CD Reviews
CAPTAIN WILBERFORCE - GHOST WRITTEN CONFESSIONS (Blue Tuxedo)
A new Captain Wilberforce long player is always welcome, though it's not a wise idea to hold one's breath as, sadly, they don't come around all that often. But here it is in all its glory and it was certainly worth the wait.
'A Beautiful Waste of Time' is an incredible song to kick off with. It's got the lot. A dream opening, sublime cello parts, fabulous harmonies and a killer chorus. A cross between a more upbeat Cherry Ghost and the very best The Beatles had to offer, is how I would describe it. '... In Hell' has plenty of surprises up its sleeve, while 'Your Imaginary Friends' has a spaghetti western style guitar feel to it. Oh, and that cello is back again. Sheer bliss. 'Get Hurt' takes us off in a completely different direction, but still works, with great lyrics, quirky keyboard and sizzling guitar. 'The Day Your Mouth Stood Still' has a cracking beat to it. 'Baby Girl' is a beautifully written song about the break-up of a relationship, complete with a down in the dumps horn section. 'Los Angeles' has a nice upbeat feel to it, before 'Me and Your Mother (Before You Were Born)' is probably the kind of song George Harrison would have been writing, if he was still with us today. Heavy sigh. 'This Little Miracle' has a quasi 1960s pop opening to it, before revealing it's exquisite guitar parts. 'She's My Kryptonite' ends this album in great style, Catchy, instantly likeable, and with very nice harmonies.
Hey, all you proper music lovers out there. This album needs to be in your collection NOW!!
Written by Kevin Petch
MR GARY C – A LITTLE BIT EASIER EP (EmuBands)
After just over a year as a solo artist, Mr Gary C has certainly come a long way, especially in 2010, which has seen him sharing the bill with the likes of Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets) and Mungo Jerry. Most importantly, though, sees the release of his first EP. So how did he fare? Well …
A LITTLE BIT EASIER grabs you immediately with its Stephane Grappelli style violin opening, a trait which repeats itself throughout, giving a warm glow to the heart. The lyric conjures up a knowing smile as this thought provoking song asks, in a nutshell, what would we do without a handful of true friends in our lives?
COME ON OVER TONIGHT has a great, upbeat jazz feel to it, with masterful bass and drum from the outset, closely followed by an exquisite jazz guitar sound, which again gives the feeling that, not only are we in the presence of a great song writing talent here, but highly accomplished musicians too. Together they make the whole thing sound like a great night in!
A TALE TO BE TOLD slows things down for the final track on this EP, but the quality remains at the highest level. Telling the story of being let down really badly by the people around us, Mr Gary C delivers a fine vocal, ably assisted on backing vocals by Gemma Tilley (Jack and Gill’s Daughter), who is a major talent in her own right.
I cannot recommend this EP highly enough. Three tracks, beautifully arranged, performed and recorded - and out now on CD and download.
Essential listening!!
Written by Michael Hills
http://www.myspace.com/mrgarycmusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Gary-C/123904301315?v=wall&ref=ts
http://www.youtube.com/mrgarycmusic
A new Captain Wilberforce long player is always welcome, though it's not a wise idea to hold one's breath as, sadly, they don't come around all that often. But here it is in all its glory and it was certainly worth the wait.
'A Beautiful Waste of Time' is an incredible song to kick off with. It's got the lot. A dream opening, sublime cello parts, fabulous harmonies and a killer chorus. A cross between a more upbeat Cherry Ghost and the very best The Beatles had to offer, is how I would describe it. '... In Hell' has plenty of surprises up its sleeve, while 'Your Imaginary Friends' has a spaghetti western style guitar feel to it. Oh, and that cello is back again. Sheer bliss. 'Get Hurt' takes us off in a completely different direction, but still works, with great lyrics, quirky keyboard and sizzling guitar. 'The Day Your Mouth Stood Still' has a cracking beat to it. 'Baby Girl' is a beautifully written song about the break-up of a relationship, complete with a down in the dumps horn section. 'Los Angeles' has a nice upbeat feel to it, before 'Me and Your Mother (Before You Were Born)' is probably the kind of song George Harrison would have been writing, if he was still with us today. Heavy sigh. 'This Little Miracle' has a quasi 1960s pop opening to it, before revealing it's exquisite guitar parts. 'She's My Kryptonite' ends this album in great style, Catchy, instantly likeable, and with very nice harmonies.
Hey, all you proper music lovers out there. This album needs to be in your collection NOW!!
Written by Kevin Petch
MR GARY C – A LITTLE BIT EASIER EP (EmuBands)
After just over a year as a solo artist, Mr Gary C has certainly come a long way, especially in 2010, which has seen him sharing the bill with the likes of Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets) and Mungo Jerry. Most importantly, though, sees the release of his first EP. So how did he fare? Well …
A LITTLE BIT EASIER grabs you immediately with its Stephane Grappelli style violin opening, a trait which repeats itself throughout, giving a warm glow to the heart. The lyric conjures up a knowing smile as this thought provoking song asks, in a nutshell, what would we do without a handful of true friends in our lives?
COME ON OVER TONIGHT has a great, upbeat jazz feel to it, with masterful bass and drum from the outset, closely followed by an exquisite jazz guitar sound, which again gives the feeling that, not only are we in the presence of a great song writing talent here, but highly accomplished musicians too. Together they make the whole thing sound like a great night in!
A TALE TO BE TOLD slows things down for the final track on this EP, but the quality remains at the highest level. Telling the story of being let down really badly by the people around us, Mr Gary C delivers a fine vocal, ably assisted on backing vocals by Gemma Tilley (Jack and Gill’s Daughter), who is a major talent in her own right.
I cannot recommend this EP highly enough. Three tracks, beautifully arranged, performed and recorded - and out now on CD and download.
Essential listening!!
Written by Michael Hills
http://www.myspace.com/mrgarycmusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Gary-C/123904301315?v=wall&ref=ts
http://www.youtube.com/mrgarycmusic
