Post by Rabbit on Nov 3, 2013 13:11:30 GMT
I loved Richard's early work with Fairport Convention and met him a few times at Imperial College Folk shows in Kensington, years back.
When he left Fairport and started to produce his solo albums, I wasn't so keen. Reason being, his voice. It's kind of forced in a folksy way. However, I love his guitar playing.
This album, 'Dream Attic' consists of live performances and they are powerful songs. He performs with real conviction and there are some really powerful moments in the songs and the way that they build.
His guitar sound reminds me of the old Fairport days and there are some great moments where he solos with that lovely warm guitar sound that he produces. Not to mention the great arrangements of the songs. I love the way that Richard doesn't put up this huge 'wall of sound' which is SO easily done by guitarists thumping out backing chords. He leaves plenty of space in the sound to allow other parts to be heard and if you listen for him, he's there playing very subtle parts on the guitar. A real team player!!
'Crimescene' shows his voice the way I don't particularly like, but the song is about a nasty subject and it builds in this spooky way with a folk violin, bass guitar and guitar with dark tom toms on the drumkit. It builds to a real climax with the snare drum entering and sounds quite spooky. I really do like this song. There's the old Richard in the solo on this track too. He really goes for it when he interrupts the hook and it's really moving if you know what he's singing about. It's as though he's overcome by emotion both in what he plays and how he plays it.
My favourite track on this album because it's so strained. 'The soul is torn away'. (In a murder)
He's a really good song writer.
The album has some rough edges but I really like it and it shows Richard doing what he does best - live music. Really worth a listen.
When he left Fairport and started to produce his solo albums, I wasn't so keen. Reason being, his voice. It's kind of forced in a folksy way. However, I love his guitar playing.
This album, 'Dream Attic' consists of live performances and they are powerful songs. He performs with real conviction and there are some really powerful moments in the songs and the way that they build.
His guitar sound reminds me of the old Fairport days and there are some great moments where he solos with that lovely warm guitar sound that he produces. Not to mention the great arrangements of the songs. I love the way that Richard doesn't put up this huge 'wall of sound' which is SO easily done by guitarists thumping out backing chords. He leaves plenty of space in the sound to allow other parts to be heard and if you listen for him, he's there playing very subtle parts on the guitar. A real team player!!
'Crimescene' shows his voice the way I don't particularly like, but the song is about a nasty subject and it builds in this spooky way with a folk violin, bass guitar and guitar with dark tom toms on the drumkit. It builds to a real climax with the snare drum entering and sounds quite spooky. I really do like this song. There's the old Richard in the solo on this track too. He really goes for it when he interrupts the hook and it's really moving if you know what he's singing about. It's as though he's overcome by emotion both in what he plays and how he plays it.
My favourite track on this album because it's so strained. 'The soul is torn away'. (In a murder)
He's a really good song writer.
The album has some rough edges but I really like it and it shows Richard doing what he does best - live music. Really worth a listen.