Jack Lover

Senior Citizen

Composer/Lyricist:	Both
Genre:	Songwriter

Biography

Born Capetown, 1920. Father Rhodesian pioneer. Sung us London music-hall songs. Mother from Lodz, good cook, poker-player; likes Rio Rita/Desert Song. Educated at Prince Edward School, Salisbury. Rhodes Essay Prize, dramatics. Interests: jazz, films, Broadway songs, Jewish scouts, camps/concerts. Worked in African trade and tobacco factory, becoming heavy smoker. Entered S A Outspan Magazine Stars of Tomorrow as comedian/singer (own lyrics) - obtaining 2nd place in regional finals.

War breaks out. Served 1939-45 in East Africa, Abyssinia, Egypt, Italy. Army lyrics composed and sung. Exported fruit/chocolate parcels to UK.

Became salesman in Capetown. Then NCR trainee, and own sales territory in remote areas 1949-55. Various top awards. Offered managership in Bulawayo, but opened antiques/furniture in JHB. Capital and lease expired. Rejoined NCR but vital enthusiasm gone. Song sent to Decca, tried out by Winifred Attwell. No luck. Political situation influences move.

Went to Israel 1959-66 to work/study at various kibbutzim. Wrote 'Galilee Teach Me Your Mood'. Gave up smoking and became a house/barrack room painter in Tel Aviv. Then brief catering course, and passed restaurant exam, Sheraton Hotel. Began song 'cookbook' but health/balance impaired, and arranged to join NCR in London.

There condition worsened, and was registered disabled. Was struck by lightning in Maida Vale Later participated in Greenaways' TV documentary on subject; and wrote 'Don't Run Under a Tree'. On gradual recovery went off disabled list, and worked 1977-82 in accounts at Tyringham Naturopathic Clinic. Quite near Wavendon, visiting there and sending song to John Dankworth. Interests/writing on Revitalising Canals, UK kibbutz style social/light industry farms. And Abe and McCabe dialogues. Was made redundant and moved to Raasay, Hebrides.

Five years there on songs, soundbytes to Govt. Smoking Policy Unit, and disease prevention to Chief Medical Officers. Noise from dog kennels causes move and song: 'Don't Complain but Move / What did the dogs teach you? / To appreciate classical music / You mean when they barked, you went into Haydn? / That's right. Lizst while I tell you, of the dogs, whose Bach was worse than their bite'.

Settled on Eday Isle, Orkney. Remote quietness allows completion of comedy ('Broken Pretzels', 'Tickety Boo'), Nostalgia ('Waltz to Mandela', 'The Shtetl') and Love/Unrequited numbers. Plus world concern songs.

Commendations

John Dankworth
On 'At 37, You're 25': "Respectable tune...interesting philosophy. can honestly say, have heard many inferior recordings by professional artistes."

Ron Moody
On 'Stars are Shining', 'Cookbook', 'Model T' and 'Such is the Joy':
"Good stuff, catchy tunes, but a limited market. Potential for 'Such is the Joy' (lyrics need tidying up)."

Kathryn Tickell
On songs of Humour: "Really enjoyed then."

Bill Martin
"I like the lyrics in 'P O Larrimo'."

Tony d'Angelo (Food Editor on the Jimmy Young Show)
"I do like your style."

Write for details
Humour/Health, Nostalgia, World concern numbers
Tapes and music - in jazz, Latin-American, waltz and country style

Important Works		Performances
'Model T' (environment) - 5 verse/5 chorus - 6 min, 4/4 - c 1992 Henry Ford built a car, and he called it Model T Henry Ford built a car, and the USA went free 'Real Big Love Affair' - 4 verse/4 chorus - 5 min, 4/4 - c 1999 You may be right, she may be wrong / so give and take... and get along / What do you need, to have and to share... 'White Sugar Blues' (health) - 8 verse - 8 min, 4/4 - c 1999 We've got the white sugar blues On top of cigarettes and booze 'At 37 You're 25' (mental) - 4 verse - 5 min ballad, 4/4 - c 1993 At 37, at 37, you're 25, and lost a good slice of life You've had the darkness...you'll have the light 'Dot's Sarong / Dot's Right' (economic ballad) - 30 verse - 30 min waltz - 1992 Britain glows today with North Sea oil It's apparent that the things we used to make are off the boil 'Pasta March' (food) - quickstep 5 verse/5 chorus - c 1992 Though they are the same, they have a different name Ravioli, kreplach, and won-ton 'Cookbook' (food-cha cha/quickstep) - 6 verse/6 chorus - c 1992 Broke eating bread, read around the world cookbook Cous cous At-las...haggis madras was my first look 'Hamba Che Cha' (Go Quickly) - 5 verse - 5 min, 4/4 - c 1994 In Zimbabwe they cha cha cha / when the rain is not very far / How's Mugabe, com ci com ca.... 'Batt'ried Bird' (ecology) - waltz - 3 verse - 1982 Batt'ried fowl live cheek by jowl / with birds of similar kin / Restricted in space nevertheless face / a neighbour as tightly wedged in 'Such the Joy' (stage) - 5 verse/5 chorus - 6 min, 4/4 - 1996 I said honey what cooks / You married me for my food looks And by the way you look today, you're no Mel Brooks....		None added