Reviews
Mark Mulholland, Joe Armstrong & Stephane Doucerain Album: Down Silver Streets
Label: Port Of Call
Tracks: 10
Website: https://markmulholland.net/
There are many in the pantheon of influential bands whose name would be instantly recognisable to most people. Then there are the others; the ones that have influenced bands whose name would be instantly recognisable to most people, but who remain largely unknown to the many. Swell Maps belong in the latter category. Championed from the start by John Peel, they managed two albums before splitting, with the band members going on to a myriad other projects. In that short space of time though, they managed to influence the likes of Sonic Youth., Pavement, Nirvana and REM. The creative force behind the band, brothers Nikki Sudden and Epic Soundtracks would go on to form the Jacobites with Dave Kusworth. All three men would go on to pass away too early.
Mark Mulholland was on the way to open up for Nikki and Dave in 2006 when he heard the news of Nikki's passing, with the evening turning into an impromptu tribute concert instead. After Kusworth died 14 years later, Mulholland collaborated on a version of Silver Street in their memory. Realising that the 20th anniversary of Sudden's death fell on what would have been Kusworth's 66th birthday, they decided to build on that and put together a collection of songs, with some guest performers joining as well.
The result is Down Silver Streets, a heartfelt tribute that re-interprets some classic songs from the trio. While it covers a fairly wide spectrum of the back catalogues, which means keeping a foot in multiple genres, perhaps surprisingly it works well as an album. The three artists tie it together with enough musical connective tissue to ensure nothing jars, but that every track has its chance to shine. So you have the likes of post punk Midget Submarine, the bluesy Aeroplane Blues, and the neo-folky Kings and Queens, all sounding great and belonging alongside each other.
If you're already a fan of Nikki Sudden, Epic Soundtracks and Dave Kusworth, Down Silver Streets is going to hit you in the emotions, but in a nice way. For everyone else, this is still a fabulous album filled with great tracks that may just make you want to disappear down a musical rabbit hole to listen to more by the dearly departed trio of artists. There is so much love and respect poured into the album, you can't help but be carried along with it.
Adam Jenkins
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Silver Street
Fatea Showcase Sessions
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