I grew up during the folk-boom in the UK and the influence of Dylan, Simon, Mitchell, CSN&Y, McTell, Harper and all the other amazing singer songwriters who emerged in the 60's and 70's runs through most of the songs I have written in my life. I began playing guitar and singing my own music when I was 14 and learned dulcimer, keyboards and bass guitar along the way, weaving a lifelong interest in Buddhism and other spiritual traditions into most of my lyrics. After a 10 year break from music, I went to a Tsunami concert in January 2005 and found myself listening to the Gasworks Singers performing Sting's lovely song 'Fragile'. The whole room was filled with an electric sense of care and compassion coming from that song, and I remembered that only music can do this to me, only music can help me make sense of some of the crazy and unbelievable things happening on this planet. I decided take a begin a long-term project and produce 3 or 4 CD's over the next few years representing 40 or 50 of my best songs and instrumental music. I built a digital studio in 2005 and this CD, Silly Advice, is the first set of songs to emerge from the project. I sing and play guitar and dulcimer on most of these songs, accompanied by cello from my partner Sarah as well as harmonies and lead vocals from my friend Celia, who also designed the lovely cover of this CD. She can be contacted on celiaduplock@hotmail.com. If you like music and arrangements you can get to know over a period of time, tunes which play in your mind, and lyrics that open out a little more each time you go back to them, you will enjoy this CD. I hope you enjoy the clips. I am aiming to publish 3 or 4 more collections of songs over the next few years. Achintya Bristol, UK February 2006