Chris Scarlett
Album: Another Perfect Story
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 8
Website: http://www.chrisscarlett.co.uk

The second album from Chris Scarlett, "Another Perfect Story", provides a good showcase for the remarkable talents of this Yorkshire singer-songwriter with growing reputation around the folk circuit. This reputation is based on solid performances whether as featured artist or floor singer that leave audiences humming the tune or mouthing the words to his catchy songs.

The 8 tracks on this CD give a fine reflection of his talents and you will find yourself playing them over and over to enjoy both the performance and the underlying message of his well-chosen words. The recording manages to give you the true Scarlett sensation of man and guitar in harmony and the occasional overlaying of his harmonica tunes produces a sound you will want to hear over and over again

Starting with the title track lampooning the self-serving speeches of many politicians and progressing through plaintive love songs, moral uncertainty to reflections on the tragedy of those left behind by political or industrial conflict, Chris's lyrics will have you nodding your head in agreement with the message in each piece. Chris achieves this without recycling the same old viewpoint in the same old way. He gives his own fresh slant to stories some might consider stale and over worked. His finishing track "Ode to Billy" may not lead to a re-evaluation of all aspects of the Thatcher-Scargill confrontations but it will make you think about it from a different and significant viewpoint.

That Chris can achieve such an effect with his words and at the same time keep you enthralled by his musicianship is a tribute to his talents as a performer. I strongly recommend you to get this CD and to hear Chris live if you get the chance.

Jim Savile