The Leader Of The Starry Skies

On Monday night just gone, I got an email from my chum Tom Dolan regarding one of our most favouritist bands ever, Cardiacs. It sent me on a slightly wine inspired tour of their back catalogue and led me, inevitably, back to consideration of the very sad situation currently befalling the genius behind it all, Tim Smith.

I'd heard recently of the benefit CD released a couple of years ago, The Leader Of The Starry Skies, to raise funds for Tim's neurorehabilitation and bought it this week, not least for the absolutely beautiful and chilling version that Steven Wilson does of Stoneage Dinosaurs which was always one of my fav Cardiacs tracks anyway.

Anyway cut a long story short, I've been an avid Cardiacs fan since I was about 16 and so with a hefty dose of dutch courage I emailed The Genepool who put out the album and asked, should there ever be a second songbook to accompany the first, if Frost might be considered as a contributor.

Well, blow me down if I didn't get an email from Tavus Korabi, out of "them Cardiacs" as he called it the very next morning saying that he'd love for us to be involved. Tavus. From Cardiacs. Emailing me!! I nearly had a gentleman's accident as a result.

So, I'm saying this in the most understated way possible as Tavus did mention that making the first songbook had had it's more challenging moments here and there, but if anybody out there is also a Cardiacs fan and would like to hear us be part of a second songbook, do quietly get in touch with The Genepool and register your interest. Sorry Tavus.

I've already learnt "Blind In Safety And Leafy In Love", "Come Back Clammy Lammy" and "The Breakfast Line" in readiness.

In the meantime, why not pick up a copy of The Leader Of The Starry Skies. 100% of the proceeds go towards helping one of the most underrated musical genius' of the last 100 years.

Get well soon Tim, we really miss you.