Eric Wheelbarrow the Third is the absurd tale of an entitled young man who sees the truth of things after imbibing magic mushrooms during a game of golf.
As far as I can remember (with a memory like a polka dot shirt), the idea was to do a toytown-esque E.P, which became the extraordinary release “Gypsy Brae” (one person even commented on it). For non-Burgers, Gypsy Brae is a grassy hill, along the promenade from Silverknowes to Granton, where there was a well kent fare in north Embra every year. To go to it, felt a lot like being at the fare that Ringo works at in the Michael Apted film – Stardust. I’m not sure if Gypsy Brae fare still happens.
My songwriting contribution to Gypsy Brae – Eric Wheelbarrow III, is a dive into 60s-inspired pop-art. It’s recorded in mono, uses treble heavy guitars, old Italian organs, free-bass, seagulls, close harmonies, and even a baroque psychedelic motif!
The lyrics are insightful, a tad bolshie, but poetically playful too. Much of the song was written on the loo – bright acoustics, comfy seat, liberating. It came together very quickly, ah hem, apart from the introduction and instrumental. In those bits, I’m trying to de-construct and rebuild the A chord on the guitar, to loosen it up, to get free. I do this on Rays In The Garden as well, going up the fretboard in an open E and down in an expansive elementary A. There’s something magical about working out melodic patterns like this. Once you’ve unlocked the path, you’re bending and suspending time, your fingers bubbling away with their own unique energy. It’s aural voodoo. Boogie is like that – John Lee Hooker, a master. This song isn’t boogie though, it’s Kinksy, PsyPop Kink.
A little more background.
Ronnie, an old friend now passed, bless him, whilst merrily pissed outside The Guildford Arms, grunted,
“Aye, Eric Wheelbarrow the Third!”.
I can’t remember what we were talking about. I’m sure someone said Eric Wheelbarrow the Third is a character from an Irn Bru advert of yore. It’s beyond my ken, but the name stuck.
The internet/AI/mess knows owt about it, other than spewing out idiotic machine-code answers.
That makes it a hidden gem, pregnant with possibility.
Ultimately, The Suns of Albert are earthy, electric folksters, out there on the cusp.
Over to Picasso – Computers are useless, they only give you answers.
Fore!
Chords: A, G, D, G, A, F, C, D, G, A, F, C, E, Esus
Lyrics
Eric Wheelbarrow the Third
Emotionally green
Socks and sweater lemon curd
Eric Wheelbarrow the Third
Son of the nouveau riche
A microfiche absurd
Daddy’s a merchant
His seed good stock
Down the club
He shows off everything he’s got
Must be professional
A handshake firm, but
Best be careful what you yearn – for(e)
Eric Wheelbarrow the Third
Mind of a schoolboy
Pornographic connoisseur
Eric Wheelbarrow the Third
Hoists the legion’s eagle
Loves the regal Old Bird
At the 19th
He braves the dare
Swallows Mother Nature’s
Mirrored silverware
Deep in his bunker
A holy One
Score infinite
As he drives – into the sun
Instrumental
Eric Wheelbarrow the Third
Soaring like an albatross
On Calvados – my word
Eric Wheelbarrow the Third
Happy in the out-of-bounds
Now found beyond the herd.
Song dedicated to Ronald Andrew Macfarlane (RIP).
Liquid Loops by The Joshua Light Show:
The Joshua Light Show – Liquid Loops (1969)
Supporting music is life support:
Buy 24-bit/44.1kHz .WAV of Eric Wheelbarrow III for £2 on Bandcamp
Written, produced and recorded by The Suns Of Albert in a Seafield flat on a Mac Book Pro (2012), an Mbox 2 Pro A/D, and Adobe Audition CS6.