Another brace of fine exponents of the session man's art. Jerry Uwins continues his survey of the country's top behind the scenes players. More next month.

THE CHAP - DAVE MATTACKS

INSTRUMENT - DRUMS

BRIEF PROFILE

Approx 12 years in sessions. First pro gig was two and a half years in big bands including four 'Come Dancing' broadcasts. With Fairport Convention from '69 to '74 and is a permanent feature in all the band's recent reunions, tours and lightning raids. List of recording credits enough to paper a wall with including Gary Brooker, Barbara Dickson, Peter Green, Paul McCartney, Patrick Moraz, Brian Eno, Leo Sayer, Richard Thompson, Bill Nelson, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, Alison Moyet, Elton John, Nick Heyward and Stephen Duffy. Past year or so has seen sessions with Trevor Horn, Chris Rea (with whom he also tours), Steve Harley and Dream Academy. Still finds time to play small jazz gigs down the local.

BREAKING IN

"This really happened when I left Fairport through knowing people on the Folk/Rock scene but specially in getting the Andy Fairweather Lowe gig — recording and on the road. This was incredibly helpful and led to a lot of things, like the work with Georgie Fame and Joan Armatrading. Jingles began to come through towards the late '70s."

FIRST SESSION

"Yes, it was for an Irish band called Dr Strangely Strange, which indeed they were. An album for the Incredible String Band followed shortly after which I recall as interesting but a trifle odd."

MEMORABLE ONE

"I think this must be with Paul McCartney at Montserrat working on 'Pipes of Peace' and 'Tug of War'. I ended up with one track on one and three on the other, which was great."

ANECDOTAL ONE

"Chris Karen and I were doing a disco type album — DiscalongaMax or something similar — where it was all straight down the line, exactly the same, and where you'd do three numbers straight off referring to them by track numbers. During one afternoon session Chris, who was playing percussion, came out of his booth and asked me what came next. I said, track 15. Quick as a flash he replied: 'I've just done that'."

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

"Firstly my two Yamaha studio kits. One is an American-style 8000 Series — with the fatter lugs — damped for jingles and small room sounds, using Pinstripes (top) and Clear Diplomats (bottom). The other is the big rock 'n' roll kit — a 9000 Recording Series based around a 22in bass drum. I'm just about to change the heads on this one to CSs on top and Clear Dots underneath.

"Cymbal essentials are my 13in Thin on 14in Medium-Heavy hi-hats, and 15in Paper Thin Crashes — I've got lots of these. I've used Zildjian for ten, 15 years now and there's a set for each kit plus a spare set just in case."

SESSION DISLIKES

"The assumption by some people not used to working with session players that we are only interested in money, or before and after the allotted time are totally uninterested in the music. There are one or two guys like that but, largely, it's a very unfair criticism. Also, getting a bad headphone mix."

ADVICE TO ASPIRING SESSIONEERS

"There's no substitute for playing in time and having your kit properly tuned for the job in hand. Also, try and insist on a good foldback. I did a film-score once with a 50-piece orchestra and all I had in the cans were the click track and 1st Trumpet."

LIKING FOR CURRIES?

"Is the Pope a Catholic?"

FAVE RESTAURANT AND DISH

"The Bombay Brasserie, Gloucester Road. Chicken Jalfrezi or similar. Any good poultry or fish dish."

THE CHAP - IAN LYNN

INSTRUMENT - KEYBOARDS

BRIEF PROFILE

Playing sessions since around 1975. Classically trained and with diverse jazz and rock background. Many top-name recording credits including Barbara Dickson, Sheena Easton, Gerard Kenny, Animal Nightlife, Gerry Rafferty, Leo Sayer and Andy Williams. Worked with Dave McKay and Barry Gibb and one or two unlikely name-checks such as Derek Jameson and Sir Les Patterson! TV includes recent BBC drama series 'Life and Loves of a She-Devil', 'Auf Weidersehen Pet' and 'The Bunberrys'. To date has three solo albums.

BREAKING IN

"In a regular way it was some songs I'd written and played on which were sent to DJM for Denis Waterman. Producer Chris Neil enquired who was the keyboard player and I was asked along to record the album. This led on to the work with Sheena."

FIRST SESSION

"This was actually before Denis. I was with a band called Mama Flyer and we were called in to do some sessions behind a white soul singer Norma Green. They were notable for the presence of the Chanter Sisters and Doris Troy on backing vocals."

MEMORABLE ONE

"Sheena Easton on 'For Your Eyes Only'. I did nearly all the keyboards which I was very pleased with. All before the days of the DX7 too."

ANECDOTAL ONE

"It was a TV session. A count had to be added to a backing track we'd done. The sound people had temporarily lost it. Hunting around for a blank reel, an engineer found one with a bit of tape on it and razored it through to clear the reel. It turned out to be the actual track — now cut into a zillion pieces! The poor bloke did actually splice it all back together again."

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

"DX7s — I wouldn't know what to do without them now. Korg DW8000 and, since a few weeks ago, a Roland RD1000 Electronic Piano."

SESSION DISLIKES

"Primarily it's having to play exactly what's written. I like to be creative."

ADVICE TO ASPIRING SESSIONEERS

"Become a good reader — you'll need it at some point. Play for other people not yourself, and listen to what they're doing. With sessions you're there to do a job."

LIKING FOR CURRIES?

"Addicted."

FAVE RESTAURANT AND DISH

"Prince of India in Royston. Chicken Tikka Masalla."