Back in 1973, one programme I would never miss was Top of the Pops, as it was the best way to discover music at the time (at least through TV), and this was where I first came across the duo of John Fiddler (vocals, guitar, piano, drums) and Peter Hope-Evans (harmonica, Jew’s Harp, guitar, mouthbow) when they performed “One and One Is One”. They never really gained the success expected of them, and by 1977 the band was no more. Over the years both musicians have appeared with others, and Fiddler in particular has released some fine solo albums (I remember reviewing ‘Return of the Buffalo’ nearly 30 years ago), while he has also brought the band name back from time to time.
2021’s ‘Warriors of Love’ was the first album by Medicine Head in a decade, but only a few years later he is back with another. On this release Fiddler provides vocals, guitars, keyboards, harmonica and programmed drums, Dzal Martin and Dave Colwell also provide guitars while Belinda Campbell provides backing vocals on some of the tracks. If this was recorded last year, it means that Fiddler was 77 at the time but he never really shows his age on this album which takes the blues as its base and then moves in different directions around that. It is when he allows himself to slow down and provide real gravitas that the soul really shines through, with “Love Is Not A Dream” coming across very Johnny Cash in style with weeping steel guitar as he moves into C&W. Sadly, for the most part this is quite a middle of the road polished release with little in the way to really make it stand out. Yes, while it is playing it is pleasant enough, but there is little here which would make me choose to take it down off the shelf and put it on for pure listening pleasure. That he is still making music at his age is to be commended, and I am sure there will be rave reviews about this in many places, but in all honesty this an enjoyable release but nothing like as essential as some might want you to believe.
Rating: 6/10
Links:
https://medicinehead.rocks/
https://www.talkingelephant.co.uk/
