Yorkshire's Northern rail 'singing conductor' says 'you can hear the sound of Knaresborough railway station' in new recordings

Harrogate’s renowned ‘singing conductor’ and artist Paul Mirfin has issued two new songs recorded live at Knaresborough railway station.

After winning a national musical reputation with his semi-acoustic rock band which appeared on BBC TV's Songs of Praise and sold out Harrogate's Royal Hall, Mirfin has branched out successfully into art in recent times.

Earlier this year Mirfin, a Northern rail conductor by day, set up his gallery in a vacant unit on the platform at the Grade II listed Knaresborough railway station, where he now paints and teaches art classes.

It’s also become a bit of a recording studio.

"I have been recording in my art studio on Knaresborough railway station some new songs, just me and a guitar with the sounds of the station in the background of the tracks, trains, people and wildlife,” he said.

“It's a really exciting project and the songs are unhurried and relaxing.

"You can hear the railway building echoing in the recordings.

“The songs are inspired by painting in my studio and the pailway and musically inspired by artists such Bob Dylan.”

While the first track, Good Lord, is a beautiful acoustic folk ballad, the second track, Northern Clown, is a more raggle-taggle slice of rustic folk blues.

The Impressionist oil painter, who has worked for train operator Northern for nearly 25 years, is known for producing striking paintings of landscapes, skies and the railway.

In 2023, he was commissioned to produce artwork for King Charles, as a present for his 75th birthday.