Album review: JOHN BLEK – Until The Rivers Run Dry

Bandcamp [Release date 17.02.23]

This is John Blek’s eighth album and an artist that had not crossed my musical radar until now. The album was recorded over ten days and features Cathy Davy (vocals) – who has appeared on albums from the Duckworth Lewis Method & the Divine Comedy, the Frames’ Colm Mac Con Iomaire (strings), BBC Jazz Award winner Kit Downes (piano), Davie Ryan (drums) and Chris McCarthy (double bass). Brian Casey produced the album with Blek, as well as mixing & mastering the album. Credit to both as the production on the album is top notch, be it the soothing string arrangements or gently picked guitar, an album perfect for headphone listening.

Hard to sinlge out individual songs as the whole album lends itself to a listen in one go. If push came to shove, ‘Restless Sea’ is a fine example of the album as a whole. The soothing singing of John Blek is easy on the ear, yet never bland, whilst the musical arrangements are a thing of beauty. Maybe it’s advancing age but this reviewer really appreciates the music and lyrics more, than say a instant, riff filled tune that would have appealed to my younger self.

‘Raven’s Cry’ and ‘Once In A While (21/07)’ follow close behind, where the piano and strings create a pefect accompaniment to Blek’s vocals and the ethereal vocals of Cathy Davey.

John Blek has produced an album that is a balm for the current times. The listener can loose themselves in the wonderous music within, aided greatly by the vocals of Cathy Davey. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)