The reviews for 'Nation of the Free' continue to pour in, and I'm so chuffed that the musicianship of the band and the inventiveness of the songwriting are being written about in such a positive light ...
THE ANDY SMYTHE BAND
Nation Of The Free
Dreaming Element Records
All the energy Andy Smythe saved thinking of some clever name for his band was not wasted. For the uninitiated, the no-nonsense moniker and sleeve design somehow suggest 16 wheel trucking, swigging cold beer from bottles and plenty of full blooded fret board finger-wiggling. True, Barry Targett’s accomplished strings never disappoint, but that is where the metaphors must end. No – Smythe’s concentrated efforts into the money shot deserve success. This isn’t blues, but do not discard it. “Folk” is too thin a categorisation for this multi layered, intriguing debut - a thoughtful collection of strongly written, socially aware, revved-up warbling with plenty of light and shade with the title track raising the curtain powerfully. Smythe unashamedly wears political colours and hopes for a new world in ‘Obama’s Song’ (...two black girls playing on the White House lawn....) . Subtle production marries with some beautifully understated accompaniment by Targett and Les Elvin on bass, and the Morrissey/ Neil Young / Paul Heaton quality to Smythe’s voice winsomely enhance the delivery of his message. Diction and vocal precision are oft-neglected elements to be appreciated when presented like this. ‘Changing Seasons’ stays with you long after it ends and an interesting challenge is to listen to ‘Louise’ without thinking ‘Puff The Magic Dragon’. Too busy a sound for some folk purists one suspects, and maybe not rufty tufty enough for Blues fans, but find room for it– the second listen confirms it as an underground, quirky corker that deserves turntable time.
Richard Thomas
Issue 54
www.bluesmatters.com
Andy Smythe kicks off with his delicate paen to the joys of gardening, 'Sap and Earth' - a masterful piece of almost semi-classical tone, it amply displays Smythe's dexterity on the piano.
Smythe's strongpoint is his way with words. Evidently well read, he translates this into songs of considerable humanity. unburdened by device or metaphor, the lyrical clarity of such songs as 'Ancient Ways' - concerning the plight of Autralia's Aboriginal people and 'Last Chief' about Native American Chief Joseph, is matched by his sense of melody. Barry Targett supplies jazzy electric fiddle to 'Changing Seasons' and blistering electric guitar to 'Ancient Ways'. Targett is a real find.
Gerry Ranson, R2 Magazine April/May 2010
Live Review of our 12 Bar launch gig.
The trio of Andy, Les Elvin and Barry Targett are making quite a name for themselves. This is very much poetry set to music. Andy is a very inventive writer.
'Last chief' - how promises to the native americans were betrayed.'Two Lovers' - letting lovers win and their sweet sould uniting. 'Thunder Dreamer' abou how Crazy Horse fought for freedom all his life.'Song fo Sean' about John Lennon from his sons point of view. There's superb violin from Barry on 'Changing Seasons'and 'Carrie' and delicate piano and birdsong on 'Sap and Earth'. Guest Alan Richardson plays wonderful harmonica on 'Kids'. There's various genres here from just voice and piano through to rock'n roll and string arrangements. The songs are about life and how it feels in the world trying to get free. Interesting listening.
'Nation of the Free Review', Kathy Drage, Kent Folk, April 2010.
