Album Review

Steve Dagleish – World of News

• 4th Dec 2007

‘World of News’ kicks in like the Levellers late for a gig and is every bit as politically charged as any of their work. As it goes on its urgent way, covering amongst other things the moon landing conspiracy and the JFK assassination, the emphatically delivered lyrics effortlessly engage the listener.

The hypnotic sound of an acoustic guitar and the attention commanding violin are aided by the depth providing accompaniment from some exquisite but understated Spanish guitar and cello, all of which combine to make a great song that, like TV programme ‘Cheers’, is executed perfectly in front of a live audience.

The odd choice to perform ‘Innocence’ sees SD and his band taking their foot off the pedal with a yearning and poignant track that, whilst being technically sound and well composed, is a little too lacklustre and in my mind, sure to lose its live audience to the almighty powers of an ever beckoning bar or maybe even the less appealing chit-chat that’s apparently becoming increasingly popular. Nice, but it’s not a live-crowd pleaser.

The thankfully more upbeat, ‘Mary’s Prayer’ resounding ‘Old Gabriel’s Horn’ follows with a simple guitar part that carries an ever escalating ‘Frames’ like song full of delicate, emotive sensibility. The lady backing vocal works well too and is certainly pursuit worthy and provides us with a track that highlights the best that SD has to offer here.

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