1 MP3 Songs in this album (5:51) !
Related styles: Pop: British Pop, Rock: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Solo Male Artist

People who are interested in Badfinger Elvis Costello should consider this download.


Details:
One of Coventry's most celebrated musicians fulfills a lifetime's dream this summer with an album of songs he labels "hidden treasures."

Anthony Harty, one-time Style Council member and currently a key figure in Pauline Black's hugely-successful comeback, will release "Baggage" to coincide with a launch party at 2tone Central in Coventry on June 3rd.

Harty famously kick-started his career by striding into Paul Weller's Style Council auditions as a brash 16-year-old and landing the bass guitarist's slot in the legend's post-Jam incarnation.
Since then, the 43-year-old multi-instrumentalist has played with a glittering Who's Who of memorable line-ups, including SpecialBeat, Badfinger and The Truth, and roped in some major talent to help with his eagerly-awaited solo project.

Harty has scoured the hidden corners of some of his favourite artists' songbooks to unearth forgotten gems and little-known trinkets.

The result is a 10-track homage, lovingly put together with the help of pals including ex-Badfinger Bob Jackson, Mike Roberts (ex-King), John Henrywood, Simon 'Honeyboy' Hickling, Mike Haughton, Ian Wilkinson, and mastered by Jon Astley, which will strike a chord with fans in and beyond the Midlands.

Lesser known songs from diverse stylists such as Neil Finn, Cheap Trick, Joe Jackson, Thin Lizzy and Badfinger litter the work and leaves Harty "buzzing" with excitement as the project nears completion.

"My first memory of music was hearing Roy Orbison's 'Pretty Woman' at the age of 3, and since then I've come to think of songs as three or four minutes of joy that bring a lifetime of pleasure," says Harty. "The idea has been with me for a long time. These are favourite songs I've collected over the years, little trinkets I've picked up along the way.

"They are examples of singer/songwriters who have never had any commercial success to speak of, or songs which have fallen by the wayside. Others are neglected songs from established artists - but all share the same magic for me.

"I'm hoping for a night to remember at the launch. I've got some pretty special musicians coming to lend a hand. I'm still finalising details at the moment but I'll keep everyone in touch."
By chance Harty, whose other career highlights include working with Lee Scratch Perry & The Primitives, bumped into his old Style Council gaffer in Birmingham at Christmas and told him of the project.

"Paul was in terrific form and we had a great catch-up about old times - we hadn't met in years," says Harty.

"I told him what I was planning and he was well up for it and asked for a copy. He's also promised to try and find the bass that he bought for me in 1983, and give it back to me. His guitar collection is so vast, that it could take a while to locate it!"

⢠"Baggage" by Anthony Harty released on June 3rd and priced £7.99, available at the Launch and selected retail outlets.

The track 'Name Of The Game' is to be released as a download single on June 3rd on iTunes, and video available on YouTube on release date.

Biog..................
I was spoon-fed a whole host of excellent music from an extremely early age and got the guitar playing bug at the age of 8! Played in a covers band at the age of 14 and various bands with mates, until..................

My first proper gig was in 1983 at the age of 16. Just before I left school, Paul Weller had formed The Style Council and didn't have a bass player. I decided to write to him and enclosed a tape of me playing along with the first Style Council single. He replied to me in 2 weeks, I auditioned twice and was given the job. It lasted for 2 years, during which time it consisted of 2 UK tours, 3 European tours, tours in Japan and America, TV work and appearances and radio work and appearances.

1985 - 1987 was spent working with my own band.

In 1987 I joined The Truth playing bass & proceeded to do an American tour promoting their second album and hit single both entitled 'Weapons Of Love'. The promotional video was regularly on MTV. We supported Squeeze, Eddie Money, and headlined numerous club dates.
In 1988 I played on The Truthâs 3rd album, 'Jump', followed by tour supports in the UK and US with The Hooters & TâPau.

Late in 1988 I toured with The Duel supporting Five Star playing in the biggest arenas in the UK after 3 days rehearsal!

In 1990 I played on The Primitives last RCA studio album with producer Tony Phillips.

In 1991 I completed the line-up of the reformed Badfinger for Bob Jackson, an original member. The gig lasted for around 2 years,
and as it ended I was asked by The Specials bass player, Horace Panter, to play guitar in SpecialBeat - an amalgam of The Specials & The Beat. We toured the US firstly with Steel Pulse, then with Sting on The Soul Cages tour. We also completed a lightening 6 date tour of Japan including some live TV, which was made into a live video.

Between 1992 & 1994 I was writing and recording with singer songwriters Jim O'Neil, and Mike Roberts from King. I played guitar, bass and drums as well as singing lead & backing vocals on studio demos. We then formed a band to play the material live.

Between 1994 & 1996 I played bass with Honeyboy Hickling & The DTâs, (Steve Marriots last band) touring the UK, Ireland & Europe.

In 1996 I formed blues trio Box Of Blues with ex-Selecter guitarist Neol Davies & Specials bassman Horace Panter, this time filling in the drummers chair. We performed gigs, in-stores, & festivals in the UK & Ireland promoting own self-penned CD.

In February 2000 I recorded 30 tracks in 6 days playing drums with Neol, Horace and other ex members of The Specials for two Trojan covers albums, commissioned by Trojan themselves.

I played in The Subterraneans from 2001 to 2009; a Coventry band doing own material and covers gigs, playing to large audiences in big capacity pubs, colleges, corporate events, and private functions.

Summer 2001, I recorded 28 tracks playing guitar with reggae legend Lee Scratch Perry, his first studio work in 15 years.

Following worldwide success and a Grammy Award for best reggae album with the first release from the Lee Scratch Perry sessions, (the second album containing the 14 remaining songs from the original session having also received worldwide acclaim) the studio band recorded a DVD of a gig for Trojan Records featuring new & classic Lee Scratch Perry material for worldwide release, the first DVD to be released from this classic label.

Played festivals & big gigs in the UK and Europe with 2Tone Collective, with ex-members of The Specials, Selecter, & The Beat.

Early 2004, The Subterraneans were approached by Hazel OâConnor to be her band for a DVD of a gig in Brighton (Released Jan 2005), and to perform at Glastonbury. The marriage of the band and the legendary punk icon was quite successful; with 3 mini tours, live DVD, Glastonbury and other UK festivals. Also contributing to a track on Hazels album with legendary producer, Martin Rushent.

Did a session for Trojan to re-record an old Lee Scratch Perry classic called 'Return of Django' to be used on a Tax Credit commercial! I played everything including piano, except Sax!

Late 2009 I joined cover band The Sheratones after being unceremoniously dismissed from The Subterraneans after 8 years with them.

I joined Pauline Black's band early 2010 and and am currently playing gigs/festivals in the UK and Europe with Pauline and as The Selecter.

Here's some of the artistes/bands I've played with and supported;
Wipeout The Jaguars The Style Council General Public Madness Bronski Beat A Craze The Questions Tracie Young Billy Bragg X Certs Beachmantango Out The Blue The Truth Squeeze Eddie Money T'Pau The Hooters The Duel 5Star The Mossbacks The Walnut Conspiracy Badfinger SpecialBeat No Doubt Steel Pulse Sting Voice Of The Beehive Was Not Was The D.T.'s Steve Gibbons Flying Tortellini's Fate Bob Brolly Roy Wood Dangerfield Dave Willets Mike Roberts The Primitives Mask Party Bon Jovi The Specials Dangerfield Roy Wood Status Quo The Swains The 2tone Collective Dave Barker Lee Scratch Perry Box Of Blues Partners In Rhyme Boyce and Stanley Subterraneans The Selecter Human Cabbages Mr Ben Hazel O'Connor Pauline Black The Sheratones The Fortunes
Turned down Bros!