A HARMONICA player from Leamington has lent Robbie Williams’ a helping musical hand – once again.
Former Myton School pupil Will Pound is close friends with top songwriter Guy Chambers, who writes for former Take That star, and the likes of Kylie Minogue and James Blunt.
And while the writer was working on Robbie’s latest album ‘The Heavy Entertainment Show’, he called in Will to play on the track Best Intentions.
The 29 year-old – who studied music at Warwickshire College – told the Observer: “We recorded one song with the harmonica. It was an interesting experience as before getting in the studio I hadn’t heard the song at all and I was playing both bass and chromatic harmonica.
“I like working with different artists and recording but I guess recording a harmonica solo on a Robbie Williams album is a stand out moment for me.”
It is not the first time self-taught musician Will has worked with the star – he was asked to play with him, and the likes of Paul McCartney and Paloma Faith, on the 2012 Christmas number one charity song He Ain’t Heavy. The single was released in aid of bereaved families who lost loved ones in the Hillsborough disaster.
And Will has also recently released his own album ‘Ignite’ with accordionist Eddy Jay.
The album has received rave reviews, and even been ranked in the Daily Telegraph’s ‘best folk albums of the year’ list.
And while Will – who is a three-time nominee for BBC Radio 2 Musician of the Year – takes time out from recording, he is hoping to convert budding musicians to the ‘little-celebrated’ instrument.
He will be holding a harmonica workshop with fellow player Liam Ward on Sunday January 29 at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham.
Will said: “The harmonica was very popular in the 30s and 40s but less so today. The advances in technology have really pushed the instrument forward in terms of tone, sound projection and warmth.
“I love converting people to the harmonica and making them realise it is capable of so much.”
Tickets cost £70 and the masterclass will cover all aspects of playing the instrument.
Visit www.wegottickets.com to book.
