10cc's Graham Gouldman announces new album featuring Ringo Starr, Brian May and Hank Marvin
Graham Gouldman brings out the big guns for his upcoming solo release.
by Mayer Nissim
Graham Gouldman in concert with 10cc in 2023. Getty Images
Graham Gouldman is best known as a founding member and sole ever-present in 10cc, but he's also released a number of solo works over the years.
His debut actually came before he formed 10cc with 1968's The Graham Gouldman Thing, and he's had the odd album release on his own since then.
And this year will see the release of his sixth solo album, which is called I Have Notes. It comes out on July 5 via Lojinx and is available to pre-order now.
While it's a solo record without his 10cc buddies, Graham has enlisted some all-star talent to help lighten the load.
The album is trailed by the song 'We're Alive', which you can hear right now.
"I wrote this song in Nashville last year with Beth Nielsen Chapman and Gordon Kennedy, both of whom I've worked with before," said Graham.
"I just started playing this opening riff, there's some nodding going on, it sounded quite exuberant and so the theme had to be something life-affirming.
"Beth came up with the 'We're Alive' title, and then we finished off the song really quickly together."
Graham Gouldman - I Have Notes. Picture: LOJINX
He added: "There are certain references, which I love, that are kind of interesting. 'Pull back the sofa, wind up the gramophone'. You know who's got a gramophone? Nobody!
"It's always a real joy to work with Beth and Gordon and I think it shows in the song because it's full of life."
Graham Will be playing songs from I Have Notes alongside classics from his massive back catalogue at a pair of shows at Pizza Express Live in Holborn, London on July 1 and July 2.
The full tracklisting of I Have Notes is as follows: Floating In Heaven We're Alive When You Find Love Play Me (The Ukulele Song) A Christmas Affair Couldn't Love You More It's Time For Me To Go Don't Tell Lies I'm Lazy Celestial Light Say You Love Me Tonight Heart Full Of Soul (Live)
Despite restarting his solo career, Graham is still very much part of the 10cc lineup.
the band are looking ahead to next year's 50th anniversary of The Original Soundtrack album with a series of UK and US live shows.
