True North from GIFT by Alex Clayton
Born of a period of travel, self-imposed and wonderfully fulfilling exile in Extremadura and Andalusia. Before he finalised his input to True North, I messaged its featured guitarist, Niall MacMahon, to say that I did not expect him to expend all that time and effort for no reward. His response was: “after all the time and effort you put in on my songs 40 years ago, my guitaring on TN doesn’t come near payback…”.
In truth, the intervening years were one or two more than 40.
Tracklist
| 1. | True North | 6:06 |
Lyrics
WHERE is my compass? I’ve lost my place,
Adrift and weightless, In black-hole space.
How did I get lost… when I took flight,
To heights so dizzy and unending night?
Point me to true north, I’ve strayed so far,
I need your guidance oh perfect star.
WHERE… is my anchor? I’ve lost my way,
Drowning in deep blue No sign of day.
How I got so lost I’ll never know,
I’m tired of high tides, I fear the flow
Steer me to true north, I’ve sunk so far,
Pull me towards you magnetic star
WHERE…
Point me to true north, I’ve strayed so far,
I need your guidance oh perfect star.
WHERE…
©️ACB 2018 updated 2025.
Credits
Music & Lyrics Alex Clayton
Vocals, melodica &
additional percussion: Alex Clayton
Guitar: Niall MacMahon
Bass: Mark Rose
Drums: Jason Reeve
Keys: Pete Billington
Sax: Ian Bailey
Trumpet: Dave Boraston
Violin 1: Nigel d’Souza
Violin 2 & accordion: Mary Short
Additional percussion: Tim Walmsley
Engineered by Mark Rose at Rokit Studio
License
All rights reserved.
Young me, a fledgling backing singer, spectacularly failed an audition, erasing all self-belief. Decades later, performing again for 12-ish years, I arrive at my musical ‘re-flowering’.
Seven years of desire to record True North, as heard in my head, was the impetus for my first album - GIFT, also paying tribute to my hugely talented dad. It also celebrates our love of the American Songbook.