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Anne O'connor
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Anne O'connor It is difficult to pick a favourite track. This is an extraordinary work. Masterful. Paul is surely one of the best contemporary composers. Jamie Lawson is an exceptional talent, who has to be seen to be truly experienced. This is without a doubt a work that is timeless and worthy of all praise. I believe it will have a long and celebrated life. The Butcher is Bloody Brilliant. Favorite track: A Lighthouse.
half_man
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half_man Brilliant, this album is just brilliant and I can't recommend it enough. Having already been a fan of Paul's music this one sounded different to begin with and I wasn't sure if it was my kind of thing. A few listens in though and it quickly became a favourite to the point now that it's one of my favourite albums of all time. I'm 49 so it's in tough company for that accolade too. I'm also not the only person I know that has listened to the Butcher for long periods on repeat. Just buy it, really. Favorite track: Galaxies.
Franck Périgny
Franck Périgny thumbnail
Franck Périgny Paul Mosley has been a personal favourite for almost 15 years and it's a joy to see him expand his musical universe. On of the most engaging performers I've had the luck to see and, to my ears, a composer whose personal body of work transcends the "folk" tag that's attached to it. Pretty much the only musician my wife and I can agree about, too, and that's saying a lot about the man's ability to appeal to very different sensibilities. Favorite track: Nothing In the Desert.
Cherry Head, Cherry Heart
Cherry Head, Cherry Heart thumbnail
Cherry Head, Cherry Heart Fantastic, musically sublime folk-opera which weaves very modern songwriting with classic storytelling elements to create a beguiling whole
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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Beautiful digipack with story and lyric booklet.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Butcher via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 14 paul mosley releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of IN SESSION, Music For Puppets, You're Going To Die!, WINTERSONGS by MOSES, WINTERTIDE, KLAXON, Nothing In The Desert EP, The Butcher, and 6 more. , and , .

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  • The Butcher DELUXE Edition Set Including CD, Download, Sketch Book, Badge Set & Post Cards
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    What better way to celebrate Island life courtesy of The Butcher than with this Limited Edition set? This beautiful bundle of goodies includes The Butcher CD & Download, an A5 landscape sketch book featuring, The Butcher, the scientist, the star-gazer, the skeleton and what was left at the lighthouse... Plus 5 badges and two high quality post cards.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Butcher via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.
A Lighthouse 02:55
There is a light house with all the lights out A quiet place but lonely Wind from the south came and blew the light out So I got lost on my way to your love Did I wrap that darkness around me Like a suit of armour? Got so alone got a heart like a stone So I got lost on my way to your love There were times when I would wonder through oh, endless diary pages If you were even out there at all in these dark, dark ages So in the distance always the distance There is a glimmer of maybe Opened my mouth and blew that candle out So you got lost on yoru way to your love
2.
Midnight in the ocean the lights of land are flickering just in sight You're splashing, praying, begging like a dog out there on your own tonight There used to be a lighthouse here I took care of that Midnight in the ocean man you'd best be turning back I can't let you spread your lies around here Everybody knows there is nothing beyond the waves I already brought salvation There is not a soul to save Midnight in the ocean the lights of land are nowhere in sight You're splashing, praying, dying like a dog out there all at sea tonight There never was a lighthouse here we'd all swear to that Midnight in the ocean and there ain't no turning back I can't let you spread your lies around here Everybody knows there is nothing beyond the waves I already brought salvation There is not a soul to save...
3.
Well I know that I am strange I will hold my hand up to that I would love to try and change but I have seen the stars and I swear there are better worlds than ours you don't want me to talk like that seems to me you believe the world is flat Well I know that you have dreams but most things really are exactly how they seem You can show me then thousand stars but I have seen this world and I know there is still so much to learn but you don't want me to talk like that seems to me you believe the world is flat call me up in the middle of the night just to tell me you were right I should leave these dreams behind call me up in the middle of the night just to tell me you were right I should see the stars at night call me up and we talk all night the more we talk the more I'm sure... I am right Well I know that this is strange I will throw my lot in with that may you never ever change for I have seen the truth and I've seen it here with you you don't need me to talk like that you and me we believe the world is flat
4.
5.
The Butcher 04:24
There is a question 'Who can know the secrets in the heart of men?' I do, yes I do and there are people who say that no-one knows the truth about the devil well I do, yes I do I am the butcher I spend my days knuckle deep in blood I am the butcher I seen the bad and man there ain't no good I see your truth and I hear your lies down in the blood nowhere to nowhere to hide Is there a problem? Can I help you gentlemen? yes I can, and I will and you should know me the way that everyone around here gets to know me and they owe me and they fear me still I am the butcher I spend my days knuckle deep in blood I am the butcher I seen the bad and man there ain't no good men of this town salt of the earth grind that salt down what is it? what are any of us worth the butcher knows every secret there is to know he has ripped through every scrap of meat a body has to show every vessel, every muscle every tissue, every bone and never seen a sign of a soul from the top to the tail from the cradle to the grave there is not a soul to save I am the butcher I spend my days knuckle deep in blood I am the butcher I seen the bad and man there ain't no good men of this town salt of the earth grind that salt down what is it? what are any of us worth?
6.
In my head and in my dreams everything seems everything seems to say we're not OK we're not OK at all up here on the wall but island life is beautiful we have all we need to get by and more besides yes island life is all we've ever known won't you stick around, stick around, stick around what if after all these are just shadows on the wall and all the things you can't believe at all are true what if after all these are just shadows on the wall and the blinding light is obvious to nobody at all nobody but you in our island's history books if you take a look you take a look at events nothing makes sense nothing makes sense at all up here on the wall but island life is simple life we work for the butcher man we know where we stand we work all day so we get paid so we can buy the things we make we work all day so we get paid so we can buy the things we make we work all day so we get paid so we can buy the things we make round and round and round we go round and round and round what if after all these are just shadows on the wall and the things you can't believe at all are true what if after all these are just shadows on the wall and the blinding light is obvious to nobody at all nobody but you it says there was a lighthouse here out down by the caves why would there be a lighthouse here if there's nothing beyond the waves is there nothing beyond the waves? I will find this lighthouse calculate, extrapolate some answers to it all see what I can see beyond the shadows on the wall so thank you Sir I bid you farewell I am on my way what if after all these are just shadows on the wall and the things you can't believe at all are true what if after all these are just shadows on the wall and the blinding light is obvious to nobody at all nobody but you here I go on my way find the lighthouse by the caves here I go on my way find the lighthouse by the caves
7.
She has a mystery about her a certain something I have never seen before if you should ever see her well I promise you, I promise you my friend You would find yourself unable to ever turn and walk away Don't ever turn and walk away You see that mystery surrounds her makes her the only thing your love struck eyes can see All you men of science won't you help me won't you help me understand Just what it is and why I could never turn and walk away Don't ever turn and walk away
8.
9.
Love lies love lets you down then it's all you can think about you don't need love, you don't need love Everybody thinks they know the score trying to tell you what the heart is for - they just move blood nothing to do with love True love is rare no doubt about it you should be prepared to do without it you say your heart is on fire? Let it burn All those happy couples dancing round can't you tell that they're all just making do love nothing to do with love True love is rare no doubt about it you should be prepared to do without it you say your heart is on fire? Let it burn One man's meat is another man's folly you should see through that disguise man like you making his mark on this world why would you waste your time on the biggest lie we ever told there has to be somebody for everybody to hold I say no True love is rare no doubt about it you should be prepared to do without it you say your heart is on fire? Let it burn
10.
Satellites 03:04
I have let her pretty neck turn my head allowed her sweet perfume to cloud my eyes I will try I will keep her from my mind I have let her pretty neck turn my head You should go into the desert find so many secrets there stars shine brighter in the desert keep your head and your horizon clear It's alright I'll be guided by these satellites same stars that shine on you Yes I know it's a road I hve to walk alone but it's alright guided by the light Stars will be my satellite Love has derailed this train caught up in thoughts of her again I must find higher thoughts to occupy my mind love has derailed this train You should go into the desert everything is clearer there All your answers in the desert find yourself back on the right track there It's alright I'll be guided by these satellites... Wind is high the moon hangs low the desert sky says there is more there is so much more to know It's alright I'll be guided by your satellites...
11.
It was a dark and stormy night when our man set forth and all hell fired down from above The lighthouse was struck the world fell black and he lost his way and he lost his love He lost his way and he lost his love That bag of meat they call 'The Butcher' rose from the bones of that soul Stripped of all the good inside him so where did that goodness go? Where did that goodness go? Something climbing up on the horizon, those old bones tossed aside all alone in the moonlight... Born in a lighthouse no skin on his bones sending that love light out there saving those souls Born in a lighthouse no skin on his bones sending that love light out there saving those souls That sack of bones took a shape of it's own and made himself a home in the lighthouse looked on the waves now a perilous place because the light in the lighthouse was still out Yes the light in the lighthouse was still out Turns out the bones had a heart like gold and he worried so for the ships down below and all the good inside him burst free in a light that shined too bright to see Yes a light that shined too bright to see Now a siren upon the horizon invisible light impossibly bright in the moonlight... Born in a lighthouse no skin on his bones sending that love light out there saving those souls Born in a lighthouse no skin on his bones sending that love light out there saving those souls And the wind whipped around him the rain nearly drown him the darkness gets into his bones and the lightning came down but he still stood his ground oh saving those souls Heave ho! Ships below! Guiding light gonna save my soul Light that shines too bright to see in the moonlight.. Born in a lighthouse no skin on his bones sending that love light out there saving those souls Born in a lighthouse no skin on his bones sending that love light out there saving those souls And the wind whipped around him the rain nearly drown him the darkness gets into his bones and the lightning comes down but he still stood his ground oh saving those souls
12.
My Armour 04:48
I came here looking for answers tripping over dusty old bones suddenly those dusty old bones are up and dancing sang a little song, a little song for me about the light that shines too bright to see the light that shines too bright to be ignored showing me the light behind those shadows on the wall we call our history showing me the best of you so maybe I can learn to see the best of me see my armour see it falling away see this whole heart revealed It crashed into my heart like it was fired from a cannon woke me up so hard I never wanted to sleep again never wanted to sleep again with anyone but you sleep and wake again in the shape again of me and you waiting for the world to wake up wonder if they'll notice that it's beautiful waiting for the world to break up wonder if they'll notice that it's wonderful see my armour see it falling away see this whole heart reveals what if after all these are just shadows on the wall and the things you can't believe at all are true?
13.
There is no hound dog on your trail coming for to make you pay looks like you got away with it again So you come from where the road is most narrow yeah you come from the blackest night you hide those old bones in the shadow keep your carcass out of sight but you're here where the road is it's widest you can see your horizon is clear there is nobody coming up there behind you you are free there is no hound dog on your trail and in the trees the birds sing songs of victory and in the skies the birds fly high just happy to be free but who do you think all those birds are singing to? who do you think every canary is singing to? there is no hound dog on your trail because I want for nothing there is nothing that I want you can turn your heel a thousand steps away from me my birds eye view will spy on you and sing your secrets back to me
14.
I outrun the setting sun to leave this dirty town made the road my only home and loneliness my only sound I saw the ocean where it reaches the sky walked into the desert with a wide open mind yahoo I'm here my friend to tell you there is nothing in the desert if my soul is out there somewhere it is playing hard to get yes I'm here my friend to tell you there is nothing in the desert if there's more to life than this island I haven't found it yet everyone's from somewhere baby might as well be here love or loathe the endless road the endless road will never care run to the fire run to the caves it's all just the desert it's all just the same yahoo I'm here my friend to tell you there is nothing in the desert I've been round and round and round and round the world I'm here my friend to tell you there is nothing in the desert.. I've been round and round and round and round the world I'm here my friend to tell you there is nothing in the desert... I'm here my friend, yes I am here my friend and there is nothing, no there is nothing I've been round and round and round and round the world
15.
Darkness 01:37
16.
Galaxies 03:49
I have dug down so much deeper than these chitterling bones I have known a darkness blacker than I hope you ever know I have felt the breath of death on the nape of my neck I know my name, I know my name I am not like him he is a star gazing dreamer a true born believer in the goodness of the soul Maybe that is why I love him so, I love him so, I love him so I feel the darkness rising, I will bring the light I see the black horizon, I will bring the light I'll be the silver lining, I will bring the light and I will find you I will rise I will fly on these galaxies I will find you and bring you back home I will rise I will fly on these galaxies This is the universe and you are not alone I understand this darkness in the bones of the butcher and I understand that same darkness in my own I understand how any man might fall but I am not any man at all, I am not any man at all O feel the darkness rising... I am lost in the desert and the stars have died tricked by the devil with a butcher's knife I have given up on hope I will give up on life I know my fate, I know my fate I see the darkness rising...
17.
Light 02:01
18.
The Rage 04:57
My imaginary son I come and beg of you now if you'll hear me what is it I have done to make you hiss and walk away? for I have let you down and you have let me off so many times before now but not this time, oh not this time, no what has changed? Sentimental love songs for sentimental fools you call to the devil and the devil answers you even he would run from your rage I see no plans, I see no tricks, I see no schemes, because I have no hope, I have no luck, I have no dreams It's just the rage that's keeping me alive... My imaginary son I thank you for your candour if you'll hear me but there are some things you simply do not understand men, especially men, they fade and they crumble without labour so I gift to them that labour keep them useful keep them whole Father dear father, with the wisdom of your times lengths that you will go to, to justify your crimes I am not my father's son So where are these plans, where are these tricks where are these schemes? without you I've no love, without you I've no hope, without you I've no dreams It's just the rage that's keeping me alive...
19.
Wolves 03:46
You pick a pack of wolves you choose your team You say you can't be blamed for what has been what does that matter now no-one's listening now no-one answers your howl So lonely the stars at night howling at the moon the loneliest light You let the darkness in and lost your soul turned the world away so no-one would know makes no difference now no-ones asking you now no-one answers your howl So lonely the stars at night howling at the moon the loneliest light
20.
The Fury 04:36
This is not a siren song this is not a warning shot across the bows this is the sound of the fury of my love the fury of my love the fury of my love my love is calling me from across the wave my love I have fallen for thee though I have yet to see your face siren song you sing to me and all the things that brings to me I can not explain I can not explain as the waves come crashing to the shore as the lightning is ripped across the sky here in the eye of the storm is the fury of my love the fury of my love my love is so certain like a stone like a fire like a rising waves I will find you as the waves come crashing to the shore as the lightning is ripped across the sky here in the eye of the storm is the fury of my love the fury of my love This is not a siren song this is not a warning shot across the bows this is the sound of the fury of my love the fury of my love the fury of my love

about

A light house fails, a love is lost.
A darkness spreads and whispers 'hey, people are idiots. You should take charge of this place'...

And so the Butcher rises. Keeping his island isolated and every soul under his control, feeding his machines, turning the big wheels round and round, farting out... who knows what?

Will the work of two conflicting scientists, one gazing up into the stars, the other digging down into the past uncover more to life than the Butcher's 'Shadows On The Wall' to bring light - and hope - back to the island?

With a full supporting cast of sentient skeletons, drunken sailors, butcher birds and devil dogs 'the Butcher' is a unique ghost story told in songs bringing together an amazing collection of folk and roots talent from around the globe with a junk yard orchestra, a ripping, bloody yarn, some cracking songs and a hell of a lot of instruments...

Paul Mosley is 'the young man'/'The Butcher'
Jamie Lawson is 'the star-gazer'
Esther Dee is 'the scientist'
Sophie Bradley is 'the downtrodden'
Darren Allford is 'the defeated'
David Mosley is 'the drunken sailor'
Catherine Earnshaw is 'the birds'
and
Josienne Clarke is 'Delores'

After an exceptional reception to Paul Mosley’s last album and debut for Folkwit Records, Paul has taken his creativity up another notch tending lovingly to ‘The Butcher’ – his folk opera over the past two years, to reveal what is in fact his seventh solo record. Featuring a stunning 20 songs, with 20 plus musicians from six different countries ‘The Butcher’ is an epic ghost story told in songs.

Taking inspiration from Nilsson’s ‘The Point’, Kate Bush’s ‘The Ninth Wave’ and especially Anais Mitchell’s ‘Hadestown’, Paul set out to create something that would bring together his years of singer/songwriter experience and the new skills he has developed as a composer for theatre. A ‘piece’ that was more than the sum of its parts, that could have layers of ideas, a whole world to explore within the songs. It’s that ‘the more you listen, the more you hear’ thing.

No stranger to the sort of cult following that comes with a prodigious career having been part of major alt folk group Moses whose fans ranged from Graham Coxon to Shane MacGowan among the rest of the UK’s music cognoscenti in the early naughties.

Self-taught and infamously ever-grinning Paul’s joy to be playing in this massive musical toy box is infectiously evident throughout his latest opus ‘The Butcher’. Be sure to witness:

• The ‘Nick Drake meets ELO’ strings of Jamie Lawson/Esther Dee’s character establishing duet ‘The World is flat’!
• The growling bass saxophone colliding with xylophone and an actual kitchen sink on ‘A Lighthouse part 2’!
• An army of treated glockenspiels, euphoniums and flamenco guitar conjuring the whirring and chopping of the butcher’s machines on the title track!
• The way the perfect radio 2 balladry of Jamie Lawson singing 'She Has A Mystery' morphs into full on improv free jazz instrumentalism
• Every impeccable note Josienne Clarke sings!

Over 2 years in the making 'The Butcher' is an epic, glorious thing and it is finally here - enjoy!

credits

released May 27, 2016

Featuring Jamie Lawson, Esther Dee, Josienne Clarke, Bird Radio, Catherine Earnshaw, Darren Allford, Moses, Carolyn Mark, The Red Meat Orchestra,

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paul mosley London, UK

New for 2024 : Paul is Live in London The Last Thursday Every Month at The Harrison near Kings Cross - for tickets google 'We Got Tickets Mosley Harrison'

'Great modern folk writing ****' R2 Magazine

'Honeyed magic realist Folk Pop. Excellent.****' Q magazine

'Mercury Prize level good ****' BBC6Music

Paul is currently recording new material, watch this space...
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