Today, John Parish unveils a new song about football’s first true celebrity, George Best. “The First Star” is taken from Bird Dog Dante, the composer and producer’s forthcoming new album out 15th June. A duet with Italian songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marta Collica, the track was conceived as a tribute to Best, one of Parish’s childhood heroes. He explains
“The song is a bittersweet celebration of George Best’s life and what he meant to me, alongside countless other young kids who grew up with him as their first wayward idol.”

 
Despite his long list of musical accomplishments, for years Parish has been happy outside the spotlight. On Bird Dog Dante, the twice Ensor nominated composer and Mercury Prize winning producer delivers a collection of songs, including a duet with his longtime musical partner PJ Harvey, that should change all that. Completed in a busy year for Parish – one that saw him working as musical director of the extended PJ Harvey band on their Hope Six Demolition Project world tour, as well as producing acclaimed albums for This is the Kit, Nadine Khouri, and Aldous Harding, Bird Dog Dante draws together the disparate threads of his sprawling career into one coherent and concise work – with pieces written for film alongside perfectly crafted pop songs.