It is with much reticence that I have done this (thank you Clare!), but I have dusted off the old demos,
resurrected the old anecdotes on which I have been dining out for years
and published 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 (one of my earliest musical collaborators and very close friend...oh, and one of the best songwriters I have had the privilege to work with) and occasionally joined
by Paddy Bush live on mandolin in the early years. However, in 1974, a motorbike accident
brought my promising career to an early and abrupt end. Following
exhaustive auditioning, the very talented and complete professional 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 including Kate Bush, Charlie was Elton John’s live and album drummer for
13 years.
1974 met jazz drumming individualist John Stevens whilst in Lewisham Hospital (we were coindidentally 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 the remarkable 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
(who worked with 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 in the session world.)
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! He was a very unaffected show-biz man and didn't hesitate to give them his autograph when they asked!
1977-80 Publishing deal with Carlin Music (Mike Collier, Dave Watson, now sadly deceased). For a brief period
joined the amazing Dudu Pukwana in ’Zila’ as lead
vocalist/composer/arranger – wrote lyrics to his anthem, 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 located and pending negotiations
with Mrs Barbara Pukwana, CD 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! (Just look at his string of Elvis hits!!)
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 and it not only has been included in my new album, 'Out Of The Ashes', but has been posted on here for your delectation. All instruments by yours truly (midi sequences) except guest rhythm and lead guitars Brian Bath and Sean Nolan. 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 MySpace and visit www.brianbath.com. Brian also performed 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!.... (pleased you found 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, retired from
the sport Summer '08). I didn’t so much retire from the music
business - more like the business retired me!! However, here I am, Out Of The Ashes... Thank you for reading and listening.........
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:
COMPANY: This great band was a very important and intrinsic part of my musical, and indeed, my social history. Thank you, Del, for breathing life back into this long-forgotten period!
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. Barry is a brilliant songster, guitarist and keyboard player - please pay his site a visit.
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.
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