Reviews
Artist:Tom Houston Album: Everything In The Delicatessen
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 13
Website: https://tomhoustonmusic.bandcamp.com/album/everything-in-the-delicatessen
Tom Houston's sixth album, EVERYTHING I THE DELICATESSEN, is a strong and sensitive collection with Tom's interesting songs given life through fine playing and interesting arrangements. An array of players, some very familiar, some less are carefully placed to create music that comfortably draws on Country, Folk, Jazz, Rock and even elements of Spoken Word. The restraint, attention and care are palpable.
"Alexandra Staying" is a pared back sensitive ballad, piano and voice film music. Tom's voice and Rod McVey's piano hold your attention completely in this intimate opener. "Boys" is a taut rocker, driven by Neil MacColl's guitars. Houston's voice has an early crooning Bowie quality, measured and sophisticated over brass and hammond organ. Stand out track"Heavy Felt" continues that sophisticated crooning quality. Mary Erskine's cello and vocals alongside Tom are just beautiful. "Beach At The End Of Time" starts with almost spoken poetic lyrics. The words tumble, drawing pictures like Van Morrison reading Dylan Thomas. The piano and organ ripple and Tom's words, sung or spoken draw beautiful nostalgic postcard pictures. "Devils We Are #33" and "Bones Of Birth" are thoughtful acoustic songs, Tom draws such vivid pictures of real intimate moments, as cello and electric guitar underline and build the emotion nicely. Similarly "Wee Song" is a pared back ditty with the bounce and slight bite of a French Café troubadour. Colin Steele's trumpet and Mattie Fould's louche percussion give the dark "Hide And Seek" an edgy jazzy feel with an emotional charged vocal from Houston as it shimmers between torch song and poetry.
"Distracted" has that same Jazzy darkness, in bruised Leonard Cohen mode Tom broods and quietly rages against the moment. The amazing video in the link below shows that Tom is drawing on a life time of ideas and imagery when creating. The album is full of thoughtful arrangements that create atmosphere, here the rhythm section and the cello create an almost cinematic tension. Phil Alexander's accordion gives an upbeat light feel to the folky "Salt And Rope". The title track, with its enigmatic title, is a song of experience, delivered with a note of weariness and pathos. MacColl's sharp guitar adds a note of darkness behind Tom's vocal. Cohen like again, the lyrics and cadence of "Hanging On Salt #24" recall Suzanne, but Houston builds in an Americana or Nick Cave like darkness which MacColl's guitar burns around. Tom's lyrics and timing are impeccable in stirring up a gothic atmosphere on the epic but understated album highlight. There is a space around the musical elements in this fine final song.
Marc Higgins
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Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Pirate is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.