Eg who? One might ask…

Nothing much is known about Eg White. He doesn't do interviews, nor does he appear on videos. His official name is F White and I don't even know what "F" stands for - Frederick maybe(?), Eg instead of Ed? Truly it is a mystery……..

Believe it or not Eg White started out in the 80s boy band called "Brother Beyond". Shock, horror, I was a fan of "Brother Beyond" in my younger days without even realizing of Eg's existence nor contributions. It was always "Nathan" the lead singer that got the limelight. Rummaging through the old LPs that is now fast fading away in storage, I actually found four 12" singles of "Brother Beyond" and one of them is a limited edition DJ Promo. (Anyone interested in these rare copies, please get in touch). All tracks from these singles were written by F. White and Carl Fysh. From here we know that Eg was definitely a key-player in "Brother Beyond". The last single from "Brother Beyond" that I have in possession was dated 1987 called "Chain Gang - Smile" which in my opinion is their finest single.

In 1991, Eg teamed up with Alice Temple and released "24 Years of Hunger" which was one of the classic albums of the 90s (see review). Eg does not leave much of a scent of himself apart from his works. It is only through his works that some light can be shed on him.

My guess is that "24 Years of Hunger" was recorded when both Eg and Alice were 24 years old? That was in 1991, 9 years ago which would mean that Eg is probably 33 years of age now or thereabouts.

The credits on "24 Years of Hunger" certainly throws a lot of clues as to Eg's background. You get the impression that this album was by no accident or fluke but more of Eg and Alice finally getting together a bunch of "connected friends and acquaintances" to get the album done. Obviously, they had the financial backing too. It was released on Warners, they didn't have a proper studio to record it but they had the right "support".

One such support was from David Ogilvy. He produced "New Years Eve" and "Indian" and played guitars and collaborated with Eg on his subsequent solo debut. Now Ogilvy is not a "cheap" surname! Another interesting reference was the String Family White which comprises of Lucy White, Juliet Davey and David White. Obviously, Eg comes from a musically inclined family and David White was a member of "Brother Beyond's" which probably explains the rationale behind the group's name.

Much of "24 Years of Hunger" was recorded in Eg's kitchen in Notting Hill. Notting Hill is not quite a cheap address to be staying at either. There are relatively "poor" parts of Notting Hill but to have a big enough kitchen to play music and "loud" enough without the neighbours complaining, it must be a well insulated kitchen!!

The rest of the album was recorded at Betty's house in Hampstead, again not a cheap address and at Kong's (Chinese?) Restaurant somewhere in All Saints Road which is in the deeper parts of Notting Hill where the annual Notting Hill carnival route would follow. Obviously, Eg loves Chinese food and Kong's was probably his regular haunt for quick meal "fixes" so much so that they allowed him to use their basement?

Judging by the lack of promotional tours when "Eg & Alice" was a duo, it has led me to believe that it was never Eg's intention to be a popstar, hence why he never jumped on the bandwagon on being a star or maybe he's had enough of screaming girls during "Brother Beyond" days. He is in it for the music itself. I would not be surprised if Eg has a day job doing something else apart from singing.

It took Eg another 5 years after "24 Years of Hunger" before he released his solo debut album "Turn Me On I Am A Rocket Man". This time it was produced by Phil Ramone. The album was recorded mainly in a Bedford recording studio whereby Eg rubbed shoulders with the Previns (Andre and Heather).

The album was more folksy and acoustic. Judging from the lyrics on this album it would appear that Eg is very much into girls! Getting into all sorts of trouble with his women like "Made My Baby Cry" and then not knowing what to do (What Can I Do) and wanting to sleep with hookers and keep his hair long (Do It For Myself)……and to end it with the loveliest of songs "My Lovely Valentine" who can turn him on because he's a rocket man! It had a naughty boy feel to it and despite being a woman I still loved it! Like everything else that Eg writes, it makes you perk up and take notice. However, it didn't manage to launch Eg into space and become a megastar either.

In 1999, Eg collaborated on a debut album by Emiliana Torrini of Italian/Icelandic origins called "Love In the Time of Science". By this time I suspect Eg had formed his own production company and has links with One Little Indian record label which Torrini is released under. Eg co-wrote on 7 of the 11 songs on the album. Roland Orzabal of Tears For Fears fame produced and wrote the rest of the album. However, it is Eg's tunes that carries the album and easily eclipses Orzabal's songwriting contribution on this album. The album generally has a moody and electronic ambient feel to it with Torrini sounding a bit like Bjork.

It is a pity that one has to stumble across Eg's work as one goes along because there is a danger that it will be totally overlooked. It makes it that much more harder to support him as an artiste. Therefore, Eg if you are reading this out there somewhere, please come "out and play", you DO have FANS and we are hungry for more!!