David Paton

David Paton (; born 29 October 1949) is a Scottish bassist, guitarist and singer. He first achieved success in the mid-1970s as lead vocalist and bassist of Pilot, who scored hits with "Magic", "January", "Just a Smile" and "Call Me Round" before splitting in 1977. Paton is also known for his work in the original lineup of The Alan Parsons Project (1975-1985), and for working with acts such as Kate Bush, Camel and Elton John.

Biography

Born Edinburgh, Scotland, Paton grew up in the south-eastern suburb of Gilmerton, Edinburgh, where he attended Liberton High School. His first band was called 'The Beachcombers' and they signed a recording contract in 1968 with CBS Records. They changed their name to The Boots and published their first single, "The Animal In Me". This was soon followed by "Keep Your Lovelight Burning", but after about two years, the band split because of financial problems in 1970. He then replaced a guitarist in the Bay City Rollers for a short period of time but never recorded with them. After leaving them in October 1970, he became a member of another Band called 'Fresh', which changed their name to Christyan and published a single, "Nursery Lane", in 1971. While still playing with the band, he took a job as a musician in a nightclub called Tiffanys where he met Ian Bairnson.

In 1973, Paton was a co-founder of Pilot. With Ian Bairnson, Billy Lyall and Stuart Tosh, they recorded several demos with EMI Records and recorded their first album ''From the Album of the Same Name'' which was published in 1974. On it was included their first major hit, "Magic" and Bairnson, who was still not an official member of the band, joined them after the recording of the first album. They released their second album ''Second Flight'' in 1975, and its single "January" topped the UK Singles Chart for three weeks, ironically beginning week ending 1 February. and it was followed in 1976 by their third, ''Morin Heights'' which was recorded at Le Studio in Morin Heights in Quebec, Canada, and produced by Roy Thomas Baker.

The same year, he and Bairnson started working with producer Alan Parsons and published a first album under the name ''Alan Parsons Project'', ''Tales of Mystery & Imagination''. Paton played bass and sang with the band until the 1986 album ''Stereotomy'' as he continued to work with other artists as a session musician. He also played on the first two albums by Kate Bush in 1978, ''The Kick Inside'' and '' Lionheart''.

In the 1980s, Paton was known for his work with Camel and Elton John in studio albums and touring around the world. Other credits include bass guitar and backing vocals for several albums by Fish, as well as Rick Wakeman in the 1990s, such as ''The Classical Connection'', ''African Bach'', ''Softsword'', ''The Classical Connection 2'' and ''Prayers''. In 1984, he was a member of Keats. In 1985, he participated to the original score for the movie '' Ladyhawke'' which was written, composed and played by Andrew Powell and produced by Alan Parsons.

His first solo album was released in 1991, titled ''Passions Cry'' (under the name of Davie Paton), and the second album ''Fragments'' in 1996, that was also under the same name. In 1980, Paton already recorded an album with the title ''No Ties No Strings'' at the Abbey Road Studios, which was never released. In 2003, however, the album ''The Search'' was released, which was a new recording of the "lost album" from 1980. In the following years, David Paton released other solo albums.

Paton also appeared solo in the Countdown Spectacular 2 concert series in Australia, between August and September 2007, as a performer and musical director.

Discography

Solo

* 1991: ''Passions Cry''
* 1996: ''Fragments''
* 2003: ''The Search''
* 2007: ''Fellow Man''
* 2009: ''The Studio Diary Songs''
* 2012: ''Under the Sun''
* 2019: ''The Traveller''
* 2020: ''2020''

David Paton & Friends

* 2007: ''Originals''

Boots

Singles:
* 1968: "The Animal in Me"
* 1968: "Keep Your Lovelight Burning"

Christyan

Single:
* 1971: "Nursery Lane"

Pilot

Studio albums:
* 1974: ''From the Album of the Same Name''
* 1975: ''Second Flight''
* 1976: ''Morin Heights'' - recorded in Morin Heights Le Studio
* 1977: ''Two's a Crowd''
* 2002: ''Blue Yonder''
* 2008: ''The Craighall Demos 71:76''
* 2014: ''A Pilot Project'' - David Paton's tribute to The Alan Parsons Project

Compilation albums:
* 1980: ''The Best of Pilot''
* 1997: ''Magic''
* 1997: ''Magic: A Golden Classics Edition''
* 2004: ''A's, B's & Rarities''

Alan Parsons Project

Studio albums:
* 1976: ''Tales of Mystery and Imagination''
* 1977: '' I Robot''
* 1978: ''Pyramid''
* 1979: ''Eve''
* 1980: ''The Turn of a Friendly Card''
* 1982: '' Eye in the Sky''
* 1984: '' Ammonia Avenue''
* 1985: ''Vulture Culture''
* 1985: ''Stereotomy''

Compilation albums:
* 1981: ''Trilogy'' - compilations, including ''I Robot'', ''Pyramid'' and ''Eve'' albums on 3 CDs
* 1981: ''I Robot / Pyramid / Eve / The Turn of a Friendly Card'' - box set, including these 4 albums on 4 CDs
* 1983: ''The Best of The Alan Parsons Project''
* 1985: ''Vulture Culture: The Alan Parsons Project Special''
* 1987: ''The Best of The Alan Parsons Project - Volume 2''
* 1987: ''Limelight - The Best of Vol.2''
* 1988: ''The Instrumental Works''
* 1989: ''Pop Classics''
* 1991: ''Prime Time: The Alan Parsons Project Best''
* 1991: ''Anthology (Connoisseur Collection''
* 1992: ''Anthology'' - distributed in Italy only
* 1992: ''Hits in the Sky'' distributed in Hong Kong only
* 1992: ''The Best of the Alan Parsons Project - distributed in France only
* 1992: ''The Best of The Alan Parsons Project'' - double album distributed in Germany only
* 1992: ''The Ultimate Collection'' - double album
* 1997: ''Gold Collection'' - double album
* 1997: ''The Definitive Collection'' - double album
* 1999: ''36 All-Time Greatest Hits'' - double album
* 1999: ''Eye in the Sky: The Encore Collection''
* 1999: ''Master Hits: The Heritage Series''
* 2003: ''Silence and I - The Very Best Of'' - 3-CD box set distributed in Germany only
* 2003: ''Platinum & Gold Collection''
* 2007: ''The Essential Alan Parsons Project'' - double album
* 2008: ''Best of Alan Parsons Project''
* 2010: ''The Collection''
* 2010: ''Original Album Classics'' - 5-CD box set, including ''Pyramid'', ''The Turn of a Friendly Card'', ''Eve'', ''Stereotomy'' and ''Gaudy''
* 2014: ''The Complete Albums Collection'' - box set, including all 10 albums and 1 never before released CD ''The Sicilian Defence''

Kate Bush

Studio albums:
* 1978: ''The Kick Inside''
* 1978: '' Lionheart''

Compilation albums:
* 1983: '' The Single File''
* 1986: ''The Whole Story''
* 1990: '' This Woman's Work: Anthology 1978–1990''

Camel

*1982: "The Single Factor"
*1984: "Stationary Traveller"
*1991: "Dust and Dreams'
*1994: "On the Road 1982"
*1996: "Harbour of Tears"

Keats

Single:
* 1984: "Turn Your Heart Around" / "Ask No Questions"

Album:
* 1984: ''Keats'' - reissued in 2015: with Peter Bardens, Colin Blunstone, Ian Bairnson, Stuart Elliott; produced by Alan Parsons

Rick Wakeman

Singles:
* 1991: "Don't Fly Away" b/w "After Prayers"
* 1996: "Welcome a Star" - Rick Wakeman & Ramon Remedios - Edited on Cassette Single & CD Single

Studio albums:
* 1988: ''Time Machine'' - With Ashley Holt, Roy Wood, Tony Fernandez, etc. - Edited on Vinyl LP, Cassette & CD.
* 1991: ''The Classical Connection''
* 1991: ''African Bach''
* 1991: ''Softsword''
* 1993: ''The Classical Connection 2'' - With Chris Squire, Bill Bruford & Steve Howe.
* 1993: ''Prayers''
* 1995: ''Rock & Pop Legends: Rick Wakeman'' - With Ashley Holt & Tony Fernandez.
* 1995: ''Almost Live in Europe'' - The title says it all, recordings were so bad they had to rework in studio after the tour.
* 1996: ''The New Gospels''
* 1996: ''Can You Hear Me?''
* 1996: ''Orisons''

Videos:
* 1988: ''The Word and The Gospels'' - VHS
* 1991: ''The Classical Connection Video'' - VHS.
* 1996: ''The New Gospels Video'' - VHS - With Adam Wakeman.
* 1998: ''Rick Wakeman Live Video'' - With Ashley Holt & Tony Fernandez. - First on VHS, later reedited on DVD.

Fish

Studio albums:
* 1991: ''Internal Exile''
* 1993: ''Songs from the Mirror''
* 1994: ''Suits''

Live albums:
* 1991: ''Derek Dick & His Amazing Electric Bear''
* 1992: ''There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Fish'' (unofficial release)
* 1993: ''For Whom the Bells Toll''
* 1993: ''Toiling in the Reeperbahn''
* 1993: ''Uncle Fish & The Fish Creepers''
* 1994: ''Acoustic Session''
* 1994: ''Sushi''
* 1994: ''Lucky Bastards'' (unofficial release, recorded 1991)
* 1998: ''Fortunes of War'' (recorded 1994)
* 1999: ''The Complete BBC Sessions'' (recorded 1989 and 1991)

Compilation albums:
* 1998: ''Kettle of Fish''

Single:
* 1994: "Lady Let It Lie" / "Out of My Life" / "Black Canal"

Sadie Paton

Single:
* 2012: ''Don't Touch Me''
* 2018: ''Love Song''

Eric Woolfson

* 2009: ''Eric Woolfson sings The Alan Parsons Project That Never Was'' - David bass on ''Any Other Day'' and ''Rumour Goin' Round''

Collaborations

* 1974: ''Ra Ta Ta'' / ''Pamela'' - Scotch Mist - Single - ''Pamela'' written by William Lyall & David Paton. Alan Parsons prod.
* 1975: ''Sail Awa''y / ''Never Seen the Like'' - Jack Harris - Single - Also sang with The Alan Parsons Project.
* 1975: ''First Day'' - David Courtney - With David Gilmour, Pilot, BJ Cole, Albert Lee, etc. Produced by Andrew Powell.
* 1976: ''Solo Casting'' - William Lyall - Also starring Phil Collins, Stuart Tosh, Ian Bairnson, Ronnie Leahy, etc.
* 1976: ''You've Got to Get Me Higher'' / ''Now That I've Found You'' - Marilyn Miller - Single - Both songs by Billy Lyall.
* 1978: ''Dear Anyone'' - Don Black & Geoff Stephens
* 1979: ''Crusader'' - Chris de Burgh - Also starring Stuart Elliott, Francis Monkman, Andrew Powell, Ian Bairnson.
* 1981: ''Chris Rea'' - Chris Rea
* 1981: ''Elaine Paige'' - Elaine Paige
* 1982: ''More Than a Dream'' - John Townley
* 1982: ''Death Wish II Original Soundtrack'' - Jimmy Page - With Chris Farlowe, Dave Lawson, Dave Mattacks etc.
* 1982: ''Single Factor'' - Camel - Bass, lead and backing vocals on one song
* 1983: ''Plays the Best of The Alan Parsons Project'' - Andrew Powell & The London Philarmonia Orchestra - Bass on two songs
* 1984: ''Stationary Traveller'' - Camel - Bass on two songs, fretless bass on two other songs
* 1985: ''Ice on Fire'': Elton John - Paton bass on three songs
* 1985: ''Ladyhawke Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' - Andrew Powell - Produced By Alan Parsons
* 1985: ''Performance-The Best of Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber'' - Various Artists
* 1986: ''Leather Jackets'' - Elton John - David bass on 6 songs
* 1987: ''Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra'' - Elton John
* 1988: ''Reg Strikes Back'' - Elton John - With Pete Townshend, Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson & Davey Johnstone
* 1988: ''Love's a State of Mind'' - Silvia Griffin
* 1989: ''Red Corner'' - Matia Bazar
* 1989: ''You You'' - Frank Ryan
* 1990: ''Amada Mia'' - Catelina Caselli
* 1990: ''1234'' - Propaganda - David Paton and David Gilmour on ''Only one word''
* 1990: ''Apri Le Braccia E Poi Vola'' - Ron
* 1991: ''Dust & Dreams'' - Camel - Vocals on one song
* 1992: ''Elvis Has Left the Building'' - The River Detectives
* 1994: ''The Last of the Independents'' - The Pretenders - With Ian Stanley (TFF), David Lord, etc.
* 1994: ''On the Road 1982'' - Camel - Bass and vocals
* 1995: ''Maiden Heaven'' - Fiona Kennedy
* 1996: ''A Summer in Skye'' - Blair Douglas
* 1996: ''Harbour of Tears'' - Camel - Bass and lead vocals on one song
* 1997: ''Half Moon Bay'' - Gerry O' Beirne
* 1997: ''If I Ever Return'' - Connie Dover
* 1997: ''Donegal Rain'' - Andy M. Stewart
* 1998: ''Borderland'' - John McNairn
* 1998: ''Presented to the Heart'' - Alexander Mesek
* 1998: ''Redwood Cathedral'' - Dick Gaughan
* 1999: ''Suileandubh (Dark Eyes'' - Tannas
* 1999: ''Faileasan Uibhist'' - Margaret Callan
* 1999: ''Will You Walk on By/On the West Side'' - Donnie Munro with Holly Thomas - Single
* 2000: ''Highwired'' - McAllias
* 2000: ''Donnie Munro'' - Donnie Munro
* 2001: ''Green Indians: A Tribute to Kevin Wilkinson'' - Various Artists
* 2002: ''Legacy: The Music of Marc Bolan & T Rex'' - Various Artists
* 2002: ''Across the City and the World'' - Donnie Munro
* 2002: ''Oubliette'' - Holly Thomas
* 2003: ''If Only'' - Nobby Clark
* 2003: ''Change'' - Ray Wilson - Paton bass on four songs
* 2006: ''Magical Hat'' - Beagle Hat - Paton lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, backing vocals
* 2013: ''Don't Know What to Say'' - Nick Vernier Band - Paton lead vocals
* 2019: '' One Fine Day'' - Chris Rea

Production

* 2005: ''The Last Song in Abbey Road'' - Kenny Herbert - Paton bass and production
* 2006: ''Famous faces on a bar room wall'' - Kenny Herbert & Rab Howat - Paton bass and production
* 2007: ''Songs of our lives'' - Kenny Herbert & Rab Howat - Paton bass and production
* 2008: ''All of my days'' - Kenny Herbert - Paton played and produced
* 2010: ''Another Positive Line'' - The Apple Beggars - Paton bass and production

References

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External links

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Detailed list of Paton's session work

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paton, David
1949 births
Living people
Musicians from Edinburgh
Scottish pop guitarists
Male bass guitarists
Scottish bass guitarists
Scottish session musicians
People educated at Liberton High School
Pilot (band) members
Camel (band) members
Elton John Band members
The Alan Parsons Project members
Bay City Rollers members
Progressive rock bass guitarists