I searched the net for an old friend recently and came across his site http://www.buskerbrian.com It was interesting to read about his life and times as a busker travelling in Europe and the U.S.A. It was also bitter-sweet to read and see old photographs of half forgotten friends from many years ago.

I also came across a song that Brian and I wrote together in the summer of 1989. I had suddenly stopped drinking alcohol after twenty years or so of over imbibing and I was in my fourth week into sobriety; I was shaving the stubble off my face and wiping the misting mirror with a towel, when I noticed my reflection. As I stared at the image looking back at me I realised that this person's mental and spiritual growth had been stunted for over two decades because the booze had blocked out and dulled every emotion. I realised then that to all intents and purposes that I was still a teenager living in the body of a man. I just didn't have a clue about anything really - as to what really constituted my political, religious or spiritual beliefs; were the issues I gave lip service to - were they my own beliefs or were they simply the echoes of indoctrination and conditioning handed down from my parents and teachers at school.?

I looked in that mirror and realised I was staring at a mystery man!

That evening I wrote down the words to the song and a few weeks later Busker Brian laid down a melody.

I lost contact with Brian for a couple of years but people told me from time to time they'd seen and heard him play the song at various clubs.

And then one day Brian posted me a demo of the song by unknown session musicians from Port Leith in Dublin. This version of Mystery Man has apparently been distributed internationally on a Country & Western Compilation Album , but I've yet to confirm the accuracy of this statement.

Anyway, this version is currently on the Apache John MySpace Player and I hope you enjoy the song. Or listen on this site.