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Eclectic singer-songwriter gets a ‘best of’, at long last.
English folk-rocker Clive Gregson, 54, now based in Nashville, has been writing some fine tune for a long time now, so we finally get an 18 tracker that showcases his craftsmanship.
In the past Gregson has worked with cult band Any Trouble releasing five album to critical acclaim, in a trio with Boo Hewerdine and ex-Fairground Attraction vocalist Eddi Reader. He was also a regular in Richard Thompson’s band, along with being an in-demand session musician, a back-up player-singer and producer. Some of his songs have been covered by Kim Carnes, Norma Waterson and Nanci Griffith; such is his credibility in the music fraternity.
Listening to this CD it’s more than obvious that Gregson has a leaning more towards the commercial edge of folk, with a hint of pop, enough to appeal to all ages.
Key to his credibility is the fact that there’s nothing pretentious about his lyrical or musical content – it’s all about ordinary people and their ordinary lives, with a touch of escapism. The feel is that of a musician who’s just popped into your local or even your home, with a voice that’s adaptable to the varying styles. There’s a warm, and comforting intimacy about the songs too. Truth is, whatever your musical leanings, there’s nothing to dislike about this album, though it’s likely to appeal to the mature adult audience.
Despite his US residency, Gregson’s musical tilt heads for his north west love affair with Manchester, we’re left to assume, on I Love This Town, which is a tongue in check tale, “twitching curtains” he mentions, there again, humour is found in many aspects of his work like Antidote and unbridled love – “a queen without a crown” on Camden Town, and the ups-and-down of romance on Trouble With Love, told in a common man’s approach that all fellas can relate to.
He creates a wonderful character trapped by his ordinary life, who ponders his dance skills in the hope acquiring the attentions of a one Roslyn Maguire at a local dance somewhere in Yorkshire, dressed up to the nines.
His most stunning work here is the sumptuous and soaring ballad Home Is Where The Heart Is, a story of broken promises as the lover returns to his loved one.
Cornerstone, Comfort And Joy and Cool, Cool Rain are much like the acoustic balladeering synonymous with Ralph Mc Tell or James Taylor: simple and direct, whereas Touch And Go is a soulful pop take, like something out of a Paul Carrack – Mike And The Mechanics songbook.
Expanding his repertoire even further, he unleashes a country-rockabilly gem Black Train Coming, proving he’s not too easy to pigeonhole.
1. I Love This Town
2. Antidote
3. Home Is Where The Heart Is
4. Trouble With Love
5. Fred Astaire
6. Cornerstone
7. Touch And Go
8. Camden Town
9. Fingerless Gloves
10. Jericho Junction
11. Jewel In Your Crown
12. Cool, Cool Rain
13. Feathers
14. Summer Rain
15. Tattoo
16. Black Train Coming
17. Comfort and Joy
18. There Comes A Time
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.