Album Review

Andy White – 21st CenturyTroubadour

• 18th Jan 2013

Belfast born Andy White now lives in Australia. He is a busy man at the moment it seems, with a UK tour on the go as well as releasing a semi-autobiographical book and this double album of the same name, described as the album of the book. White already has ten albums to his credit, as well as being a writer and poet. His musical output combines a folk approach with sharp, often political, lyrics and a poppy guitar driven sound. The result is melodic and entertaining, his songs sung in an even, expressive voice and backed by his trusty twelve string guitar.

21st Century Troubadour’s first CD is a collection of songs mostly taken from his last four solo albums, all referred to in the book. The second CD is what White describes as an ‘audio book with a soundtrack’. It contains six readings set to music, a bebop poem from his second volume of poetry, 2011’s Stolen Moments, and a new title song recorded in Melbourne, Australia.

The fourteen songs on the first CD give a good flavour of White’s recent work. Twelfth Of July tells of his childhood in Belfast and gives a great account of a child trying to understand exactly what was going on. The slower Deeper Waters is a lovely track, while Berlin 6am tells of falling in love, set in a time just after the Berlin Wall came down.

Italian Girls on Mopeds is a real highlight, a gentle and wry song giving a strong flavour of the scene it creates. A Long Time Coming is an uptempo love song that tells of change, yet things working out well, in a lovely manner, while the closing Travelling Circus features some fine guitar work and an atmospheric organ sound that adds much to a tale of lost love.

The second CD has a fascinating series of readings running to about 45 minutes. The Night Before The Tour gives a fine insight into a musicians mind, White’s lovely tones backed by gentle guitar. 56 Reasons shows self doubt in a humorous way, listing the many reasons why a German concert will not attract an audience. Bob, Patti And The Back Door Crew is a great story, probably not true, but who knows? It involves a recording session, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith and … well, you’ll need to buy the CD to find out how it ends.

The collection finishes with the title track, 21st Century Troubadour, which rounds off the whole collection in real style. “You think you’ve seen it all. But there’s always just a little bit more” White sings, looking to the future. It’s a song that stands well on its own, but also manages to end this fine collection of work on just the right note.

Andy White is clearly a multi talented artist. This nicely packaged double album set gives a great introduction to both his music and his writing in a vastly entertaining manner. It’s sure to make you want to get your hands on more of Mr White’s varied output.

Venue: 21st CenturyTroubadour
Support Band: Floating World