CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS - Shoulder To Shoulder
Fat Cat Records FATCD035
The tenth studio album from these stalwarts of the acoustic scene is another collection of their own songs (although four of Chris While’s songs credit Charlie Dore as co-writer), but essentially this is another labour of love. Julie Matthews, never one to shy away from serious subjects, has tackled LGBT rights (Pride) and immigration (Are We Human?), and Chris While gets in on the act with a touching story of orphaned children ‘exported’ to Australia – a practice that still occurred within living memory (Pinjarra Dreams). Other songs describing everyday life and love nonetheless reinforce the humanity and honesty of these two songsmiths who write from the heart.
Chris While’s vocals on Ordinary Day are anything but ordinary – teasing out multiple layers of emotion from Julie Matthews’ heart-wrenching lyrics. This track is also available as a single, coupled with Here It Comes Again, and is definitely worth checking out if you want a ‘taster’.
Ken Nicol guests on Are We Human?, and nails the guitar accompaniment with consummate ease, while Christine Collister harmonises beautifully. Elsewhere, Johnny Heyes takes over the lead guitar role and is more than competent. Kellie While is the backing vocalist of choice elsewhere, and harmonises with mother Chris, as evidenced on their duo albums, in a way that only familial co-singers will be able to achieve. Neil Fairclough on bass is a constant pleasure throughout.
By way of reinforcing the ‘package’, the accompanying lyric booklet features brilliant illustrations by Julie Matthews.
This is the most commercial album from this act, and deserves blanket airplay - check out the single too.
www.whileandmatthews.co.uk
Grem Devlin
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this CD online from The Listening Post The Listening Post is the CD mailorder service of The Living Tradition magazine. This album was reviewed in Issue 116 of The Living Tradition magazine. |