• Dancing in the ballroom

    COLD AND NEW
  • For years now UB Boy tries to find the exit out of this painful situation. But he sees himself moving in circles as the reflections in the glass follow him wherever he goes. Can’t he just break the glass?

    Full Picture

  • Recording on a 4 track cassette tape

    May 5th 1990 HPC Rehearsal Studios Burgemeester Hovylaan 12 Den Haag Netherlands

  • Den Haag 1990   Three years earlier in 1987 I formed my own band again to finally arrange my 1980’s oeuvre the way I had in mind. It always was a struggle to find people in my genre with the right skills. Jazz musicians know how to play their instruments, Pop musicians in general are less skilled. But I definately needed people with a Pop feel! In those days there was no internet and mobility wasn’t as flexible as it is now. So I ended up (though still thankful) with less skilled friends with a Pop feel. ‘Dancing in the ballroom’ was one of 12 tracks we recorded this fifth day in May.

  • A basic set up in a rehearsal room it was. We recorded drums, bass guitar, guitar and keyboards on a single stereo track. later we added stereo vocals at home.

    Although the recordings didn’t live up to my standards I was very pleased to finally hear my songs after so many years. I must admit that I was a perfectionist that could be a pain in the ass, my own included. I’m happy to say that I’m much more practical since I started writing songs again in 2017. Some day I certainly will take time to record a new version of ‘Dancing in the ballroom’, for it is very valuable song.

  • Huub van Duuren (UB): vocals, bass guitar
    Benno van Keulen: guitar, backing vocals
    Hans van den Borgh: keyboards
    Rob van der Zwan: drums

    Gear
    Fostex X-15 Multitracker 4 track cassette recorder
    Yamaha REX-50 digital multi-effects unit
    Mackie CR1604 channel mixer
  • Cold and New - July 1988
    Dancing in the ballroom
    I’m always drawing circles. Why do I always turn around, moving up and down, closing in a strange way. In this ballroom made of glass I always dance these figures. The only ones to partner me are the reflections in the glass. Why can I not find a home, just to find myself some rest. And live like everyone in the rhythm of the... ...day takes so long. It looks to me a whole life. Yet it feels like wasted time, like wasting a whole life. Now I’m staring at the glass, know that I can break it. Imagining the crashing sound of a ballroom at its end.