Max Shillinglaw
Nov 16, 2010 Latest News
Posted by
ryan
Watch live video from mrjingles18881 on Justin.tv
On 23/05/11 I performed Max’s song Starlight at The Bedford in London – you can watch it above
Whilst in the worlds most famous recording studio on 16th/17th April 2011 myself and my band recorded ‘Starlight’ and I would like to share with you the unedited/unmixed studio version – it still has some way to go before it is finished. I found it particularly hard to sing the first take but I got through it and I hope once the vocals have been comp’d up there will be a strong take overall.
At band rehearsals last night we recorded a work in progress of Max’s song Starlight. The sound quality is not great due to recording with a room mic but I wanted to share with you what it is going to sound like.
I wrote this song about Max after he died and I hope to get a full recording done soon but here is an acoustic version for you to help yourselves to
Lyrics:
The shock absorbs – emotions congregate
canceling each other out as a failed expression compensates
For the true reflection – of minds true form
A sudden change in the way you state your views upon
The time it takes – to call back home
And declare the love – ‘cause they need to know
That you’re there for them – as they’re there for you
And the ties that bind – will last through and through
It should be known – that there’s a hand to hold
When the grip slips and the scale tips below
A level at which – you become incapable
To fix the part of the soul – that means YOU’RE in control so…
Be a wonder kid,
a true believer in himself
Be a wonder kid,
Accept the cards you’re offered as the deals are dealt
Be a wonder kid,
Remember that no matter where you are, you’ll be missed.
The clock distorts, this notion’s hard to take
I never thought it would be so hard, god rest your soul for heavens sake
With real affection I write this song
Just to let you know that your memory will still live on
As sometimes we make – less time for those
Who need it the most – and never tell lest boast
Of the number of times – life’s grabbed their throats
And shook ‘em around – wrecking dreams once hoped
Bridge – Chorus
Max Shillinglaw was a friend of mine and he wrote some great songs that never got heard by enough people before his premature death in July 2008. I have written songs with him in mind ‘Footprint‘ & ‘Wonderkid‘ most notably and I aim to use his song ‘Starlight‘ for my forthcoming album. Max was always amazing company and I don’t honestly have a bad memory of him. I remember a time we had a play fight at Lee’s house and the first time he came round to mine to record one of his song. The picture below is from another time I remember clearly… I was living on Swiss Road in W-s-M and the night this picture was taken Max was just leaving after we had been chatting about music stuff. I had started writing the first part of 3D (Instrumental track from 7 Blank Tiles) and just before he left Max said “I expect that to be finished by tomorrow” – I stayed up all night until it was 
Here is the version or Serendipity I recorded with him. It was the first time Max came round to my house and we were good friends ever since – I remember he always used to hate the sound of his voice in recordings and that’s why there are so many versions of each song; he kept re-recording them over and over. Tom Sheppard is responsible for adding the shaky egg. I had met him a few days previous to this when I got chatting to him at The London Inn acoustic night (after his first performance) which I was running at the time.
Max was well known to his close friends for his ‘loud’ underwear and unique fashion sense…
as well as his choice in covers… no one did them like Max did
For me personally ‘Starlight‘ is Max’s highlight and I remember turning up to Supersonix studios to record something of my own but Max and Kaylie (Morgan) had over-run so I joined in on their recording of Starlight. I recorded the lead guitar parts and I remember discussing the ooh and ahhs with Kaylie. This is the particular version and definitely the most moving song I’ve heard in a long long time. With family Shillinglaws blessing I would love to include this song in my next album and dedicate it to his memory.
Here are a few live recordings I took of him in and around 2007/2008. I will be adding more tracks/videos/pictures as and when I can find them. I invite everyone and anyone to check him out and help carry his memory and his songs to ‘Another Place’.
LIVE COVERS
ORIGINALS
Live on W-s-M beach for the Kiteboarding Championships
Live @ The Pavilion for HUSH NIGHT #3 (13th September 2007)
Live @ The London Inn (4th Jan 2007)
VIDEOS
This video is from the August 2008 Unsigned Music Live in Grove Park, Weston-super-Mare. Max had been booked to play a 30 min slot but in his absence I was asked to play instead. Kaylie and myself performed Serendipity which I remember being particularly difficult to do. Emotional times.
Just found this old video on my computer. Max must have given me a copy to have a look at a few years ago. Enjoy
Having spent an evening with Becky Tomkins (close friend to Max also) I managed to get a few other pics and tracks to share with you all. Firstly, and I LOVE this, we have his interview on Star radio with Chris Wakeling… plus 2 live tracks
Here are a selection of photos and odds and ends I snapped too
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