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Recordings:2000
(Part 1) Note: The list is in ascending order

71. We Don't Have To Be Together (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, electric guitars, acoustic guitar, bass, drums
Recorded: 31st July 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Lotus" LP

A rather rushed song, as played live with Lotus in 1998. Nice chord changes; the song rises to its chorus at the end (similar to "Never Been Like This Before", where the chorus only occurs once, at the end of the song). The performance is tight here, and it features some great drumming. Written in 1993.

70. Blue Eyes (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, Roland strings, organ
Recorded: 27^th July 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Secret" LP

One of the more beautiful ballads in Robert's songbook. Poetic lyrics, tender guitar, and striking strings in the middle 8 make this, in its simplicity, one of the best Lotus songs.
lyrics | mp3

69. Midnight Moonlight (Crosbie / MacMahon / O'Farrell)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, backing vocals, organ
Recorded: 25^th July 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

The remake of this collaboration. A lot more focused, fuller, and flowing than the demo version, only featuring Robert's vocals this time. Written in 2000.
lyrics | mp3

68. Looking Out A Window (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, bass, drums, organ, ambience
Recorded: 22^nd July 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Secret" LP

This plodding number, with its walking bassline and lazy guitar line, is one of Robert's favourites and was recorded one sunny afternoon, and is filled with summer sunshine. The song takes its cue from "Beautiful Day" and "This Morning" although its lyrics are a little more cautious - it is a song of searching. Note too the ambience recorded at the end; recorded leaning out a window with a microphone, picking up the summer sounds of children playing and an airplane going overhead. Written in 1999.
lyrics | mp3

67. Beautiful Noises (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Acoustic guitar, lead guitar, bass, drums, piano, keyboard, organ
Recorded: 18^th July 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Radiate" LP

Another by-product of the Geisha project. This instrumental is one of the most ambitious recordings so far. More in line with the likes of Air rather than the Lemonheads, this track was originally built by sampling the first four bars of "Sorry When You're Gone" and then twisting and turning the chord changes. Robert later recorded this live, layering the song with overdubs and effects. Brilliant! Written in 1999.
mp3

66. Take It Or Leave It (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, lead guitar, organ, bass, drums
Recorded: July 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

A simple song, to open the "Painted In The Sky" LP. Almost non-descript, it is rescued by the relentless beat in its introduction and an organ break after the first chorus. Written in 1999.
lyrics | mp3

65. Sleeping Gently (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, lead guitar, bongos, backing vocals
Recorded: July 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

A psychedelic, dreamy song, written late at night, and best heard at this time. Featuring an extensive three part harmony, rippling guitar, and thudding bongos, this is indeed a sleepy song, but very well performed and with a strong melody. Written in 1999.

64. Call If You Need Me (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, lead guitar, drums, harpsichord, organ
Recorded: 6^th July 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

Another example of writing a song in the studio. This song is excellent, with a quite stunning chorus, and it is remarkable that it was pretty much made up on the spot by its author - certainly written and recorded in few hours. Its arrangement is novel, featuring Beach Boys-esque drums and a harpsichord. Written in 2000.

63. Divan (Morgan)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, lead guitar
Recorded: 30^th June 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Big Sound" / B-Side

A cover of a Smudge song, also sung by Evan Dando, and performed by Robert in the Rock Garden in 1994. Robert makes this song his own with its stop / start arrangement and flowing guitar solo. This obscurity features a raw, throaty vocal, one of his best! Written in n/a.
lyrics | mp3

62. Big Sound (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lead guitar, bass, drums, percussion
Recorded: 21^st June 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

Directly influenced by the Lemonheads, this song is almost a re-write of their "Confetti", a song held in very high regard by Robert. This is exciting, fun music; expertly played and written. The vocal effects are unusual too, giving this song a life of its own. Written in 2000.
lyrics | mp3

61. There's A Place In My Heart For You (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, piano, bass, drums, organ
Recorded: 19^th June 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Secret" LP

A great Gram Parsons-style country number, built around the chords of his song "Sin City". Authentic lyrics and a great vocal performance, a nice slow, rested song. Written in 1998.

60. Midnight Moonlight - demo (Crosbie / MacMahon / O'Farrell)

MacMahon: Vocal
Crosbie: Acoustic guitars, bass, drums, organ, backing vocals
Recorded: 13t^h June 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

The second Lotus collaboration, this time again with Paul O'Farrell, but also with Eoin MacMahon, who wrote the bulk of the lyrics. This demo also features Eoin on lead vocals. Written in 2000.

59. Let Your Love Belong To You (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: 10^th June 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

Built around the chord changes of "Natural E", this song developed in the studio. A beautiful ballad, and one of the best Robert has recorded, this song has a very restful appeal to it, and the guitar work is excellent. Written in 2000.

58. Natural E (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Acoustic guitars
Recorded: June 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

A beautiful instrumental piece, featuring just two guitars. Here Robert lets the melody dance around the fretboard, with delightful results. Written in 2000.

57. We'll Have Our Day (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, percussion
Recorded: 5th June 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Radiate" bonus track

An acoustic number, written and recorded in a day. More a filler song than anything else, it nevertheless swings. Written in 2000.

56. When You're Feeling (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums
Recorded: 5th June 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

A pretty standard rock song, and always played with enthusiasm at Lotus gigs, this song was always in the running for inclusion on the "Lotus" LP. A weak recording led it to remain unreleased, for the time being. Written in 1998.

55. Goodnight (Lennon - McCartney)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, backing vocals, percussion
Recorded: 29th May 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "This Morning" / B-Side

Another cover, but this time Robert transforms the treacely ballad into a powerful and emotion piece. Powered by drums and tape echo, this version is beautiful. Written in n/a.

54. Painted In The Sky (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, lead guitar, electric guitar, Spanish guitar
Recorded: 28th May 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

This is the second Lotus epic to be recorded, following on from "When The Stars Shine". But where that song took its lead from Pink Floyd, this song is firmly rooted in Red House Painters' influence. Slow and morose at first, but eventually uplifting, the song creaks to an end with some impressive guitar effects. Written in 2000.

53. Honey Pie (Lennon - McCartney)

Crosbie: Vocal, piano, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, lead guitar
Recorded: 28th May 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

A skillful cover of the '20s-style Beatles song. Written in n/a.

52. Painted In The Sky - demo (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar
Recorded: 22^nd May 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

A quick run through of the soon-to-be-epic title track. Written in 2000.

51. So If I (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion
Recorded: 14^th May 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Radiate" LP

A rather wobbly, Rolling Stones style song, featured on "Radiate". It began life at a Lotus rehearsal as a jam, and was recorded on to very low quality tape that night. Re-recorded in the studio, great percussion in the chorus lifts this song out of the doldrums. Written in 1998.

50. Warm (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Electric guitars, bass, drums, lead guitar
Recorded: 14th May 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" bonus track

This instrumental was created on the spot in the studio. Features some very 80's guitar sounds! Written in 2000.

49. Mindless (Over You) (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums
Recorded: 13th May 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

An incredible song, featuring massive tape echo, inspired by John Lennon's primal screaming on "Plastic Ono Band". The coda of this song is one of the most rocking moments Lotus have recorded! Written in 1993.
lyrics | mp3

48. Blue Skies With You (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Organ, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano
Recorded: 12th May 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

A version of the track Robert recorded as Geisha, originally a chilled-out dance track. This version is more guitar based, and is really just a demo. Written in 1999.

47. New (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano, organ, lead acoustic guitar
Recorded: 11th May 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

Simply a run through of a 'new' song idea, but layered with different instruments and effects. This demonstrates Robert's use of the studio while songwriting to try out new ideas. This song never made it past this development stage. Written in 2000.

46. Where Was My Goodbye? (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, bass, drums, percussion
Recorded: 18th March 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Chasing The Sun " LP.

This song dates back to the summer of 1995 when Robert wrote some of his best songs. This upbeat number features a catchy guitar line and the stop-start technique used between chorus and verse highlights the dynamism of the song. Written in 1995.

45. Walked Her On (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, electric piano, bass, drums, electric guitars, Spanish guitar
Recorded: 13th March 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Faithful In Your Heart " LP

Probably the most thoughtful song in the Lotus discography, this brooding track begins gently, as its story of impassioned anger is introduced, and then roars into life in its second half as the anger comes to the fore and is resolved. Thus, the song slips back into gentle mode, for the coda, with a Spanish guitar solo taking it to the fade out. Well performed and one of the more interesting recordings. Written in 1996.

44. Come Around (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, electric guitars, organ, bass, drums, lead guitar
Recorded: March 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Faithful In Your Heart " LP

Another pop / rock song; simple, cheery, and melodic. Somewhat sing-songish, the track is well made and has its place, along with "You & I" et al. Written in 1996.

43. Tell Me Why (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, lead guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: 17^th February 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Chasing The Sun" LP

A huge Neil Young and Crazy Horse style guitar epic. Those guitar solos just keep on coming! This song is definitely the most rocking in the entire Lotus repetoire. Featured on the 2000 demo CD, it is one of the standout tracks on "Chasing The Sun". Written in 1996.
lyrics | mp3

42. Six Weeks Till Wednesday (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, harmony vocal, electric guitar
Recorded: 14^th February 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Faithful In Your Heart" LP

A rousing opener, this song opens both the "Faithful In Yout Heart" album and the demo 2000 CD. One of Robert's favourite songs, it is both a statement of intent for Lotus as well as a great tune. Written in 1996.
lyrics | mp3

41. Beautiful Day (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, lead guitar, mellotron
Recorded: 12^th February 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

Quite possibly the best Lotus song so far recorded. Originally written as a B-Side, this song came alive in the studio due to the arrangement and performance. A key feature of the arrangement is the Beatle-esque mellotron part and the gutsy guitar solo at the coda. Written in 1998.
lyrics | mp3

40. When The Stars Shine (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, slide guitar, organ, Spanish guitar, electric guitar
Recorded: 7^th February 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Radiate" LP

The first huge epic. "When The Stars Shine" takes its cue from "Echoes"-era Pink Floyd, starting with guitar effects and echoed notes, then moving on to the main structure of the song. The arrangement is subtly layered and makes for interesting listening alone. The melody is strong, the performance is excellent, and this song takes Lotus to new places. Written in 1999.

39. Lynne's Song (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: 6^th February 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Beautiful Day" / B-Side

This simple song is one of the best "unreleased" songs Lotus have done, and should be made into an album song. The reason for this is due to the intimacy this songs portrays. Written for his girlfriend, this song is mostly an acoustic track, but the introduction of drums to the coda is pleasantly surprising. Sung at the lowest register of his voice, there is no other more hushed and gentle song than this. Written in 2000.
lyrics | mp3

38. Raining (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Acoustic guitar, bass, drums, lead guitar, organ
Recorded: February 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Letting It Rain" / B-Side

Another beautiful instrumental piece, the musicianship on this song is astounding. Written in 1995.

37. Bring It Back To Me (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, slide guitar, harmony vocal
Recorded: February 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

A light, enjoyable "Harvest"-esque song, featuring slide guitar and a lilting beat. Originally a b-side, but promoted to album status after recording. Also appears on the the demo 2000 CD. Written in 1998.
lyrics | mp3

36. Speak So Softly (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano, Roland strings, backing vocal, electric guitar
Recorded: January 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Chasing The Sun" LP

Finally, a great recording of this excellent song. This song was written over the course of a year, with the chorus and verse parts existing as two different songs, with Robert finally tying the two together in May 1997. Another great arrangement, the stand out feature being the string section throughout. Written in 1996 - 1997.
lyrics | mp3

35. The One Who Knows (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, electric guitars, acoustic guitar, drums, bass, organ
Recorded: 25^th January 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Painted In The Sky" LP

This song was amazingly written and recorded in the one day! This again shows how Robert used the studio to write songs. He started with the original heavy guitar riff, and took it from there. What emerged was this powerful song. Written in 2000.

34. Aeroplanes (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Double tracked vocal, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums, organ, lead guitar
Recorded: January 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Lotus" LP

Firmly up there with "You & I" and "Come Around", "Aeroplanes" was a Lotus live favourite and one performed with aplomb. The recorded version is more layered but keeps the spirit of the live version, and the double tracked vocal works to great effect. Written in 1998.

33. Sunday Afternoon (Fallen In Love) (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: January 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Chasing The Sun" LP

A full recording of the song demoed in 1996. Very upbeat, very catchy, definitely a favourite and a real crowd pleaser. These kind of songs work very well when Robert plays solo acoustic gigs. Written in 1995.

32. True To My Baby (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, piano, bass, drums, backing vocals, lead guitar
Recorded: January 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

This is Robert joking around: a mock-authentic 50's doo-wop track, complete with vocal echo and harmony vocals! Written in 2000.

31. This Morning (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano, organ, backing vocal, electric guitar
Recorded: January 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Radiate" LP

One of the best Lotus songs, featuring a very laid back vocal and a Beatley chorus. It was at this point Robert's studio skills were developed enough to produce excellent recordings such as this song. Featuring a great arrangement and some excellent playing. Written in 1999.
lyrics | mp3

30. Peace Of Mind - early version (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, electric guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: January 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

A tough, raw rock song. This was a Lotus live favourite in 1998. The recording is straight forward, but lacks the subtleties of "Lions", another heavy guitar number. Still, it rocks; and the build up in the repeated coda is very effective.Written in 1998.