Eyemouth’s singing lifeboat crew makes real splash with charity CD
Members of the Eyemouth Lifeboat have made a cd with proceeds going to help their funds.
IT was an idea that started life a year ago after the crew of Eyemouth Lifeboat gave their annual concert and now their charity CD, ‘Home From The Sea’ is set to finds its way in many locals’ stocking come Christmas morning.
The man who first put the idea to the hardworking team of RNLI volunteers was a man no stranger to a charity album, having recorded one himself a few years ago.
John Peakman, known to many as ‘the singing postie’ suggested that the guys, who impress audiences every year for their festive performance, make a CD of their favourite songs and after months of rehearsals they went into Acredale Studios in September to start putting the wheels in motion.
As well as featuring their vocals on songs such as ‘Highland Cathedral’ and ‘Winter Wonderland’, the album also features local musicians on instruments such as the bagpipes, guitar and saxophone.
The collection, which has been on sale for a few weeks now, was given the name ‘Home From The Sea’ which crew member Douglas Stewart said everyone felt was very appropriate.
“Everytime the boat is launched for a shout we and all our friends and family hope that we make it back safely so that’s where the inspiration came from.
“We were all up for doing the album after John put the idea to us especially as proceeds from its sales will go to the RNLI.
“We’re not the best of singers but we rehearsed once a week in the station from May until September before going into the studio. “John came along to rehearsals to see how we were getting on and he helped produce it along with Alan McQueen.”
A thousand copies of ‘Home From The Sea’ have been printed so far and half are already sold.
And interest in the album hasn’t been restricted to Berwickshire. Multiple copies have been sent to friends and family in Canada and Australia, a copy sent to Radio Borders and one even sent to a famous address in London.
“Seeing as the Queen is the patron of the RNLI it seemed right to send her a copy,” Douglas continued.
“I’ve no idea if she’ll get round to listening to it but we hope to get a letter of thanks from her at least.
“The feedback we’ve had so far from people has been tremendous. I think people appreciate as well that this wasn’t a five minute thing we cobbled together; it’s been a year in the making.
“It’s been great to have people coming to us for CDs and not just ordering one but three or four. We’ve sold 500 already so we might have to order some more.”
As well as proving a hit with the local community, the lifeboat have also won their fair share of friends on the worldwide web after their version of ‘Highland Cathedral’ was uploaded to Youtube.
“We discovered that there wasn’t a vocal version of the song on there,” Douglas explained.
“Most people are shocked that there are words to it as more often than not at events like the Edinburgh Tattoo it is just performed on the pipes.
“We put the music to a slideshow of us in action and it’s really haunting to watch.”
Copies of ‘Home From The Sea’ are priced at £8 and available from the FMA in Eyemouth or from Douglas on 07753600047 or Karl Turnbull on 07745351218.
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Weather for Duns
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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