• From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,750

Re: What song are you listening to right now?

Toby and the Whole Truth - Look Out (Vol 1) 2024

Former lead singer with hard rockers Little Angels (1984 - 1994); GUN (2008 - 2015) and Wasted Sons (2018 onwards), Toby Jepson has amassed quite the career CV as well as peer respect.

Of late, he's been releasing rare live and acoustic tracks from his time with Little Angels as well as his on/off solo project, The Whole Truth.

This is the 2nd release under the Toby & The Whole Truth banner and is promised to be the 1st volume comprising 6 tracks with a further 2 volumes (7 song each) to follow. Well, bring them on, because this fairly crackles with energy and brisk catchy tunes. Unlike the previous album (1995's Ignorance Is Bliss), Toby has stepped back from being "Jack of all trades", so the album has less of a kitchen-sink feel: it's great to hear The Brew's Jason Barwick on lead guitar among the other musicians.

Sweet Smell of Success - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHWBGNDM0Gw
Throw It Away - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z92XDVBh0z8

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,750

Re: What song are you listening to right now?

Bernie Marsden - Icons  (2025)

If you buy one, full-on Blues album this year, then this is it. When he started his "Inspirations" series of albums, I don't know how many Bernie Marsden had in mind before his untimely death a couple of years ago, but this is a very welcome addition to the series. This album has been put together from previous recording sessions, with the approval of Bernie's widow, Fran and aside from showcasing the music and musicians that shaped Bernie's style, it also shows what an immense talent we lost back in 2023.

There are covers of Hendrix and Clapton, Elmore James, Booker T; and acoustic take on Allman Brother's evergreen Jessica that has a bluegrass vibe to it. As well as a couple of self-penned originals, there are a brace of Rory Gallagher tracks that would suggest that a Rory "Inspirations" was on the cards, had bernie not already done a couple of Rory-based albums. here though, Wheels Within Wheels gives one of Bernie's finest vocals and Calling Card highlights his fiery, but emotive playing. And finally, another possible would have been one to friend & mentor Peter Green with Oh Well and Man of The World featured here, as well as Danny Kirwan's I Like It This Way, embracing more of Fleetwood Mac's influence.

Calling Card - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWiZjz0ClSs

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,750

Re: What song are you listening to right now?

Chantel McGregor - The Healing  (2025)

Was it really 2015 when her last studio album Lose Control was released? To be fair though, in-between times, we had the live, Bury'd Alive and the 2 lockdown, Shed Sessions albums.

So, 10 years on from the Southern Gothic influenced Lose Control, The Healing is Chantel's first album of new originals, and how she has changed in that time. The Healing is very much a more "mature" and emotionally open album, no more of the "froth" of old. This is more raw and honest, like you're reading her private diary. Yes, the guitar-work still sears and soars with hints more of Joe Satriani than Joe Bonamassa and elements of Robin Trower.

The vocals still retain that cut-glass Christine McVie quality, but there's more age & knowing adding a bit more edge where the themes require. The musicians Colin Sutton and Thom Gardner have been around long enough to know that good playing doesn’t mean all the notes all the time: they lay back, give space, and let Chantel work through whatever existential laundry she’s airing out. The key ingredients though are The Dead Collective's Oli Brown and Wayne Proctor. They don’t wreck the place: they understand atmosphere, giving the album just the right amount of gravitas. It's certainly a departure for Chantel to work so hand-in-glove with other artists, usually keeping tight control of her music, but this brings other elements (such as Oli using keyboards and programming) that makes you drool for a further, more collaborative effort between the two.

This is Chantel's most personal and introspective album, and she's digging deep, yet not once does it become maudlin. The Healing, track is an emotional coda to the record, but Tears is a bonafide rocker and Stand On My Own is reminiscent of Marillion's style of Prog Rock/Metal so stylistically, we have a real smorgasbord to savour. Album of the Year? Well, it's about time a real contender came along, and this could well be it. "Slight" grumble, it doesn't quite reach 37 minutes playing time. However, this is overcome by hitting the "Repeat" button, over and over....

I Will Breathe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI94IXsbkG8

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,750

Re: What song are you listening to right now?

Cardinal Black - Midnight At The Valencia (2025)

And that's the way it goes; you wait half a year for probably the year's benchmark, and 2 come along together. Side-by-side with Chantel's "The Healing", "Midnight At The Valencia" is very much a different beast. This is Cardinal Black's studio sophomore album after their unusual step of releasing a live set after their debut, but then, the lads are never ones for the traditional career trajectory.

Never mind the history lesson though, what's the "difficult" 2nd album like? Briefly, impressive and surprisingly developed soul/blues bona fides; but you guessed that already. Tom Hollister's vocals and Chris Buck's guitar just dovetail so well together; whether complimenting each other, or in counterpoint; it's had to believe it's 2 people. Somehow though, they find space for gospel backing vocals from Jade McRae; there's great swirls of keyboards and even a brace of bagpipes.

Of the tracks, "Morning Light" shimmers, gradually erupting into a roiling mass of blues-soaked chords. "Holding My Breath" may be Hollister's vocal showcase on the album, but Buck punches back with some Rory-inspired jazz. "Need More Time" is the bluesiest number, but album closer "Your Sparks (Blow Me To Pieces)" is Buck's tour-de-force.

If; there's a downside, it's the abundance of ballads that dominate and explore similar musical tempos on ‘Midnight at the Valencia,’ Cardinal Black has clearly refined their direction; the instrumental talent, rugged song writing are beyond dispute but it may happen all to soon, they'll find themselves treading water.

Breathe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWmtxdwe6w0

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,750

Re: What song are you listening to right now?

Matt Schofield Trio - Many Moons Vol 1  (2025)

Haven't had one of these across my CD platen in at least a decade; a new Matt Schofield album. Been soo long, but still glides as smooth as a silky thing you want close to your skin...

Teaming back up with Jonny Henderson and Evan Jenkins it's as if time has stood still and their last album was only a few months ago.  The guitar and keyboards weave so easily between and around each other until one of the other effortlessly blazes off into a spellbinding solo. The album is pure showcase, without being flashy or phoney about it. Varying from shuffles to slow blues, interspersed by blistering solos; this is Matt, Jonny and Even securely in their comfort zone.

Of the 8 tracks, all bar two are Schofield co-writes; "Put The Shoe On The Other Foot" has Matt revisiting an popular favourite hero, Albert Collins, while "Danger Zone" is a Percy Mayfield number, made famous by Ray Charles in 1961.

Just hope that this will also see Matt touring again back over here, where he has been sparce of late.

Measure Of A Man - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGkcSQU7Jvk
Shoe On The Other Foot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rhMTLLt2UU

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,750

Re: What song are you listening to right now?

Anderson East - Worthy (2025)

Another favourite of mine who's been quiet for a while (4 years, not quite as long as for Matt Schofield). Anderson East has a sort of "blue-eyed soul" that's blended carefully with a dash of [American] roots and R&B, with a notes of Country and hints of Gospel. The results, well, if Cardinal Black's Tom Hollister makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, Anderson East does the same all down your back, then shaves them off, with a straight-razor.

If you wish continue the comparison, then there isn't Chris Buck's shimmering guitar; but this is US Soul, so there's plenty going on with the keyboards and smokin' horn section.

Away from the Electra label, this sounds much like a redefining album. Anderson East getting back to a more "personal" sound over the 10 tracks on the album. All are original, though co-writes with the likes of Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, Aaron Raitiere, Ashley Monroe and Trent Dabbs to help capture the project’s moments of vulnerability, surrealist confessions and unvarnished testimonials.

Before It Gets Better - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p62szd8tdGI
Never Meant To Hurt You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ewUKJas_0Q

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...