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Wrapped up in a five pound note

by Dictafone

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1.
Small Mercies Big enough to reason that the world is not at war, with all you are attempting to invent and who you are. and young enough to wonder at the meaning of it all, but frightened by the ashes in your eyes. Don't you run away, take it on the chin, don't you settle down, don't you settle in, Never good enough. Don't you wanna see what you could've won, don't you wanna do all you could've done This is what you get. It's the small, smallest mercy in the world. Sleeping with light on, there's no comfort in the dark and all the distant thunder is the sound of passing cars. There'll always be a tomorrow but it's not enough by far. you need to fan the embers in your eyes. Don't you run away, take it on the chin... If the pill won't go down, take it another way. When the rumours go round, do you care what they're gonna say? It's the smallest mercy in the world. Don't you run away, take it on the chin... At the end of all everlasting days when the hours ring and the minutes they hover over you like a bird of prey on the motorway It's all right you get my love.
2.
Man in Gabardine He's telling her that he doesn't know why he's empty and aches inside. She's sleeping now, head over my way at arms length just across the isle. By day I climb the walls I cannot go around Am I alone in this broken down dream? The silver wheels that whisper through another town say who am I? The man in Gabardine. There's a cigarette rolling under her feet that fell from an old raincoat. There is a regret in the greyhound miles that keep this wide land afloat. By day I climb the walls I cannot go around Am I alone in this broken down dream. The silver wheels that whisper through another town say who am I? The man in Gabardine. Blame I will, home town of cemetery eyes to haunt you They offer you no drinks or smiles You leave, but clocking up the miles Doesn't dull the pain of beauty in a stranger’s face. Cruel Britannia rule the waves make my tailor rich again 'till his dying day.
3.
Big colourful heart When all my dragons are well fed the sheets are clean, the table set and sentimental corners have been turned. We’ll leave behind the things we bought and wrapped up warm in a five pound note we’ll set off with only animals on board. In a big colourful heart we can strike out for land and make a new start in a big colourful heart. Your guilt is first into the sea along with all my allergies. Your conscience and my sinus will be clear. So ditch the anchor head out east the west is old or dead at best. We’ll stop when our true voices can be heard. In a big colourful heart we can strike out for land and make a new start in a big colourful heart. In a big innocent heart we can set out the rules to set us apart in a big innocent heart. Actions do speak loud I must confess, I’m feeling quite obsessed with a world that looked the other way while Josiah Warren ruled the day. And when we find our distant shore we won’t be calling up our friends “Come join us!” ‘cause that shit’s been tried before. So don’t bother to put it to the test Utopias are hell at best. You only end up hating those you love. With a big colourful heart...
4.
Distractions 05:07
Distractions I'm bringing back a life, I don't believe that this one was ever my size. Oh I was taken in, I was weighed and balanced and found... wanting for our glory days some focus but the joke is on us. Throw all your weight on the wheel but in this you have no say Wherever you’re driving to distraction's on your way. Time just barrels on bringing shorter hours than we count on And say just what you mean, means just that you say less and hope... that someone will dot all the t's and cross the i's because you haven't the time. Throw all your weight on the wheel but in this you have no say Wherever you’re driving to distraction's on your way. And in the time that it takes for your guardian angel to appear everything you hold dear has passed you by. Some flickers on a screen, a hold-up run like clockwork and the getaway was clean. I'll hang with Harold Lloyd, holding back the hours... still, nothing could be further from the outcome than things that I've never done Throw all your weight on the wheel but in this you have no say Wherever you’re driving to distraction's on your way. And in the time that it takes for your guardian angel to appear everything you hold dear has passed you by.
5.
10 moons rising 10 moons rising to my fingertips, do I bite them off and bring on my own eclipse? I was hoping for an end to the pain but there isn't any hope of that on this train. Send in the army, send in the troops to release these people from you and your thigh length boots. You've got more clothes on than some women here but the way that you wear them makes them all disappear. And you're sitting quietly making so much noise... ...and I can't turn you down, these silly boys they all know what they're missing, YOU. They circle around hoping for just one souvenir of all they cannot have. Brazen and coy with effortless poise and more than a hint of Kelly's grace, I hate to intrude but before you cause a scene we must leave... we really must go now. Man with his eyes locked in a cage has been reading the same page over to the click, click, click of his wife knitting furiously and you can bet that when they get home she'll make him wear it for a week. And then the sandwich boy brings us reprieve but the tension is heightened by his trolley with the squeaky wheel. I'll never fathom the chaos you bring you're a bottle marked poison but they still drink you in. We'll be picking up eyeballs and rolling in their tongues... oh no, what have you done to these silly boys...etc Me with your head on my shoulder. The looks I get are distinctly cold. I'm saving their jealousy and hatred till my ego is fed-up and feasted. If you show no sign of dimming your flame, your silk skin will crackle and I'll become insane. You say "Baby I'm bored" Oh please don't start a fight, you've already set all the men on this train alight... ad-lib Copyright 2001 D.Roberts
6.
Limitations 03:48
Limitations You open your paper and there he is laid out before you. Oh so deserving of all the fortune and fame. And you're not opening the mail. It's the part you've chosen for yourself. It's not fair for you to do so well out in the world I'm hemmed in by horizons. Would it be too much to ask of you to send a telegram when you reach your limitations. How can we sit here and say we did not see it coming. When we kept our mouths and our money so far apart. If we'd only looked into the future we'd never be so wrong before. It's not fair for you to do so well out in the world I'm hemmed in by horizons. Would it be too much to ask of you to send a telegram when you reach your limitations.
7.
Simple 02:57
Simple Here's where the story starts, I'll pin the tale on the end of nothing Before the horse and cart, in between poles but after something. There they all were stood around waiting for the ground to open They were hanging round busy calculating aftermath Then one of them said "Hang the theory, oh you know it must be simpler than that. It's been staring us in the back, just find the thing that really matters Surely we build from that. You need the cloud before the umbrella". How they laughed and said "Well don't you realise what you're suggesting. People have to say That's so impressive, love the colour scheme! Simple schmimple how on earth do you expect us all to make a living from that?" Here's where the story ends, roll down the blinds and wait for darkness Reach for a switch in the gloom and jump as you blow the bulb in your bathroom.
8.
The underachievers Oh they have trouble walking. There is a bone missing that they cannot name. You can see them browse the aisles of discount supermarkets in vain. Oh they have no trouble talking. They can bullshit with the best of them on mobile phones, to a sister in the suburbs with children coming out of her ears. And when they arrive home to greet their wives and families so pleased to see 'em, you can observe a subtle metamorphosis as they cease to be 'em and as the dinner conversation twists and turns around the houses, someone will ask you what you did today. Who me? Oh I betrayed everything I have ever known to be true. They hang around bus stops. It starts off jokey then ends up in fisticuffs. And you might wonder why so aggressive as you sit there reading your novel looking all passive. Oh the underachievers have no direction. They live in limbo between sky and ground. They only know which way they're facing by kicking you when you're down. And when they arrive home to greet their wives and families so pleased to see 'em, you can observe a subtle metamorphosis as they cease to be 'em and as the dinner conversation twists and turns around the houses, someone will ask you what you did today. Who me? Oh I betrayed everything I have ever known to be true. Oh here they come, here they come...
9.
Victoria 03:35
Victoria - Lyrics by Ray Davies Long ago life was clean Sex was bad and obscene And the rich were so mean Stately homes for the Lords Croquet lawns, village greens Victoria was my queen Victoria, Victoria, Victoria... I was born, lucky me In a land that I love Though I am poor, I am free When I grow I shall fight For this land I shall die Let her sun never set Victoria, Victoria, Victoria... Land of hope and gloria Land of my Victoria Land of hope and gloria Land of my Victoria Victoria, Victoria Canada to India Australia to Cornwall Singapore to Hong Kong From the West to the East From the rich to the poor Victoria loved them all Victoria, Victoria, Victoria...
10.
Reports from a civil war Thursday ninth, I'm holed up in barracks on North street, North St, North St, where am I? I fell asleep holding your picture so tightly, dearly, to me, who am I? Don't believe reports from a civil war 'cause most of us here forget what we're fighting for. If you shoot at trees for this long it gets so that you can't tell an oak from a sycamore. Sunday twelfth, one of my comrades turned to me, from me, crying who am I? Putting bullets in all those around he said funny how we trust in appearances. Don't believe reports from a civil war 'cause most of us here forget what we're fighting for. If you shoot at trees for this long it gets so that you can't tell an oak from a sycamore. Wednesday night, waking up drowsy, I'm thinking maybe hell is a hospital. Later they tell me with no hint of irony that the bullet was stopped by the picture you gave to me. I said… what I know of these things may amount to little, but stopping bullets with paper just isn't possible. So don't believe reports from a civil war 'cause most of us here forget what we're fighting for. If you shoot at trees for this long it gets so that you can't tell an oak from a sycamore.
11.
Albert through the ether Albert through the ether, do you see the light of that far away town? well now Albert that's Geneva. You're sat by the lake and your hands they are shaking so... Throw your doubt and anger out over the water to sink like a stone that your mind has outgrown. Albert you're not thinking, it's 1904 and a new age is dawning while Albert your faith is sinking. Don't leave us adrift we could all use the lift you know. Throw your doubt and anger out over the water Your biggest fear, your darkest hour won't be back to haunt you. Albert you have to choose now, it's ether or nothing but even nothing must be something. Albert you don't need either, there's nothing between you are perfectly free to go... Throw your doubt and anger out over the water America is calling ya Your biggest fear, your darkest hour won't be back to haunt you. America is calling ya Albert the French will love you, the Germans will quote you and the Swiss will heap praise on their Albert. There's nothing bigger. The world is a sigh in the hot breath of time so go... Throw your doubt and anger out over the water America is calling ya Your biggest fear, your darkest hour won't be back to haunt you. America is calling ya
12.
Columbo 04:44
Columbo You know your time has come when a grilling from Columbo ends with stupid questions, and you thought he was guessing On your knees now, we always knew you did it right from the beginning we're in on the joke. Kirk and Spock and Bones are beaming down to check out some deserted planet and you're along as look-out On your knees now, in this foregone conclusion face it Mr Johnson you're over and out. The weight of time, the time you wait, the weight around your neck in the morning The mass of space around your bed, the space you take up when you're sleeping Fold you up to make you fit, but you're not getting any smaller. It's early days in Venice and Desdemona's faithful but jealousy's the premise so come on now Othello. On your knees now and give up while the going's going in your direction. Save us all the wait. The weight of time, the time you wait, the weight around your neck in the morning The mass of space around your bed, the space you take up when you're sleeping Fold you up to make you fit, but you're not getting any smaller. The weight of time, the time you wait, the weight around your neck in the morning The mass of space around your bed, the space you take up when you're sleeping Words are all that tumble out and you were holding out for numbers to dial from a public phone. "This is the God-line what's your question?" No, no wait for my signal, only act on my say-so So you think this is living? You're moving round but you're dreaming…

about

French press quotes for Wrapped up in a £5 note:

MAGIC
"Pop soignée, chansons belles et touchantes. »

LONGUEUR D'ONDES (Bruno Aubin)

"...Mélodiques et pop, les compositions y sont reines, la production jouant la carte de la finesse, toujours au service des morceaux... le charme naturel d'un crooner décontracté... il serait étonnant que les majors restent insensibles à Dictafone, tant son aptitude classe à faire roucouler la ménagère est évidente..."
 
COMPACT (Ray Banana)

"...Autre gâterie, DICTAFONE.  Prod super léchée, pop/rock comme on en fait chez nos voisins, etc "
 
ROCK SOUND (Olivier Portnoi)

"...Enjouée, parfois quasiment théâtrale, la pop de DICTAFONE s'étoffe de refrains enchanteurs et de tournures décalées entre Queen et Keziah Jones..."
 
OPEN MAG (Philippe Monthaye)

“Une mine à chansons...la production frise l’excellence.”

TRANSISTOR (Dominique Bérard)

"...On y trouve des gros tubes énormes irréprochablement exécutés.  Les compositions sont léchées à mort et les arrangements épurés sont du meilleur goût !  De la pop à la hauteur d'un XTC, avec un zeste de Lennon.  La Grande Classe Internationale..."
 
NOUVELLE VAGUE (Franck Vienot)

"...une musique fragile et mélodique parfois proche de Bowie..."

IT’S ONLY ROCK (Raskar Kapak)

 "Avec Small Mercies, Duncan décroche une ballade plein de sensibilité, au refrain imparable qui en dit long sur les talents de ce jeune compositeur. "

credits

released March 24, 2016

Duncan Roberts : Vocals, acoustic & electric guitars,
bass, drums & percussion, piano & keyboards
Karim Benaziza : Drums
Nicki Ross : Backing Vocals
Mathew Pitt-Bailey : Bass & backing vocals
Pierre Ajavon : Bass
Guillaume Juramie : Bass
Hakim Rachek : Bass
Sylvain Ripaud : Piano & Keyboards
Pierre Plumejeau : Piano
Didier Leroux : Keyboards
Oleg Yugan : Oboe. Ivan Réchard : Double Bass
David Amsellem : 1st violin. Yohan Rochetta : 2nd violin
Nathalie Priot : Viola. Sylvie Mazet : Cello

Produced by Duncan Roberts
Recorded & mixed by Sylvain Ripaud & Duncan Roberts
at Spozzle studios Paris & mastered at Musicopré
by Thomas Demarle & Mathias Remy
All songs written by Duncan Roberts © 2003
except Reports/Albert/Columbo - Duncan Roberts/Mathew Pitt-Bailey © 2003 & Victoria written by Ray Davies © Davray Music Ltd
Lyrics to Victoria reproduced with kind permission of Carlin Music Corp
String arrangement on Ten moons rising by Pierre Plumejeau
The Mr Peppermint character appears courtesy of Armelle Sacher © 2003
Duncan plays John Overton’s cymbals

Duncan gives thanks : to all the musicians who played & turned the sound in my head into reality, to Nicki for all her support & for still believing in me, to my friends & family for being there, to Sylvain & Nicolas P. for service way beyond the call of duty, to John O, Cédric, Armelle & Louis, to Jean-Noël Bigotti & all at Irma & Finally to Neil Finn, Ray Davies & Eddie Izzard for waking & sleeping hours inspiration. The door is always open...

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