THE MUSICAL/AUDIO STORYBOOK LIBRARY
BRITISH PEOPLE IN HISTORY
A project undertaken not for profit but purely for love of the content
Richard has devised a brand new concept that few, if any, other performers could possibly create. Yes there are many songwriters, scriptwriters, researchers, music producers and historians, to say nothing of prohibitive recording studio and manufacturing costs. Few are all these things but Richard, a qualified radio producer from Elstree Radio School in his days at Capital Radio, London, a Gold Award recipient from The British Academy of Composers & Songwriters, with his own recording studio, covers all those aspects to produce this unique musical storybook library. Unique is an often-used word but this really is. Digitally recorded for CD release and personally signed, each tells the story of a British person who made history, told through songs and narration. They are available at £9.99 each or in half-price packages of 4 for just £20, a fiver each, to cover production, postage & packing. The library was not created to make a profit but through Richard's love of music and history which he invites you to share.
THIS COLLECTION IS CREATIVE ORIGINALITY AT ITS VERY BEST
Each CD comes with Richard's unique and distinctive trademark of a handwritten, personally signed disc and full sleevenote details.
Each storybook is £9.99 inc P&P or in packages of 4, see below
PACKAGE 1
MAS 001 - ALAN TURING - ENGIMA OR STIGMA
Alan Turing and the team of codebreakers at Bletchley Park, against all odds, broke the German Enigma Code and it's suggested their work reduced World War 11 by two years. At the time of his posting JRR Tolkien also applied but his application was rejected. Despite such a success he was abhorred by The Government for his sexual leaning to the extent he died of chemical poisoning in 1954, possibly suicide, possibly not. This is his story from birth to his sad passing. Duration 55 minutes.
MAS 002 - ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL - THE NEW IRON AGE
Brunel changed the landscape of Britain by creating his very own Iron Age in the 19th Century. This storybook delves into his life from his birth in Portsmouth, just down the road from Charles Dickens, celebrating his railways, bridges, ships and viaducts, along with additional facts regarding his diminutive 5-feet height to his 40 cigar a day habit, along with other interesting details such as being a special constable and that his Chelsea home was purchased in 1968 by Mick Jagger for £68,000. Duration 58 minutes.
MAS 003 - THE ELEPHANT MAN
Joseph Merrick was born in Leicester and worked in a cigar factory until he decided to move to London to find fame and fortune through his deformity. His future became a tug-of-war battle between showman Tom Norman and London Hospital surgeon Frederick Treves. The storybook details his artistic talent as a model-maker, his love of music and his friendships with members of The Royal Family. Return through this story to a shop window in Whitechapel Road, East London, now an Asian clothing shop. Duration 53 minutes. Duration 43 minutes.
MAS 004 - STANLEY MATTHEWS
Stanley Matthews remains the greatest English footballer of all time. He played in the top league at the age of 51, played for England at 43, played 700 league games but was never booked let alone sent off. Listen to the story of this man who began playing for £5 per week and finally went against The Government to coach kids in the Soweto township in South Africa. Includes a rare contribution from 1966 World Cup legend, Alan Ball. Duration 42 minutes.
RED PACKAGE OF 4 CDs FOR JUST £20
MAS 005 - VIVIENNE FAYRE
A MUST LISTEN. The object of this storybook is to highlight the bravery of someone few have ever heard of. 19-year-old Devon tap dancer and acrobat, Vivienne Fayre was the only performer to be killed whilst entertaining British troops during World War Two. It's a heart-breaking story with appropriate music and narration. Duration 37 minutes.
MAS 006- CAPTAIN JAMES COOK
Yes, we all know he sailed to Australia but there are so many hidden secrets hidden in Captain Cook's locker. You will be surprised. Did you know one of his crew members happened to be William Bligh of Mutiny On The Bounty fame. More importantly, he classed nostalgia as an illness. Nostalgia? An illness? Absolutely, an illness that sent British sailors home. Stand by for Richard's interpretation of a sea shanty. Duration 40 minutes.
MAS 007- TONY HANCOCK
Richard claims Tony Hancock to be his first comedy influence when a young boy listening to the radio. Hancock lived a tragic life, eventually committing suicide but it's amazing to discover more about him, a whole armful starting out as half a duo with Dereck Stock, the musical director of The Muppet Show. More surprises await your attention. Duration 41 minutes.
MAS 008 - JOHN LENNON
If there is anything gained from being old then one instance is that Richard saw The Beatles perform at East Ham Granada in November 1963. This storybook follows Lennon's life, with a few unfamiliar facts, from his early childhood near Strawberry Fields to his death where the Strawberry Fields monument now stands in New York's Central Park. Did you know Lennon had an obsession for playing Monopoly and loved cats, his favourite being named Jesus? And there are more unusual facts in this storybook. Duration 32 minutes.
BLUE PACKAGE OF 4 CDs FOR JUST £20
MAS 009 - CHARLIE CHAPLIN
A story of rags to riches that surpasses most. Born in South London, his father was a failed alcoholic music hall act and his mother was admitted to a mental asylum, so he was left to fend for himself, sleeping rough, before sailing to America with Stan Laurel in search of fame and fortune. He became the world's highest earning actor as he gathered four wives and eleven children on the way. Listen to the story of a troubled man who made the world smile. Duration 36 minutes.
MAS 010 - ROALD DAHL
One of the greatest authors of our time, having written 88 books and numerous screenplays. This storybook tells of amazing life way beyond Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, from his birth in Wales, to World War Two when he became in contact with Churchill, and on to a literary life inspired by fellow Welsh person, Dylan Thomas, a fellow smoker and drinker. A captivating storybook of a hero. Duration 38 minutes.
MAS 011 - TOMMY COOPER
Described by most as the greatest British comedian of all time, yet his private life was very much like his stage act, he got things wrong more often than he got things right. A heavy drinker and 40 cigar a day smoker, he died at the age of 63 before the audience at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1984. Like many of his day he began by entertaining troops during World War Two. Duration 37 minutes.
MAS 012 - RICHARD WHITTINGTON
Richard Whittington would probably have disappeared into the dusty history books had he not become the only real pantomime character, Dick Whittington. At one time he was the richest man in London, a self-made fortune as a mercer, a textile creator for royalty and aristocrats. By the way, he didn't have a cat, and there are more Whittington secrets to be revealed in this storybook. Definitely one of the kindest men in history. Duration 42 minutes.
GREEN PACKAGE OF 4 CDs FOR JUST £20