The Post Tumour Humour Album
Dr. Errol H Tout
www.errolhtout.com.au
Once in a rare while, music comes across your path which begs you to express yourself and you have no choice but to. Music that takes you on another’s journey with it’s medium (in this instance, we shall call him ‘the guitarist’) in such a way, that you cannot help but speak about it in hopes that another will indulge themselves in their own experience by listening too, while following the album liner notes. This is one of those times.
We could all possibly agree that the term “Genius” is bandied around a little too readily. Not many would fall into the category or represent the true meaning of the word.
Genius: A genius is a person who displays exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight. Wikipedia
However, after listening to “Post Tumour Humour”, the 15th album from Dr. Errol H Tout, no other word could describe better the man and the album of music presented along his mortal journey, in my humble opinion.
Extraordinarily insightful and inspiring, the “Post Tumour Humour” album is a resonating musical storyline, rapped in empathic cerebralism and humour!
This body of work takes you on a step by step journey through its 19 tracks as Errol faces and works through extremely life altering challenges.
The following from www.errolhtout.com.au
“On the 17th July 2012 [a week after our family lost our Mum] I had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour weighing in at 2.2kg at 200mm diameter and the kidney it had grown on. This was while I was being treated for blood clots in my lungs. Apart from being uncomfortable, expensive and unpleasant, it was also really, really scary.
I had to spend 3 months off work while I recovered and I do not deal with boredom very well. How to turn a seeming disadvantage into an advantage? Make a ‘concept album’ of the journey and the experiences.
During this time I had met and worked with so many fabulous nurses, doctors, orderlies and even cleaners that I could not let this pass. My experience at St. John of God hospital Murdoch was terrific considering what I was there for. What a joy to work with people that care about what they do, and are really good at it, when they have your life in their hands.
‘Get busy living or get busy living dying’
Andy DuFrame from ‘The Shawshank Redemption’The cancer spread to my liver and a year later, after being told there was nothing that could be done, I had all that removed. They tell me I’m all clear now.”
Renowned for his ability to connect to the surreal and often provoking soundscapes of life, which we all endeavour to allow into our musical worlds, and his ability to allow the information to transfer to the emoting sounds of the guitar while never losing sight of his humour, heart, humility and own mind, this is arguably Errol’s finest album to date and surely an ‘album of the year’ for any true music or life lover.
“This album is not really a story about a battle, rather some of the experiences I had. I hope that maybe they will resonate with others that have experienced similar things. Maybe it will offer some hope, as I feel that I have been very fortunate.
Best wishes to all
Dr. Errol H Tout.”
Indeed. I call him, “Sir Errol of the Ovation” – humble, inspiring and simply brilliant.
Buy the Post Tumour Humour album, read the liner notes and take this musical journey of ‘a life’.
Other artists on the album: George Kailis, Dr. David Sofield, Graham Greene, Jamie Oehlers, Fiona McAndrew, Jimmie James Eaton, John Bannister.
Recorded and mixed by Dr Mark McAndrew and Errol at Errol’s modest studio.
Mastered by James Hewgill
Review by DG. www.guitargods.com.au