In the early 2000s, after 30 years of silence,  “Soul of a Man” suddenly appeared on an internet alternative sixties jukebox site.  Shortly afterwards, “When Diana Paints the Picture” was included in Volume 3 of the Swedish rare 1960s CDs “Fading Yellow”, and described as a “forgotten gem”. Then “Soul of a Man” and “Gospel Lane” were included in Volume 4 of the series. Both volumes are now collectors’ items. “Gospel Lane” attracted the interest of French film producer/director, Serge Bozon, who used the track in his 2007 film “La France”, starring Sylvie Testud. Rob and Tom and their wives were delighted to be invited to attend the UK premiere of the film at l’institut francais in March 2008, where Rob was asked to reprise “Gospel Lane”, backed by Benjamin Esdraffo and his band, during a Barbara Carlotti concert after the film. “Gospel Lane” was used in the film’s trailer. Robbi at l’institut francais The only non-original song to be used in the film is Robbi Curtice and Tom Payne’s “Gospel Lane,” a haunting gem from the late Sixties recorded with only acoustic guitar, piano, organ, and Curtice and Payne’s polyphonous vocals. Stripped to its primary elements, the recording has the rawness of a bedroom demo but the sophistication and artistry of a fully fleshed-out arrangement. It begins to play over what is to be the final shot of La France: a starry night outside the reunited Camille and François’s window. Any sense of sentiment or hope is undercut by Ashmore-Payne’s desolate lyrics: “Here in my room I can hear people cry, and the old down and out would turn their eyes and watch the sky and wait to die…” The lyrics recall the Lieutenant’s repeated cryptic words to Camille: “You just want to die.”      From “Reverseshot” (Cullen Gallagher (Oct 2008) Stephen Waters Siouxsie      Millard Serge Bozon “there’s a man next door on the cold hard floor, and I haven’t seen him move his head.......” Benjamin Esdraffo Now that Rob and Tom have retired from the demands of the day jobs, they are once again enjoying writing new songs, this time around with the benefit of the new technology. The digital age means that songs at various stages of completion can wing their way with ease through the air between Warwickshire and Wiltshire. Songs recently completed include “Mary Used to Play Piano”, “Passing Shadow”, “Walk Away”, “Bring Back the Sun”, “Save Me (from Myself)”,“Too Late”, and “Voice”. Recent sessions have been greatly enhanced by the beautiful vocal talents of Rob’s daughter Siouxsie Millard and the expertise of recording engineer Stephen Waters. Rob and Tom have also written a musical for the stage. It is called “Moving Masterpieces”, a preview of which you can see and hear on this website. There is clearly still much to come from Ashmore-Payne. Closing sequence from “La France”, featuring “Gospel Lane” (Ashmore-Payne) performed by Robbi Curtice & Tom Payne. In this excerpt from “La France”, you can hear Gospel Lane like you’ve never heard it before! Serge Bozon wrote the lyrics for  “La Pologne” to Tom Payne’s music. Here it is performed on improvised instruments by Fugu, Benjamin Esdraffo and others.       Tom’s original chord                    sheet for          “Gospel Lane”