Iain Matthews – How Much Is Enough
This is a consistent artist. Iain once fronted the legendary English folk rock band Fairport Convention (the first 3 LPs) & that alone should validate his position in music. Many performers from Iain’s era have begun to retire. There’s little to prove after a decades-long career. What’s left to write about? Meeting a young girl in tight jeans at the grocery store? The subject matter of the songs has to be logical & age appropriate. Even The Rolling Stones don’t sing Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little 16” anymore. Do they?
Instead, the proliferation of songs begins to drift. That only means the quality may be elevated. I was sad when Dave Cousins & Strawbs retired but hopefully, they will still record. Of course, in the case of Gary Brooker & Procol Harum, there will be no more. Brooker & lyricist Keith Reid have both passed. Sad, but a fact of life. Iain’s still producing some intriguing folk music in his indomitable way.
There are 13 new, lively & imaginative tales on How Much Is Enough (Drops Oct 25/Sunset Blvd Records/56:34) produced by B.J. Baartmans (acoustic & electric guitars/Fretless & baritone guitars/bass/nylon string & sitar guitar/mandolin/banjo/upright piano/synth/bgv) & Iain in the Netherlands.
Track 3 “Where Is The Love,” & “I Walk” both have a pleasant melodic drive. The backup vocals discharge some tight vocalizations. This isn’t the music of an older man, but the rock of a true veteran of one of the most productive music eras. This is mature folk-rock laid out with logic & sincerity.
I was familiar with Andy Roberts so when I picked up Plainsong’s (“In Search of Amelia Earhart”) that’s when I discovered Iain & rediscovered Fairport. Iain’s work fits comfortably with the solo work of Richard Thompson, Clive Gregson, Dave Cousins & the lesser-known troubadour the late David McWilliams & even Clifford T. Ward.
There are tunes that follow the standard modest recipe but even Bob Dylan is guilty of that. What’s value-added is the still youthful delivery of Iain Matthews’s voice. He’s of course, more rooted in the English tradition that is crafted with a more pop-swipe at tunes like “How Much Is Enough” & “Turn & Run.” It’s where Stackridge emerges, Peter Sarstedt (“Frozen Orange Juice”) & early Chris Rea.
Iain has said that he doesn’t get stuck in the bubble other songwriters get mired in. They only write songs about themselves. Iain’s a storyteller. A collector of tales. A troubadour. A survivor.
Musicians – Iain (vocals/harmony/acoustic & parlor guitars), Sjoerd Van Bommel (drums/percussion), Mike Roelofs (grand piano/Wurlitzer electric piano/Hammond/ squeezebox), Freddy Holm (electric piano/guitar), Luca Mae Kleeven-Matthews & Marly Kleeven-Matthews (bgv).
Highlights – “Where Is The Love,” “Good Intentions,” “How Much Is Enough,” “I Walk,” “The New Dark Ages,” “Rhythm & Blues,” “The Santa Fe Line” & “Turn & Run.”
CD image courtesy of Luca Mae Kleeven-Matthews. CD @ Bandcamp + Amazon + http://iainmatthews.nl/
