Dear Scott

 

A few weeks ago Liverpool based musician and singer/songwriter Michael Head released his latest album Dear Scott after a break of five years. Adios Senior Pussycat the album before was during the last years one of those that was played at my home regular. He was a favorite of mine from his early days with Pale Fountains and Shack and I am sure he never can make a record that fits well to me. For me he is one of those artists today that is able to write the most beautiful songs with hooks and great arrangements. And so it is his latest release - a bundle of songs a lot of musicians would die for and for me always a record that will satisfy my soul.

As Long As I Got You

 

A few days ago I posted the first song from the forthcoming album by Michael Head and that made my decision easy to play some other albums by him. So I came back to Shack's in 2003 released album ...Here's Tom With The Weather. Shack was the band after he packed up with The fabulous Pale Fountains. He is one of those singer/songwriter that can make a great song by a simple one and this is shown on this album in a very good way. Echorich commented my post with the words possibly in UK, greatest songwriter and there is nothing more to say.

Shack - As Long As I Got You

Shack - Meant To Be

Kismet

 

Kismet is a synonym for a lot assigned to man by God, which he cannot escape but it is also the title of a new song by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band. The first one he released from his forthcoming album Dear Scott that will be released end of May this year. Michael Head is one of those artists I follow during the last decades whatever he do or with the bands he was playing. From the start with The Pale Fountains over to legendary Shack and The Strand it seems he found his aim with The Red Elastic Band. With every band he was able to release great and timeless songs, well arranged and ones that never go out of fashion. I expect nothing groundbreaking by him - just another album of a couple of songs that I enjoy coming back from  time to time.

Odes To Life

 

Since the long gone by days of The Pale Fountains I follow the releases of Michael Head because of his abilities of writing fantastic songs. If it was with Shack or with The Red Elastic Band he always wrote timeless songs. Sadly he didn't got the recognition he should have and he is still another artist for insiders. Maybe because he had a lot to work to get rid of using drugs he wasn't featured but every couple of years he releases an album that was far over the average of many others. The last one he released was Adios Senor Pussycat four years ago and it is full of personal life-affirming songs and it one of those albums I can listen to from the start to the end. For me a perfect start into a wet autumn Sunday.

Michael Head & The Red Elastic Bank - Picasso

Michael Head & The Red Elastic Bank - Josephine

Thank You Drew

This morning started with the horrible news that Drew over at Across The Kitchen Table made his last post. He is a friend of mine and a huge inspiration of this blog. I used to watch the news he posted during long years and often he inspired me with some new and also old music. It is sad that he completed his work (but I hope he will only have a sabbatical) but Drew was one of them that gave a lot of inspirations in a lot of kind of music during the last years. I can really understand the reasons why he chosen this road because I feel sometimes burned out as well. That is the reason why I took a hiatus from bloging. This song is for you Drew - hope you come back in any way you want. All the best to you mate and your Aidrieonians - I will miss you on this little piece of the world.

The Pale Fountains - Just A Girl