Sandi Thom – Flesh and Blood

From Scotland to the deep South of the USA in one record

I have to admit that 2012 was a boring year for music. Although many of my favourite bands released CD most fell well below expectations, which was a great shame. I hope 2013 will be better.  It already seems to be going well with some great CDs from the likes of David Bowie, Steve Ajao Blues Giants (A truly great CD) and Steve Wilson.  So for the first unexpectedly quite good CD.

Sometimes an artist gets the opportunity to collaborate with others. Classic examples of this are Shelby Lynne's 'I am Shelby Lynne', Ian McNabb's 'head like a rock' both of which had great producers and fantastic musicians that elevated a possibly self indulgent record into a classic piece of music. So I was intrigued that Scottish singer Sandi Thom had joined forces with the front man, Rich Robinson, of the Black Crowes, the classic heavy rock band.

Sometimes an artist gets the opportunity to collaborate with others. Classic examples of this are Shelby Lynne's 'I am Shelby Lynne', Ian McNabb's 'head like a rock' both of which had great producers and fantastic musicians that elevated a possibly self indulgent record into a great piece of music. So I was intrigued that Scottish singer Sandi Thom had joined forces with the front man from the Black Crowes, the classic Southern heavy rock band.

OMG!!!

Immediately the listener is greeted with Bonnie Raitt style vocals over a 70's blues funk backing on the opening track 'Help Me'. This basically sets the tone for all 12 tracks, which have light and shade, highs and lows. Lyrically there is humour and honesty as well as the odd line to make you sit up and take notice that Sandi is on the money.

During the record Sandi's vocals keep changing from Bonnie Raitt through Celine Dion to Gretchen Peters. The quality of the songs is also well above average and range from country to rock but the influence of the Black Crowes.

I can see this record will not be for everyone’s tastes but I have little doubt that with the correct backing this will be a US success and might spawn a few hits.

Gretchen Peters--Hello Cruel World

We all listen to music in different ways.  As a guitar player I listen to the melody, the chords and other musical intonations where as others start with the words.  Lyrics have never been a big thing for me, I often laugh at some of the ridiculous lyrics that accompany the best tunes ever.  Every so often, I hear something and instead of the music bowling me over the words get inside me and start their own dance. Gretchen Peters--Hello Cruel World is just such an album and already on the list of best albums of this year (2012).

I have thought long and hard about how to write about this album. I thought about describing the textures that the lyrics provide which juxtapose the excellent melodies. I thought about describing the urgency and nature of the 'from the gut' lyrics. I thought about describing Gretchen Peter's voice that at times seems almost surreal.... I could go on about all manner of things that elevate this record from the banal to the superb but nothing I can think of would do this record justice.

So in sum, LISTEN TO THIS RECORD!  Ideally through good headphones, without children nearby, in a quiet room, with a glass of wine in one hand... You will not regret it.
12/10!

Update in 2014 two years on an this is still on the iPod and it is an album you do not tire of.