Album Review
Ian Prowse – No Names
Singer songwriter Ian Prowse seems to have been part of the music scene on Merseyside for a very long time. His early days fronting Liverpool bands Pele and Amsterdam have morphed into a decade long solo career, but local fame has never quite grown to national success for him. His latest release No Names is a typically well put together album of soulful rock music, the songs often with a political slant.
There are several very good tracks on display here. Keynote Speech has a singalong feel, as the chanted refrain of ‘enough is enough’ sees Prowse railing against injustice. The Cleaner again has a social justice theme, featuring guest vocals from Elvis Costello, with whom Prowse has toured extensively. Stand Your Ground is also good, with the defiant feel that its title suggests.
When Bobby Was Alive is a five minute folk song in three parts telling of Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands and featuring a haunting eulogy from Irish singer Fiona McConnel. Born In A Merry Hour reflects on the strangeness of the Covid lockdown period. Rendezvous Point is interesting as the vocal debut of Prowse’s fourteen year old daughter Rosalita, whom he named after a Springsteen classic.
No Names is a decent album with some very good songs, and will delight Prowse’s many fans. The political messages are clearly expressed and the emotion is high throughout. The album is easy to listen to, delivering in a musical style that has his characteristic, and high energy, mix of rock, folk and soul. It deserves to be heard by a wide audience.
Label: Learpholl Music
Release date: 03 July 2026