev ’the Rev’ was an amazing engineer!
The songs featuring in the Music section of my site are from my 90s period whilst managed by Patrick Williams ex-Hit and Run Music (Patrick...where are you now??). The now legendary and hugely all round nice person Kate Bush kindly lent her unique and wonderful voice to one of my songs (Wouldn’t Change a Thing, engineered and produced by Del at The Farm, Welling). However, permission was never sought by EMI to use the track until now (you won’t find that one on here yet - they’d sue the pants off me!!). All instruments by yours truly (midi sequences) except guest rhythm and lead guitars Brian Bath. You really have to hear Brian’s work on ’Reflections’ (bvs and lead gtr) - truly inspired and it has also got to be just about the best Gibson Les Paul sound you have ever heard!! Why this guy is not a legend, I’ll never know...check out his music on www.brianbath.com. Brian is also performing guitar/bvs on "Second Chance". All other guitar parts either the amazing Sean Nolan or me (using guitar samples+pitch bender on my old Roland U20).
Del and Kate amazingly organised me an interview with David Munns at his Polygram office: he told me he liked my stuff, but not that much! Now I was beginning to get the message...
2006 Company was ’Revisited’ for a fun reunion after almost 30 years. Recorded 4 songs penned by Brian and Barry. A very enjoyable weekend - 4 guys having lots of laughs with no expectations of the outcome - some nice recordings thanks to exhaustive transferring from analogue to ProTools by Del...
Sat in with a great rock band recently called Limeshark (check out their Myspace link from my friends list below) - thanks guys, you really rock!.... (hope you find that elusive permanent drummer).
I spend much of my time teaching drums and coaching judo (one of my other passions - I’m a black belt you know, however, retiring from the sport at the end of 2007). I didn’t so much retire from the music business - more like the business retired me!! Either I wasn’t talented enough - or just not lucky enough...whatever!! Feel free to listen to my music… Thank you.........
All illustrations on my site by Lewis Peake (weekly 'Big Issue' magazine cartoonist) and copyright www.illustration-art.co.uk
Here are some links which I strongly recommend that you check out:
DEL PALMER: Close friend, outstanding bassist, world-class engineer and now superb singer/songwriter. Debut solo album out now - check Del out.
THE KATE BUSH TRIBUTE PAGE: In my view, the number One trib site to this outstanding icon of British contemporary music. Thank you Dale.
BRIAN BATH: probably the most talented man in the universe and close friend....now here on MySpace.
BARRY SHERLOCK: One of my oldest musical collaborators and close friend.
KYLA CLAYFOX: Beautiful music from a beautiful person....go, listen, feel...
ANTONIO VARGAS, arguably the world's foremost exponent of Flamenco and big brother.
DAN BROWN: A fine young singer/songwriter whose talent cannot be ignored. I believe that Dan will - quite deservedly - be immensely popular. Check out his beautiful music and tender lyrics.