Position Vacant -
Orlando Gough and the Wednesdays

Birth of a Song

April 2005.

Orlando sings his song to the group. It's provisionally called 24-7 but none of us like this title so it gets called Position Vacant instead. The Group love it but take exception to the line Six-Pack, as a quality required of a carer, because they feel it's a bit crude. The fact is that they came up with this in a bawdy moment last week, but the mood has changed today and they don't want too much rudeness in the song, so out comes Six Pack.

June 2005.

Two month break on this song while Orlando hits other deadlines. Now he's back on the Requiem and the date for his presentation of John's Song and what is now called Position Vacant is approaching.

July 2005.

Celebration Event at the hospice. Martin sings both songs - John's Song and Position Vacant - to a simple piano accompaniment. The Wednesdays - which is what I now call them - are all there, as well as fifty more people from the hospice community. They are all visibly moved. Later I show them We Laughed - Billy and Maxine - and then read out the Wednesday's 'Laugh Again' response. This event is being webcast - and seen by Maxine in Weymouth. I address her directly, into the camera, and hear later that she was thrilled by the hook up and particularly by the Wednesdays' response to her song.

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