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Roof-less Interrogator
An informal chat with guitarist & composer Richard Durrant
by PKelly on Mar 03, 2005
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by Paul Austin Kelly
For those of you who are already tried and true fans of Walking Oliver’s music, you are probably already aware of the fabulous talent and musicianship of multi-instrumentalist and composer, Richard Durrant.
For you poor souls who have yet to be enlightened and delighted I hope this will serve as a worthy introduction to his magic. Over the years Richard has written and sung lots of songs for BBC Education. . .
Three separate series of the classic BBC TV series Numbertime, and two other BBC mainstays, Watch and Music Makers, have made him a familiar voice to thousands of young children. Instrumental credits include Focus (BBC TV Ed) and Picturebox (CH 4 Ed). Richard has also appeared as a presenter for Music Makers.
Apart from his work for children Richard has composed the music for countless TV programmes, and has been the featured soloist on lots of TV advertising campaigns.
Richard studied guitar, cello and composition at the Royal College of Music. When he has time to practice he gives concerto performances and solo guitar recitals throughout Europe.
Most recently Richard has scored and recorded the soundtrack for CBeebie's popular animated series Metalheads, and for Walking Oliver he has collaborated with Paul Austin Kelly on a series of CDs, including Unleashed on British Isles, Through Tenderwood and DREAMS--The Poetry in Song Competition 2004.
He is also a regular musical partner of the infamous Herbie Flowers with whom he tours as a guitar and bass duo, performing a very eclectic range of bizarre material, musical and otherwise.
Richard and I conducted this little interview one evening recently between computer terminals. We hope you enjoy it.
PAK: What is it about folk music that you find most annoying?
RD: The fact that it sounds so simple and casual with all its beautiful twiddles and charismatic evocations. In reality it requires as much precision as brain surgery.
PAK: How did you get involved in writing music for kids?
RD: The BBC phoned me up and said: "We've got a job for you. We heard you write children's songs". I said: "I do now!"
PAK: Do you write with a musical instrument to hand?
RD: Sometimes. Though I know I write in all styles much better if I've got a pencil and some manuscript and no instrument within reach. Lately I've started taking my laptop to the library and writing using my Sibelius music notation software. Thing is if someone starts sniffing or shuffling about I feel like lamping them and have to leave".
PAK: Which do you enjoy more, composing or performing?
RD: The other...
PAK: Do your kids like your songs?
RD: They say they do!
PAK: Do they ever tell you what to write about?
RD: No. I think the process is seen as my work so they don't seem to get involved in that bit - except at my suggestion.
PAK: Have you ever thought about getting a real job?
RD: Well I worked with you once - so obviously not...
PAK: Tell us something about your latest CD.
RD: Its called "Music from the Colourdome", its available nationwide from 16th May and is my very personal journal of my latest musical adventures.
PAK: You have a reputation for playing a wide variety of instruments. You also own a lot of instruments. What’s your current favourite, and why?
RD: The so-called "classical" guitar is the most expressive, beautiful, inquisitive and difficult object in the universe.
PAK: What is your all-time favorite children’s song, and why?
RD: I haven't written it yet. Because I'm waiting for our next album together.
PAK: How many guitarists does it take to screw in a light bulb?
RD: Just one, no matter how high up. They just drag across a singer's ego and use it as a giant step ladder.
Visit Richard on his site at Richard Durrant
And if you enjoyed this interview we think you'd also like these other rude awakenings from the Roofless Interrogator––
Fred Penner
Sho, Mo & The Monkey Bunch
Marla Lewis
Eddie Coker
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