Houston Wells - Then & Now: From Joe Meek To New Zealand

Houston Wells - Then & Now: From Joe Meek To New Zealand (2CD)
(Released March 2008)
Released by Jasmine Records UK
Compiled by Houston Wells & Rob Smith
Produced by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
also Produced by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, Ratapiko, Taranaki, New Zealand
Mastered by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, Ratapiko, Taranaki, New Zealand

Produced by Joe Meek - Tracks 1-16
Produced by Shel Talmy - Track 17
Produced by Tony Reeves - Tracks 18-19
Produced by Tommy Ellis - Tracks 20-21
Produced by Houston Wells - Track 22
Produced by Rob Smith - Tracks 23-25,28-29,31-32,34-36,38,40-44,46-48
Produced by Dave Maybee - Tracks 26-27,30,33,37,39,45
Additional Production by Rob Smith - Tracks 4-14,16,19,45

- Houston Wells - Vocals
- Rob Smith - Vocals, Guitars, Bass Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Programming
- Pete Willsher - Lead Guitar, Steel Lap Guitar
- Norman Hull - Guitar
- Brian Gill - Bass Guitar
- Peter Nye - Drums
- Jimmy Page - Lead Guitar
- Ritchie Blackmore - Lead Guitar
- Ken Lundgren - Steel Guitar
- Chas Hodges - Bass Guitar
- Mick Underwood - Drums
- Big Jim Sullivan - Lead Guitar
- Jimmy Halferty - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Richard Duffy - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
- John Patterson - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Hugh Magidegan - Drums, Backing Vocals
- The Ladybirds (aka The Benny Hill Singers) - Backing Vocals
- Jimmy O'Neill - Guitar
- Billy Ryan - Guitar
- Johnny Carroll - Trumpet
- Sonny Ward - Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet
- Larry Carolan - Bass
- Paddy Malone - Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
- Andy Malone - Drums
- Harry Hockedy - Drums
- Louis McMahon - Saxophone & Keyboards
- Michael Hughes - Bass Guitar
- Frank Minihan - Lead Guitar
- Jack O'Loughlan - Trumpet
- Frank Coughlan - Vocals
- John Parrott - Bass Guitar
- P J Naughton - Saxophone
- Jerry Connors - Trombone
- Matt Sturgess - Bass Guitar, Dobro
- Alex Wiltshire - Piano
- Dave Maybee - Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- Joy Adams - Backing Vocals
- Neil Reynolds - Drums
- Catherine Smith - Backing Vocals
- Laura Smith - Backing Vocals
- Phil Smith - Backing Vocals
- Otto Beesling - Bass Guitar

Disc 1:
1. This Song Is Just For You (Hank Williams, Harris)
2. North Wind (Joe Meek)
3. Only The Heartaches (W P Walker, C J Edwins, T Kennedy)
4. Can't Stop Pretendin' (Houston Wells, Alan Stephens, Arr: Pete Willsher)
5. Blowing Wild (Paul Francis Webster, Dimitri Tiomkin)
6. Crazy Dreams (Houston Wells)
7. Girl Down The Street (Houston Wells)
8. Ramona (Mabel Wayne, L Wolfe Gilbert)
9. Anna Marie (Cindy Walker)
10. Strangers (Pettican, Mahoney)
11. Hula Love (Buddy Knox)
12. Call Me Another Time (Jean Jolley, Houston Wells, Alan Stephens)
13. All For The Love Of A Girl (Johnny Horton)
14. The Wild Side Of Life (W Warren, A A Carter)
15. Galway Bay (Arthur Colahan)
16. We'll Remember You (Geoff Goddard)
17. The Blue Of The Night (Turk, Crosby, Ahlert)
18. Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger (D.Robertson, D.Clement, J.Crutchfield, Arr: Alan Moorhouse)
19. Teach Me Little Children (Dorsey Burnette, J Osborn, Arr: Alan Moorhouse)
20. Above And Beyond (Howard)
21. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold (Wiley Walker, Gene Sullivan)
22. Hello Mary Lou (Gene Pitney)
23. I Won't Go Hunting With You Jake (Stuart Hamblen, Arr: Rob Smith)
24. Just For Old Times Sake (McGuire Sisters, Arr: Rob Smith)
25. Little Black Book (Jimmy Dean, Arr: Rob Smith)
26. Little Daughter (Houston Wells, Arr: Rob Smith)
27. Ireland (Rob Smith)

Disc 2:
28. The End Is Not In Sight (Russell Smith, Arr: Rob Smith)
29. Send A Message To My Heart (Kostas, Kathy Louvin, Arr: Rob Smith)
30. As I Leave Behind Neidin (Jimmy McCarthy, Arr: Rob Smith)
31. Devil Woman (Marty Robbins, Arr: Rob Smith)
32. Lonely Street (Carl Belew, Kenny Sowder, W.S. Stevenson, Arr: Rob Smith)
33. The Girl From Yesterday (Glenn Frey, Ken Tempchin, Arr: Rob Smith)
34. Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (James Royce Shannon, Arr: Rob Smith)
35. Sleepy Eyed John (Tex Atchinson)
36. I Really Don't Want To Know (Don Robertson, Howard Barnes, Arr: Rob Smith)
37. Forty Shades Of Green (Johnny Cash, Arr: Rob Smith)
38. King Of Fools (Dwight Yoakim, Kostas)
39. I Wouldn't Cheat On You (Rob Smith)
40. One More Last Chance (Vince Gill, Gary Nicholson, Arr: Rob Smith)
41. Sweet And Gentle Love (Jimmy McCarthy, Arr: Rob Smith)
42. My Happiness (Betty Peterson Blasco, Borney Begantine, Arr: Rob Smith)
43. If I Didn't Have You In My World (Vince Gill, Jim Weatherly, Arr: Rob Smith)
44. I Will Love You Every Time (Phil Coulter, Tom Paxton, Arr: Rob Smith)
45. If The Whole World Stopped Lovin' (Ben Peters, Arr: Rob Smith)
46. Honky Tonk Man (Tillman Franks, Howard Hausey, Johnny Horton, Arr: Rob Smith)
47. Bluest Heartache Of The Year (W Wimberly, Rocky Wimberly)
48. You're My Best Friend (Wayland D Holyfield)

Special thanks to Paul Hazell and John Beecher

After 40 years between official releases, finally came a Houston Wells album for his longtime fans.

For more info:
http://houstonwells.blogspot.com

To Purchase:
Jasmine Records UK

GONE WILD - For Your Love (Mp3 Single)

GONE WILD - For Your Love (Mp3 Single)


(Released 2007)
Released by Polar Music New Zealand / GONE WILD Productions
Produced by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, Ratapiko, Taranaki, New Zealand
Mastered by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, Ratapiko, Taranaki, New Zealand

- Rob Smith (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Programming)
- Richard Anderson (Vocals)
- Matt Sturgess (Bass)

1. For Your Love (Graham Gouldman, Arrangement: Rob Smith)

"For Your Love" is a cover of The Yardbirds classic, Rob used to play this song (with a similar arrangement) live during his years with Crazy Paving.

The arrangement of this particular recording is unique to any other version of this track recorded so far in that the arrangement is given a hard rock boost. Shades of Steve Stevens echo in the guitar playing - the feedback from pundits has been magnificent, some even saying they prefer this version to the original - a compliment indeed!

GONE WILD - GONE WILD

GONE WILD - GONE WILD
(Released January 2007)
Released by Polar Music New Zealand / GONE WILD Productions
Produced by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, Ratapiko, Taranaki, New Zealand
Mastered by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, Ratapiko, Taranaki, New Zealand

- Rob Smith (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Programming)
- Richard Anderson (Vocals, Narrations)
- Nils-Ole Finbak (Norske Narration, Piano, Keyboards, WILD Guitars)
- Matt Sturgess (Bass)
- Carol Smith (Harmonica - "Don't Need Them Blues")
- Chris Szkup (Lead Guitars - "Montage")
- Robin Wellaway (Sax - "The Good Ole Boys", "Heavens Above" & "Don't Need Them Blues")

1. Don't Wanna Be A Star (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess)
2. Escape (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
3. The Good Ole Boys (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
4. Gone Wild (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
5. Heavens Above (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
6. Achilles (Instrumental) (R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
7. War Of Words (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
8. Don't Need Them Blues (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
9. Montage (Richard Anderson, Rob Smith, Matt Sturgess, Nils-Ole Finbak)
10. El Pronto Mofo (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
11. Ditto (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
12. Comfort Within (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
13. Introspective/Outrospective (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)
14. Turn Off The Lights (R.Anderson, R.Smith, M.Sturgess, N.Finbak)

GONE WILD are essentially a studio band built around the songwriting talents of Rob Smith & Richard Anderson. Originally Rob and his wife Carol had encouraged Richard Anderson to pursue writing and recording some rockier material in the form of a solo album but he wasn't having a bar of it, eventually it was mooted that seeing as there were collaborations already in the making with Nils-Ole Finbak (forever known as Nilsy) he was brought into the fold to add his piano and keyboard talents as well as his characteristic 12 string and electric guitar playing. Matt Sturgess the bass player from Quadraphonic was added to bring out that different dynamic. "GONE WILD" worked really quite well, especialy when on paper all the original band members brought so many different things to the mix.

Quadraphonic - Live In The Marquee: The Official Bootleg

Quadraphonic - Live In The Marquee: The Official Bootleg
(Released 2006)
Released by Polar Music New Zealand
Produced by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, Ratapiko, Taranaki, New Zealand
Mastered by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, Ratapiko, Taranaki, New Zealand

- Rob Smith (Vocals, Guitars)
- Matt Sturgess (Bass)
- Hayden Okey (Drums, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals - "Mustang Sally")
- Robin Wellaway (Sax)

1. Flip, Flop & Fly (Big Joe Turner)
2. Little Sister (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman)
3. Sweet Home Chicago (Robert Johnson)
4. Rock This Town (Brian Setzer)
5. Move It On Over (Hank Williams JR)
6. Freebird (Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant)
7. Things Have Changed (Bob Dylan)
8. Do Ya Feel Like We Do ? (Peter Frampton)
9. Mustang Sally (Wilson Pickett)
10. Hey Baby (Bruce Channel, Margaret Cobb)
11. Moving Up In The World (Rob Smith)
12. In The Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett)
13. Ratapiko Blues (Rob Smith, Richard Anderson, Carol Smith)
14. Wish (Rob Smith)

Quadraphonic formed out of the ashes of The Hiway Blues Band and have been a regularly gigging outfit since 2004. Whilst mostly a classic rock covers band, they do also play a select few of Rob Smith penned recordings as well. A highlight for this band was a live performance being aired on Channel 7 (a former Taranaki television station).

Snapdragon - Knocked For Six/Wish

Snapdragon - Knocked For Six/Wish (Single)
(Released 2006)
Released by Polar Music New Zealand
Produced by Michael Hill & Rob Smith @ Killermoa Music Studio's, Waitara, Taranaki, New Zealand
Mastered by Michael Hill @ Killermoa Music Studio's, Waitara, Taranaki, New Zealand

- Rob Smith (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards)
- Ryland Sheard (Bass)
- Craig Harvey (Drums)
- Gary Woodham (Guitars)
- Robin Wellaway (Sax - "Wish")

1. Knocked For Six (Rob Smith)
2. Wish (Rob Smith)

Snapdragon are a band that Rob has played on and off over the years - every year they have reunion gigs which usually go down a bit of a storm and are quite entertaining, musically they're a lot fun and the band members are all characters.

Rob Smith - Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Rob Smith - Actions Speak Louder Than Words
(Released 2006)
Released by Polar Music New Zealand
Produced by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, Ratapiko, Taranaki, New Zealand
Mastered by Michael Hill @ Killermoa Music Studio's, Waitara, Taranaki, New Zealand

- Rob Smith (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Programming)
- Catherine Smith (Backing Vocals - "An Angel Flies")
- Laura Smith (Backing Vocals - "An Angel Flies")

1. My Sanity (Rob Smith)
2. Why Did We Fall So Far (Rob Smith)
3. Actions Speak Louder Than Words (Richard Anderson, Rob Smith)
4. An Angel Flies (Richard Anderson, Rob Smith)
5. What Don't Kill Me Will Just Make Me Strong (Dawn Sinclair, Rob Smith)
6. What I Would Do For You (Richard Anderson, Rob Smith)
7. Let's Get To The Heart Of The Matter (Richard Anderson, Rob Smith)
8. In The Bottom Of A Bottle (Richard Anderson, Rob Smith)
9. I'm Gonna Miss You Baby (Rob Smith)
10. Forget Yesterday (Dawn Sinclair, Rob Smith)
11. Can't Stop Loving You (Rob Smith)
12. Inside Me (Rob Smith)
13. How Do You Feel? (Rob Smith)
14. The Woman I Never Knew (Richard Anderson, Rob Smith)
15. When The Wind Blows (Rob Smith)

Rob's second official solo album, this album showed a bit of a progression in styles and also saw Rob collaborating with othier lyricists on many of the songs from this album, including future GONE WILD bandmate Richard Anderson, and english poet/lyricist, Dawn Sinclair.

Rob Smith - Be Careful What You Wish For

Rob Smith - Be Careful What You Wish For
(Released 2005)
Released by Polar Music New Zealand
Produced by Rob Smith @ Polar Music New Zealand Studio's, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
Mastered by Michael Hill @ Killermoa Music Studio's, Waitara, Taranaki, New Zealand

- Rob Smith (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Programming)
- Otto Beesling (Bass - "Le Merci" & "Wish")
- Robin Wellaway (Sax - "Wish")
- Catherine Smith (Backing Vocals - "Wish")
- Laura Smith (Backing Vocals - "Wish")

1. One Heart (Rob Smith)
2. Emerald Isle (Rob Smith)
3. It's Over (Rob Smith)
4. Mary Doesn't Need Tomorrow (Rob Smith)
5. Le Merci (Rob Smith)
6. Lost Without Your Love (Rob Smith)
7. The Memory Of Us (Rob Smith)
8. Nobody's (Rob Smith)
9. Wish (Rob Smith)
10. Lately (Rob Smith)
11. The Time Of Your Life (Rob Smith)
12. In The Beginning (Rob Smith)
13. Without You (Richard Anderson, Rob Smith)
14. We Won't Be Forgotten (Rob Smith)
15. Toddyar (Rob Smith)

Polar Music New Zealand was formed especially to release Rob Smith related recordings.

"Be Careful What You Wish For" had the distinction of being the first release from the label, as well as being Rob's first official solo album.