Gregory Page Talks New Album, Songwriting And More

Singer-songwriter Gregory Page’s positively charged album ‘One Hell Of A Memory’, which features his good friend & co-producer on the album Jason Mraz singing on several tracks and is out in the UK and Ireland now. He chatted to us about the record, songwriting and more:

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

Listening to Queen’s “Bicycle Race” made me believe that anything and every dream is possible.

 

When did you begin songwriting?

July 2nd 1985 around 2 in the afternoon. Discovering the early albums of James Taylor & Paul Simon.

 

You have your new album ‘One Hell Of A Memory’ is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

There wasn’t a real approach but there was the take off. That first session we did when I heard these new songs with all the folk instruments was an exciting moment.

 

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

Jason Mraz & I produced the album which was recorded at Studio West & Jason’s home studio.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album’s recording sessions?

I invited a few close friends to stop by the studio to see the recording sessions happen. One session was extremely special to me when my two friends Bill & Judy stopped by. Married for over 60 years their love for each other was still in full bloom and it really provided a inspirational boost having them listen as we recorded.

 

Who were the musicians who performed on the album with you?

Gregory Page – Singing & Acoustic Guitar
Jason Mraz – Singing & Harmonium
Cindy Wasserman – Singing Harmony
Dennis Caplinger – Violin, Banjo & Mandolin
Steve Peavey – Mandocello & Mandolin
Eric Rigler – Uilleann Pipes, Flute & Penny Whistle
Mairtin de Cogain – Bodhran
Doug Walker – Upright Bass
Enrique Platas – Drums
Nico Hueso – Violin & Viola

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

Eric Rigler played the Uilleann Pipes. Eric is one of the most recorded Irish pipers in the world and has been a long-time friend of the Page family. My grandfather Dave Page was a Uilleann Piper who recorded some of the earliest known recordings of Traditional Irish Music in the late 1920’s.

 

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Right Now, Not Tomorrow
Change in The Weather
The Promise

 

Does the album title have a specific meaning/significance?

The song One Hell Of A Memory I wrote as a closing song for a particular show that I had produced and I just thought it encapsulated the spirit of the album perfectly.

You have also released the track ‘Right Now, Not Tomorrow’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

I was inspired by the wisdom and insight of my late friend Bill Horning. Bill was a cowboy poet who I would meet with on Friday mornings to discuss literature, gem stones, vintage cars and philosophy.

 

Do you have a visualiser to accompany the song?

Yes the video stars my friend and fellow musician Billy Galewood. It was directed and filmed by Brian Keim.

Did you work with anyone else in terms of the songwriting?

No, I had the great pleasure of co-writing these songs by myself. I’ve never been the type of songwriter that shares that process. My collaboration with others is in the recording of the songs, not the creating of the songs.

 

Was it a difficult album to write?

This album was not any different than writing the other albums. I can think of a thousand other things that I’d rather do than confront my emotions

Who designed the album artwork?

One of my favorite albums is George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. Even the album cover of One Hell Of A Memory is a tip of the hat to that masterpiece.

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is Planet Earth. Fun, Flat, Fantastic & Far Out

How do you look after your voice?

I quit smoking cigarettes.

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

10/4 LONDON, UK – THE PALLADIUM
10/5 MANCHESTER, UK – BRIDGEWATER HALL
10/ 7 BIRMINGHAM, UK – SYMPHONY HALL
10/8 BRISTOL, UK – BEACON
10/10 EDINBURGH, UK – QUEEN’S HALL
10/ 11 GLASGOW, UK – QUEEN MARGARET UNION
10/13 DUBLIN, IE – 3OLYMPIA THEATRE

 

Do you perform solo or do you have a band?

My life as a troubadour is just that.

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

One hell of a memory right now, not tomorrow.

 

Do you have any favored stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

My guitar is a Taylor GP model, built by Andy Powers. he tells me that the GP stands for Grand Pacific, but i believe it stands for Gregory Page. I also perform playing a Suzuky Omnichord manufactured in 1990. this battery powered synthesizer is a lot of fun when it works.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I have the attention span of a goldfish. I don’t think I’ve ever finished a novel in my life, but my favorite book is Illusions by Richard Bach.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? 

Nick Drake’s mother Molly Drake
Louden Wainwright’s son, Rufus
Tim Buckley’s son, Jeff Buckley.

 

What two pieces of advice do you have for a novice songwriter?

Write what you feel inside you, hear and see around you, and then make it rhyme.

 

What makes Gregory Page happy and what makes you unhappy?

Marmite makes me happy.

Knowing that there are folks on the street that don’t have a home to go to makes me unhappy.

 

 

 

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Cannonball PR

Gregory Page’s new album ‘One Hell Of A Memory’ is out now.

For more information visit: https://www.gregorypage.com/