| CD REVIEW Edwyn Collins |
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Band : Edwyn Collins In all honesty, this is the first time this Scottish (electric) guitar-driven Pop artist (been living around London for quite a while) came under my direct attention. And admittedly I'd read some stuff about him in the past, but I didn't know he has such a rich past in the music business, one which he started at age 10, now 40 years ago. Collins started his first band Nu-Sonics in 1976, which later became Orange Juice. That band scored only one hit with their single Hit It Up (got up to #8 on the charts), and disbanded in 1985. Collins has since, in addition to working as an illustrator, television actor and producer, and music producer, pursued a solo career which sprouted a total of 5 studio (1989's Hope And Despair on the Demon imprint; 1990's Hellbent On Compromise on Diablo Records; 1994's Gorgeous George on Setanta, which charted at #8 in the UK and at #186 in the US; 1997's I'm Not Following You on Epic, charted at # 55 in the UK; 2002's Doctor Syntax on Setante, didn't chart at all) and one compilation album (2002's A Casual Introduction 1981-2001, including songs from both Orange Juice and his solo career), before the man was stuck down by a double stroke of the brains on February 20, 2005. Since then, he's in longterm revalidation for a right-sided weakness and difficulty of speech (to date he has his wife and manager Grace Maxwell, along during interviews...close partners, she often instinctively knows how her partner feels about certain questions asked). In September 2007 Collins released his 7th studio album Home Again on Heavenly Recordings, recorded before his double stroke, but mixed after his discharge from hospital. Although still on the way to recovery, Collins returned to singing live, and to celebrate his return Indie Pop act The Candy Twins recorded a tribute song. Filmed during 2007, BBC Scotland aired the Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand frontman) documentary Edwyn Collins: Home Again in May 2008, following Collins' progress in overcoming the after-effects of his stroke. Apparently, he may still need a cane to get onto the stage and keep his right arm curled up at his side, speak rather slowly when talking to the audience, but once he starts singing the man's typical baritone voice is there like nothing ever happened. Earlier in 2010, Collins was given an honorary masters degree from the Buckinghamshire New Uiversity in recognition of his “strong influences and contribution to the national and international music industry over the past three decades”. (details taken from the artist's page at Wikipedia) Collins recorded his new album at his own West Heath Studios, with guest appearances from the likes of Alex Caprianos and Nick McCarthy (both of Franz Ferdinand, on “Do It Again”), Roddy Frame (of Aztec Camera, co-wrote “All My Days”), Johnny Marr (co-wrote “Come Today”), Ryan Jarman of The Cribs (co-wrote “I Still Believe In You” and “What Is My Role?” and added his vocals on the latter), plus The Drums (co-wrote and recorded “In Your Eyes”) and The Magic Numbers (I'm not sure where they come in, though). Funny enough, somehow Collins' voice and style are familiar, although I'm certain I have no albums of his in my collection. And the 12 songs are instant Pop and Pop Rock hits each and all. Just check out the 5 songs posted at (www.) edwyncollins.com (for once the trusted MySpace page will only give you Collins' 1994 hit single “A Girl Like You”...or should, because although Collins owns all rights to his own music and wants people to be able to listen to/ download the song for free, Warner Bros have recently put a ban on that), and dare tell me I'm talking superlatives! Oh, by the way, there's also a link on that site to (www.) nme.com, where apparently you can listen to the complete album. Great Pop album, and one I'll listen to again for sure, given time! 92/100 Tony. |