Reviews roundup – Lightnin’ Willie vs. Richard Thompson vs. Jennifer Saran

Reviews roundup – Lightnin’ Willie vs. Richard Thompson vs. Jennifer Saran

LIGHTNIN’ WILLIE
No Black No White Just Blues
Little Dog

Here’s Lightnin’ Willie with some blues to make you cry, dance and frug like a man demented. Which is nice.

Even minus his Poorboys he can’t shake his Texas blues / roots sound and that is definitely a good thing. I actually had a vague recollection of having interviewed Mr Willie many long years ago when we were both puppies and I reckon I’m right seeing as how his website has a quote from me on the front page. And there is a reason he’s lasted all this time. It’s because he’s damn good at what he does. He’s a fantastic guitarist and an equally good songwriter so when he riffs it up on the likes of “Can’t Get That Stuff,” it makes for an infectious groove. But he can slow it down and break your heart on “Thinking Of You.”

The musicians all put in a good shift and the whole album is a delight. And just when you think that he’s getting soft in his old age after listening to “Heartache,” he finishes up with a mucky little number called “Shake My Snake”. Highly recommended.

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RICHARD THOMPSON
Acoustic Classics II
Proper

You’d never guess from the title but this is the second album of old Richard Thompson tunes that he’s re-recorded in acoustic style. Not that you would ever have accused him of rocking out and riffing up in their original incarnations.

But the stripped back format does show what a good songwriter he is. And anyone partial to a bit of acoustic guitar will get slightly moist when they have a listen to what Mr Thompson can do to six strings and a piece of wood. If that weren’t enough he’s got another acoustic album up his sleeve for later in the year.

He delves far and wide for this release with the two highlights coming from way back then in the shape of the Fairport Convention’s gem “Genesis Hall” and a song from the Richard and Linda days, “A Heart Needs a Home” which actually made me weep. But then I’m old and vulnerable. His voice, unlike some has retained most of its tone and timbre as time moves on, all of which makes for a cunsummate listen.

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JENNIFER SARAN
Wake Up
Tarpan

We’ve been around the block a couple of times with Jennifer Saran. There was her “Merry Christmas, You Are Loved” album followed by the adult contemporary sounds of “Walk With Me”, both of which had extremely enjoyable moments.

The “Walk With Me” record was particularly enjoyable, albeit over long and in need of editing. And this one falls into the same trap. There’s a fantastic ten track album in here which is a shame seeing as how it’s fifteen tracks long. To be honest I’d have chopped off the covers / tributes, bunged them on a seperate EP and had the new material, co-written by Ms Saran and producer Narada Michael Walden stand on its own two feet.

The title track and lead single sees Carlos Santana popping in for a polite solo while Ladysmith Black Mambazo take care of the backing and a very enjoyable slice of adult contemporary pop it is too. In amongst the original material you’ll find George Michael, Billy Paul, Patti Paige, Doris Day and Bill Withers tracks but it’s really only the latter that strikes home. And that may be due to it being a favourite of the recently departed Mrs H. She would have loved this version.

Back in the land of the originals they really strike home on “Too Young To Know” and “I Will Always Be Your Home”, the latter of which had me in buckets of tears. Another Mrs H thing. Whenever I held her close she would always say “I’m home”. There I go again. Regardless, this is a good album and my only wish is as stated above, namely that the new songs should stand proud of what they are.

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