COVENTRY Music Museum Curator Pete Chambers writes for the Observer.
The Chronicles Of Nigel –Tom Clarke
So, it’s finally here – the very first solo album by Tom Clarke – The Chronicles of Nigel. This is not the Enemy.
Tom has matured and so have his song-writing skills – no anthems or power chords here.
Instead, we are greeted with a story-arc of an album.
Tom’s voice like his song-writing is all grown up, and how?
His vocals were always powerful and edgy, now there’s a new refinement to them, hitting notes pitch-perfectly, handling everything that’s thrown at them. Don’t get me wrong, this storyline is far grittier than anything his other band ever did.
It’s a story of two people and their relationships, through good and bad.
No doubt his time with the stage play ‘We’ll Live and Die in These Towns’ has had a huge effect on him.
This too would make a great stage show, but as it is it’s yet another string to Tom’s already impressive bow – something different, something entertaining and something brilliant.
Entirely Mine – Completely Yours for Christmas, from Mississippi Smith
Singer-songwriters, Mississippi Smith, are set to release their new single ‘Entirely Mine’ on Christmas Eve.
The duo from Nuneaton comprises of Ben Dixon and Dayle Crutchlow,
I would describe the song a bit like this: “Full of their trademark harmonies and self-effacing lyrics.”
This is a joyously raucous tune, which the duo sees as an out-rider for their debut album, due for release in 2021.
It promises to be a heady mix of moods and styles.
Dayle said: “Hopefully, the single is something to make you bounce and smile.
“Every song we work on is different in terms of feel and content.
“We work with a lot of different instrumentation, but we hope it’s the distinctive harmonies of our voices that make things quintessentially Mississippi Smith. “Buy it, stream it, download it – and then when we’re allowed to play live again come see us and we’ll thank you in person.
“In the meantime, enjoy Entirely Mine.
And have a good Christmas!”
Entirely Mine by Mississippi Smith will be available to buy and stream from iTunes, Amazon, Deezer, Spotify, YouTube and most online retailers and platforms from Thursday, December 24.
We All Shine On – Matt Cattell
Matt Cattell has been quiet of late, then all of a sudden up comes the man with a new track, his musical pedigree is such that you just know it’s going to be good, but this is really good.
It was recorded as a tribute to the beyond legendary John Lennon marking the 40th Anniversary of his passing.
We All Shine On takes its title of course from the Plastic Ono Band hit ‘Instant Karma’.
It’s a beautifully and touching song to a genius of a man that was taken away far too soon.
I asked what was happening to the song.
Matt replied: “We’re leaving it to people to listen to it via the YouTube link up until Christmas.
“The aim is to get radio play and record company interest.
“Then hopefully, available for download in the new year.”
