Although I have reviewed countless albums from his father, Ashley ‘The Guv’nor’ Hutchings as well as others featuring his mother, Judy Dunlop, this is the first time I have reviewed an album by Blair himself. Given the importance of his parents in the folk rock scene, as well as his own tenure in the Albion Band, I was sure I knew exactly what to expect with this his sixth album, but I was quite wrong. Instead of something rooted deep in the tradition we have something here which is far more Americana in style, combined with singer/songwriter taking us back to where Ashley originally started with Fairport all those very many years ago.
What strikes the listener from the off are his incredible vocals, pure, clear and easily moving into falsetto. In many ways it reminds me of the first time I heard Jeff Buckley in that the vocals are so easy, so fluid and full of passion. He knows when to put in an edge or grit to ensure the vocals contain a great deal of depth and plenty of colours so the ear is always listening for what comes next. Acoustic bass, fiddle, drums, plenty of guitars and of course lap steel, the arrangements are designed to provide the vehicle for his vocals to always be front and centre. In many ways this is a passionate album, and one which is enjoyable the first time it is played and the further the listener gets inside the more there is to discover. We get ballads, some songs which contain more folk influences, yet always this is a thoughtful and thoroughly enjoyable release.
Blair told me he was on tour with his old man, and that must have been quite a spectacle for the audiences, with two masters of their craft in front of them, one who has already created his legacy and another who is setting out his own stall. I believe his earlier albums are more folk in style, and I can see I need to be seeking them out sooner rather than later as this is a delight from beginning to end and anyone who enjoys this style of music needs to seek out immediately: you will not regret it.
Rating: 9/10
Links:
https://blairdunlop.com/
