I put Green Indians together primarily for two reasons - to raise money for the future of Kevin Wilkinson’s three children (Ellie, Josie and Finn), and to honour his memory - in the best (and perhaps only way) that I fundamentally know how.  

As is mentioned in the sleeve notes, it wasn’t the easiest of albums to make – as living in the aftermath of a suicide is never easy, but then easy isn’t what love is all about.

Buy Green Indians

It took the best part of fifteen months to put together, and if anything, it’s execution was, and remains, an enormous learning curve; for tis’ hauntingly true, that when the going gets tough, the tough do indeed get going...  

Those I thought would be supportive, absolutely weren’t, and those I thought wouldn’t be supportive, absolutely were.  I’ve never met Bonnie Raitt in my life (who unfortunately isn’t on the album), but her words of encouragement and support shall remain with me for many years to come.  As will the eloquence of Robert Wyatt, the generosity of Simple Minds, the reaching out of John Otway and the embrace of Waterboy, Mike Scott.

In the words of the inexorable genius that is Bob Dylan, I was so much older then, I’m younger that that now.  And amid the purity of youth - I continue to salute the love and the longing that resonates within Green Indians.  I encourage you to do the same.      

Green Indians Track Listing – CD One:

Tim Fitzgerald – What Nature Intended (G. Daly)
Produced by David Marx
Copyright 2000 Revolver Records

The Proclaimers – The Light (C. Reid/C. Reid)
Produced by Pete Wingfield
Iain Bruce (Bass), Stuart Nesbit (Acoustic & Electric Guitars/Mandolin), Charlie Reid (Vocals/Acoustic Guitar), Craig Reid (Vocals), Tim Renwick (Electric Slide Guitar), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums), Pete Wingfield (Piano/Hammond C3).
Copyright: Chrysalis Records/Warner Chappell Music

Gary Clark – A Hole (G. Clark/B. Hewerdine/E. Pressly)
Produced by Gary Clark
Gary Clark (Vocals/Guitars/Backing Vocals), Kit Clark (Backing Vocals), Dave Cummings (Guitar), Graham Edwards (Bass), Boo Hewerdine (Acoustic Guitar/Backing Vocals), The Kick Horns (Brass), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright: Circa/Virgin Records/EMI Music/Chrysalis Music/Mechanical Panther

Anthony Thistlethwaite – Farming The Right Acres (A. Thistlethwaite).
Produced by Anthony Thistlethwaite
Angie Brown (Backing Vocals), Honeyboy Hickling (Harmonica), Tony Lambert (Hammond), Mick Taylor (Slide Guitar), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Vocals/Guitar), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums), Youth (Bass).
Copyright 1993

Restaurant For Dogs – Fruit (B. Andrews/C. Asciutti/D. Marx/B. McRae/K.Wilkinson)
Produced by Barry Andrews
Barry Andrews (Vocals/Organ), Carlo Asciutti (Ecclesiastical Vocals), Kim Brimmacombe (Backing Vocals), Wendy Glaise (Backing Vocals), David Marx (Bass), Bruce McRae (Guitar), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 1981 Virgin Music

King Strut – Sacred Ground (P. Griffiths)
Produced by Paul Griffiths
Les Cann (Bass), Paul Griffiths (Vocals), Mitch Keen (Guitar), Dougie Massard (Drums), Robbie Wyborn (Guitar).
Copyright 2000

Bruce McRae – And Then In Death (B. McRae)
Produced by David Marx
Copyright 2000 Revolver Records

Fairground Attraction – Allelujah (M.E. Nevin)
Produced by FA & Kevin Moloney
Roy Dodds (Drums/Percussion), Simon Edwards (Guitar/Bass), Mark E. Nevin (Acoustic & Electric Guitars), Eddi Reader (Vocals).
Copyright: BMG Music/MCA Music Ltd.

David Marx – White Trees (D. Marx)
Produced by David Marx
Recorded live at KosovAid, The Oasis, Swindon, England, 1999
Copyright 1997 Revolver Records

China Crisis – Arizona Sky (China Crisis)
Produced by Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley
Gary Daly (Lead Vocals) Garry ‘Gazza’ Johnson (Bass & Sequencing), Brian McNeill (Keyboards & Backing Vocals), Eddie Lundon (Guitar/Backing Vocals), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums/Percussion & weekends off…).
Copyright: Virgin Records/Virgin Music

The Peter Bruntell Combination – I Will, I Won’t (P. Bruntell)
Produced by Peter Smith
Matt Backer (Guitar/Vocals), Peter Bruntell (Guitar/Vocals), Jeff Dunn (Drums), Ronny Johnson (Guitar), Phil Spalding (Bass/Guitar/Vocals).
Copyright: Almo Sounds/Rondor Music

The Hamsters From Hell – Balls Explode (I. Doeser/K. Deegan/M. Nee)
Produced by Martin Kilford & THFH
Mike Davies (Saxophones/Backing Vocals), Ian Doeser (Vocals/Guitar), Nick Drew (Bass),
Rick Hyde (Drums), Mike Nee (Harp/Backing Vocals).
Copyright 1993

Robert Fripp – The Sky Falls (R. Fripp)
Produced by Robert Fripp
Copyright: Discipline Global Mobile Ltd/Crimson Music/BMG

The Caretakers – Dark Horses (The Caretakers)
Produced by David Marx
Barry Andrews (Keyboards), Carlo Asciutti (Ecclesiastical Vocals/Keyboards), David Marx (Guitar/Bass/Percussion), Bruce McRae (Vocals), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 2000 Revolver Records

The Saw Doctors – Exhilarating Sadness (L. Moran/D. Carton)
Produced by Philip Tennant
Davy Carton (Vocals/Guitar), Pearse Doherty (Bass/Vocals/Whistle), John Donnelly (Drums/Vocals), Leo Moran (Guitar/Vocals), Derek Murray (Keyboards/Accordion/Guitar/Banjo).
Copyright 1997 Sham Town Records

Midge Ure – Fileds Of Fire (M. Ure/R. Feldman)
Produced by Richard Feldman
Eric Bazillian (Mandolin), Mike Fisher (Percussion), Frank Gallagher (Fiddle), Charles Judge (Keyboards), Dean Parks (Guitar), Midge Ure (Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/Mandolin).
Copyright: BMG/Arista/Mood Music/ Warner Chappell Music

Nicky James – Lock’N’Chain (N. James)
Produced by Nick Beere & Nicky James
Nick Beere (Bass), Steve Hampson (Guitar), Nicky James (Vocals/Acoustic Guitar), David Marx (Banjo/Percussion), Richard Parret (Piano), Mick Wareham (Pedal Steel), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 1990 Stable Music

The Pagan Fringe – A Honeydreamer’s Spell (D. Costello)
Produced by Costello, Beere & Wilkinson
Nick Beere (Vocals/Guitars), Denis Costello (Vocals/Acoustic/Guitar), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 1991 Morpheus Music

Nick Harper – The Tyger (N. Harper)
Produced by Glen Tilbrook
Nick Harper (Vocals/Guitars), Felix Howard (Bass), Glen Tilbrook (Keyboards/Backing Vocals), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright: Quixotic Records

Dave Gregory – October’s Carousel (D. Gregory)
Produced by Dave Gregory
Copyright 2000 Starling Ritz Records

Bruce McRae – Somewhere A Drummer Is Drumming (B. McRae)
Produced by David Marx
Copyright 2000 Revolver Records

Eric Bibb – Where The Green Grass Grows (E. Bibb)
Produced by Goran Wennerbrandt
Eric Bibb (Vocals), Nevado Cato (Backing Vocals), Olle Eriksson (Double Bass), Bjorn Gideonsson (Drums), Derek Huntsman (Backing Vocals), Christer Lyssarides (Guitar), Bob Manning (BackingVocals), Janne Petersson (Pump Organ), Joe Watts (Backing Vocals), Goran Wennerbrandt (National Slide Guitar).
Copyright: Opus 3/Heavy Rotation Music/BMG

Green Indians Track Listing – CD Two:

Tim, Pinhead & Kev – Happy Thrashing (T. Fitzgerald)
Produced by David Marx
Tim Fitzgerald (Voice), Pinhead (Himself), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 2000 Revolver Records

Howard Jones – Pearl In The Shell (H. Jones)
Produced by Howard Jones
Nick Beggs (Bass), Robin Boult (Guitar), Chris Demargari (Saxophone), Howard Jones (Vocals/Keyboards), Chris Store (Trumpet), Fayyaz Virge (Trombone), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright: Dtox/Warner Chappell Music

Shriekback – Unsong (Shriekback)
Produced by Marcus Davis
Barry Andrews (Vocals/Accordion), Martyn Barker (Drums/Percussion), Lu Edmonds (Saz/Cumbus/Percussion), Simon Edwards (Bass/Sintir/Percussion), Mark Raudva (Bodhran/Didjeridu/Mandolin/Percussion).
Copyright 1999 Mauve Records

Totally Bald Head – Help (J. Lennon/P. McCartney)
Produced by Nick Beere
Nick Beere (Vocals/Guitar/Bass), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals).
Copyright 1965 Parlophone/EMI Records Ltd/Northern Songs

The Whales – The Alchemist (The Whales)
Produced by Paul Griffiths & Kevin Wilkinson
Bob Bowles (Guitar/Vocals), Steve Degutis (Bass/Vocals), Paul Griffiths (Vocals/Acoustic Guitar), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums/Bass).
Copyright 2000

Gary Mortimer – One Week (G. Mortimer)
Produced by David Marx
David Marx (Vocals/Piano/Percussion), Gary Mortimer (Guitars), Colin Mutch (Bass), Paul Summers (Saxophone), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 2000

Gary Daly – Bernard & The Blinding Light (G. Daly)
Produced by Carl Brown & Lance Thomas
Gary Daly (Vocals/Keyboards/Guitar), Gary ‘Gazza’ Johnson (Bass), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 2000

Bruce McRae – Suicide Is Not For The Fainthearted (B. McRae)
Produced by David Marx
Copyright 2000 Revolver Records

Squeeze – Walk Away (C. Difford/G. Tilbrook)
Produced by Peter Smith & Glen Tilbrook
Chris Difford(Guitar/Vocals), John Savannah (Keyboards), Glen Tilbrook (Vocals/Guitar), Keith Wilkinson (Bass), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright: A&M Records/EMI Virgin Music Ltd

Illuminati – Invisible (Illuminati)
Produced by Barry Andrews & Ian Caple
Barry Andrews (Keyboards), Jon Klein (Guitar), Adrienne Loehry (Vocals), Matthew Seligmann (Bass), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 1990

Simple Minds – Don’t You Forget About Me (K. Forsey/S. Chiff)
Produced by Bruce Lampcov
Recorded live at Le Zenith, Paris, France, 1986
Charlie Burchill (Guitar), Mel Gaynor (Drums/Vocals), John Giblin (Bass), Jim Kerr (Vocals), Michael MacNeill (Keyboards/Piano).
Copyright: Virgin Records Ltd/Virgin Music

Davie Paton – When The Sun Comes (D. Paton)
Produced by Davie Paton & Jon Turner
Robin Boult (Guitar), Davie Paton (Vocals/Bass), Jon Turner (Keyboards), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 1995

John Otway – I Am A Lion (J. Otway)
Produced by Richard Holgarth
Richard Holgarth (Instruments), John Otway (Vocals).
Copyright 1998 John Otway Records/Bacon Empire

Fish – Five Years (D. Bowie)
Produced by The Dick Bros
Recorded live at the Vredenburg Hall, Utrecht, Holland
Robin Boult (Guitar), Fish (Vocals), Foss Paterson (Keyboards), Davie Paton (Bass), Frank Usher (Guitar), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright: Chrysalis Music Ltd/EMI Music Pub Ltd

Nick Robertson – Pride & Joy (N. Robertson)
Produced by Pat Moran
Robbie Blunt (Guitar), Richie Close (Harmonium/Piano), Patric Collins (Violin), Noel Eccles (Percussion), Simon Edwards (Double Bass), Maria McKee (Vocals), Nick Robertson (Vocals/Guitar), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Mandolin), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright: Circa Records Ltd.

Robin Boult – Proffered (R. Boult)
Produced by Robin Boult
Copyright 2000 J. Albert & Son

The Waterboys – Sleek White Schooner (M. Scott)
Produced by Mike Scott & Mick Glossop
Mike Scott (Vocals/Guitar), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Saxophone), Karl Wallinger (Piano), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright: EMI Records Ltd/Sony Music Ltd.

The Refugees – Your Love Is Killing Me (D. Marx)
Produced by David Marx
Barry Andrews (Keyboards/Piano), David Marx (Vocals/Guitars/Bass), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Saxophones), Kevin Wilkinson (Drums).
Copyright 1989 Revolver Records

Josie Wilkinson – Sunny Came Home (S. Colvin)
Produced by Kevin Wilkinson
Josie Wilkinson (Vocals), Kevin Wilkinson (Instruments).
Copyright: Columbus/Sony Music Ltd.

Bruce McRae – Kev (B. McRae)
Produced by David Marx
Copyright 2000 Revolver Records

Robert Wyatt -  Shipbuilding (C. Langer/E. Costello)
Produced by Elvis Costello
Robert Wyatt (Vocals & Instruments)
Copyright: Plangent Visions Music/Warner Chappell Music

Various
Green Indians
Revolver

Geoff Nicholls on Green Indians, a new tribute to the life and work of session supreme Kevin Wilkinson.

On July 18th 1999, drummer Kevin Wilkinson took his own life.  Kevin wasn’t the biggest name, but he was a true professional who had built up an impressive CV and was hugely valued by those he worked with – one of rock’s unsung heroes, you might say.  Throughout the 1980s and ‘90s he recorded and toured with a surprising variety of artists, including – to give you an idea f his versatility – TheWaterboys, China Crisis, Robert Fripp, Joey Ramone, Bonnie Raitt, Fish, The Proclaimers, Squeeze and finally, the rejuvenated Howard Jones.

A tragedy like Kevin’s is ultimately inexplicable (he left behind a wife and three young children), but now his long time friend, David Marx, has produced a double album entitled Green Indians, celebrating his life and work.  All proceeds go to a trust fund especially set up for Kevin’s children, Ellie Josie and Finn.

Marx regularly played bass alongside Wilkinson, forging a close relationship which lasted through more than 20 years.  They started out in Swindon with a band called Restaurant For Dogs, featuring ex-XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews.  Then they joined Holly and The Italians.  As Marx moved more into song-writing and production, Wilkinson made a name as a freelance drummer.  From 1983, he joined The Waterboys – subsequently playing on nearly all their recordings – and, soon after, China Crisis.  ‘’Kev started to appear on TOTP and his name was bandied around as a top drummer,’’ says David.  ‘’He eventually went to Hawaii with China Crisis to record with Walter Becker of Steely Dan producing.’’

How would David describe Kevin’s playing?  

‘’I thought he was fantastic.  He wasd tasteful, versatile, solid, played for the song not the ego.  Believe me, he could do all the paradiddles and weird cross rhythms, but that’s not what it’s about.  Drumming’s about being solid and honing in on what’s needed; he could do loads of diddly-diddly,  bap-bap-bap fills, but he’d never lose the beat – you could always dance to it.  And Kev was a very good listener; he could hear something for ten seconds and say, right, this is what it needs, and instinctively do it.  It’s horses for courses and Kev was always the right horse on the right course.  We’ve just started to do a short documentary about the making of Green Indians and Howard Jones says he was the best British pop drummer of his era.’’

So what exactly went wrong?

‘’Well, as we all know, rock is quite ageist and I guess that as the years went by, he never got the phone call from Paul McCartney or Mark Knopfler.  It was always the bands thqt had to do long slogs around the States, like The Proclaimers for instance – three months here, four months there. I guess he played himself into the ground to the point where maybe some inspiration went.  By the time you’re 40 and you’ve got three kids, I suppose you want to spend time with them  and  not keep dragging your arse around Ohio on a coach with seven other blokes.  But why does anyone take their life?  I guess we’ll never know.  The last time I spoke to him he was playing with Howard Jones and he called me from St. Louis, and a couple of days after he returned – that’s when it happened.  I knew he was depressed – all was not well – but Christ, you don’t expect that.  It was like a door being slammed in your face and its had major repercussions ever since; (it’s been) a rollercoaster of misery.  He was adored by his children.’’

Let’s talk about the album.

‘’I’ve done loads of charity things over the years.  I’ve been to Bosnia and Nicaragua and I’m looking to go to Cuba in October.  And, in fact, in May 1999 I did a gig called KosovAid in Swindon, basically with Kev and his wife Marilyn Wilkinson.  Every year I do a different charity and last year I devoted to Green Indians - I thought, lets try to do something positive out of something negative.  It’s a double album and was quite arduous in the making.  There are 34 different artists, which means 34 record companies and publishers and lawyers.

‘’Marilyn and I did it between us.  It has some lovely photos in the centrefold and there are some rare tracks – a Waterboys song called ‘’Sleek White Schooner’’ and a Fripp track which are unavailable anywhere else, (plus) a band called Illuminati with Barry Andrews that never got off the ground.  Then there’s The Prolcaimers, Fairground Attraction, China Crisis, Simple minds, Saw Doctors, Midge Ure, Dave Gregory (formerly  of XTC) – another rare track only available here, his songwriting debut.  (There’s also) Eric Bibb, Howard Jones, Shriekback, Squeeze, Fish, John Otway, Kev with his daughter Josie Wilkinson, and it finishes with ‘’Shipbuilding’’ by Robert Wyatt.’’

Postscript: after an initial listen, I can happily and honestly report that Green Indians is bursting with genuinely entertaining, thought-provoking and enjoyable music.  Kevin is on about two-thirds of the tracks and acquits himself everywhere with gusto and style.  The double album is £14.99 plus a pound postage and packing, which is, quite frankly, a bargain for so much varied, quality music – never mind the poignancy of the cause.

Geoff Nicholls

Making Music (2000)

Various
Green Indians
Revolver

Afterwards David Marx said: "It was a great show, I am proud that Swindon people turned up and supported us."

Barry Leighton

Western Daily Press (June 1, 1999)

[Thanks to Wes Hanks]

*  *  *  *  *  *

G'day from Oz!

Sorry for not replying sooner but it was always next on my list. Got a bit of time before football starts anyway, thanks for the quick delivery of the cd.The cd itself was a interesting mix of artists, some I knew. I remember seeing China Crisis in Manchester on two occasions in the eighties, they were backed by Howard Jones and the Bible respectively and maybe that's where a connection was made between Kevin Howard and Boo. Anyway, that's enough of my reminiscing.

Out of the two Cds, I really found the second CD personally stronger and more likeable, although I was disappointed with the China Crisis track on that CD. I had read a bit about it but, what I lost on that I definitely gained on the other tracks, some of which were outstanding. The standouts for me were: The start of the album with Tim Fitzgerald and "what nature intended",the spoken words by Bruce McCrae - brilliant inserts and then rolling into shipbuilding which was so sad. So, the album had a lot of good tracks, but the two real standouts for me, personally were: The tracks by the Whales and Nick Robertson and overall the album was beautifully balanced with sadness and a little humour from the hamsters from hell, and the surprise of learning all the artists Kevin actually worked with.

Many thanks again, & feel free to use any or all of this for your website.

Tony

Various
Green Indians
Revolver

I will forever miss him."

Dave Franklin

Various
Green Indians
Revolver
I bought a copy of "Green Indians" from David Marx. The aim of the album is two-fold. Firstly it's a celebration of the life and work of Kevin Wilkinson who sadly committed suicide back in 2003. Secondly the proceeds are to go into a fund for the three children he left behind.

The double album is chock full of songs on which Wilkinson played drums (The Proclaimers, China Crisis, The Caretakers, etc.) and is interspersed with readings from friends (Tim Fitzgerald, Bruce McRae, etc).

There are too many songs to go through each one individually, but the following songs really stood out for me.

CD 1
"White trees" by David Marx which was recorded at KosovoAid in Swindon is delivered with a Billy Bragg laddish, yet gentle delivery. There's a nice melody on the chorus.

Generally speaking i'm not overly fond of too much synth on a track, but the rather oddball instrumental by Dave Gregory "Carousel" initially reminded me of something that Jon Brion might have written - and that's no bad thing.

Tyger
The album closer for the first cd is Eric Bibb's "Where the green grass grows" and is so calming and mellow that it...
You can find out more at http://www.kevinwilkinson.com

CD 2
The world is awash with Beatles covers and I wasn't sure whether i'd reached saturation point. I've never heard of Totally Bald Head. It shall no doubt remain a mystery to me as to whether the name refers to man or a band. The song on the other hand was really rather good and had a great 'Rocky Horror' vibe to it.

"One week" by Gary Mortimer

With a slight Shane MacGowan swagger to his voice

It seems redundant to point out that the Squeeze track "Walk away" (from their album "Ridiculous") is excellent as you'd assume nothing less. Chris Difford said "Kevin's drumming was outstanding. On tour he grabbed hold of the baton from Pete Thomas and ran full-steam into the final lap of the band. His drumming was verr imaginative."

John Otway's "I am a lion" was stuffed to bursting with with charm. In lesser hands it could easily have been twee and pointless, but yet when Otway sung it I was with him all the way.

Otway is best known (to me) as replying, when asked what he'd like for his 50th birthday; "Another hit". Fans then when into action and managed to get "Bunsen burner" into the top ten. A second hit meaning he could release a "Greatest Hits" with the minimum of a plural being necessary.

As with the end of the first CD the second ends with a hauntingly beautiful song. Robert Wyatt's cover of "Shipbuilding" beautifully bookends the collection of songs and with its lyrics of loss also echo the loss from the departed Wilkinson.