Geoff Eales Mountains of Fire

Geoff Eales Roy Babbington Mike Smith Laurence Cottle lan Thomas Born in South Wales in 1951, Geoff’s sought-after musicians on the London first introduction to the joys of music session scene. was by way of the 12-Bar Blues, taught to him by his -loving father at the Geoff returned to his jazz roots with a tender age of eight. However a love of vengeance in 1998 with the release of classical music was also instilled into the ‘Mountains of Fire’ to ecstatic reviews. budding pianist by his doting parents. At Since then there has been a steady flow Cardiff University (where he graduated of highly acclaimed albums: ‘Red Letter Mountains of Fire summa cum laude in 1972) he studied Days’ (2001), ‘Facing the Muse’ (2002), composition under Professor Alun ‘Synergy’ (2004), ‘The Homecoming’ Geoff Eales - Piano Hoddinott and piano with Martin Jones (2006), ‘Jazz Piano Legends’ (2007), Nigel Hitchcock - Alto Saxophone (also a long-time Nimbus recording ‘Epicentre’ (2007) and ‘Master of the Roy Babbington - Bass artist). For his Ph.D, Geoff composed Game’ (2009) both the epic ‘An American Symphony’ Laurence Cottle - Bass Guitar and a setting of Dylan Thomas’ beautiful In 2009 horn player Dave Lee, flautist Mike Smith - Drums poem ‘In the Beginning’ for Tenor, Horn Andy Findon, and Geoff formed the ELF lan Thomas - Drums and Piano. He also researched the music Trio. Their 2011 genre-busting Nimbus of the great American composer, Aaron album ‘Reflections’ is a heady mix of Copland. styles incorporating classical, folksong and musical theatre as well as jazz, rock In 1977 Geoff moved to London, joining and Latin grooves. the BBC Radio Orchestra and Big Band a year later. He left the Organisation in www.geoffeales.com 1983 by which time he had been featured in well over a thousand broadcasts. A period of intense studio work ensued and for many years he was one of the most

2 7 Since the original notes to ‘Mountains to meet and work with many wonderful It is the jazz trio of piano, bass and drums of Fire’ were written thirteen years ago, people throughout America, Europe and that forms the nucleus of this album. It a great sea-change has taken place Asia, and it is always a thrill to go into has proved to be an immensely popular in my musical life. From the time I left the studio with a brand new project. I feel and enduring medium, immortalised by my native South Wales in 1977 for the that I am on an incredible journey, one the likes of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and buzz and excitement of London until I that would never have begun if it wasn’t Keith Jarrett. It is as popular today as it recorded ‘Mountains’ in 1998, my work for my decision to record ‘Mountains of has ever been and will remain so just as could be best described as follows: studio Fire’. long as there are young pioneers such as musician, accompanist to the ‘stars’ Steven Scott, Jacky Terrasson and Brad and part-time jazz musician. The whole Finally, I would like to say how delighted I Mehldau carrying the tradition forward. dynamic changed post-1998. I became am that Nimbus have re-issued my debut less and less interested in playing second CD - it’s the album that changed my life. In pre-recording discussions with my fiddle to others and more and more Enjoy ! executive producer, Chris Craker, we concerned with carving a career for thought it would be a good idea to myself as an artist in my own right. Also, Geoff Eales, 2011 intersperse the trio numbers with a few jazz had been on the back-burner for a quartet items. This, I believe, imbues very long time and I felt that it was high the album with an extra dimension time that it occupied centre-stage. After and variety of texture. Thus in the two all, it was the music that meant so much original compositions, Blues for Shirl and to me in my youth. ‘Mountains’ was the title track, Mountains of Fire and warmly received by both public and jazz the beautiful ballad, I Fall in Love Too Photography by Tim Dickeson press alike and this further inspired me to Easily, it is the brilliant and charismatic dig deeper into my jazz soul. alto saxophonist, Nigel Hitchcock who colleagues on the album - Roy Babbington occupies centre stage. and Mike Smith in the trio and Laurence The last thirteen years of intensive Cottle and lan Thomas in the quartet. touring and recording have been hugely Finally, praise should also be reserved rewarding. I have had the opportunity for the exceptional talents of my other Geoff Eales, 1998

6 3 Mountains of Fire Michael Crawford, and Michael Ball, as well as three of the finest classical singers in Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett, and Jose Carreras - a comprehensive 1 Here, There And Everywhere (Lennon & McCartney) 4.14 list of talents bearing witness to Geoff’s 2 Like Someone In Love (Burke/Van Heusen) 4.41 incredible versatility and consummate 3 Autumn Leaves (Kosma, Prevert, Mercer) 5.49 musicianship. 4 Young And Foolish (Horwitt, Hague) 4.48 Geoff’s TV work has included being 5 Falling In Love Again (Hollander, Lerner) 5.00 featured in Wayne Sleep’s ‘Hot Shoe 6 Blues for Shirl (Eales) 4.55 Show’, the 1995 VE Day Celebrations from Hyde Park and numerous appearances 7 You Must Believe In Spring (A&M Bergman, Legrand) 3.58 on the Royal Variety Shows. Highlights 8 Have You Met Miss Jones? (Rogers, Hart) 4.57 in the studio include ‘Passion’ with Jose 9 I Fall In Love Too Easily (Styne, Cahn) 7.07 Carreras and ‘Soprano in Hollywood’ with Lesley Garrett as well as numerous 10 Stella By Starlight (Young, Washington) 5.07 albums for Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah 11 A Child Is Born (T. Jones) 3.25 Throughout his career to date, spanning Brightman, and Michael Crawford. 12 Mountains Of Fire (Eales) 5.23 some twenty years or more at the very 13 Some Other Time (Comden, Green, Bernstein) 4.36 top of the profession, Geoff has worked Geoff’s debut album, of the music that with many of the world’s finest recording is the closest to his heart, presents him Total Time 65.36 artists including Marvin Hamlish, Nelson unequivocally as a creative force to be Riddle, , , Bob reckoned with on the international jazz Recorded and Mixed at R.G. Jones, July 21-23. 1998 Farnon, Rosemary Clooney, Marion circuit. Engineered by Gerry Kitchingham Montgomery, Salena Jones, Shirley Produced and arranged by Geoff Eales Executive Producer: Chris Craker Bassey, Andy Williams, Sarah Brightman, Chris Craker, Executive Producer. Mastered by Bill Sykes Elaine Paige, Petula Clark, Julie Andrews, From the original CD release on Black Box.

4 5 “Inspired, inventive—there is little more to say about this great CD except BUY IT!” John Critchinson, The Musician

“An absolute delight for anyone who appreciates good standards imaginatively treated” Dave Gelly, The Observer GEOFF EALES MOUNTAINS OF FIRE 217:2/,1(6 $5,$/5(*8/$5‡6,=(37‡/($',1*37 GEOFF EALES MOUNTAINS OF FIRE Geoff Eales $5,$/5(*8/$5‡6,=(37‡/($',1*372121(/,1( Mountains of Fire

1 Here, There And Everywhere 4.14ARTWORK AREA 2 Like Someone In Love 4.41 3 Autumn Leaves 5.49 4 Young And Foolish 4.48 5 Falling In Love Again 5.00 6 Blues for Shirl 4.55 7 You Must Believe In Spring 3.58 8 Have You Met Miss Jones? 4.57 9 I Fall In Love Too Easily 7.07 Geoff Eales - Piano 10 Stella By Starlight 5.07 Nigel Hitchcock - Alto Saxophone 11 A Child Is Born 3.25 Roy Babbington - Bass 12 Mountains Of Fire 5.23 Laurence Cottle - Bass Guitar 13 Some Other Time 4.36 Mike Smith - Drums Total Time 65.36 lan Thomas - Drums NA 0000 NA 0000 NI 6158 NI 6158 Made in the UK by Nimbus Records P 201120XX Wyastone Estate Limited © 201120XX Wyastone Estate Limited Barcode Box http://www.wyastone.co.uk