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Recordings:2000
(Part 2) Note: The list is in ascending order

101. Pages & Pages - demo (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar
Recorded: 14^th December 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

A demo of a new "Just Another Universe" track, reminiscent of Mark Kozelek and Red House Painters. A yearning song about past times, the audio verite nature of this recording adds weight to the subject matter and overall melancholy of the song. The final version would feature additional instrumentation, but this demo has its own charm. Written in 2000.

100. What Does It Matter? (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, drums, bass, percussion
Recorded: 14^th December 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

A remake of the early Lotus song. Better production and an overall better performance makes this version a natural choice for inclusion on the album. True to the original version, this song features a lower vocal than before, and an "answering" guitar line at the end of each chorus line. Catchy stuff. Written in 1994.

99. Been Around (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, electric guitar.
Recorded: 7th December 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Radiate" LP

An upbeat, Lemonheads style rock song. The song is lively enough, and well played; but the middle 8 section is where the song peaks, with a nicely plucked acoustic guitar and good musical interplay. Written in 1999.

98. To See You Fall (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, organ, lead guitar, tambourine.
Recorded: 3rd December 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Let Me See You" / B-Side

Another return to older material, this song dates back from the band days of '98. Robert actually sung it solo at a gig, which was recorded (this is detailed on the live page). This arrangement is similar to "Beautiful Day", with its Beatle-y organ and gutsy electric guitar solo. Written in 1998.

97. Nobody Knows (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, bongos, tambourine, organ.
Recorded: 27th November 2000, Binn Eadair View Studio
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

A relatively old song, "Nobody Knows" was tried out during Lotus rehearsals in 1998 but was taken no further. Influenced by U2, this song features a rootsy, funky arrangement with a shining organ part reminiscent of U2's "Dirty Day". Originally a "Just Another Universe" album track, it is now languishing unreleased. Written in 1998.

96. I Am The Band (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, lead guitar
Recorded: 26th November 2000
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

This is a very interesting song. Musically it is pretty straight forward Lotus rock - solid beat, chiming electric guitars, uplifting chorus - but the lyrics are a direct reference to Lotus as a band which is certainly unusual subject matter. This song is done with such seriousness that the obviously intentional humour is almost unnoticeable. Written 1998 (lyrics) / 2000 (music).

95. Its Just Another Universe (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, lead guitars, bass, organ, drums
Recorded: 13th November 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears On: "Just Another Universe"

Written as the title track for a new album, this song has all the grandeur one might expect from a song with such a title. Beginning slowly and somberly, the song bursts into a huge electric guitar solo in true hard rock style. The lyrics are thoughtful and sung in the now omnipresent low register, and pounding drums add to the overall heaviness of the track. Not quite an epic on the scale of "Painted In The Sky", but not far off. Written in 2000.

94. Hey Brother (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, lead acoustic guitar
Recorded: 13th November 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears On: "Big Sound" / B-Side

Recorded at the end of a mixing session for "If There Was A Morning", this song is a throw-away number, using similar chords to "You & I" and containing some odd lyrics. The hightlight here is the delightful acoustic guitar solo in the middle 8. Written in 2000.

93. If There Was A Morning (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano
Recorded: 10th November 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears On: "Don't Be A Stranger" / B-Side

A brand new song, this track is saturated in the tape echo first featured on "Mindless (Over You)" giving it a very compressed, edgy sound. A brooding song in A minor, this track's minimal instrumentation features piano for the first time in over 25 recordings. As a song, it has a good melody and fairly standard chord changes, but its unresolved air is highlighted by the guitar figure at the end. Written in 2000.

92. I Could Never Love You (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, electric guitars, percussion
Recorded: 4th November 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears On: "Let Me See You" / B-Side

This song dates from the live period of '98, and features on the tape detailed on the Live page. A grungey pop/rock song, it swaggers along at its own pace, turning to a new key for the middle 8. Other than that, not much happens; however, it has interesting lyrics and a good melodic structure. Written in 1997.

91. If & When (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, organ, percussion
Recorded: 28th October 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears On: "Letting It Rain" / B-Side

An older number is turned to here; a track written as part of a 4 song concept also featuring "Letting It Rain", "Gotta Be The Right Thing" (both of which remain unrecorded) and "Raining". This song is gentle and laidback, and rises to the chorus as its climax. The performance here is good; a Procol Harum style organ part lifts the verses up. Written in 1995.

90. The Longest Dream (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, organ
Recorded: 28th October 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears On: "Lions" / B-Side

This was recorded more for novelty purposes rather than anything else: it was the first song Robert ever wrote, when he was 11 years old! As such, it stands up quite well, sounding not unlike some of the more recent ballads. The track benefits from a beautiful organ part. Written in 1986 / 2000.

89. Organ Track (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Organ, acoustic guitar
Recorded: 27th October 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears On: unreleased

This is, as the title suggets, an instrumental track featuring primarily organ, also with a heavily delayed guitar part. This track would not be out of place on Pink Floyd's "More" album, from 1969!. Written in 2000.

88. Shake You (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: 27th October 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears On: unreleased

A new hard rocking song, featuring some pounding drums and raunchy lyrics. Now Robert has gotten back into his stride with recording, after the less productive recent sessions. Written in 2000.

87. Beautiful Day (U2 / Bono)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, organ
Recorded: 24th October 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

Not to be confused with Robert's own song of the same name, this is a cover of the recent U2 single. It is very much an characteristic Lotus cover, with acoustic guitars, driving drums, and breathy vocals. Much more rootsy and organic than the original, here Robert uses an original guitar figure to sing the melody over. Written in n/a.

86. Not Know Why (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: 28th September 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Secret"

A return to recording album songs, after a four-song run of recording new songs and one cover. This song opens the "Secret" album, and is a folky number with some high vocal lines (the opposite of the vocal style of the last few recordings). It is a good performance, with impressive singing in the closing lines, considering Robert's voice had been out of practice with the high lines. A good album opener. Written in 1998.

85. Come With Me - early version (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, lead guitar, bass, drums, organ
Recorded: 27th September 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

An early version of this easy going song. Musically it is an unarresting tune rooted in G, with a low register vocal, very much in the style of the last few recordings. Written in 2000.

84. Green On Red (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: 18^th September 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "She's So Beautiful" / B-Side

Another 6 minute guitar epic, this brand new song begins with some freeform improvisation between 3 guitars, before settling into the groove of the actual song, based on an unorthodox guitar tuning. It follows a bluesy path until the unexpected chord change of the chorus. The track features one of the best build ups in a Lotus song, and ultimately is a very stylish jam. Written in 2000.

83. Romeo & Juliet (Knopfler)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar
Recorded: 12^th September 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: unreleased

"Romeo & Juliet" is the first attempt by Robert to directly cover one of Dire Straits' songs, a band influential on Lotus. Featuring just vocal and guitar, this version stretches into seven minutes and its hushed low vocal and plucked guitar adds a new dimension to the song. Written in n/a.

82. It's Time To Believe (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, lead guitar
Recorded: 11^th September 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Beautiful Day" / B-Side

This brand new song was recorded during a studio experiment, and like "New" (recorded in May) it was layered with instruments and became a full production. The melody is strong and this version moves along nicely, with some excellent guitar work. Similar in style and pace to "Looking Out A Window", the highlight here is the guitar solo at the coda; all too brief and irresistible as a result. Written in 2000.

81. Want To Know (Crosbie / Lillis)

Crosbie: Vocal, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, organ, lead guitar
Recorded: 13^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Lotus" LP

The last song recorded for the "Lotus" LP, and another live favourite. Co-written with ex-bassist Mark Lills (who supplied the song's introduction), this track gels together very well as the playing is tight and fluid at the same time. Written in 1998.

80. Just That Day (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, harmony vocal, percussion
Recorded: 12^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

A new, proper recording of this intriguing song. Given the full Lotus treatment, it sounds much better than the 1994 version, and rightly earns its place on the "Ballet Dancer" LP as more than just a filler. Robert does an especially good job on the middle 8 guitar solo, layering it with effects while the drums carry the song through with its unusual skipping beat. Written in 1993.

80. Given Up On You (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: 9^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

The last "Ballet Dancer" track to be recorded. This song has a great rhythm section, with chopped guitar strums and a nicely hushed vocal. The long fade out coda is perfectly executed and features some excellent guitar playing. All in all, this is a great song and a great perfomance. Written in 1993.
lyrics |mp3

79. She's Gonna Go Away (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, lead guitar, bass, drums
Recorded: 8^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

Another one of the very early songs, dug up and given a great treatment in the studio. A lively bassline powers it along, and its impassioned plea is well conveyed. Written in 1992.

78. BT (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Acoustic guitars
Recorded: 7^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

A haunting and beautiful guitar piece. This track is designed to be the very last, 'hidden' track on "Ballet Dancer". Recorded late one night after a long day in the studio! Written in 2000.

77. More Than Hello (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, harmony vocal
Recorded: 7^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

Short, sharp, shock! A very energetic early song, with pounding drums and minimalist arrangement. One of the simplest songs, also one of the most powerful. The drum sound here is one of the best in any Lotus song. Written in 1993.

76. Jude (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, guitar
Recorded: 7^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

A later and final version of the song first recorded in 1994. Written in 1994.

75. Would You Like To Talk? (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, organ
Recorded: 7^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

A laid back yet tense song, simply repeating the same phrase over and over again. This recording is excellent, with some fantastic guitar work. Similar to the Beatles "I Want You", its mantra-esque chant becomes almost claustrophobic, until the release at the refrain lets it go. Written in 1993.

74. Tap On Your Shoulder (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums, organ
Recorded: 7^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

The first Lotus 'pop' song, this sits very well with songs like "You & I" and "One Life To Live". The song was given an extra boost by a guitar line (written in the studio) to follow the "ahhs" in the chorus. All in all a good recording. Written in 1993.

73. Plans For A Day Out (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: 5^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

The second "Ballet Dancer" song to be dug up from the past was this interesting number, its waltzy beat being not indirectly inspired by Red House Painters. The lyrics, as with all the lyrics from this period, are simple and tell a story, and the playing is exciting and urgent enough to make this track worth while. Written in 1993.

72. She Loved Me Once (Crosbie)

Crosbie: Vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, drums
Recorded: 5^th August 2000, Binn Eadair View Studios
Produced by: Robert Crosbie
Appears on: "Ballet Dancer" LP

One of the old favourites. A short song, telling a story and ending all in under two minutes! Great melody and an exciting performance, very much the style of these early songs. Written in 1993.