Maurice Baker Singer-Songwriter

Maurice began playing in folk clubs around London and the South East during the Sixties. As a schoolteacher in the Seventies, he also wrote and produced music for various educational projects. Leaving teaching in the Eighties he formed Sunshine Express, a band performing in schools and theatres, etc. He also directed music workshops for children with special needs at the Polka Theatre, Wimbledon.

Returning to teaching in the Nineties as a Music Co-ordinator he worked on many musical and drama productions and other creative events. In the Noughties he worked in Special Education whilst also playing in folk clubs, winning several song writing competitions including the Woody Guthrie Festival in 2011, travelling to Oklahoma, USA, to perform. In 2012 he published a semi-autobiographical novel, The Singer-Songwriter’s Last Stand, which included an audio CD along with tales of many musicians’ lives and experiences. He continues to appear in venues around the North East and beyond as well as recording original music for both adults and children.

Maurice and trusty banjo
Maurice and trusty banjo

Maurice’s published works include several song/activity books for children, all including an audio CD, six novels for young people, two collections of short stories and a novel for adults. Most are available as paperbacks and e-books on Amazon or from:

 For more information: www.mauricebakermusic.co.uk or www.sunnysongs.co.uk

Published Works

The Singer-Songwriter’s Last Stand – novel & music album (A)

The Key to a Happy Life – collected writings & music album (A)

Miracles & Misdeeds – collection of short stories & ballads (YA/A)

Beastly Ballads – collection of animal-themed stories, songs and verse (YA/A)

Look to the Far Horizon – poem-based songbook

Novels for young people

Abe: Amy Dancer and the Alien Big Cat (MG)

Daizy and the Weeds Rap it Up (YA)

Plum Crazy – Lord of the Prunes (MG)

Snoopervision – Two Boys v The World (YA)

Wormwold – Alfie’s Big Adventure (MG/YA)

The Green Witch Brigade Go Krabb Hunting (YA)

Song and Activity Book/CD packs for children

The Clumsy Giant

Busy Bees

Crazy Creatures

Animal Olympics

Smile Like a Dolphin

Drums Over Africa

Little Monsters

Sing and Dance

Book Reviews

  • Book and album review by Tim Carroll – Folk Words

    Even a cursory listen to ‘The Singer Songwriter’s Last Stand’ album by Maurice Baker reinforces the overriding essence of his work – sharp, witty, perceptive lyrics delivered with a distinctive voice that holds just the right tone of aggrieved angst. But you won’t stop at a ‘quick listen’ – once you hear ‘The Singer Songwriter’s Last Stand’ you will play it again and again. And were the album not sufficient, Maurice has also employed his mean turn of phrase to produce a compelling book that sits alongside the album.

    The songs are unrefined and natural and that’s exactly how they’re meant to be. Their unadulterated edge pulls you into their alluring, questing narratives and holds your attention. They span the influences of rootless social iconoclasts such as Woody Guthrie and Seasick Steve and antagonistic life-observers such as Alan Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. And it’s true to say that Maurice the singer-songwriter is perfectly at home in that company – and in case you’re curious that’s the praise it’s meant to be.

    The book ‘The Singer-Songwriter’s Last Stand’ is fact-based but fictional, and focuses on Maurice’s travels through his musical landscape. It’s also filled with insightful, poignant and droll observations, and not a little irony. A song from the album inspires each chapter in the book – although as Maurice is at pains to point out, the connection isn’t necessarily literal. The story concerns Alwyn Stevens (Maurice’s alter-ego) and Arthur Grimsby (a ghostly musician) who, meeting one Newcastle morning, engage in a road-trip of discovery.

    There are some remarkable songs on the album. ‘Risk of Explosion’ is one that immediately hits the spot – lyrics, vocals, melody – all catch the ear and make you think ‘I’ve been there’. And for many of us the same will apply to ‘My Old Friend’ with its powerful emotive delivery and the sorrowful ‘Knocking Down Kingston Bridge’. There’s a reflective almost anthemic feel to ‘Down By The Station’ and ‘Hard Travelling Man’ with their inspired melody hooks and agonizing stories. While an infectious intense blues grandeur holds ‘The Gambler’; there’s the deliciously satirical narrative of the eponymous anecdote ‘The Singer-Songwriter’s Song’ – these are all songs to savour.

    On the album The Singer-Songwriter’s Last Stand’ Maurice sings and plays guitar banjo and bouzouki. He’s also aided by Dan and Sam Burt who between them handle electric guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion and backing vocals. The book ‘The Singer-Songwriter’s Last Stand’ and the album are available online at Maurice’s web site www.mauricebakermusic.co.uk; – so go there and get them. You will not be disappointed.