Favorite New Model Army Songs #5 - "Vagabonds"
@teamfreak16 (43642)
Denver, Colorado
October 3, 2017 9:28pm CST
There is no theme to this particular music series, rather, I am celebrating one of my favorite bands (formed in 1980 and still going,) New Model Army. These are my favorite songs of theirs, and we are at #5: "Vagabonds."
From their 1989 album, Thunder and Consolation, "Vagabonds" is the reason New Model Army grew from a trio to a foursome with the addition of violinist Ed Alleyne-Johnson to the band (he made two albums with them.)
According to Alleyne-Johnson, vocalist/guitarist Justin Sullivan wrote "Vagabonds" with a synthesized violin part in mind, but realized that a real violin was needed after recording a demo. Alleyne-Johnson, who plays an electric violin and uses effects pedals, was called in and laid down his part, which Sullivan liked so much, he asked the violinist to improvise an opening for the tune, as well as play on a couple other album songs.
When "Vagabonds" was released as a single, Alleyne-Johnson was hired on for the tour (and, when Thunder and Consolation sold over 250,000 copies in Germany, the violinist was even awarded a gold record as part of the band.)
"Vagabonds" performed decently, reaching #37 in the UK.
This, folks, is how a rock band should use a violin!
(Info verified by Wikipedia, Ed Alleyne-Johnson's website.)
4 people like this
4 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
4 Oct 17
Love the violin Scott!! Think they may have a knack for it huh?

1 person likes this

@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
4 Oct 17
@teamfreak16 Oh yes he surely is.

1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43642)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Oct 17
I've listened to some of his solo stuff. He's really good.
1 person likes this

@crossbones27 (52982)
• Mojave, California
4 Oct 17
Hey Dreadnoughts used it well.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86778)
• United States
6 Oct 17
Yes, that violin definitely throws a curve ball in the song!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43642)
• Denver, Colorado
6 Oct 17
It opened up an entire new sound for them. He did the next album with them, too. Too bad they didn't keep him on.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Oct 17
I like synthasizers but using move using the real thing. You can't duplicate the purity of a violin.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43642)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Oct 17
You really can't. I'm glad they didn't go that route.
1 person likes this





