Sussex MP set to release his ‘secret’ album (From The Argus)

Sussex MP set to release his ‘secret’ album

1:30pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

He may be used to the popping flashbulbs, late nights and long journeys with his entourage.

But is the world ready for the first rock’n’road Government minister?

After years of appearing to be in tune with voters, Lewes MP Norman Baker has elected to launch an assault on the pop charts.

Swapping his red ministerial box for a sound box, the Liberal Democrat has recorded an album called Always Tomorrow with his band the Reform Club.

But, while admitting he could be persuaded to do some record signings in local shops, the 55-year-old admitted he did not think the album would turn a profit.

Mr Baker, who is the lead singer and lyricist of the band, told The Argus: “I thought about doing it when I was in the music industry about 30 years ago.

“Music has always been a big part of my life. It is what I do at the end of my day job.

“It has been a big secret. I’m surprised it has been kept so quiet.”

Mr Baker describes the folk-inspired album, which was recorded in a Brighton studio in summer, as “quintessentially English”.

British pop fan

He compared it to The Kinks, Madness and Blur.

Most of the music is written by the guitarist Mike Phipps, a link-up Mr Baker likened to Lennon and McCartney.

One track was written in 1983 after the pair lost their jobs in the music chain Our Price, where the MP had been a regional director.

Another, entitled “Strange Days”, has the lyrics: “You were there with your long hair and I was there, or mostly there. That's how it was then, man.”

Mr Baker, who has a weekly radio show on Seahaven FM, said the album was “definitely not political”, nor were there any songs specifically about his constituency.

However, he said one of the tracks was about Brightling Church, near Robertsbridge and close to his former Etchingham home.

Musical colour

The 13th century building also features on the cover of the album.

When asked what he would do with any profits, Mr Baker, whose day-to-day duties include responsibility for railways, buses and traffic management, said: “To be honest at the moment I’m thinking it will actually be profit-losing.

“We have not done it to make money; we have done it because it is fun.

“Music turns a black and white world into colour.”

The album will be available from March 25 for £10 for a CD and £15 for an LP while some tracks will be posted on YouTube.

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