Blue Build Records - [Release date: 20.12.22]

Tom Adamson is a Scottish-born multi-instrumentalist who has played alongside and supported a diverse number of top-line acts including Sister Sledge, Supergrass, Toploader, Johnny Dankworth & Cleo Laine and er, John Barrowman.

This is the third outing for his band following ‘Medium Eyes, Blue Build’ and ‘Acceptable Tattoo’.

On first glance at the tracklist I thought “effin’ ‘ell, here we go again” with track names including ‘The Black Dinner’, ‘Oan Yer Bike’, ‘I Am Mean’ and ‘Paint The Town, Fred’ suggesting a comedic, novelty record with smart-arse lyrics trying to show you just how funny they are – you know, like Madness…

But I got it all wrong – never judge a book by its cover and all that.

Because this is a fine album – a weird mix of rock, jazz, folk, blues, Celtic and prog that gels together rather well despite its pot-pourri of genres.

A drummer by trade (although additionally playing guitar, keys and mouth organ here), Adamson has drawn together a great band of talented musicians to realise this project, particularly guitarist Jamie McCredie (a first-rate player) and Konrad Wisniewski, whose filthy sax is all over this record like a rash.

Whether it’s instrumentals such as ‘Ballyhoo’, ‘Kill The Kin’ and ‘Oan Yer Bike’, or Americana like ‘See The Light’, ‘Take Me’ or, in particular the John Hiatt / Fairport Convention crossover of ‘Waiting For Life To Begin’ the band are as tight as a gnat’s chuff.

There’s jazzy interludes on ‘Stillness Of The Night’ and ‘Feast Your Eyes’ – the latter in particular a real workout for Wisniewski, there’s a touch of Santana on ‘Let’s Paint The Town, Fred’ and a hint of Supertramp on ‘I Am Mean’.

But I would point you in the direction of ‘Sail On The Wind’ where fans of the guitar solo will be dampening their trousers and ‘Just Another Way To Make A Friend’ whose swamp-blues has McCredie’s howling guitar to the fore and an Alan Price-alike Hammond solo to savour.

It is, without doubt, a really diverse album and it’s this very diversity that could appeal to everyone or, just as likely, nobody – but, taken at face value, is an uplifting and entertaining set of songs that deserves a listen. ***1/2

Review by Alan Jones

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Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025

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DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)

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

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