Album Review

Robert Vincent – Life In Easy Steps

• 24th Jan 2013

Singer songwriter Robert Vincent comes from Liverpool and mixes folk, rock and country music together to form his own sound, which is definitely more Americana than Mersey Beat. His debut album gives a good insight into the varied influences that Vincent has, and also some indications of the journey he has taken to release this album.

Vincent has played in several bands since he left school at sixteen, winning a competition with one to record at Sun Records in Memphis, He has also worked as a roadie and an estate agent, and became a father at the tender age of 17. Robert Vincent has clearly fitted a lot into his first 31 years, leading to this mature collection of songs, recorded with Pete Smith, Grammy award winning co-producer of Sting’s Dream Of The Blue Turtles.

Light Of The Stars opens the album in a gentle acoustic fashion. The quality of Vincent’s deep voice shines through here over his guitar and some nice piano work. Burns then heads off in a country tinged direction, the classic rhythm backing vocals that are in a slightly higher key. And then Riots Cry turns the temperature up, a rocking track with strident vocals over a solid sound. Three tracks in and already Vincent has given us three very different musical styles.

Two slower songs later in the album are real highlights. Who Are You To Say, a beautiful slow love song, the vocals expressive and plaintive, while Demons has a similar pace with minimalist guitar that works very well. The title track Life In Easy Steps has a faster beat and some lovely pedal steel guitar work.

The album’s closer, Second Chance, is another fine example of Vincent’s songwriting abilities. Regret and loss are well portrayed in a strong vocal performance that shows a decent range. It ends the album with a real touch of quality.

Robert Vincent has already built up a solid reputation in and around Liverpool as a live performer. This debut album shows that he has both a good stock of songs and the ability to sing them with feeling. Add in a good cast of supporting musicians as backing and you have a fine first album from a man who has many more to come.

Venue: Life In Easy Steps
Support Band: Demon Blue