Before his death in a tour bus accident in 1995, former Smokie frontman Alan Barton had been working on material for his second solo album, which wasn’t completed.

A decade later his son Dean decided to finish the project and, together with Andy Whelan and Graham Kearns, Room With A View was created.

So began Spirit Of Smokie, a band paying tribute to Alan and his band’s music. The album features songs written and sung by Alan, the original soundtrack recorded on two inch tapes, uncovered in Andy Whelan’s loft.

Over the years storage and time had cemented the old tapes, rendering them unplayable, but a suggestion was made to bake them in an incubator. This proved to be a success and the songs were finally transferred onto a workable format.

Musicians who were friends of Alan, including original Smokie guitarist Alan Silson, were brought in to play on the album, his vocals and harmonies were kept and new instrumental arrangements added. Dean duets with his father on the tracks I O U and Storm Damage.

After spending recent years playing to sell-out crowds in Europe and Asia, Spirit Of Smokie are heading back to the UK for a tour in February. Expect all the hits, including Living Next Door To Alice, If You Think You Know How To Love Me, Needles And Pins and Oh Carol, as well as new tracks including Stay With Me Till Dawn.

The band is comprised of Dean Barton, Andy Whelan, Graham Kearns and Kevin Fitzpatrick who played with Chris Norman /Alan Silson Band/B’Eagles, Ron Kelly, the original drummer and founder member of The Elizabethans.

l Spirit of Smokie are at Skipton’s Mart Theatre on Friday, February 8. For tickets and information call (01756) 709666.