1000 UMBRELLAS

Backstage at the Largo theater, Los Angeles 2011. Journalist and musician Paul Myers had written a fantastic book on Todd Rundgren’s productions of various artists, “A Wizard A True Star” and hosted a show to celebrate the release featuring musicians and singers performing tracks from some of those records, including this one from XTC's 1986 record "Skylarking". I had procured the string arrangement from XTC’s Dave Gregory, a gem of a man, musician and friend.
Solely for our own enjoyment we subsequently recorded it in the studio which I combined with ragtag footage of our rehearsal backstage at Largo, as the show itself was not filmed. What a song!

[@thebrinksf69]

What a crime the show wasn't filmed. This is absolutely exquisite and would be so fun.

[@MrFox-wn5jt]

Perfect!

[@R.and.R.]

I always thought this song was a masterpiece. This confirms it.

[@woundedhorse]

Sublime.

F. A. N. T. A. S. T. I. C. That string arrangement by Mr Dave Gregory is just a timeless classic! ❤️ Thanks for sharing such great stuff!

[@claudeautry5263]

Lyle you've discovered time travel and we're just catching on...so many THANKS !!

[@alexfattoruso]

Ohhhhhh wow man!!!!!!!! GREAT GREAT!

[@wasntborntofollow]

Extraordinary document ✋

[@joedunch5271]

Choked me up.

[@flashythingme]

Wow. Such a beautiful job on one of my favorites!

[@theandreakremer]

This made my head explode. So many favorites in one room, performing a favorite song.

[@newley]

Wow! Good show, everybody!!!!

[@tinkercitymusic]

Oh man! Such a wonderful song and album. Thanks for sharing this!

[@vietopian]

Fantastic!!!

[@KeldariStation]

One of my favorite songs of all time. Thank you.

[@famousgroupies5561]

Dave's arrangement rivals anything George Martin did. Much respect for both men.

[@walkerbrothersmusic]

This is awesome.

[@Mordred478]

A great choice and performance. You, Lyle, are a god among musicians.

[@theo6426]

So amazingly good!! Some friends and I really want to play this for our school, do you have the sheet music? Or is it for sale anywhere? It would mean a lot to hear back from you and thanks for putting this out there!

[@missmarji]

Love this!!

[@Remcodrums]

This is excellent, beautiful!!

[@TheAntibozo]

Astoundingly well played!

[@ADVENT_MarkPtak]

Great job, Lyle! What a surprise to pull this great tune out of the bag...bravo, excellent job to all!! 👍😎 (What a great place to be sitting in the middle listening to that like that cute little girl - I'm envious!)

[@meanmud1]

Super fun!

[@TheZenguitarguy]

How is it possible I am the 2nd person hearing/seeing this??? How lovely to hear new interesting music. Thank you! It is like George Martin and the guys stepped forward in time to whisper in your ear to write a really beautiful song that did not make it on to Sgt. pepper's because they had to time travel to give it to you now! lol, Your new CD is amazing!

[@LyleWorkmanofficial]

Thank you! Yes this is quite a song and was really fun performing and recording it.

[@TheZenguitarguy]

@@LyleWorkmanofficial I believe you and I have a few mutual LA associates/friends? I played a lot with Ferrone and Finnigan, (RIP), and Jeff Paris and Mitch Forman etc...We never met when I was in LA but I have been a fan of yours for a long time. Great hearing your work here. Thank you for the great music!

[@LyleWorkmanofficial]

@@TheZenguitarguy All great players there! Perhaps we will meet someday, and thanks again for your messages!

[@bogatibokorakos]

Love Mike!!!! :)

[@magnusbeer]

Lyle, this is just stellar, I have no words! 🤘 When/where will you be playing live these days? I'd gladly fly over the pond just to catch you live! And, btw, how can I get in touch about recording(if you even do session work?)?

[@karstenschulze8843]

Great song, great string arrangement. Would have been a perfect song for Peter Gabriel and his "scratch my back..." project.

[@LyleWorkmanofficial]

I love that idea!

[@Svatopluk]

I was under the (false?) impression that Dave had made this particular arrangement, not Todd. Am I mistaken? Nice work, by the way!

[@LyleWorkmanofficial]

Thank you! This arrangement was created by Andy and Dave. 👍

[@royshakked]

Phenomenal!

[@davidhoward3376]

Very Nice!! I love it!!