Album Review

Danny And The Champions Of The World – Stay True

• 16th Sep 2013

Stay True is the fourth album from Danny and The Champions of the World, and it could just be the best yet from Danny George Wilson and co. Their British brand of Americana mixes the classic sounds of folk, soul and country with a British rock core. This results in music that may sound soft with the pedal steel guitar’s sweet lament or when Wilson’s soulful voice sings of passion and heartbreak, but there is also an occasional harder edge in the lyrics and the performance.

While much of Wilson’s early work came from a clear folk tradition, this album is much more of a rounded production, the instrumentation solid and at times lush in its backing of Wilson’s vocals, which are warm and expressive. Stay True was recorded over five consecutive nights in an attempt to get an “as live” feel, and the technique clearly worked very well. There is a relaxed feel to many of the tracks, a mid paced and mellow sound that feels like old friends coming together and sharing stories through the medium of song.

The album opens in fine style with (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket, which is already attracting significant radio play. The true story of Danny and his dad hitchhiking to a London show by the Fabulous Thunderbirds (the Texas blues band led by Jimmy Vaughan, brother of the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan). This one would make a fine single with its strong sense of family, its retro charm and its lovely singalong chorus.

Title track Stay True is another standout track, the self-deprecating lyrics telling of a romance in gentle and understated terms. But there is no disguising the love beneath the self doubt. Cold Cold World is another beautiful declaration of love, the sax adding emphasis to Wilson’s words as he declares “I’m going to make you happy in this cold, cold world.” Other Days is also a fine song with perhaps the closest to a rock sound here: “Like a runaway train from a black-and-white movie,” as Wilson sings.

The banjos come out on a couple of tracks, adding a touch of bluegrass to the mix. Breaking Out has lyrical echoes of Springsteen’s Thunder Road, the tale of a musician’s escape with his girl in a car from a “town for losers”, although the countrified sound is very different. And Talkin’ About The Weather takes the most British of topics and turns it into a country blues beauty.

Stop Thief is an old style soul song, its heartbroken vocals backed by soft guitar and organ sounds. It could be a cover of any number of classic artists. The tender Darlin’ Won’t You Come In From The Cold has a similar feel. And the closing Time Again brings it all together with a tender reflection on long time friendship.

Danny And The Champions Of The World have created a sound that is American in its origins, yet comes across as authentic and real. There are no fake Nashville accents here, just great songs expertly crafted and played with commitment and skill. Stay True is an excellent album, a fine collection of eleven songs that tell stories and evoke deep feelings while also proving very entertaining.

Venue: Stay True
Support Band: Loose Music