28 April 2014

Album Review: Nick Belcher – Shadows

    This album is very much a personal journey featuring all original songs from Nick Belcher,  with each song telling its own story.

    The stand out track for me is the Cuban-tinged On The Wing with some energetic soloing from Kent-based pianist Frances Knight and some tight, confident drumming by Winston Clifford.

    The sandwich-loving guitarist Nick Belcher also plays vibraphone on the dreamy ballad Now Voyager, sandwiching Jan Ponsford’s vocal work with gentle melodies.

    After the bossa nova Bud Checked Out I was craving some good old fashioned swing. This arrives in the form of Late Again, with some excellent scat improvisation from Jan Ponsford. Given that Jan is one of the best improvisors on the south coast, I would have liked to have heard more of her improvising.

    This isn’t quite a ‘jazz’ album, more of a jazz-influenced songwriter’s album but what sets it apart is the top-notch musicianship from all involved.

 

I give this album 8 shadowy motorcycles out of 10.

 

Charlie Anderson

 

 

Musicians:

Nick Belcher, guitar, mandolin, vibraphone

Jan Ponsford, lead and backing vocals

Winston Clifford, drums, percussion and backing vocals

Frances Knight, piano, accordion and backing vocals

Terry Pack, double bass, bass guitar and backing vocals

James McMillan, trumpet, flugelhorn, Eb tenor horn and additional keyboards

Rob Leake, tenor and baritone saxophones

 

Tracks:

Camden Town

Already Gone

There’s Magic

Lucky Me

On The Wing

A Minute Past

Personal Touch

Now Voyager

Crying’s For Losers

Bud Checked Out

Late Again

Singing In American

Something In My Eye

 

Availability:

buy or download from Amazon or buy from

www.nickbelcher.co.uk

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