Choir's 'unbelievable' Abbey Road recording session

Members of a male voice choir, which has been running for almost 70 years, have described recording at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios as an "unbelievable" experience.

The Gentlemen Songsters, from Kingswinford in the Black Country, travelled to London to record a charity single at the venue, widely regarded as a mecca for music lovers.

The 48-member choir recorded their version of the Black Country Anthem, with proceeds from the release set to support the cancer charity Maggie's.

The anthem was written 10 years ago by James Stevens to celebrate the history and sense of community in the region.

"It's wonderful," the writer said.

"It's somewhat unbelievable to actually get it over the line and to be here and to record the Black Country Anthem on this hallowed turf."

His lyrics are sung to the tune of I Vow to Thee, My Country and when released resulted in a "million clicks on YouTube," he said.

"I pitched this to the guys, and where better," he added, "it's pinch yourself time."

During the Beatles' 1968 recording of Abbey Road, John Lennon was recorded ad-libbing an introduction to Hey Jude, saying "from the heart of the Black Country".

"It does really feel quite fitting," added Stevens, "because these boys really are the heart of the Black Country."

Among those making the trip was choir member Reg Utting, who also drew a personal connection with one of the studio's most famous acts.

"I was born in Liverpool in 1944, which is the same era as The Beatles," he said.

"We're here, and I'm enjoying it every minute."

For fellow singer Steve McEwen, the charity chosen to benefit from the recording has special significance.

In 2020, he went to hospital expecting what he thought would be a routine check-up after feeling unusually tired.

"I was in there for six months in the end, in isolation, partly to do with Covid," he said.

"But partly because they very quickly diagnosed the fact it was leukaemia."

While he was in hospital, the choir continued rehearsing online during lockdown, something he said helped him through some difficult times.

"The NHS, my wife and family were always important," he explained, "but to have the choir there and be singing was fantastic."

Inside the studios, choir members reflected on the generations of musicians who recorded there before them.

"You see all the people that have been here in the past," said Ian Davies.

"All the photographs on the wall, it's wonderful that we're part of that now."

Dave Whiley said the experience had left him with "hairs at the back of my neck".

"It was lovely," he added.

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