Former Beautiful South guitarist David Rotheray released his brand new album Answer Ballads on October 14th.

Featuring a wealth of vocal talent, which includes the likes of Bella Hardy, Lisa Knapp Alasdair Roberts and Kris Drever, Answer Ballads is an album with a unique concept in which Rotheray takes existing fictional musical characters, from The Police’s “Roxanne” to Elton John’s “Daniel”, and picks up their stories from their perspective, using complete artistic license.

3 tracks are the available to stream from the record. David offers his own thoughts on each:

ROXANNE'S SONG (ft. Kathryn Williams)

“In 'Roxanne' (The Police, 1978), Sting chides his prostitute girlfriend and begs her to renounce her profession. In 'Roxanne's Song' , she replies by essentially telling Sting to get stuffed. Roxanne is an independent businesswoman, a successful entrepreneur. She doesn't like being told what to do, or what to wear. She is a child of Thatcher, one year early.”

MRS AVERY'S SONG (ft. Jackie Oates)

“In 'Sylvia's Mother' (Dr Hook,1972) Mrs Avery prevents her daughter from speaking to her boyfriend on the phone, despite his pleadings ("please Mrs Avery, just wanna talk to her.."). In "Mrs Avery's song, we see why. Mrs Avery is a controlling , dominant mother , possibly a religious fundamentalist (a bit like the mother in 'Carrie', perhaps).

She doesn't like the Dr Hook guy , or his rock 'n roll credentials. She wants her daughter to be an obedient Stepford Wife, and marry a nice guy from Galveston.”

SYLVIA'S SONG (ft. Bella Hardy)

“Sylvia (from 'Sylvia's Mother, Dr Hook, 1972 ) is unaware of her mother's tampering with her love life. Feeling abandoned by the Dr Hook guy, she marries the man from Galveston and consoles herself with a shopping, cats, and a ride-on lawn mower.”

Answer Ballads is released NOW, through Navigator Records.

Order a ltd edition, autographed CD HERE