HASSLES AND LIQUIDATION.

Looking back over the year it has not passed by uneventfully. The 'Jester' album, planned for release in 1984, only properly surfaced at the beginning of 1985 due to seemingly endless delays involving recording and manufacturing companies. Problem number one came with the test-pressing. The stereo image was back-to-front and no-one could work out why. The fault eventually traced back to the studios so the pressing could precede. So came hassle number 2. Faulty pressings. The first 490 copies were pressed 'off centre' on side A resulting in an unsatisfactory sound. So the entire batch had to be returned to the pressing company who at first were reluctant to do anything about it.

Having sorted out all that, the record company Solar Sound went into liquidation. This involved me in having to obtain a loan in order to buy up all copies of my own records before they went into the hands of the receiver. Thankfully all these hassles are now in the past. Financially, things are far from ideal but as long as things keep moving I won't stay too long in the red!

MOVING ON

One step forward has been the releasing of the recording on cassette. Although not selling as quickly as the disc, this will be of value for those without access to a record player.

Comments on the recording have been, mostly, favourable. What has been interesting is the way people have picked upon different tracks either to praise or complain about. One person thought the only decent bit of it was the instrumental section at the end of "Will you Listen (or will you mock?)". Another complained that is was the same instrumental section which ruined the whole record. A case of "One mans meat ..... "

A new aspect to my musical ministry has been the starting of a music and composition service. What with my own material and that composed by friends, I realised I has access to a whole body of original music. It didn't seem right that most of it was sitting gathering dust when it might be of use to someone. The songwriting service aims to be a way of sharing the material with others.

Performance wise I've found myself in many different settings. Having recently moved to a new area and not being known as a gospel singer has meant opportunities to share my music have been few and far between. Also, my primary commitment is to be pastoral oversight of the two churches in my charge, which restricts the time available to perform.

As to the future, wait and see. I'd love to make another recording but must first sell enough copies of the first one to make it a realistic option. Enquiries regarding both performances and songwriting are drifting in, slowly but surely.

Thanks to those who support this side of my ministry with their prayers. The aim of 'PRATTMUSIC' is to be a channel through which God can speak through His Holy Spirit and bring people to a living relationship with Jesus Christ. In any such ministry prayer is the vital key. Please remember this work in your prayers.