Dark road

Richard Hawley - Lady's Bridge (2007) **

Nominated by: GK

Music club: Wander to Wozza's

Playlist addition: When I'm Looking For Someone To Love Me 

Prediction: Kevy will give this a genuine 5-stars, but, as with Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave, I have to file Richard Hawley away in the 'moody crooners who are widely regarded but I just don't get' category.

I have tried with Richard before - the UK press love him and the writers in The Guardian and Mojo Magazine rave about him, so I've given him a shot. But... I still can't see the appeal. Hopefully GK and KS will clue me in.

As I've pointed out before, I prefer sunny music for the most part - stuff that makes me feel good, and Richard's songs are all drenched in sadness. A regret for what could have been, for an old life, black sails, dead men, long dark roads, ghosts, dead trees, wistful ballads, the sun refusing to shine...it's not my cup o tea boyo.

Musically, all the fifties lushness is also hard for me to swallow.

The songs I thought were better than others is a very short list, I'm afraid. Each time When I'm Looking For Someone To Love Me started, it made me jump up to check it was still the same album! Upbeat and toe tappingly infectious after all that dour stuff - it's a bright spot. Even so there's an underlying sense of self-pity to the song. Poor Richard.

Then it's back to the darkness. Sigh.

I know I've tried, but just as with Marlon Williams - I've struggled to appreciate the appeal of Richard Hawley (at least I'm consistent).

Anyway - ignore me - I'll be reading Kevy's rave review for what I'm missing.

It'll be fine

Our Girl - The Good Kind (2024) ****

Nominated by: Tom  

Music club: MNAC

MNAC playlist addition: Something About Me Being A Woman 

I can well understand the appeal for Tom. This is most definitely a sound that he (and I) love. Dreamy female pop vocals and catchy languid beats with the occasional guitar wig out your thing? This alternative rock trio is for you!

Strengths can sometimes also be weaknesses depending on your point of view. Our Girl have a great sound and the album has eleven tracks that showcase that great sound. Because it's so signature/samey, some might say it's hard to differentiate songs and/or listeners might be looking for some variety in the grooves.

I am not of that persuasion - instead I see the uniformity and coherency as a strength. I could relax, knowing it will all be fine.

Go you good thing!

Heart to ride

Nadia Reid - Out Of My Province   (2020) *****

Nominated by: Kev

Music club: Wander to Wozza's

Playlist addition: Oh Canada

Nadia Reid just keeps getting better and better and she started out with two outstanding albums. Out Of My Province is her third, and best so far (she has a new one coming, reports KS).

The full band setting hasn't eclipsed her at all - instead the added electric guitars, orchestra, brass and drums create an excellent foundation for her glorious voice. Oh Canada is a great example - the layers are carefully and skillfully created to serve the song.

There are plenty of echoes of other singers but I find it hard to put my finger on exact ones, so, in the end, Nadia emerges as someone with her own vibe.

Certainly no skippers among the set, my only slight criticism would be positioning Get The Devil Out as the last track. I'd plump for Other Side Of The Wheel instead with its final thought hanging in the air: 

Life has given me just what I needed/ Time is cruel, but time is a healer.

I bought her first two albums and will be looking for a physical copy of this one as well. Great choice Kevy!

Bedsitter images

Al Stewart with Dave Nachmanoff  - Uncorked (2009) *****

Nominated by: GK

Music club: Wander to Wozza's

Playlist addition: Last Days of the Century 

Right from the first few strums this album made me sit back in my seat and go - Woooah!!

I've liked Al Stewart for a long time, but I haven't necessarily been a big fan - i.e. someone who purposefully collected his records. That changes with this live recording. It's that good.

That first track, Last Days of the Century, is out-of-the-park brilliant. Each time I heard it, it reminded me of Long Strange Golden Road - The Waterboys. Must be the kindred Celtic spirit. I'm sure Mike Scott has been influenced by Al.

Al's got a lot going for him - the lovely voice, the off-beat exotic subject matter of his lyrics (hard to be original with love songs but he manages it consistently well) and his ability with a guitar.

Dave Nachmanoff is superb as a co-guitarist. He gets a lot of justifiable acclaim during the set for his playing and he's an excellent harmony presence as well.

The material is uniformly excellent (he avoids his signature tunes which is a smart move I think) and keeping the stage chatter to a couple of shaggy dog stories is a good strategy as well. The one bit where they crack each other up is a nice moment and fine as a one-off.

Nothing much else to add really - apart from the stray thought that it's wonderful how a minimalist approach (two guys with two acoustic guitars) can captivate and hold attention throughout a live set so thoroughly. No need for a band to swamp Al's vocals and their deft playing - just two guys going at it in sympatico.

Great choice GK!