Coventry music museum curator Pete Chambers writes for The Observer
Paul William Gibson
Few new releases this week, starting with the very wonderful “Drive All Night” by Leamington’s Paul William Gibson. Beautifully constructed and beautifully sung, Paul and his music has always made an impact on me, and this one like his previous body of work hits the spot. He has the knack of constructing great songs that benefit from a great narrative and “Drive All Night” certainly has that. Looking forward to an album of this very talented musician.
The 601
The 601 (that’s Mick Costin) have an album on offer, here again, some great narrative going on basically a story on each track, and I love that. Here we have eleven superb tracks one in particular “Blew It” is the tale of almost meeting your idol, but being close but no cigar, I can totally relate to that. Back in the 1974 I stood on the steps of the Lanch Poly as Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel walked past, and I still regret not asking for an autograph! Love the track “So That’s How It Is” an affectionate tribute to The Clash. “CV1” is all about going out in Coventry, where Tiffany’s and 2-Tone Land, Specials, Beat and The Selecter are name checked, great stuff. It’s all very gritty in a nice way, it comes over very retrospective especially on tracks “Different Boy” and “Tough”. This really is worth checking out if you like your music with a huge splash of reality. The 601 is Mick Costin with the help of Simon Walker, Brad Walkhouse, Chrissy M, Tub Collins, The Willesden Green Girls, Simon Walker and Max Harriman. It was recorded at Loophole Studios and Audio Beach studios.
Department of Misinformation
Another brand new album is from Department of Misinformation, entitled: “Breaking Windows With A 45”. A live offering produced by Jake Morrison, with poet Nick Knibb and the boys telling it like it is, no poetry here though. “17 Again” is something we can all relate to us, who doesn’t want to be seventeen again? “Gotta Run” is a DOM favourite and rocks like all the best songs do. Then it’s off to the Ska rhythms of “Ordinary Love”, love this track, an online romance kind of thing going on. More Bluebeat stylee with “Fika”. Then it’s back to rock with the divine, “Holding Out For you” “Living So It Hurts” is a tender moment while “No Room To Spare” closes the album in great rock style. I love this band and I’m proud to say that Nick is the Coventry Music Museum’s Poet in Residence, if you wondering why then check out the superb lyrics on this CD, but this is definitely team work here as the whole band who sound as good live as they do in the studio, this another great release that must be in your record collection. Photo by Ian Hough
