Maverick Magazine April 2010
Alan West
THE WAY OF THE WORLD
Rido Records RR000014
****1/2
Uniquely impressive country-Americana-acoustic album that is destined to make its mark among fans of meaningful, heartfelt songwriting
This latest album from Alan West could so easily have been sub-titled: Sings the songs of Steve Black. In no way wishing to detract from Alan’s always superb vocals, or the inspired musical arrangements, what make this album shine is the sheer quality of Blackie’s songs. Right from The Big Freeze opening track, this album is steeped with razor sharp guitars while the edgy vocals bellow moving poetry. That song, like so many, is a compelling yarn that has you hooked from the first to the last word—Steve Earle would give his right arm to have written such a classic song. Just as impressive is The World That’s Lost Your Name a co-write by Blackie and Alan West with its echoes of those heady 1990s days of Hal Ketchum. Another nod to that sound comes by way of the slower I’m Not Over You—Alan’s emotive vocals emulate both Ketchum and cult country legend Mel Street. Wasilla takes all this, adds some exceptional flowing lyrics to create a lovely river of song. How Much Time is a mid-tempo honky-tonk-styled song that features great fiddle and a great two-stepping beat that would go down a storm in those good ol’ Texas dancehalls. Line In the Sand packs a powerful punch of deep and soulful passion steeped with Alan’s vocals as formidable and commanding as the great country singers George Jones or Vern Gosdin.
There is a great deal of passion in the performances throughout this CD, with driving verses and powerful, well harmonised choruses. The arrangements are full, well-layered and the songs are radio-ready as far as quality is concerned. Add the contributions of lead guitarist Dean Barnes Dobroist and lap steel guitarist Bruno Liger, bassist Marie Dazzler, fiddler Eimear Bradley, mandolinist Simon Brady, keyboardist/guitarist John Taylor and special guests Albert Lee (piano, electric guitar) and Sarah Jory (pedal steel, Dobro), and this gets a much deserved recommendation. Kelvin Henderson should be smiling with delight that his early belief in Alan West has so positively been confirmed by THE WAY OF THE WORLD. This is country/Americana at its best and deserves a good listen from any fan of that genre. AC
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