 Have I Missed the Boat? | |
|---|---|
| Creators | Robyn Coodle |
| Genre | Folk Pop |
| Year | 1982 |
| Tracks | 10 |
| Length | 38:05 minutes |
Have I Missed the Boat?
Background
Have I Missed the Boat? was the first album released by Cornish singer songwriter Robyn Coodle. It was released in 1982, four years after she first started her musical career. The title reflects her lament that after years of grinding away at small pubs and clubs that she might have missed her chance to make it big in the industry.
Thankfully her fears were relieved when the album sold well within her local region of the South West of England. The themes of life, young love, and the great outdoors resonated with audiences all over the region. Her lilting voice combined with her impressive guitar skills create an incredibly atmospheric folk pop album. The album was also popular due to the witty lyrics and local references.
The album track, Rupert the Rat, was a humourous retelling of a messy breakup from her late teenage years. The lead song highlighted the cheating behaviour of her old boyfriend, Rupert. According to the song he had “four girls on the go, all his little ducks in a row.” They are both on good terms now, but the song really didn’t help Rupert’s love life during the early 80s.
One song on the album was universally praised for it’s use of the Cornish language. The Cornish Regional Arts Board publicly thanked Robyn for her song, Sea, Sand, Sun and Sorrow. One verse of the song was sung entirely in Cornish and the lyrics were about Cornwall and it’s lost heritage. This song on it’s own really helped bolster Cornwall as a cultural hub.
Album Art
The idea for the cover came from Robyn herself. She thought an ethereal underwater image would suit the name of the album perfectly. The only issue was trying to get the picture. Derek, her agent and future husband, managed to hire out the municipal swimming baths of Looe in Cornwall. He had to get a special waterproof camera sent to him from Manchester to get the shots he wanted. Unfortunately they hadn’t bothered to warm the pool up so it was freezing for everyone involved. Robyn, who was used to cold weather, was perfectly fine afterwards, but Derek caught a cold that lasted a week after the shoot. Luckily, they managed to get the shot they wanted and were incredibly pleased when the photographs developed.
With the photographs all completed it was now up to the Dekaf in house art team to create the finished cover design. The first thing they did was add a pink gradient all over the image. This was created using very weak dye and dipping the photographic print into the solution. It helped it fit into the neon colours of the decade. The second touch on the album happened by accident. When Robyn visited Dekaf headquarters she had to sign off the design. The designer loved her signature so much he also incorporated that on the cover too.
Track Listing
Rupert the Rat – 3:29
Sinking Still – 2:59
Sun, Sea, Sand, and Sorrow – 6:24
Crabbing – 2:03
What Happened? – 3:49
Green Fingers – 3:51
Ribbit! – 4:40
Trefor Garden Dreamer – 3:26
A Day at the Beach – 3:13
Little Houses all in Rows – 4:11