The spirits of the timeless Tyneside songwriting trinity of Tommy Armstrong, Geordie Ridley and Joe Wilson are very much part of The Exiles' approach as far as lyrics are concerned. More contemporay influences in this regard are Ray Davies, Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler and Richard Thompson.
Musically, the songs share common traits with the likes of Fairport Convention, Dire Straits, the Kinks and Jethro Tull (in their folkier moments). "The First Eleven (and three on the bench)" has an overall Celtic feel to it, while "And 50,000 in the stands" leans in the direction of pop/rock.
Another key feature is that our songs accentuate what some people might describe as "old-fashioned values", such as family ties, traditions, friendship, nostalgia, and a love of one's home region without romanticising it beyond credibility. We do not express vulgar hostility toward supporters of other clubs, preferring instead to celebrate our own intense affection for the city of Newcastle and its people.
HOW TO DOWNLOAD OUR SONGS
You can download our songs via
www.cdbaby.com/cd/theexiles1
www.cdbaby.com/theexiles2
For your convenience the direct links are shown below. An i-Tunes link also appears on the CD Baby pages. You can also order a physical copy of the CD at the same location.
Both Exiles CDs can be purchased from CD Baby.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/theexiles2
and http://cdbaby.com/cd/theexiles1
Or you can buy them from www.timreadman.com
URL: FOR THIS ALBUM: The Exiles: ...and 50,000 in the Stands THE Apple iTunes LINK WILL BE: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=258829266
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The Exiles are the songwriting and recording team of Tim Readman – composer, singer, guitarist – and lyricist Alan Millen, both lifelong supporters of Newcastle United. Tim lives in Vancouver, while Alan (a former Vancouver resident) now earns his daily bread as an editor/translator in Zurich.
Through the magic of the Internet, Tim and Alan hooked up in the summer of 2002, quickly developed a common bond and set out to celebrate their team and the Toon Army in song. They have now penned and recorded 30 songs, which have been released on two CDs. "The First Eleven (and three on the bench)" was released in 2003. Their second CD -- entitled "And 50,000 in the stands" -- was released in May 2007 Both recordings features Tim on guitar and vocals, with fine accompaniment on violin, accordion, flute, keyboards and various other instruments by musical all-rounder and studio wizard Victor Smith, also of Vancouver.
Among the famous players celebrated are Peter Beardsley, Frank Clark, Lee Clark, Paul Gascoigne, Hughie Gallagher, Tony Green, Jackie Milburn, Michael Owen, Alan Shearer, "Jinky" Jim Smith and Tino Asprilla, with many others mentioned in the musical storytelling. But the songs are just as much about the fans as their footballing heroes, covering memorable (and often heartbreaking) occasions such as the emotional rollercoaster of the 1976 League Cup Final and the 1998 F.A. Cup Final, memories of standing on the terraces and the thrill of meeting one’s future wife at St. James’s Park.
Also explored are the nostalgic feelings of Geordies who have emigrated and settled elsewhere but still retain a deep affection for “their glory days down by the River Tyne”.
Hey guys...the wife was clearing out the loft the other day and found a tape of the Man U 5-0 game. I sat and watched it last night and I could have cried after being at the game Saturday and seeing the depths we've sunk to on and off the pitch. No brains, no pace, no skill...nothing. We can bemoan our luck Saturday with a couple of decisions but if you're in the bottom 3 after 37 games you're where you deserve to be and Ashley's going to get what he deserves after his catastrophic mismanagement. We're going down and Shearer should tell him to **** off. Just hope Blackpool away's a Bank Holiday and we can make a weekend of it! Cheers.
Was told by Tim from Keane to sneak into the legendary studio 2 as well! Insane! If Shearer can't save the team, I don't know who else w/could! Shall check out your Beatles song :) Howay the Toon!
Hi guys...let's hope we're not lowering the Magpie flag to half mast for another reason in a few weeks' time...but from what I've been watching lately it's not looking good. Cheers. Garry
Sad sad day ey?, How about a King Kev song or maybe a Hang Mike Ashley at st james song ? :p heh, ah well, we are The Magpies we are use to the drama :P and sad endings.
Hey Lads, hope your well :) ...hey do you two know something I dont? what is going on. Has KK lost the plot or is he really being shackled... I have real concerns about the upcoming season ... or am I wrong ?? ...looking forward to the new tunes by the way ...
Well what a season we've just had at the toon But I am so glad to say that we didn't gan doon It was certainly hard going for quite a long while When we were trying to adapt to big Sam's style But all that then changed and the ground really shifted When Mikey boy acted and brought back the gifted Now life's feeling better after the return of the King And we've hope in our heart of the success he will bring Whether its league or the cups we don't really care As long as there is no repeat of last seasons "nightmare" So Haway The Lads lets look forward at last Start dreaming of Europe and forget what's past.
I watched the match in Hubbards in Glasgow. I thought it was a generous result for Chelsea. Though we were poor in the second half compared to the first, Chelsea weren't that impressive either.
Hopefully we'll leave the season on a high, and we can look forward to the glory of next season!
oh wa back noo lad eh? get your pen ready to write a tune aboot takin' the big boys on. If this isn't the turn aroun point(s) a daint knaw what is wor kid GEORDIES!!!!!!! peace virgil
