Huey Lewis And The News
Soulsville
(Proper Records)
Grammy-winners Huey Lewis And The News release their new album Soulsville on the 18th October from Proper Records. Recorded at historic Ardent Studios in Memphis, this is their first album in nine years and features 14 classic songs from the vault of Stax Records, including “Respect Yourself” and “Got To Get You Off My Mind”. Considered to be the preeminent soul music label in America, Stax was home to artists like Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T & The MG’s and Isaac Hayes, and produced an astounding number of hit records throughout the 1960′s & 70′s. Ably paying tribute to the rich Stax legacy, Huey Lewis and The News, joined by their long time horn section, capture the energy and excitement of this important era. “We’re especially proud of the collection.” says Lewis, who has been promoting the album in the UK while also talking about the 25th Anniversary of the film Back To The Future. “There should be a number of surprises for everyone.”
Martyn Joseph
Under Lemonade Skies
(Pipe Records)
Under Lemonade Skies will be the defining moment in Martyn Joseph’s 28 year career.. the album he always wanted to make. It takes his trademark “one take” up-close sound and adds startling textures, inventive instrumentation and expressive, direct vocals that stop you in your tracks. The album takes us on a journey across continents, from the scene-setting opening song Always Will Be, to the closing affirmation of friendship and kindred spirits in Brothers In Exile. Along the way there is the fragile beauty of Seahorse, the celebration of love in You’re the Moment and the brash Sunset Boulevard of Lonely Like America. This is a melodic, joyful, haunting album that believes in the power of the human spirit.
Ralph McTell
Somewhere Down
The Road
(Leola)
Inspired by anecdotes and ideas from sources as diverse as 17th century writer Dr Johnson, the film Citizen Kane and a spring day, Somewhere Down The Road marks a stunning return to the studio by Ralph McTell. Songs ranging from the deeply personal in the form of Lantern Slides, a re-telling a family outing almost 100 years in the past, to a heartfelt response to the proposed separation of England and Scotland told through the metaphor of the breakdown of a marriage. Other key tracks include ‘Around The Wild Cape Horn’ which is already a favourite among McTell audiences, and makes it into the studio just ahead of two other proposed cover versions.
Hanggai
He Who Travels Far
(World Connection)
Hanggai’s music embraces the looking-glass world of rock, pop and bluegrass as seen and heard by a new generation of Chinese. With their brand new album He Who Travels Far, they continue to grow, incorporating many of the experiences that the past year of international touring has brought them. The new music features a new band member, fresh collaborations (producer Ken Stringfellow and Tom Wait’s regular collaborator guitarist Marc Ribot), fourteen new songs (many of them drawing on Mongolian traditional lyrics and melodies) and a ‘live’ performance approach to the music (rather than the ‘separate parts’ studio recording of their previous album).
