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Better known for his musical work as one-third of the acclaimed experimental folk song and storytelling trio Harp & a Monkey, Simon J Jones has now finished recording his debut solo album ‘How Things Work’ that celebrates his love of vintage Ladybird Books.
Simon is also an international award-winning photographic artist and animator and he has created a series of short videos to accompany a number of the songs. We recently shared his first for ‘Royal Mail’ here, and today we have the pleasure of sharing another. Navigation At Sea was inspired by the 1967 Ladybird title ‘Understanding Maps’.
Were you aware of the important role that the Pole Star has traditionally played in guiding sailors’ home from sea? Such nuggets of information can be found in the latest taster from the forthcoming solo album by Simon J Jones.
A nautical tale built around layers of harmonium and viola, the song highlights the composer’s love of children’s TV theme tunes from the Seventies and Eighties.
Jones explained: “Writing a song about navigation at sea was particularly poignant for me as generations of my family were merchant seamen, including my dad – who used to tell me of his travels across the oceans.
“Two boats that my grandfather Thomas sailed with were sunk during the war, and he would ultimately be drowned at sea. Perhaps that is why I’m really drawn to the magical imagery that connects the stars, moon and tides to vessels far out at sea and the comfort they give as tools of navigation?”
How Things Work by Simon J Jones will be released on March 7th and can be pre-ordered (with additional art cards and song information) now via https://simonjohnjones.bandcamp.com/.
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