Accountants record Christmas tribute to music icon

A firm of accountants and business advisers has paid tribute to music icon David Bowie by recording a special version of one of the singer’s best-known hits.

Haslingden based Cassons have become well known for their unique Christmas videos and they hope their latest offering – based on Bowie’s 1972 single ‘Changes’ – will bring a seasonal smile to the faces of clients and friends around the world.

The video, which stars partners and staff from across the firm, explores the changes that have taken place in popular culture since the original track was released 44 years ago.

It also looks at how technology has transformed the workplace and the ways Cassons have embraced it to keep their clients one step ahead.

Les Nutter, managing partner at Cassons, said: “It’s fair to say 2016 will go down as one of the most eventful years in recent history, with Britain voting to leave the European Union, the United States electing Donald Trump as President, and the loss of some of our most treasured cultural icons such as David Bowie, Sir Terry Wogan and Muhammad Ali, all of whom have sadly passed away in the last 12 months.

“At the same time we are also living through a technology revolution, which is transforming virtually all aspects of our working and social lives.

“With this in mind, we decided we wanted to celebrate the work of David Bowie – one of the greatest musical talents Britain has ever produced – and when we started researching his back catalogue, the one song that jumped out was ‘Changes’ because it seemed to capture the general mood in the country at the moment.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gexB_Adt9Qk[/embed]

“The aim of the video is to take the viewer on a journey through the last four decades, showing how we have, and will continue to, support our clients through some challenging times and technological changes, starting with Britain joining the EEC in the 1970s, through to Brexit.

“It also looks to the future and some of the challenges we are likely to face post-Brexi, including the push towards greater digitalization through the Government’s Making Tax Digital initiative.

“Ultimately, it’s a celebration of technology, innovation and popular culture, and the underlying message is, no matter what the world throws at us, we will find a solution.”

Cassons became internet sensations three years ago when their ‘Holding Out for a Cassons Hero’ video, which showed the firm saving a client from a mountain of paperwork, attracted over 10,000 views worldwide.

Last year’s Christmas video – Cassons Number 5 – was a parody of the 1999 Lou Bega hit Mambo Number 5.

Les added: “Every year we try to do something different and it’s all about having fun and showing people an unexpected side to the business.” Created and filmed over three days by Shooters Media in Oswaldtwistle, the production features the vocals of Mitchell Smith, who is studying Popular Music Performance at Leeds College of Music, and was put together with the help of choreographer Lesley from Encore Dance School in Nelson.