What song are you listening to right now? (Page 392 of 393)

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Heavy Soul  (2024)

Looking back, this is the first of Joanne's albums I've bought since 2019's Restless Heart, and hands up, I wouldn't have bought it if I hadn't spotted it on a price deal at my local HMV. Bit of a bold admission since I've followed Joanne's recording career since White Sugar (2009). What did it for me was that while she is maturing as a performer and writer, she seems to be loosing that "intense" edge.

So, not being one to turn down a bargain... This 10 tracker, which includes 3 covers, is once again Kevin Shirley produced (as was 2016's Wild), cementing links with Joe B. Of these covers, for me, Joan Aematrading's All The Way from America is the standout. The other two are Van Morrison's Someone Like You and  Joe Simon's Drowning In A Sea of Love. if there's a stand-out among the original numbers, then Black Magic is it for me.

There's a side on this that shows Joanne isn't afraid to develop herself as an artist, experimenting 7 flirting with other styles, away from her Bluesy safe-ground, and it suits her and because it’s produced by Kevin Shirley , and there’s a raft of the finest session musicians around, it sounds like a million dollars and that's where I stall. It just sounds "overworked and over produced, loosing that "gritty" edge. Taylor is a much better blues and roots musician than a pop artist in my book.

The Cure - Songs of A Lost World  (2024)

Has it really been 16 years since The Cure's last studio album, 4:13 Dream? With their knack of filling out the time between with compilations, live albums and ever "Curaetions" it's hard to realise that the time between studio product seems to be becoming exponential after the usual 4 year gaps. Still, Mr Smith has teased us for several years, and even toured the album last year, a full year before it's emergence.

So, was it worth the wait? well, if you like The Cure's quirky and jangling singles output, then sadly, the answer is NO. However, if you liked the melancholic, sweeping grandeur of Disintegration, Bloodflowers and Pornography, then this is the album for you. This album is the pinnacle of their dark eloquence. Songs of a Lost World feels at times like David Bowie’s own great reflection on mortality, Blackstar, although the Cure take few of the stylistic risks that he did. The album’s eight songs bring sharply potent tales of death (I Can Never Say Goodbye is about the unexpected passing of Smith’s older brother Richard); mortality (the beautiful And Nothing Is Forever); and the difficulty of being in the present moment (All I Ever Am). Smith’s voice is still a remarkable instrument of release after all these years, and his best couplets (“And the birds, falling out of our skies/And the words, falling out of our minds,” from Alone) remain marvels of economy and craft.

Of the deluxe Cd release, the Blue-ray Dolby Atmos edition is well worth attention, if you have the suitable audio set up. That said, the instrumental disc is a bit more of an indulgence piece; the music is sublime but it does lack the punch without Robert Smith's lyrics, though understandably hos voice is an acquired taste. At the end of the day though,Songs.. is a work of wisdom and grace that extends naturally from the moment the Cure took up their instruments in a local church hall all those years ago; and album of acquired wisdom & grace, few artists ever achieve.

Ian Gillan - Cherkazoo & Other Stories. (1993)

Not an overly commercial release, it's a catalogue of outtakes & demos that Ian Gillan recorded on first leaving Deep Purple and originally released (about 20 years later) on his second parting with the band.

It's certainly not the red meat eating, Tarzan howls we expect, for the most part anyway: rather it shows more sides to his vocals, though there's still the usual tongue-in-cheek quips if you listen. There's snatches of familiar works as well as try outs for what became Gillan numbers in the future.

Steve Hogarth - S.P.Q.R.  (2024)

Through the door t'other day; an early Christmas treat.

I'm not getting into the "who's best" argument, but I've long loved Steve "h" Hogarth's vocals with Marillion and his own side projects. This album is the perfect amalgam of both; not only in a live setting, but also acoustic.

This is a show, recorded in Rome, back in February and catches Steve, on stage, behind piano and with Italian band RanestRane, who provided acoustic instrumentation with harp, mandolin, harmonium and tablas. For this show, they were also joined by the Flowing Chords choir.

As expected, most of the songs are from his Marillion tenure, but somewhat "deep-dive" as well as family favourites. And there's also a smattering of covers such as Leonard Cohen's Famous Blue Raincoat and Lorn's Acid Rain.

Overall, a great performance and re-imagining of some classics like Easter and Estonia - always two evocative songs.

Rival Sons - Darkfighter (June 2023)
                  Lightbringer (Oct 2023)
                  Great Western Valkyrie (2014 - 10th Anniversary remaster 2024)

So, with the wait for new releases coming through, time to browse the sales and do some catching up. Bit of a spree on Rival Sons, but when you can get the 2 most recent albums for less than the price of one, why wouldn't you? And then, I always promised myself Great Western Valkyrie, but never seemed to get around to it, so why not?

I don't think they've progressed all that much since their GWV album highwater, but then, they've not slipped back either; keeping their head above being more style than substance. The songs are a bit more complex, but they have a World class vocalist in Jay Buchanan.

Marcus Trummer - From The Start (2024)

Ordered this just before Christmas, but those canny Cannucks held it back in the post, to avoid the usual holiday chaos; however, it arrived safely a few days ago and makes pleasant listening.

This is the 23y old's debut album and the music draws inspiration from the timeless sounds of the 60s and 70s. With his warm and emotive vocals, Trummer pays respect to classic soul singers like Bill Withers and Al Green: his expressive guitar work channels the impassioned approach of players like B.B. King. In ways, reminiscent of Jonny Lang, but there's not quite the rawness.

Hard Time -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=391Mq17oaDQ
Waiting For Change (Live @ Festival Hall; Calgary) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR9wj7EQUj8
The Only Thing (live @ festival Hall, Calgary) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIgnmmd5FR4

Circle of Mud - Inside The Circle (2024)

If it wasn't John Lennon who cast disparaging remark about French Rock music (comparing to English wines), then he's as good as any to blame.

However, if the likes of Felix Rabin or Laura Cox haven't dispelled the myth, then here's a 3rd name to crash the party, Flo Bauer and the Circle of Mud Band. This young guy showed promise on the French version of The Voice, and since then has grown into a highly credible Bluesman with an impressive set of pipes.  His voice is beyond reproach and although it doesn't sound dirty at all, it has enough pressure and is saddle-solid in all registers. There are a couple of solo albums to his credit, but since 2021 he hitched his wagon to the Circle of Mud band, and their eponymous album caught my attention.

Then, kicking over the remains of last year, I came across their follow-up, Inside The Circle, and these guys are really cooking some heavy, crunchy Blues. With the beginner "The Circle" comes a portion of classic rock to the blues. n the slightly slower "Since You're Gone" it is (again) the totally scrappy, even spacey guitar solo that makes the difference. And then in between suddenly the ballad "Perfect Kind Of Guy", which sounds more like singer/songwriter than blues rock in the verses, until this wonderful electric guitar and the almost gospel-like choirs sound in front of the fine organ carpet. With all the rocking attitudes, to then put down such a tear-jerking killer ballad like "Where We Belong" as a bouncer, puts the crown on the whole thing!

Rather than just showcasing Bauer's vocal prowess, this is very much a strong band effort. Guitars are lead by Gino Monachello, backed by Bauer, and they pretty much share the writing duties on the album.; but it's Gino Monachello who delivers these great solos and also convinces with the use of the bottleneck, which contains an important part of the often sliding band sound, as can be heard in the cool "Snake"The backline of Franck Bedez (bass) & Matteiu Zirn (drums) are as tight as you could hope and expanding the sound, there are touches of horns and Hammond.

Even when the guys slow it down to the ballads they are still mightily impressive and worth checking out. More so, a band we want to see over here sometime soon.

The Circle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-66f1Oe4fY
Snake - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeTjWUcsjk4

Toby Lee - House On Fire 2024

Had hoped to get this before Chrsitmas, but the nudge came due to his appearance on Jools Holland's Hootenanny on New Year's Eve (and the cynical me askes how much was the "buy on" for that spot?)

Have to admit, even without the Jools Holland push, I was hopeful for this album on the strength of his Aquarius debt, under the combined mentorship of Laurence Jones and Oli Brown, paying it back. And the covers album, icons Vol 1, nudged by Wayne Proctor shows that this latest whizz-kid had the chops and maturity to be an interesting proposition. So, flying solo, as it were, he's cleaned the slate and hitched he's pitched in with Shadow Hand, a modern production duo comprising of Gareth Young (who plays keys on the album) and Bnann (aka DZ Watts), who also provides backing vocals, as well as built a solid live band.
As for the album, well, all 11 tracks are originals (culled from 16 in the sessions) and while there's development and maturity showing, there still further scope.

House On Fire has a 60's soul feel, but for me, there isn't the fireworks as there is on the following track Just Hold On, which taps more of a Stones/Faces vibe though Lee's voice, while strong, sounds too callow. Fever, where Lee unleashes some attacking slide is a stand-out moment and Preacher is lifted by some judicious harmonica from Will Wilde. Other tracks, while sound, are a bit pedestrian, couple sounding like Chris Rea outtakes.

Not an album to be ashamed of, but the sort of retro feel to the release, with his boyish good looks, Toby Lee would be fighting more for wall space in teens bedrooms, among the Cassidys and Leif Garrett posters than slots in the album racks, though attracting young blood to the venues could be a shrewd move.

Jools Holland Hootenanny appearance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxxGojAQnXg
                                                       House On Fire - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qhGozzUA_A