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Cherry Red [Release date: 24.05.24]
Born to sing the blues, Chris Farlowe recorded genre standard, ‘Stormy Monday Blues’ in 1965, to huge critical acclaim. With his band, the Thunderbirds, he became a lightning rod for blues fans, continually burning down the house at headline venues like The Flamingo, in Soho.
But it was pop hit ‘Out Of Time’, written and produced by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in 1966, that made his name.
Several more hits and many years later he returned to the blues.
This anthology chronicles Farlowe’s journey through his second chance romance with his first love genre.
CD1: Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds, Studio Recordings, 1985-86.
CD2: Chris Farlowe Studio Recordings 1988-91
CD3: Farlowe Live 1985-2004
There’s a unique authenticity to Farlowe’s vocal performances. A slow burning intensity that addresses timeless, universal themes of love won and love lost with conviction. He brands other artists’ work with a stamp of originality.
And there are many artist names worthy of dropping here. Not than any are bigger or better than Farlowe, but they are indicators of the company he kept.
Van Morrison, Elkie Brooks, Paul Jones, Clem (Humble Pie) Clempson added their not inconsiderable vocal and guitar talent to man’s music. And that’s not to mention the artists whose significant work he covers in the course of this collection.
Most notably Howlin Wolf (I Ain’t Superstitious), Bobby Bland (‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’), Pete Green (‘A Man Of The World’), BB King (The Thrill Is Gone) and Solomon Burke (Cry To Me).
CD1 draws large from Farlowe’s Out Of The Blue and Born Again albums, both produced by Mike Vernon, the man who produced Clapton’s and Mayall’s album of the same period.
CD2 cherry picks from Farlowe’s impressive solo albums Waiting In The Wings (1992), The Voice (1998), Glory Bound (2000), Farlowe That! (2003) and Hotel Eingang (2008). At random, his cover of the Small Faces’ ‘All Or Nothing’, and Stax classic, ‘Private Number’ are genuinely memorable. Among many others.
CD3 comprises 15 cherry picked live tracks from Farlowe’s fiery, powerhouse live performances over two decades, He’s variously backed up by The Norman Baker Band, The Thunderbirds and by The Rhythm’N’Blues Train.
Even when reconditioning his pop hits ‘Out Of Time’ and ‘Handbags and Gladrags’ (written by Mike d’Abo), that old blues black magic works its spell.
For anyone who remembers the old phone book adage… Farlowe could sing it and make it sound great. ****1/2
Review by Brian McGowan
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