This album is beautifully packaged in a cd sized hardback book format and that made me want to hear if it sounded as good as it looked. Well seeing that in Luke Daniels 20 year career he has played in De Dannann and with Ian Anderson and played on the Lord Of The Rings soundtrack as part of the London Philharmonic Orchestra I knew it should be good.
Well then I started listening and have to say the first 3 songs left me stone cold scratching my head at just how it wasn't nearly as good as it ought to be sorry the repetitive don't be afraid just is too bland and background for its subject matter yes everything is beautifully produced and played but the blandness sort of oozes from the speakers.
What she means meanders along as pleasant background music but never grabs me. Then the album finally starts to get interesting or at least more listenable with the slow dark almost suicidal For Your Love it has a warmth and presence that holds my attention and makes me listen to the lyrics until the strings kick in and you sort of float away.
Way Back Home sounds like classic singer songwriter old school folk song it sounds like it could have been written a 150 years ago it has a nice lilt to it and the backing singers really add a nice texture to it. Know You More is a bit keening but the repeating musical motif that has an almost hi-life guitar feel to it making it a touch too Paul Simon in places but still a beguiling song.
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Asking Why is a return to the all too bland and uninteresting wallpaper the album started with unfortunately. How will I know when this becomes interesting again as this has really sunk into the background again the only thing saving it are the gorgeous strings and backing vocals as a texture.
A River Runs however is a lovely gentle folk almost gospel ballad that sounds almost perfect for a sing along and is well worth hearing. What's Here What's Gone has more of a high plains feel to it like it should be on the soundtrack to a western with a good fiddle player off in the distance.
If only All My Dreams was a song worth hearing rather than a bland meander continuing this albums rather patchy nature. The album ends with Luke re-working a Salvation Army Hymn Healing Stream backed by trombone and piano and it’s beautiful and touching end to the album that for me contains about an EP's worth of great songs that need hearing and not much more. www.lukedanielsmusic.com
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