Using quirky but catchy Biblically based songs, inspired arrangements, atmospheric sound effects and train announcements, all highly spiced with (questionable) humour, this is a fun and evocative CD for all kids aged 0 to 200. Woo-Hoo . So climb aboard the Heaven Express and be taken on an e l e c t r i f y i n g musical tour calling at exciting stations to Heaven Central. This album will brighten up your day at any time but if you press play at 10.13a.m. then you can even experience the journey, with its p l a t f o r m a n n o u n c e m e n t s , in real time. These songs are first class to use in family w o r s h i p services, school a s s e m b l i e s , holiday clubs and station platforms (?) Although the album can be streamed or downloaded, the CD is worth buying for the bright and informative 16- page booklet with my own a r t w o r k (examples on the player on the left). Lyrics, announcements and concept by Chris Medway Cast of voices: Sharon Medway – backing vocals, yawns, snores, shouts, aharrs, plus lead vocals on We look to that Day Joshua Medway – backing vocals, cheers, sneezes, yawns, snores, slurps, shouts, laughs, bubble blowing through a straw, aharrs, plus lead vocals on For God loved the world so much . Paula Dossett – platform time running announcement and all in-train announcements. Dave Longman – platform announcements for Whichways Junction and Stadium Halt . Chris Medway – lead vocals, backing vocals, all other platform announcements, chipmunks, yawns, snores, aharrs, whistles, other voices including a jumpy parrot on Ahoy There and a highly dodgy French accent on Whenever you eat, munch, munch Music composed, arranged, and produced by Chris Medway Performed (all instruments, percussion and effects) by Chris Medway… ….with occasional help from Joshua Medway on percussion and kitchen utensils. Recorded at 9EQ Studios (the posh name for the Medways’ study) Mixed by Chris Taylor and Sanjay Rajo for www.hi-sonorous.co.uk Mastered by Simon Murphy for www.soundrecordingtechnology.co.uk All artwork by Chris Medway

The end of the song Whenever You Eat (munch, munch) contains the gurgling sound of a sink emptying, which was recorded in our bathroom situated upstairs. In preparing for the recording, I put the plug in the sink, turned on the taps and then left the bathroom to prepare the computer recorder. I somehow forgot that I left the taps running until Sharon yelled from the laundry room downstairs that there was water dripping through the ceiling. Whoops. Most of the recording time was therefore spent mopping up the downstairs floor! (Note: Men can only do one thing at a time. So in future, I'll fill the sink first, turn off the taps and then fiddle with the computer) Whilst recording Joshua singing his part on Why Worry , Joshua accidentally sneezed down the microphone during the second verse. However, I liked the sneeze sound so much I kept it in the song without alteration. It can clearly be heard after the line “If you’re out of breath, or tone deaf, or your timing’s all wrong…(achoo)”. An example of great timing! I recorded all the pirate voices for Ahoy There (Ahaaaaarrrrrr) in one evening whilst the rest of my family were away. However, I hadn't realised until I got to work the next morning that I'd virtually lost my voice as a result of the previous night’s “singing” session. (Warning: singing like a pirate for a prolonged period of time can wreck your throat!). Whilst I was recording the kazoo parts for Why Worry the phone rang in the studio. It can be heard after the final “so don’t worry” before the piano crash at the end. (Recording tip: Don’t allow phones in the studio whilst recording). I have a huge library of sound effects and samples that I use in recordings. However, on recording Whenever You Eat (munch, munch), I was frustrated that I could not find a decent sound of an owl hooting which I wanted for the third verse. Just then the clock in Joshua’s room struck twelve o’clock. Joshua’s clock is a bird clock and makes different bird sounds each hour, and the twelve o’clock sound was…….a tawny owl hooting! Perfect. So I promptly grabbed the clock from Josh’s room and stuck it in front of a microphone to record the tawny owl sound which is what can be found on the third verse.

Play all my kids praise songs on Spotify in one go, including recordings of my songs by other artists.