Toffs and Terrible Timing

As an indie author I am obviously responsible for all the publicity relating to my book. You might have already heard the Toff Towers theme tune on Youtube (lyrics by me and original music and performance by @MontrachetMusic). If you have read my earlier blog entitled Toffs and Twangs you will be well aware of my level of musical “talent”. Anyway, it was whilst I was thinking about the theme tune that I remembered another little musical masterpiece I was involved with.

A (very) long time ago my sister had a boyfriend, Tim, who was lead guitarist and singer in a band. He had all sorts of instruments and recording equipment at home including (oh joy!) an electronic keyboard. Now, as you have probably worked out, I am no musical genius. However, having owned an electric organ when I was a little girl, I can just about pick out a tune once I have located the appropriate G key.

One day Tim and I decided to have a bit of fun. I taught myself to play Jealous Guy and Bye Bye Love on the keyboard. Tim switched on his drum machine and I played along. He recorded my efforts and then added in recordings of himself playing guitar and singing the songs. Do you call it “laying down tracks”? Well, I thought you did and felt very cool indeed having “laid down a couple of tracks” and couldn’t wait to hear the final recordings.

Let’s just say they were “entertaining”. Everything Tim had done was, of course, spot on. My bit? I was about half a beat behind for the duration of both pieces. It was hilarious. I decided our “band” should have a name and there was really only one option: Pracatan!