Young Darwen singer Annabel gets her turn at Abbey Road

Blackburn with Darwen Council has highlighted a Darwen music project that took young singer Annabel into one of Britain’s most famous studios, with the local performer featured on Begin2Sing’s new release Shake Off The Rain.

Annabel is one of 20 soloists on the track, which comes from the community singing project led by Paul Stuart Davies, co-founder of Darwen School of Music. She said it was “really exciting and cool” to get to go to Abbey Road, adding that her favourite part was sitting in the producer’s chair and wearing his headphones.

The release is linked to monthly singing workshops at Sunbird Records in Darwen, which the grant has helped to fund. Begin2Sing will also perform a B-side cover of The Dream Academy’s 1985 hit Life In A Northern Town.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Executive Member for Growth and Development, commented on the project in the council’s report, which frames the Abbey Road session as part of a wider local music effort rather than a one-off moment.

For Annabel, though, the headline moment is simple: a Darwen youngster getting studio time at Abbey Road and a credit on a new community recording.

Source: Blackburn with Darwen Council / The Shuttle. Original announcement.