A SINGER and songwriter has launched a debut EP, inspired by some of Ealing’s open-mic performers.

Simon Bell, best known for his association with the Dusty Springfield and James Last and his Orchestra, has released About Time.

He started attending an open-mic evening at the Castle Inn in St Mary’s Road, Ealing, and found himself inspired by the young writers and performers he saw there.

Within weeks, he had started teaching himself guitar, began writing again and teamed up with producer Justin Whittingham.

The EP is entitled About Time as the passage of time is a recurring theme in the songs.

According to the man himself it was 'about time' he did something.

Writing the songs on acoustic guitar has lent a country feel to his songs, particularly Next To Me and Partner In Crime.

Play (If Life's A Game) lets older people know that life's not over, it's to be lived, while Happy New Year is a seasonal song with echoes of the 1940s crooners, but with a modern intimacy.

A long and varied career has seen Bell, an Ealing man himself, share the stage with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Adam and The Ants, Julio Iglesias, Elkie Brooks and Elaine Paige.