Alan West - The Way Of The World (Rido Records)
This is a good’un - a classy, totally authentic-sounding new album from Alan, a performer with a deep-rooted passion for the better end of mainstream country music; Alan’s established himself over the past three decades as one of the UK’s finest exponents of that sometimes-unjustly-maligned musical genre. Previously winner of the British Country Music Association awards (as part of the duo West & Elliott), Alan went on to release the critically-acclaimed solo album Songs From A Neophyte, the success of which led to him being offered a tour with Hal Ketchum no less.
The Way Of The World is Alan’s followup record, and it consists entirely of the compositions of Steve Black, an unsung songwriter if ever there was one. Steve seems to have a total and unforced command of every branch of country music songwriting, from heartbreaker-ballads (Line In The Sand, You’re On Your Own) to plaintive love-songs (I’m Not Over You, Wasilla, The World That’s Lost Your Name), plain-talkin’ honky-tonk (How Much Time, Stick Around A While) to rockin’ twang (Keep The Spirit), the decidedly Steve-Earle-esque The Big Freeze, and even a spot of southern-mex-shuffle (Devil Or An Angel). And Alan’s straightahead and sympathetic delivery, backed by his accomplished touring band (which features Dean Barnes, Marie Dazzler, Bruno Liger and John Taylor), just can’t be faulted but is at the same time genuinely involving without going over the top in any way. Oh, and Alan’s even persuaded Albert Lee and Sarah Jory to contribute to his new record - can’t be bad, eh? Quality through and through, this solid but enviably relaxed record should well satisfy the Bob Harris playlist and its serious Americana and country music aficionados.
David Kidman May 2010 – netrhythms.co.uk
Here's what the critics are saying about
'The Way of The World'
Flyinshoes Review
When it comes to country music, the UK has all too often been seen as the poor cousin to those Stateside, but Englishman Alan West with the help of 11-songs from the esteemed pen of fellow Brit, Steven Black alongside ace instrumental support from Sarah Jory (pedal steel, acoustic guitar and harmony vocals) and one-time American west-coast session kingpin and member of Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band, guitar virtuoso Albert Lee (piano, harmony vocals) and Dean Barnes, John Taylor and Bruno Liger among others ensure the efforts of both the songwriter and musicians gain worthy presentation.
West who has been plying his trade has a fine vocal which is never finer illustrated than when, in the company of Dobro and a slow, shuffling rhythm he tenders the love ballad ‘I’m Not over You’ and like with the vigour powered ‘How Much Time’ —he underlines his passion and belief in the lyrics he is singing. Like any good act, during the duration of the song he is the character in the song and lives the heartache and joy (whatever may be the case). On an album containing more ace tracks than not. The music strikes home time and time again; and there is a touch of wry humour throw in for good measure as ‘The Big Freeze’ and pedal steel primed ‘Stick Around A While’ which likewise possesses some fine electric lead guitar, piano and more open the floodgates! The latter would rank as noteworthy in the repertoire of a good many more established acts on the other side of the big pond such is the relaxed, but firm timbre of his full-bodied vocals.
Of the remainder, ‘Wasilla’ a plaintive love ballad featuring subdued mandolin and fiddle and the southern flavoured Florida sounding (almost) ‘Devil Or An Angel’ make an instant impression; as for the others the painstaking ‘Line In The Sand’ and ‘You’re on Your own’ a slow, tortured ballad akin to something the late Vern Gosdin would have relished and I am enjoying more with each listen show West well able to sing a good old country hurting song! ‘The Way Of The World’ likewise has some of the same feel (and is that Lee doing more than sing harmony, but near duet vocals on the delightful piece) . Europe may be as far as West’s fame will stretch, but on home territory it will take a good man to better him no matter from where they hail.
Maurice Hope
http://www.flyinshoes.ning.com
ALAN WEST “The Way Of The World”
Until recently, when I happened to see a news item that the Alan West Band was doing a short tour of the west country in the company of Sarah Jory, I honestly thought that Alan had retired from the UK country music scene.
In the nineties, when he and then duo partner Steve Elliott were non-stop winners of awards from the British Country Music Association, they seemed to be playing all the major clubs and festivals, but then, his work, both as a solo performer and as half of West ’n’ Elliott, eventually seemed to be part of history.
Now, with the release of this amazingly good album, I’m certain he’ll be back in business with a vengeance.
Never one to play it safe, Alan’s relied on songwriter Steve Black to provide all eleven tracks on the CD and, although British country fans are notoriously wary of listening to anything with which they’re not familiar, the combined talents of Alan and Steve add up to an absolute winner.
The songs are thoughtful and varied, the backing band (which includes Albert Lee and the aforementioned Ms. Jory) is immaculate and Alan’s vocals are even better than I remembered. My only minus points are the rather dreary grey artwork and the microscopic typeface, but ignore those and, instead, listen to one of the best British country albums in recent years.
Get Ready To Rock March 2010
ALAN WEST The Way Of The World
A strange one to appear on the GRTR! site. Because Alan West is more country than country. But then Nashville has expanded its influences in recent years. And while country was once frowned on by the rock fraternity, Whispering Bob has spread the word, and even Robert Plant has fallen to the genre's many charms.
The Way Of The World, could be massive stateside, but the surprise is that this cover album of Steve Black songs was recorded on these fair shores and includes guest appearances by Albert Lee and Sarah Joy. It's a quality piece of work that should go down a storm on the country / folk circuit, but for some it may be just a little too traditional. Expect regular airing by Mr Harris. ***
Review by Pete Whalley