Literally Peter Skellern Article: 1972

one-page feature in Record Mirror, December 9, 1972.

IT SEEMS that in recent weeks I've been hearing comparisons of Peter Skellern and Gilbert O'Sullivan presented by many different people; so, when I met Peter to talk over the release of his first album and dis-covered that he had no immediate plans to ap-pear in live concerts, I thought the comments were proving to be true.

"I've not been working at all, since I last saw you", Peter admit-ted. "And we're going to delay it even more, be-cause live work is very important and I want people to know the kind of music that I'll be doing. I'm hoping they'll find that out from the album, but right now if I do the college cir-cuits all the students have heard is You're A Lady and that's been selling to kids, mums and dads and heavies!"

Peter having been trained as a concert pianist and so being well able to cope with set-tings of grandeur! -would like to appear at the Festival Hall, but he says honestly: "What's the point? I haven't done enough to draw a crowd there. I want people to know what they're coming to hear, and they won't know that yet. But I won't delay things for more than six months."

So the facet of the O'Sullivan-Skellern comparison bites the mpariso dust, and as far as his songs are concerned? Well, it's true that both Gilbert and Peter tell stories in their songs, but Peter's often leave more for the listener to add, and they also have a very noRthern flavour.

He "I can't see that be-cause it's me," says Peter. "But to somebody from outside it could seem that way. does, he agrees, write story lines, often deducted from his own experiences, and says of his habit of leaving the listener to make his own interpretation: "In a way it's a fault in as much as you say some-thing and then write a line, but you're not just thinking of that line like 'every home should have one' you've got the thoughts in your mind, but no-body else does have. So you've got to make sure that what you've written means something. But as long as music is for people, well whatever they make out of a certain song it's all right." Some of the stories included on Peter's al-bum feature a young girl's and boy's first holiday at the seaside without their parents. "I went to school camp when I was 15", says Peter. "That's exactly what it's about." There's also the ditty about Jackie's wedding, titled Jackie's Getting Married, which is Peter's current single re-lease; and the very sad Lonely Room. But often Peter portrays a light-hearted view of life, though he's also usually baring his soul.

One journalist, having heard the album, decided that Peter was indicating how he had trouble getting it together with the opposite sex. "I thought that was pretty astute", says Peter, adding: "I'm frightened of women; even you! You know where you are with men, but you never know what. women are thinking. So. it goes back to what you said", Peter explains, referring to an earlier joke. "Who is Peter Skellern? Literally!" But despite his fears Peter has a great love of women his wife apparent understands and just regrets he doesn't have the cour-age to take advantage of his desires more often! That, on the other hand, is why his wife can be understanding!

"I'd hate to have to choose between music and marriage", Peter told me. "But I think I would have to do music, because otherwise there's no point to anything." What about the time spent working as a plugger at Chappells, I wondered. "Well, I was still writing songs while I was at Chappells. But basically I just went round the producers' offices at lunchtime when I knew they'd be out, and put the records on their going on," he says happily, and adds that he doesn't find it difficult to try to push his success in Britain even further, while venturing across to America.

"I look at the world as one place," he explains. "And if you don't aim for the moon you'll never leave earth!"

At the moment Peter is next himself in the direction of Scotland where he plans to spend 'time writing more mate-rial for his next album, which he will begin work on in February. "It will be a new environment. This album is songs from Shaftesbury in Dorset, the nest will be from a house up in the hills of Scotland. In Lon-don you would probably get nothing at all! I get annoyed when I'm writing. I'll be in the middle of something and Timothy (his (his so son) will need bathing and I'll have to do it.

"I like that, but I just don't get enough time, though it's obviously important to take part in Timothy's life. The lullaby on the album was written for him when I put him to bed I sometimes sing to him, desks. Well, how can you go and say 'listen to that' when it's a terrible record!" and the understandably people working on Peter's material have more faith in their product. Already 15 versions of You're A Lady have been released, including those by Andy Williams, Perry Como and Dawn; currently in Billboard's chart with their version. Peter has recently re-turned from promoting his original single in the States, but unfortunately was unable to make any TV appearances without a special permit. "But everybody in the business there knows me and what is and I set the music box on the wall going."

That's something I really like about Peter Skellern. Not only is he a talented musician and writer, but he is not afraid to talk about his real feelings. He's pure unadulterated Peter and the Skellern only concession he has made to his usual style of life is to dress with a little more care than he has in the past.

"I don't mind that, simply because I can buy decent clothes now though I can never find trousers to fit be-cause I've got short fat legs!"

You're all right Peter, lad. Definitely alright.