We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
supported by
Johnny Ginger
Johnny Ginger  thumbnail
Johnny Ginger This is sweet Chuck!!! Good job mate - my fav at the moment - Cross Road Blues Favorite track: Cross road blues.
/
  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    MONO, physical copy on CD signed by Li'l Chuck.
    Beautifully designed, professional quality product with gatefold sleeve, 12 page booklet, lyrics, harmonica and song key information. I will personally send this to you, I am a one man band on many levels!

    Includes unlimited streaming of MONO via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 4 days

      $25 NZD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

      $10 NZD  or more

     

1.
Right by my side (Li'l Chuck, May 2018) Song Key F, Harmonica Key Bb7 I need you right here, right by my side. I need you right here, right by my side, If you were ever to leave me, well I would surely die You're my reason for living, darling you know it's true You're my reason for living, darling you know it's true If you fell for another, I don't know what I'd do If I woke in the morning to find that you had gone If I woke in the morning to find that you had gone I'd never stop searching, until the day that you came home I fall to the floor with every breath you take I fall to the floor with every breath you take There could be no other, who could take your place
2.
The Backyard Harmonica Boogie instrumental. A selection of licks, & riffs from my bag of tricks. (Li'l Chuck, May 2018) Song Key A/ Harmonica Key D
3.
4.
Crying 05:02
Crying (Li'l Chuck, July 2018) Song key A. Open G. capo 2. Slide The last thing I ever wanna do is hurt you the pain in my heart is too much to bear its the burden on my mind stops me from sleeping it cuts like a knife through the midnight air there's no book written for this situation no map for this unchartered road just a few things that I heard some other people say and a few things that I've chosen to ignore if truth be told I'm making it up as I go along but you don't need to know about that coz you think I am the older and the wiser one so I'm gonna keep that information that under my hat I'm just pulling the wool over your eyes but you're too innocent to see one day you'll be stood exactly where I'm standing and you'll know exactly what I mean when I say “this won't hurt you, half as much as it hurts me” when I say “this won't hurt you, half as much as it hurts me” please don't cry you know I hate to see you cry you know I hate to see you crying
5.
Outta here 02:12
Outta here (Li'l Chuck, April 2018) Song Key E Harmonica Key E I know coz its plain to see that you've been seeing him and fooling me theres talk all over this town rumours been flying around and around telling tales, telling lies pulling the wool over my eyes you act so sweet and innocently but you ain't fooling them and you ain't fooling me so it's time to say goodbye and you ain't gonna see me cry so pack your things and get the hell outta here you've had me dangling by a thread ever since the day that you shared my bed you said that I was the only one but the love birds were singing a different song when I called you on the telephone I could hear in your voice that you weren't alone now there's another to take my place I'm handing you the keys to that old suitcase so it's time to say goodbye and you ain't gonna see me cry so pack your things and get the hell outta here I should have seen the signs a long time ago but I was too blind to see you've been leading me on a merry dance making a fool out of me I'm telling you honey, telling you for sure I won't be happy until you're out the door don't come back, do you hear what I say just get out of town and stay out of my way so it's time to say goodbye and you ain't gonna see me cry so pack your things and get the hell outta here
6.
Red rooster 03:33
7.
Sweet sue 02:52
8.
Shady grove 03:21
9.
Sleeping Dog Blues (Li'l Chuck, Circa 1991) Song Key E / Harmonica Key A late last night I had a beer or two but I ended up drunk and confused let the sleeping dog lie let the sleeping dog lie I've got rocks in my head and I'm staying in bed so let the sleeping dog lie what was that drink at the back of the shelf you told me it was good for my health let the sleeping dog lie let the sleeping dog lie I've got rocks in my head and I'm staying in bed so let the sleeping dog lie When the bar started fighting I tried to get out and run but my legs wouldn't hold me so I stayed for the fun let the sleeping dog lie let the sleeping dog lie I've got rocks in my head and I'm staying in bed so let the sleeping dog lie when I got home you were waiting for me no hugs no kissing just a kick in the teeth let the sleeping dog lie let the sleeping dog lie I've got rocks in my head and I'm staying in bed so let the sleeping dog lie that was the last drink, never again I've said that before but I'l never learn let the sleeping dog lie let the sleeping dog lie I've got rocks in my head and I'm staying in bed so let the sleeping dog lie
10.
Writing's on the wall (Li'l Chuck, Sept 2017) Song Key C#, Harmonica Key F# I came to see you this morning I knocked but you weren’t at home I rang but you didn’t answer so I left a message on your phone I wrote a note for you dear and slipped it under your door left another on your windshield I know you read them both for sure I don’t know what you’re trying to hide by leaving me out in the cold I can read between the lines that you’re ready to hit the road just a little confirmation, before I up and go cos I don’t have to be a scholar to see the writings on the wall The letters you once sent me smelt of your sweet perfume they were sealed with a loving kiss and sent by the light of the moon now I’d be happy with just a note dear, even if it were tattered and torn just a little explanation, before I ramble on I don’t know what you’re trying to hide by leaving me out in the cold you don’t need to send a man with a telegram to tell me what I already know Just a little conversation, before I up and go cos I don't have to be a scholar to see the writings on the wall
11.
My babe 03:31
12.
The Devil came to see me (Li'l Chuck, June 2017) Harmonica Key A The Devil came to see me in my dreams last night The Devil came to see me in my dreams last night he tapped me on the shoulder told me everything will be alright he tapped me on the shoulder told me everything will be alright
13.
14.
Boom boom 02:57

about

Li'l Chuck - The One Man Skiffle Machine

ALBUM RELEASE 29th March 2019

One Man... One Man Band... One Microphone... One Day Recording Session...

When music is pared back to its very bones, there’s nowhere to hide, yet it’s exactly when multi-instrumentalist David Thorpe (aka Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine) performs at his very best.

For his third studio album, MONO, the independent Christchurch-based performer was determined to go back to basics to record all 14 tracks in a one-day session, capturing single takes with no overdubs, and using entirely 1950's mono recording equipment, direct to tape.

It’s a dynamic, lively, foot-stomping vibe that may have its origins in New Zealand’s South Island, but instantly transports you across the globe, between genres, and throughout decades.

Li’l Chuck’s music is a nostalgic melting pot of influences – driven by his harmonica, resonator guitar and vocals, and underpinned by kick drum, and hi hat - it pays homage to the artists who have graced the stage before him. Yet, the result is a sound that’s entirely his own.

The place to make MONO a reality was none other than Sugar Ray's Vintage Recording Studio, located in Essex, UK.

After stumbling on a video of their vintage recording techniques, he booked a session, and travelled nearly 12,000 miles to record with engineer Dean Amos. Post production and mastering was completed by Lincoln Grounds (Thomm Jutz) and released on Thorpe’s own label, Backyard Music.

“Working at Sugar Ray’s was a meeting of minds, and, being a nostalgic fella, recording through their vintage gear was a buzz,” says Thorpe. “I was working with the gear my idols would have used. I like the raw, simplistic, organic, honest, uncomplicated, naked approach. I like warts n’ all, bumps and scrapes. Capturing the energy of a performance, not over-thinking it.”

“I like music with integrity.”

Watch the video 'About this album' for a behind the scenes look at recording session at

Sugar ray's vintage recording studio .

About this album.jpg
About this album - video
youtu.be/r1HpMy3yV7Y


From the free-spirited Backyard Harmonica Boogie, to the heartfelt Crying, all tracks touch on musical influences from the 1930s to 50s, inspired by the sounds of the Blues, Early Jazz, Western Swing, and Ragtime, uniquely presented in the style of our founding street performers.

Storytelling is at the album’s very core, as Thorpe skilfully plays all his instruments simultaneously. He’s famously passionate about the one-man band craft, something he has held onto ever since he saw iconic busker Rob Gray, of “The Little Big Band”, perform on the UK streets in the late 1980s. He was only 18, but says, from that moment, a mental photograph was captured and everything fell into place. This has influenced everything he’s done musically since.

While he continued performing in the intervening years, it was 2011 when he hit a turning-point, and knew it was time to finally record his one-man band music. Having just turned 40, and welcomed his first child, the devastating Christchurch earthquakes struck, demolishing his home.

Realising time was short, it spurred him to follow his dreams, and he set about writing and recording. The resulting album was Blues in Full Swing (2015), followed by 2017’s Utility Blues.

This time around, as he gears up to release MONO, he’s proud to be bucking the trend by paring back his music to its core essentials – exactly as his idols would have done.

“With this album, it’s so raw, there’s nothing to hide behind.

This is as they would have done it...You go into the studio really well rehearsed, play and then go home.”

The first single to be released off MONO will be, Right by My Side, available on all platforms from 1 March

ABOUT LI’L CHUCK

Originally hailing from the UK, Li’l Chuck (David Thorpe) relocated to Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2003, and has been showcasing his talent there ever since.

With more than 25 years of performance, writing and recording experience, he spent more than a decade in Christchurch's legendary Irish group, 'The Black Velvet Band', and managed 'The Vanguard', the official house band of The Crusaders’ rugby team in Canterbury.

He recently supported American legend Jimmy Buffett, Bluesman Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, and, The Topp Twins, and has helped audiences get in the party spirit at events such as, The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, Kaikoura Seafest, New Zealand Cup and Show Week, The New Zealand World Buskers’ Festival, and The Great Kiwi Beer Festival.

Other highlights include working alongside the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and performances at the Rugby World Cup, and Cricket World Cup.

His second album, Utility Blues (2017) hit Number 6 on the official New Zealand albums chart, and he appeared as a feature artist on Jesse Mulligan's Radio New Zealand show.



For more information, visit, wwwskifflemachine.com, and www.backyardmusic.co.nz

To arrange interviews, please contact Backyard Music on +64 21 124 4801, or email info@backyardmusic.co.nz

"Sublime harp and heartfelt vocals leave the listener wanting more"

Blues Matters Magazine (UK), June 2017

"Li'l Chuck combines almost every element of pure joy"

NZ Listener, March 2017

"A true multi-instrumentalist and multi-tasker, in addition to a talented artist".

No Depression Magazine, USA, March 2017

credits

released March 29, 2019

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine Christchurch, New Zealand

Li'l Chuck is an authentic one man band performing 'good time music with old time style'.

Blessed with the ability to handle multiple instruments at a time, he is the master of coordination: blown', suckin' and plucking' simultaneously. He has spent a lifetime rummaging through the drawers of 30's - 50's music. His songs are inspired by the sounds of the era
... more

contact / help

Contact Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine, you may also like: