There is no doubt there was wide acclaim for the first album in the planned trilogy, and in 2015 the second was released available in (of course) a metal tin inside a slip sleeve, again reminding us of ‘Nit Gone Flake’, this time with Des sat with Ronnie’s widow, Kate Lane and a copy of ‘Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance’ on the table. This feels like a more relaxed affair than the debut, part of that I am sure due to the knowledge that this project had been accepted, so much so that Kate provides introductions to some of the songs, and it is wonderful to hear her talk about Ronnie. In addition, Pete Townshend provided music to some lyrics of Kate and provides both guitar and vocals on the track, “Chameleon”. As a way of return, Des performs “Going Mobile” in Ronnie’s style and also performs more Lane songs on this album than on the debut.
This album is broken into three, with ‘Morning’, ‘Afternoon’ and ‘Evening’, the latter featuring “Goodnight Irene” being performed by Des, the Lane family and others, around Kate Lane’s kitchen table in 2014. If Ronnie had not succumbed to the horrible disease of MS way too soon, I am sure he would have been there singing along as well, as this is again a party album where people are supposed to be enjoying themselves and not just sat there in silence. This is about connecting with people, remembering someone gone by, but as a celebration and not a dirge. This is about being grateful for the life of someone who wrote so many great songs and was such a huge part of the musical world 50 years ago.
Des has told me he is working on the third and final album at present, and I am really looking forward to it, as in these two we have great music which stands on its own and also links so very closely with the past. Both highly recommended.
Rating: 9/10
Links:
https://www.kuschtyrye.net