Gary Fulton
Album: Mo Kenney
Label: Cooking Soup
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.reverbnation.com/garyfulton

I've always enjoyed Gary Fulton as a song writer and performer. He was one of the artists that appeared on the first ever Fatea Showcase Session, "Songsmiths". That was back in 2008 following the release of his debut album, "Wail And Holler".

By me reckoning, "Judas" is album number four and to my mind it's the strongest yet. The key reason is that Gary seems to be enjoying himself on this cut. Whilst he hasn't lost that cutting edge, that incisive phrase that pitches you right into a song, there is more a feeling of an entertainer in the new album, that feeling that just because something is dark, it doesn't have to be gloomy.

"Judas" is far more an album of light and shade. The key elements are all there, great melodies, poetic lyrics and that simple troubadour delivery style that allows this to be the music of pubs and front rooms and yet, given the opportunity, it's also music that you know could swamp theatres because there is a real strength to the delivery.

Gary has given himself a slightly rockier sound with this outing, at times warm as a summer breeze, but ready to cut cold and clinically to the quick when he wants and needs to. Ironically, "Judas" is the album that may portray an inner calm that temper's the anger of previous albums, but it also gives it that something different, something that says 'I'm Gary Fulton, take note' and take note you should because this is a well written series of songs that really do appeal and should hopefully open a wider audience to him, all without compromise.

In the past I've compared Fulton to the likes of Nick Harper and Rory McLeod, well, "Judas" is the album that should see Fulton sharing a sentence with that duo, rather than name checked in comparison, "Judas" has Gary Fulton style, check it out and whilst you're at it, you might want to check out that back catalogue.

Neil King