Pete Christie
Album: Frank
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 9
Website: www.petechristie.co.uk

When I was off on a trip recently I got talking about singer/songwriters and one name that came up was Dorset singer/songwriter, Pete Christie. Not long afterwards a contact through Facebook came up with the same name. It had been a while since I'd seen Pete perform live and it just seemed right to get out "Frank", his most recent album and spend some time in his company.

Then came the big surprise, I didn't actually have a copy of "Frank" which means that my knowledge of the works of Pete Christie come through his live performances and the occasional radio show that I've caught him on are what's implanted his songs in my head, not a bad feat when you hear as much as I do.

So I felt it time to remedy that situation, so Pete, here's a belated review of "Frank" I hope it's served you well.

Pretty much every time I've seen Pete perform it's just been him and a guitar, occasionally with a bass player in tow, so I wasn't really expecting a band album. Having got over that shock it was time to give the album a really good listen.

The first thing you notice is the songs, without an iota of doubt it's the poetry and music that highlight Pete as an outstanding writer. It's the ability to hold your attention when singing about the everyday that separate the good from the great. It's turning those observations into words and melodies that capture the imagination where genius lies.

Joining Pete on the album are a host of Dorset performers, including Frankie Milner, Aimee Newsome-Stone and Monique Houraghan, who have performed Pete's songs over the years. Hearing the songs like this shows just how well they've been written, how they can sound so different and still impact you the same.

As Eric Morcombe famously said about notes, 'I'm getting all the right notes, not necessarily in the right order.' It's the same with words, it's not just what Pete says in his songs, it's how he says it and more importantly what he doesn't say.

"Frank" can mean straight forward and honest, not holding back. That sums up the album oh yes and the poetry and the melody. This is an album of songs that matter. Pete Christie is a master of Anglicana.

Neil King