Our story
Hugh McManners – singer-songwriter, playing other people’s music since the Seventies while always wanting to write his own. But life got in the way.
So in 2017, Hugh turned this round – recording; and getting out to play his own music, solo acoustic style. Then formed the Linden Tree Band.
Psyche folk rock; letting each song become what suits it best – a daffodil or a rose, that’s fine – we have Cornish sympathies. Style and genre not important; from solo acoustic, to electric rock with the band.
The recordings on this website are not releases, but for people so see what we’re doing – band EP “Phoenix Rising”.
What it’s like
(If you want a CD of our promo tracks – we do have to charge to send it…)
The songs are mostly stories – examples:
– restoring a 1943 Indian Chief motorbike then getting married;
– a night express train stopping at an empty station, the moon, the ocean and a Goddess;
– emerging triumphant from the ashes of personal meltdown;
– a 22nd century cyber love story,
– a 4th century warrior princess in her retirement…
Hugh’s also a war veteran – another perspective, so as you’d expect, there’s also several war protest songs:
“Wars are fought by young people, with energy and hope. It exposes them to a full lifetime’s worth of human reality whether or not they’re ready for it.
“So afterwards, for many of us life becomes a search for the light – escape, freedom and finding our own path, especially when the dark side remains with you.
“But of course, this isn’t just a war vet thing… Bereavement, fear of death, failure, and depression hound us all. It’s what makes us human.”
Read more about the shadow side
The Band
Linden Tree is a three-piece band. Hugh McManners sings and plays acoustic and electric guitar, with long-time friends bass guitarist Steve Turner, and drummer Jeff Walker. Another long-time friend is producer Jez Coad (Simple Minds). Read our bios.
Work in Progress
An album of songs is recorded. An EP is ready for release.
After much encouragement from people on the band’s Facebook page, we printed up a five-song EP on a CD, with a lyrics booklet.
You can also hear this for free on here, with mp3 downloads available on iTunes, CD Baby and Google Play.
Connect With Us
To hear all the new music as soon as it comes out, please sign up here to receive updates.
with many thanks to photograher Andy Griffiths