On the back of Brond finally making an appearance on DVD, I emailed Daryl about how he came to work with Bill, giving his more jazz orientated background, this is the reply I received:- " Bill and I were put together by a TV executive whose name I’ve now forgotten. He must have been asked by the director for something weird and vocal. I was at that time in an avant-garde vocal group called Electric Phoenix as their tenor singer and resident composer. The way the tracks were made was as follows. Bill would compose music in Yorkshire and send it on multitrack tapes to me in London (I seem to remember analogue tapes, though by then we were well into the digital era). I would compose vocals to go on the backings. The vocals were overdubbed onto the multitrack tapes at Angel Studios in Islington and mixed down there with Bill absent and me producing. For the CD and 12” single the process was reversed. I took pre-recorded vocals up to Yorkshire and Bill and I put them onto the backings at his studio. It was a productive collaboration and I found Bill a remarkable person. His spirituality in particular impressed me and I wish I’d got to know him better, but of course our two busy careers just carried on after Brond an we lost touch. Thanks you for alerting me to the dvd release: my copy is ordered." Very insightful, Bill, do you have any recollections? Listening again to the music there seems to be sounds that seem to be from the Fairlight, or something similar, how did you find using the technology that was very much at the cutting edge back then? Mick

Interesting BBC article that mentions Be Bop. Mick

Several years ago I emailed Channel 4 asking if there was any plans to either re-show or make otherwise available Brond, they said not. Just put Brond in Google and it pointed me towards Amazon who have the DVD for sale! Seems it was released some time in 2018, looking forward to watching it for the first time since 1987, might be able to understand it now! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DNS5WV4/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_5LGfFbTH89D76 Mick

Tim Dry, Tik of Tik and Tok, has mentioned Be Bop and Bill on Facebook and attached a link to Maid In Heaven. He’s also said some kind words about Bill and his solo career. Top bloke. Mick

Just seen that Gary Numan has listed Sunburst Finish in his list of 13 best albums of all time. Sorry if this has been mentioned, been out the loop in Florida.....😁

Hi, Bill, Just had a thought, the last time you had a major update of your studio you released the original Noise Candy set as a way of clearing the decks, would you not consider doing something similar to tie off the vast number of albums that are sat waiting? I know the experience last time wasnt too great (sorry for opening old wounds) but with Burning Shed behind a project now I'm sure it would be a lot less painful for you. Plus I don't think you'd have any issues selling a "deluxe" item, the market for such sets seems to be burgeoning at the moment, plus you'd have the backup of selling downloads for anyone that wanted a less expensive option. Just floating the idea but if it becomes a reality I'd like to reserve a set! Cheers, Mick

Ken Bruce playing Ships In The Night NOW!!

Just spotted a forthcoming 4 CD box set on Amazon called Electrical Language and includes the same named track. Looks like it’s from Cherry Red, covering 1978 - 1984 and includes some great tracks including one from Fiat Lux. Released May 31st.