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Richard
Thompson - The Old Kit Bag
Diverse Records DIV 004DLP
Reviewed by DA
Following on from the album Mock Tudor, which I reviewed in one of our
earliest issues, comes The Old Kit Bag. That original review was of the
CD, and although the record company then released the album on double
vinyl with a couple of extra tracks, to be honest the LP version of the
album was disappointing in terms of pressing quality. Diverse Records
thought the same as me, and when The Old Kit Bag was released they managed
to obtain the rights to release it on vinyl, on the grounds that they
would do a much better job, and boy were they right. Let the stylus drop
into the lead in groove and you are greeted with a perfectly silent surface
before the first notes of 'Gesthemene' strike forth from the speakers.
This is a great recording done justice by the pressing; without a doubt
another triumph from Diverse Records. The sound is vibrant and dynamic,
and totally suited to this outstanding album. For those of you who are
unaware of Richard Thompson, he is one of England's best kept musical
secrets. A guitarist of rare technique and passion, and a songwriter par
excellence, each of his albums is a finely crafted slice of folk tinged
rock. It has to be said however, that his singing voice is an acquired
taste. Personally I think he is one of our -finest singers, balancing
passion and intensity in equal measure, and whilst I know of many who
do not agree, it's certainly one you should sample. Last time I raved
about Mock Tudor, citing it as one of Thompson's finest albums. But I
believe that with The Old Kit Bag he has managed to surpass even that.
Many of the songs within deal with love lost, and all the possible ways
that comes about, through jealousy 'Jealous Words', or through being jailed
'A Love You Can't Survive'. On 'Pearly Jim' Thompson has managed to find
one of the best rock riffs I have heard in years, and this track will
rattle through your brain long after you have lifted the stylus from the
runout groove. Other favourites include the jangly 'One Door Opens' and
'She Said It Was Destiny' with its pure pop chorus. Once again Diverse
Records have shown that they have what it takes, both in choosing the
music for release on their label, and in producing such a fine result.
Well done, and more please.
Supplier: www.diverserecords.com Tel: 01633 263526
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Ron
Sexsmith - Cobblestone Runway
Diverse Records DIV 005 LP
Reviewed by RP
Cobblestone Runway is the sixth outing for a baby faced Ronald Eldon Sexsmith.
His knowing and deeply intuitive love songs frequently have a pastoral
setting that dramatically contrasts with the sharp and wryly observed
word craft that lies beneath songs like 'Disappearing Act', 'Former Glory'
or 'Heart's Desire'. His light, airy, almost lazy voice when delivers
insightful moments such as "You believed in the words/In all that they
meant / Oh, but love is not some popular song / Filled with empty sentiment";
a delicacy, which extends to the supporting Sexsmith acoustic and electric
guitar licks. Elsewhere the instrumental layers are provided by Martin
Terefe (bass, synthesizers, marimbas) Glen Scott (fender rhodes, upright
piano) Claes Bjorklund (synth bass, funk guitar) and Christer Jansson
(drums and percussion). However, the recording taped at Electric Earth
East, London is no bumpy ride. It has a pleasantly open, nicely detailed
and warm sound that suits Ron Sexsmith's deliberate yet fluid approach
to those puncture wounds in the heart that love always seems to leave
behind. This is sensitive material sympathetically handled, and the beautiful
visions of summer's dying embers or the sun striving to break through
a grey cloud filled sky are images which suggest that the serene side
of folk rock is also safe in these hands.
Supplier: www.diverserecords.com Tel: 01633 263526
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Mozart / Witt: Symphony No.35 / Symphony in C
Nee / NHFO and Schweiger / BRO
Cisco Music CLP 7001
Reviewed by RP
In an attack minded and carefree reading of Mozart's "Haffner" Symphony Thomas Nee and his New Hampshire Festival Orchestra players breeze through this symphony with exciting and rarely heard tempi. The Allegro Con Spirito and closing Presto are taken at breakneck speeds and its hard not to be carried along by their enthusiasm here. The price you pay for this wild ride is a degree of technical imperfection. Traditionalists will probably hate this spontaneous 1976 reading but when taken at face value it proves there is a time and a place for emotional abandon in performances of this work. This comes as a real contrast to the more familiar stately and reverential styles of a Boult, Jochum or Karajan. Witt's Symphony in C "Jeno" is an unusual and quite derivative coupling, one which draws deeply upon the works of Beethoven and Haydn throughout its structure and themes. However, this is still an elegant and dramatic piece that the Brussels Radio Orchestra musicians under Hans Schweiger's spirited direction perform with respect. The transfer of these 1958 masters for this first release on vinyl is capably handled, but because of their age there is some audible tape hiss.
Supplier: Vivante - www.vivante.co.uk (44)(0)1293-822186
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Music
Reviews from Issue 26
