Steve Knightley
The Winter Yards
(Self-Released)
★★★★★

HAVING taken a break from his long-standing partnership with Phil Beer as part of the folk roots legends Show of Hands Steve Knightley has released his first solo album in 17 years with backing from guest artists including Beer and Madrid-based The Track Dogs.

Inspired by artists like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Peter Gabriel, the album marks a new departure musically but the songs still tell stories that matter.

The opening track Transactions deals with issues behind the headlines including migration and the Post Office scandal. This is followed by The Ride (The Winter Yards) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrjbKO2EWy0 a lockdown lament about a father and son fairground business unable to operate during the pandemic.

There is a jauntier feel in The Mermaid (The Wedding Song) whilst Exile still seems as relevant today as when it was written 30 years ago. Basically, an album which captures different moods of our time.

Sunjay
I’m Just Like You
(Mighty Tight Records)
★★★★★

THIS album by Sunjay is the second of three planned albums inspired during the pandemic period and was recorded as a tribute to one of his influences American singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris Smither on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Rooted in the blues tradition the 15 songs represent different stages of Smither’s career and Sunjay has been keen to keep true to his style, particularly in the guitar parts of the original recordings.

Starting with the rocky feel of Link of Chain the album also includes Smither’s most famous song Love You Like A Man recorded by Bonnie Raitt, and the more country sounding Rosalie.

But the album takes its title from a line in Don’t Call Me Stranger https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TArJ3Z3xQ5c a song which started Smither’s career in 1970 and decades later inspired Sunjay to start his.

Worth checking out both Sunjay and his inspiration.

Sociograss
Made It All Up
(Self-Released)
★★★★★

 
SOCIOGRASS are a six-piece band of musicians based in Edinburgh who have come together with a shared love of American roots, bluegrass and old-time music.

They have just released their debut album and if it’s anything to go by we can hope for more to come.

Opening track and single release Mousetrap Rag gets the listener in the mood for more lively tracks to come and songs like We Get High and Merry Comedown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GniC5z9vFaE&list=OLAK5uy_leHCku70WwNdldlXEIJlfSAhX66v9vTpg&index=7 tell of the highs and lows we can all go through.

While not primarily a political band there is social commentary in the title track expressing anger at racist lies and Dirty Business refers to being sick of old white men sending young people away to fight their wars and pay for their cars.

Ultimately though this is a feel-good album with a sound that goes well with having a beer.