Vista Music [Release date 31.03.17]

Album number three, and much is still made of Kentish singer songwriter Dan Clews’ George Martin connections.

But while originally endorsed by the 5th Beatle, and with son Giles involved in the production of Clews’ 2009 eponymous debut, all that actually remains is a nod in gratitude in the album credits, and publishing courtesy of George Martin Music.

And perhaps the mildly Beatles/Macca influenced whimsical opener ‘I Am Luck’.  But thereafter the tempo slows to another gentle introspective set indebted to era of James Taylor, Clifford T Ward, Gilbert O’Sullivan, and Cat Stephens.

We’re all familiar with the solitary, acoustic bearing, singer songwriter support act, and Clews fits that bill perfectly.  And I guess that’s the rub.  While Middle England is rooted in the green and pleasant land of tea rooms and village greens, and burbles along rather pleasantly, it’s probably damning with faint praise to describe it as ‘nice’.

In my book, there’s nothing wrong with ‘nice’, but today’s average consumer wants something more.  So while Middle England is an album Clews can rightly be proud of, I have my doubts it will broaden his appeal far beyond the live circuit where it’s a guaranteed merch stall seller.  ***

Review by Pete Whalley

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