Swan In Flight

All songs are the work of the song writing partnership of Hugo Montgomery-Swan and Mark Tucker (except where noted) and
'Vanish', which was composed by Steve Stevens.

All song lyrics written by: Hugo Montgomery-Swan
Recorded by: Mark Tucker at Presshouse Studio and The Green Room, Devonshire, England
Produced by: Mark Tucker
Executive Producer: Hugo Montgomery-Swan

Artists Involved:

'Vanish' was written, produced and performed by Steve Stevens & recorded at The Purple Room Studios Hollywood, California, USA. Engineered by Beazle T.Monk. © Sitting Pretty Music and license kindly granted to Oyster House Records. See www.stevestevens.net for all information relating to Steve, one of the most respected rock guitarists in the world. We are delighted that he chose to grace this album with his playing. His work with rock legend, Billy Idol, has produced some of the most classic hard rock riffs ever written but here on this recording of 'Vanish' you'll hear another side to Steve you may not have witnessed before...

Ric Sanders' amazing violin playing on the jazz parody, 'One Life One Hope', was recorded by Vo Fletcher at Ric's own recording premises located deep in the English Oxford countryside.

Doyle Dykes was the very fi rst musician to session on the album. We gave him two songs to choose from. He turned down 'Long Brown Hair', “it just isn't me,” he exclaimed! We then we offered him 'Firelight' and he looked a little happier. As the session progressed his expression slowly morphed into a broad grin until fi nally, when both he and the producer were grinning broad smiles at each other through the control room glass, everyone was convinced we had a masterful performance firmly 'in the bag'. Check out www.doyledykes.com for all information on this king of the 'finger pickers'.

The delicate and beautiful playing of the Fylde guitar on 'Miracle', was performed and recorded by Ken Nicol at MVS Studios, Preston, Lancashire, UK. Check out www.kennicol.co.uk for all the low-down on Steeleye Span's ever-gifted 'steely' guitar man.

Just when you thought Metal God's couldn't play like this! Bass on 'Flame of the Sun' was performed and recorded in impeccable style by the amazing James LoMenzo at his own private studio using ProTools somewhere out in the U.S of A's wild west! (Exact Lat & Long unknown...) See www.megadeth.com & www.jameslomenzo.com for all information on James's high profi le touring and recording schedule.

'Marco Mendoza uses Yamaha guitars and Ampeg Amplifi cation and both 'Life's Prize' and 'Long Brown Hair' were recorded one balmy summer's afternoon at Presshouse Studios, amidst the green hills of East Devon here in the UK. Like several guest musicians on the album, Marco is a good friend. He even cancelled a guest appearance with Scott Gorham at The Royal Albert Hall in order to complete his session with us come the day of the recording. Besides being a terrifi c player, he's also a very capable singer, as even the likes of David Coverdale will testify. For all latest info on Marco, his tours, albums and tales of this real-life rock star, see www.marcomendoza.com.

Martin Barre plays PRS guitars and GHS strings - some say to perfection and we'd agree with them! Martin is still at the top of his game after some 40 years in the business - touring and playing to hundreds of thousands of fans each year all around the globe. Check out Martin's own website for all information at www.martinbarre.com re: his albums, gruelling world-wide tours, wakeboarding and daring RIB activities!

Gary Evans plays drums on 'This Poor Boy'. An old friend of Hugo's from his hard-rocking Aesculus Hipp days, Gary has shared the stage with many great rock acts. On this session, he played a particularly well-worn and thoroughly beaten, old Premier kit. Legend has it; this little kit was the very fi rst he ever owned. Bought by Mum and Dad for their brave little drummer boy, many, (but not too many) moons ago...

Bass on 'One Life One Hope' & 'Paradise' recorded by John Noyce at his private recording facility see www.myspace.com/johnathannoyce. In case you didn't know boys and girls; besides Jethro Tull and Gary Moore, John has also recorded with the mighty... Take That!

Bass and Alvarez rhythm guitars on '123' recorded by Kip Winger of Alice Cooper / Winger fame at his studios in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. For all the latest artist information on this highly regarded international songwriter and musician see www.kipwinger.com.

Robin Guy (www.myspace.com/robinguy) in our view is a young, world-class drummer and performer ripe for being snatched up by a seriously top band. But Robin is no stranger to the big stage. He recently opened for Muse at Wembley no less! For those who wish to know, he plays the following and at special request, you'll note Robin would also like to credit the folk behind the names: Pearl drums - Mark de Cloedt, Sabian cymbals - Jerome Marcus, Aquarian heads - Craig Fenney, Vic Firth - Marco Soccoli, Audio-Technica headmics - Denise Burnage, Bigfoot Kickbeaters - Chris Newell, Quick Stick holders - Dave Phillips, Rhythm Tech Ribbon Crashers - Gibson Keddie. Robin would like to give additional special thanks to Nick Moulin at Arbiter and Simon Jayes at the London Drum Company.

Phil Johnston plays any keyboard put before him with total integrity and inspiring musicality. Little wonder why he was hand-picked by Robert Plant to perform and even write for the great bard himself! Our thanks to Phil especially, for turning 'This Poor Boy' from a restful ballad into the big, spacey rock number it fi nally became upon his seminal session.

Joy Russell has a fabulous voice and brought much to this album with her supporting vocals. She is also blonde, beautiful and perfectly bubbling with life! Our great thanks to her for all the enthusiasm she displayed toward this project. Plus of course, lending us the most able use of her golden vocal chords!

TM Stevens is one of the greatest performers you are ever likely to witness. Coupled to his huge bass playing talent, TM is a massively gifted singer and songwriter. To have him sing and play therefore on 'Bad Boy Erroneous' was more than a scoop for us. Given his head, this guy rocks likes few others. You can fi nd all his albums on his offi cial website www.tmstevens.com.

Keith Steel is as keen as you will fi nd em! He loves his drums and we loved having him in the studio. Another drummer who worked formerly with Aesculus Hipp, Keith's additional percussion parts on the album were recorded late one summer's night through the haze of several beers and nostalgic tales recounting the torrid past of Hugo and Keith's cavorting rock adventures!

Johnny Mars is everything you'd imagine a black, American bluesy harp player to be. Don't let this guy's soft smile and laid back character fool you though - he can't half employ those lungs of his to good effect when called upon! See www.johnnymars.com for all info on the man the press call the 'Jimi Hendrix of harmonica'.

Mojo, a great young talent, makes her debut on this album and delighted we were too to have her perform alongside Ken Nicol on 'Miracle'.

All artwork and design by the most agreeable and accommodating designer in the business; Dan Reeves esq. of www.fakefrench.com.

Front cover photography © Steve Lovegrove / www.istockphoto.com. Check out www.lovegrovelea.com.au for more of his work.

Our great thanks to Rotosound Strings for their generosity in supplying all the strings used on the guitars recorded by Mark Tucker. See www.rotosound.com for all products.

Hugo and Mark would like to give special thanks to all the sponsors of the guitars and much of the key equipment used on this album. Indeed, without their support this album would never have been made. Like the guest artists themselves, they are owed very hearty thanks for their patience and commitment to this entire project. Thankyou!

Mark dedicates 'Young Heart' to both Molly and Viv, whom without their support and love this recording would have not been possible.“Thanks too to my Mum & Dad who have been a wealth of support over the years.”

Hugo would like to thank Michaela for her love and her unswerving support throughout this entire project. She in fact, inspired many of the album's lyrics, as indeed did Tom, Morwenna, Pollyanna and Lottie, Hugo's children. “I couldn't have a more special family. To them I dedicate the lyrics that would have never been written without all that they have brought me.”