Share the post "EP review: MICK PINI / AUDIO54 – Pastoral"
Self release [Release date: 28.02.22]
There’s nothing like a creative surge of energy to bring fresh reward. And so it that blues veteran Mick Pini revels in his new found collaboration with indie producer Craig Marshall (aka Audio 54), to extend his artist bent from music into painting and photography.
It’s the latter that features on the cover of his new 4 track digital EP release called ‘Pastoral’. And as the title suggest it’s music with a idyllic, spiritual bent, but refracted through a blues prism.
It’s all there on the tonal purity of the title track, on which Pini’s emotive simplicity is beautifully framed by producer Craig Marshall’s unique Audio 54 production.
If Pini has mastered the rudiments of tone, Marshall is equally good at providing the Peter Green inspired instrumental with its perspective and colourful depth.
It’s an impressive opener which leads to the soulful and uplifting melodic feel of ‘Careless’, a song that Pini first issued nearly 20 years ago on his ‘Blues Survivor’ album. Refreshed and in the context of his fruitful musical liaison with Audio 54, it sounds like the closest he’s ever got to being potentially commercial, in a Robert Cray style of way.
His vocal is a triumph of expressive baritone over cooing bv’s, an insistent backing percussive track, nuanced piano and a wonderful guitar figure with a two note accent. It’s not officially announced as a single in it own right yet, but it should be!
The aptly titled ‘Spark’, pushes the EP closer to the Audio 54 template. A percussive intro ushers in Marshall on lead vocals over an electric piano vamp. It’s a lovely swampy, bass anchored groove with a Winwood/Traffic feel.
Marshall’s evocative colourful lyrics perfectly fit the groove, before Pini delivers a tension breaking explosion of echo reverb tinged wah-wah. The psychedelic feel recalls early Steve Hillage, but there’s no mistaking his beautifully crafted blues licks.
His second and resolving solo is simply majestic and finds the creative duo seamlessly locked into a mellifluous groove.
And while it might be a stretch to talk about a 4 track EP having an essential flow, each track subtly reveals more about the project and acts as the perfect taster for more to come.
All the more surprise then that the ‘Just Playin’ instrumental closer, is a slice of glorious retro cool that could have been cut in Muscle Shoals.
That said, there’s a palpable Freddie King, Albert Collins and King Curtis influence, on a track that sounds for all the world like a long forgotten classic 60’s r&b track with some stinging guitar and vibrant piano.
Pini adds a sinewy solo complete with Albert Collins chicken squawks as if to pay tribute to the influences at play.
It’s the perfect finish to 4 exhilarating tracks and as the sax fades into the ether it leaves you wanting more. Job done. ****
Review by Pete Feenstra
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "EP review: MICK PINI / AUDIO54 – Pastoral"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
