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Artist: Wiser Time |
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Picture the scene ... the party is over, there's only you and a couple of mates left by 3 am, what do you do? ... easy, share out the last of the J.D., put on 'Beggars and Thieves', sit back, say nothing and watch the sunrise! That's how this album by wiser Time ought to be listened to over and over again, it's so cool and laid back, it makes you feel that way inclined to enjoy the sounds of a band made for music like this. The album is awash with top drawer slowburners and foot tappers alike, so when 'Love And Devotion' begins, you know you're onto a winner straight away. It oozes a "couldn't give a damn" attitude, the slide guitar and funky blues piano played as if the band had just woken from a slumber and were just warming up, it's so laid back and easy flowing, darn it, it's just what the doctor ordered! Make that a double dose, as next up is 'On Our Way', a travelling song of sorts told by Carmen Sclafani, painting a picture in your head as the song goes along of what the story tells in its tale. 'Take Me Back Home' is one of the slow burners that stops any conversation in its tracks just so you can listen in peace. The ambling mix of guitars, fiddle and gentle drumming put together for Sclafani's warm, relaxing voice is pure quality, and it again shines through on 'It's Hard Letting You Go', where the piano played by Rob Clores dominates the song with purpose, though it has to be said, the delicate use of the slide guitar within this song of a broken relationship does pull on the heartstrings a bit. Top marks must also go to Sclafani as well for his part, sounding like a man on the edge of a heartache who, by the end of the song, is letting go of all his emotions. Simply scintillating. It's a mystery to me how 'Revolution 09' can sound so bare yet still so immediate at the same time? That seems to be the magic this band has, the way they gel together, not pushing the boat out either, but what they come up with works very, very well and it's all here. The Black Crowes-ish 'Keep It On' is on par with anything the Robinson brothers have come up with lately, its swaggering drumbeat and chilled slide solos literally stating that there's new boys in town so take notice and beware! Just to rub it in, the country / blues beat of 'Whiskey And Wine' does everything to give your feet that itch to get up 'n boogie wherever you are. Its irresistible not to at least toe-tap along to, so when 'Working Man's Blues' comes by, you've no chance. Even though the song is stripped down to just the guitar and slide, the tempo just begs you not to keep still for too long. They say that you can tell if someone is enjoying their food if their feet move whilst eating. Well, the feet are over indulging when it comes to this song and quite rightly too! It takes a few seconds to realise where you've heard the final song before, and this version of Bad Company's 'Seagull' is probably as good as anyone else could do it. Again, that stripped down affair, still sounds big throughout, and I wouldn't be surprised if Mr Ralphs and Mr Rodgers may be rather impressed with this take on one of their best loved songs. It's all fair and well when bands use every tool in the trade to make a huge sounding album to blow your socks off, but you've got to admit, when you get somethiing like 'Beggars And Thieves' with its down to earth simplicity, you know by the end of the album everything is going to feel so much better, isn't it. Review
by: Bob Baldwin |
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| Tracklisting:
1. Love and Devotion |
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