Richard Ridley & Paul Granger

Richard Ridley was born at Dilston Hall, near Corbridge. Had piano lessons, then played cornet in Prudhoe High School Brass Band, Ovington Brass Band & Durham Constabulary Band. He took up guitar and singer/songwriting at the age of 15. He had a career as an Engineer.

He played in Equinox folk band with Jimmy (jiva) Towler, Raymond Greenoaken and Paul Granger. When the same lineup switched to Prog Rock they changed their name to Xonique (anagram of Equinox). Sadly they failed to blast the Prog Rock world with their ambitious musical project ‘After The Bomb’. Richard went on to form Folk Rock band ‘Devils Water’ with Raymond Greenoaken. Their recently released album ‘Treading The Marches’ was produced by ex Steeleye Span bassman Rick Kemp.

Richard continues to work on various musical projects, currently playing in Americana, Bluegrass, Roots band ‘Devilswater’,

Paul Granger was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and he was taught to play the piano by his father while at primary school. He went to St Cuthbert's Grammar School in Newcastle (a contemporary of Sting), where he was able to include Music in his studies and obtained a grade A at A-level. He subsequently obtained a degree in Physics from Newcastle University and an MSc in Meteorology from Reading University and has worked at several companies and locations as an IT Software Developer.

He has sung bass in various church choirs over the years and also played in rock bands occasionally. In the late 1970s he wrote and demoed songs with his friend Richard Robinson. They never had any commercial success, although they had a song signed with EMI which was never used.

He was part of a prog rock band called Xonique. This was a keyboards, guitars and percussion outfit influenced by progressive rock bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer. They wrote a rock concept album in 1980 entitled "After The Bomb", although again there was no commercial interest. Paul later played in a couple of electronic bands and a rock gospel band in the 1980s.

Following a job-related move to Yorkshire in 2003, he joined St Austin's Church Choir in Wakefield and was inspired to start writing music for the choir in late 2006 with a piece to celebrate the refurbishment of the Church's medieval statue of Saint Anne. He has since written a Mass setting, a number of Christmas carols and various other pieces. Several of these have been used in Church services at St Austin's.

Paul continues to work on various musical projects, both with St Austin’s Choir and with Richard Ridley.

Sea Spirit

Richard Ridley &  Paul Granger

The songs on this album reflect a fusion of folk, classical and progressive rock styles, as brought together by two songwriter/composers from differing musical backgrounds. Richard Ridley and Paul Granger have worked together in North-East England over many years as songwriters and in bands and this album combines works from their past and present, reworked as a studio album using selected guest musicians.

The album is available in full or by individual tracks on CD Baby, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google and others.