|
By Mark Tingley
So began the "Wilberness Years" (1997-2000) where promise after broken promise was made about the new album. Flyers were posted to promote the album's imminent release, only to be greeted by silence!
Much was written, but little was recorded, all because I was too busy in a relationship! Then Denis (my Step Dad) died. That's when I threw myself into constructing the first version of Wilberweb.
Soon after, Nathalie joined Wilberforce as bassist in 1998. We rehearsed a lot, drank lots of tea, but a proposed tour of France never happened, and she ended up leaving the band within a year citing the usual musical differences!
It was only then I began to put together "Madame Fruitbowl" in earnest. New songs were written, running orders revised, equipment upgraded, while other personnel were brought in to help out.
Natalie returned to assist with the album's graphics and the realisation of Wilberweb, Guy was brought in to create the artwork, and Nigel acted as technical advisor whilst building Skipper, a computer found in a skip, on which the album was mixed and the artwork finalised.
 |
Most importantly of all Helen came in to play on and arrange several tracks. Though Wilberforce was very much in my hands at this stage, her involvement would be crucial to the group's survival as a band, particularly later when we began playing live.
Despite taking over 6 years in total, the bulk of "Fruitbowl" was recorded between January 1999 and November 2000, partly due to upgrading to Otto the digital 8 track (left). Having braved technical breakdowns and personnel changes aplenty, and with the help of a great team of backroom staff, the album finally crawled towards the finishing line.
|
In October 2001, wilberweb went online, followed in May 2002 by the release of "Madame Fruitbowl".
The "Wilberness Years" were finally at an end!
| |
