THE OVERSTAYER by JUDGE SMITH
►‘The Overstayer’ is an 18 minute piece about an illegal migrant woman, and is written for church pipe-organ, saxophones (with flutes and whistles) and vocals from Dorie Jackson and the composer, Judge Smith.
►The combination of Organ and Saxophones is at times reminiscent of early Van der Graaf Generator, a sound originally defined by David Jackson’s ground-breaking saxophone technique, while his daughter Dorie Jackson’s remarkable multi-tracked vocals have recently attracted wide attention on her solo CD ‘Stupid Says Run’.
►‘The Overstayer’ handles its contentious and sensitive subject with care, and without political bias of any kind. The story follows a School Teacher’s decision to leave her, unnamed, country and travel on a Tourist visa, West to the UK where she intends to remain illegally. Her journey is seen in the context of a movement of peoples across the continent, from East to West, that has continued for centuries.
►The music is unusual and memorable, with a subtle flavour of other cultures, and despite Smith’s dispassionate treatment of the story, the overall effect of the piece is surprisingly emotional and moving.
Tracklist
| 1. | The Overstayer - Part 1 | |
| 2. | The Overstayer - Part 2 | 3:24 |
| 3. | The Overstayer - Part 3 | |
| 4. | The Overstayer - Part 4 | |
Credits
Words and Music by Judge Smith.
Arranged by Robert Pettigrew, David Jackson & Dorie Jackson.
Pipe Organ: Robert Pettigrew.
Saxophones, Flutes & Whistles: David Jackson.
Vocals: Dorie Jackson & Judge Smith.
The Narrator - Judge Smith
The Overstayer - Dorie Jackson
Recording mixed by Mike Westergaard
Graphic design by Steven Hargraves
Cover photography by Judge Smith with Fifi Chamoix
Artist photography by John Ellis and Sean Kelly
MASTERS OF ART - MASTER 116 © and ℗ 2025
Owned by Judge Smith and is strictly reserved.
License
All rights reserved.
Judge Smith co-founded the band Van der Graaf Generator in 1967 with Peter Hammill, & has since been involved in many music projects as writer, composer or performer. He has written stage musicals, classical & rock libretti, songs for television & a book on Life after Death; directed a prize-winning short film, & released fourteen CDs & two DVDs. He was born in 1948 & lives near Glastonbury, UK.