- Format: CD
- Label: Black Widow
- Genre: Progressive
Of all the albums that I have recorded, 'Strychnine' was the one that lost me the most sleep. As a songwriter I was never comfortable with the idea of recording an album of cover versions (albeit a mini-album), but I allowed myself to be persuaded that it could be an interesting project. I was pleased when it became the first of my albums to be licensed to Japan (thereby satisfying an early ambition of mine), but I soon realised that in my haste to complete it I had produced more of a sketch than a finished album. For years afterward I yearned to return to it and add those subtle but significant improvements that I knew would complete it and would give me the satisfaction of having made an album I could enjoy without pangs of regret.I was therefore pleasantly surprised when Black Widow asked me to join their label and make 'Strychnine'; the first of our projects together.I know that my decision to omit a few tracks (covers of 'Meadows Of The Sea' and 'I'm Not Like Everybody Else' from 'Sarabande' and the demo of 'Solitude') might disappoint those expecting me to include all the cover versions that I have recorded, but unfortunately my vanity and perfectionism prevents me from allowing them to be heard again. I apologise and hope that the completists will forgive me. But I hope to re-record these tracks in significantly improved versions at a later date. (Paul Roland)
Track listing:1. Too Much to Dream 3:57 2. Arabian Knights 3:32 3. Iscariot 2:05 4. Strychnine 2:32 5. Young Girl Blues 4:26 6. Guinevere 3:24 7. Lady Rachel 4:19 8. Venus in Furs 4:59 9. Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth 3:01 10. Hot George 2:05 11. Mathilda Mother 2:52 12. Gary Gilmore's Eyes 1:57 13. Go Down You Murderers 2:36 14. The Perfuded Garden of Gulliver Smith 3:13 15. Hurdy Gurdy Man 3:05 16. Who Do you Love 2:08 17. Red Cadillac And a Black Moustache 2:10 18. Baby Let's Play House 2:26 19. Peggy Sue Got Married 1:43
