Good - and getting better
Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 01/07/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Recorded in two different studios, with two different bands, but with a common horn section for both, this album is another notch in increasing Walker's deserved reputation.He has a well honed guitar style, and an instantly recognisable voice.The 4 piece horn section gives a distinct "Black Top" sound - Mark Kazanoff turns up on most the labels albums.The reservations about this album are really to do with the material.Walker has only one writing credit, and the two up-tempo tracks "How could I be such a fool" and "Seemed like a good idea at the time" are weak.Where he excels is on the slow/mid tempo tracks. "Drag me down" and "My name is misery" are good. For me the standout track is the stark version of Sam Cooke's "Laughin and Clownin'" on which he plays simple electric guitar phrases under an astonishing vocal delivery.It's a good album to own, but not perhaps the first Philip Walker album you ought to buy."