Various
- Melodic Marvels
Actng
as a kaleidescope of the current US college radio scene, this covers
everything from rock to powerpop to hiphop to psych. Sometimes diversity
can be a bad thing, but with strong quality control in effect, this
more than makes the grade. Highlights abound from the tribal hip hop
of GFE's "Natural Law" to the uncategorisable Superczar's
"House of No Windows". Also worth a listen are Bobyn Ragland's
"Love, Love, Love, Love" an outstanding country hybrid.
For
a bargain £6.99, this is well worth the money, even if you're
not related to one of the contributors.
Available
at The
Rocker.
MATT OLDFIELD
- "My Own Advice"
Matt
Oldfield is Terry's son and Mike's nephew but he sounds like neither.
Described by the Frontline press release as a singer-songwriter in the
blues tradition who won the Queensland Songwriting Competition, 21 year
old Matt has produced a startling album the belies his tender years.
When I first heard 'Guardian Angel' I thought of Van Morrison and solo
Mick Jagger and also of Bob Dylan by dint of the harmonica work. This
is a great song with an infectious chorus and the high standard set
here is maintained throughout the album.
Matt plays guitar (His ability is amply demonstrated on the only instrumental
cut 'For Annie'), keyboards, harmonica and also has a great 'gravelly'
voice.
Terry provides some excellent flute on while 3 guys named Butler (Brothers?)
and Ross Gardiner provide back-up on some tracks (keys, rhythm section
and guitar respectively)
The blues is perhaps most in evidence on the guitar lines of 'Who's
To Blame' while 'Lead & Soul' sounds like a blues/ soul classic.
In fact there is a lot of soul searching on this record and Matt's intelligent
lyrics are remarkable for such a young man. This is no better demonstrated
on 'Another Man's Prophecy', the artists' search for something to believe
in perhaps?
Another artist I was reminded of is Bruce Springsteen particularly his
'Ghost of Tom Joad' album in the intimacy of the work.
Contact:
mattoldfield@hotmail.com
(Distributed by Voiceprint: www.voiceprint.co.uk)
(TO2003CD) 
(Phil
Jackson)
GORDON GILTRAP
- "Under This Blue Sky" / "Troubador"
2
more CDs from the prodigious guitarist Gordon Giltrap, one a double
('Troubador') containing a full version and an acoustic version of the
same 14 tracks.
My favourite moments from this were mostly taken from the musical 'Heathcliff'
with some nice string arrangements and a 'wall of voices' from Cliff
Richard on 'A Misunderstood Man'. (Gordon in fact played the 'overture'
in 'Heathcliff'.)
The poignant 'On Camber Sands' and an arrangement of the traditional
'The Kerry Dancers' were also most enjoyable. Indeed there is a variety
of guitar techniques and instrumentation on 'Troubador' that make for
a varied and interesting listening experience.
On balance though I preferred 'Under This Blue Sky' with Hilary Ashe-
Roy on flute on 4 of the tracks and great covers of the nursery rhyme
'Sing A Song of Sixpence' and George Harrison's 'Here Comes the Sun'.
The legendary Bert Jansch also makes an appearance on a version of his
own number 'Chambertin' one of the finest moments on a quite superb
album.
There is one track common to both albums 'The Picnic' (again written
for 'Heathcliff') the latter version improved by 'digital delay' and
the flute playing of Gordon's guest.
Both CDs are very well packaged with notes explaining the background
to each composition or interpretation by the artist.
I recommend both albums but if I had to opt for one it would be 'Under
This Blue Sky'. Open up a nice bottle of wine, sit back, relax and listen.
Both CDs are distributed by Voiceprint.
(La Cooka Ratcha LCVP150CD and LCVP147 CD)
(Phil
Jackson)
|