Having been a chorister at Peterborough Cathedral during his childhood, followed by studies in ceramics and art at college, David Clifton began considering a career as a musician, songwriter and artist when he was offered a record deal during his final year of studies. He was playing in an acoustic duo with college friend Harvey Morgan. This first deal with Red Bus (EMI) was followed by another contract with PVK Records, who had also signed the amazing ex Fleetwood Mac guitarist, Peter Green (who joined them for lunch on the day they signed their contracts!) At this time David began playing for Hampshire based band The Cast, which was being managed by Kenney Jones (Small Faces, The Who) and Justin de Villeneuve. The bass player, Steve Booker, also played for a new London band that was looking for a lead guitarist; so at the invitation of Steve and singer Andrew Cunningham, David moved to London and joined Indie Rock band The Sensible Jerseys. (Barenaked Ladies meets Madness meets the Beatles!)
John Peel was the first Radio 1 DJ to play their music; Janice long also championed their first single. After a late night conversation with the band, the ever enthusiastic John Peel took them out to lunch and advised them to keep playing for fun, to avoid signing a big record deal, and thereby sidestep the usual pitfalls of the commercial industry. Being young and enthusiastic the band turned down an offer from Cherry Red and signed with Virgin records! They toured everywhere in the UK, though ultimately are probably less well known than their sometime support act, a certain Billy Bragg. For the record, they reached the glorious heights of 178 in the national charts!
David then went on to record and tour Europe, Canada and the USA with WEA singer songwriter Tanita Tikaram. Her debut album 'Ancient Heart' was riding high in all the European charts, and it was during the summer festivals tour that the beautiful film of the concert from Moster Amphitheatre on Bomlo Island, Norway, was recorded. The band also flew back during this tour to take part in the Brit Awards. Later that summer, following a session for Tanita's 'Sweet Keeper' album, David recieved a call from keyboard mestro and MD Bob Andrews, asking him to play guitars for the Irish jazz and blues artist Mary Coughlan. As well as UK dates, a TV special was recorded, which was followed by European tours, television and radio promotion.
Early in the 1990's David joined EMI artist Steve Booker and played guitars, mandolin and dobro on Steve's BASF award winning CD Dreamworld. The band then toured extensively as opening act for Bob Geldof, Suzanne Vega, Clannad, Steve Earle and the Dukes amongst others. David first became involved with contemporary sacred music whilst working with Steve's co-producer, Andy Piercy, who invited him to Holy Trinity Brompton in London, and introduced him to modern church worship music.
Following a time as director of music at St Paul's Onslow Square, David was invited to join the worship department of Holy Trinity, and he began to write, produce and record sacred songs and hymns. This resulted in the recording of the two much loved albums which he produced with Andy Piercy, 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow' and 'Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs'.
During the 1990's and up until early 2000 he also recorded and toured with Circa/Virgin/Sanctuary Recording artist Julia Fordham. They toured Japan, the USA and Europe, including memorable appearances on the Lilleth Fair tour with Sarah McLachlan, followed by opening dates on the Sheryl Crow world tour.
David's long held vision to record a unique Christmas CD with a band, cathedral choir and orchestra was fulfilled in 2003 with his production of Christmas Carols and Songs, released to critical acclaim under the group name IKOS. This was co-produced with Mark Russell and mixed by Jon Kelly, with a guest appearance on two tracks from the Canadian singer songwriter Jane Siberry. This CD is available through Proper Distribution in the UK, through CMC Distribution in Canada, and can be downloaded digitally from iTunes. You can find more information at: www.ikoschristmas.com
His long awaited new solo recording is released worldwide this year. Titled 'Seeds of Hope and Love', it has been engineered and produced by Canadian producer Julian Kindred, and mixed by Jon Kelly.
As well as his songwriting, recording, touring and production work, David is currently director of music at St. Marks church Tollington Park, London. He is still very much in demand for live concert and session work; sessions over the years have included tracks and demos for Mickey Harte, Madness, Paul Heaton of Beautiful South, Haylie Westenra and also TV programme soundtracks for the BBC, ITV, independent production companies and charitable foundations.
Other artists whose albums he has contributed guitars, mandolin, and songs to, include projects by Pele, Robin Mark, Matt Redman, Delirious?, Paul Wilbur, Kim Hill, Point of Grace, Graham Kendrick, Esther Alexander, Dave Fitzgerald, Sue Rinaldi, Noel Richards, Joanne Hogg (Iona), as well as songwriting in the UK with Phil Baggaley, Ian Blythe and Adrian Plass, with whom he wrote the ever popular City of Gold project. In Nashville he has worked with Phil Keaggy, John Hartley, Gary Sadler and Phil Madeira amongst others, and these co-writing sessions have given rise to some of the songs which appear on his new album, Seeds of Hope and Love. He has also compiled several CDs for the million selling Time-Life Songs 4 Worship series.
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