Reviews
Artist: The Dealers
Album: Charcoal on Black Paper
Label: UFO records
Tracks: 15 (plus a bonus)
Website: http://www.thedealersonline.com
The Dealers (Pierre Vincent & Bessie Sayce) are usually a duo, and have been described with phrases and labels such as "Folk’s answer to the Whitestripes", "The Pussycat Dolls meets Nick Drake", "Urban Folk", "Folk" and a whole host of other labels, all of which classifies individual numbers but not their collective catalogue of original music and songs. "Charcoal on Black Paper", their third album, has again baffled the "pigeon holers", with a not-to-be-classified selection of songs and tunes.
This album has been recorded by Pierre with a selection of equally talented friends (including Pierre's brother, Stephane), but without Bessie, (she has taken Parental Leave, to be with her baby, who is due very soon), though she co-wrote most of the songs. If you have seen The Dealers live recently and already heard some of the songs that are on the album performed as a duo, Pierre’s interpretations are quite different.
Although a collection of mainly acoustic tracks, with a soulful and pensive style running through many of them, as you listen, each track takes you round a corner which holds a composition that cannot be compared to any of the others you have heard or are about to listen to. From the start of the album, you realise you are about to be taken on a journey, with the route clearly planned, and designed to change the listener’s expectations.
The album starts with a bluegrass banjo number, "The Broken Chain", and progresses from there. Each track illustrates its story, by not just letting the words carry you but also by the skilful musical construction. From "Not Like It Was Before", with it’s style reminiscent of sunny festival days, similar to Matthew’s Southern Comfort, mixed with some Carol King & early Fleetwood Mac to the fabulous "Heave Ho" & "Bring Out your Dead", which defines description, but a sea shanty it certainly aint!
If that was not enough, Pierre continues to demonstrate his skills as a musician via the instrumental "Ile D’Oleron", a wonderful Reinhardtesque number, designed I am sure to lift the soul.
As with all other Dealer's albums, the album features an additional track, not listed on the sleeve - an exquisitely beautiful live cover of JJ Cale's Travelling Light.
Again, as with the other Dealer's albums, the sleeve and accompanying lyric sheet features some amazing graphics by Pierre's father, Dave. It's currently only available at Live concerts. For details of gigs, see the Dealers website.
Not a great lover of the banjo, I did find it hard to come to terms with "The Broken Chain" (a joke that always makes me laugh –"the definition of ‘perfect pitch’ – throwing a banjo into a skip and hitting an accordion"! © Unknown), but I could still appreciate its quality. It has been really hard to pinpoint a favourite so I won’t. I just feel that Pierre & his friends lack of fear to experiment with both style and sound has made this album a must listen to and I think stands well in ensuring The Dealers reputation has been kept intact.
Track List
The Broken Chain
Not Like It Was Before
Watch It Fall
Heave Ho
Bring Out Your Dead
Fresh Graves
Hands
The Veins Of The Land
Ile D'Oleron
Waiting
One Last Swallow
Wasting
Harmonics
Lost Keys
Goodbye
Plus bonus track - Travelling Light
Calli Bradley