Alison Statton & Spike \ Tidal Blues + Weekend In Wales [LTMCD 2393]
Tidal Blues is the first studio album by Alison Statton and Spike, featuring vocalist Alison Statton (Young Marble Giants, Weekend) and guitarist Spike Williams (Weekend, Reptile Ranch).
Recorded between London and Cardiff in 1994, Tidal Blues is a collection of original songs produced and co-written by the duo. Largely acoustic, the set was recorded with a six piece band including Phil Moxham (Young Marble Giants) as well as Rachet Byrt (viola), Andrew Moxham (drums), Harry Becket (trumpet) and Paula Gardiner (double bass).
On this expanded remaster the original album is joined by five bonus tracks from their jazzy 1991 EP Weekend in Wales. The CD features upgraded artwork and liner notes.
Tracklist:
1. A Greater Notion
2. In This World
3. Empty Heart
4. Open Eyes
5. Take Heart
6. Lemming Time
7. Mr. Morgan
8. Hide Combat
9. Seaport Town
10. Find + Seek
11. Tidal Blues
12. Alternations
13. A Greater Notion (EP version)
14. Web of Decline
15. Missing You (For Freddie)
16. In Time
17. Romance at Sea
Available on CD and digital (MP3 or FLAC). To order CD please first select correct shipping option (UK, EU or Rest of World) and then click on Add To Cart button below cover image. Digital copies are delivered to customers via link sent by email.
Reviews:
"Statton and Spike combine Matisse-style sketchiness with swaying nods to pre-rock pop. More focussed than Weekend, there's a spare sureness to the tunes, and Alison's vocals hold a new and careful self-confidence" (CMJ Music Journal, 1994)
"This excellent disc compiles the album and EP releases, revealing a warm folk-influenced sound that stands in stark contrast to the Giants' often cold, minimalist aesthetic" (CD Universe, 2006)
"On Tidal Blues, Alison Statton, Andrew Moxham, and a cast of other musicians lay out a selection of great traditional tunes that move from Latin-influenced feels to lounge touches to rustic country tinges. The result is a great listen, laying out all of these sounds in an unassuming, realistically produced, and largely simplistic style that's rather appealing. More importantly, the project's members never take the adopted styles as restrictions. Instead of strictly aping traditional forms, they simply compose in these veins, and wind up creating some entirely pleasant recombinations that borrow equally from all. An excellent listen" (All Music Guide, 2006)