Andy Kirkham
Album: Not One But Another
Label: Bijou
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.andykirkham.com/

In a world of musical specialism, it is rare to come across the likes of Andy Kirkham. Trained as a classical guitarist, Andy Kirkham's musical influences now span folk, jazz and traditional African music; combining the different sounds into a rich casserole bursting with different tastes and textures.

'Not One But Another' is Andy Kirkham's fifth solo album but is, in many ways, his most personal recording so far.

The album opens with 'Travelling Song', a song about returning home and reflecting on the series of eccentric characters met along the way. The song has a warm, intimate tone which, combined with the quietly brilliant guitar playing in the background, gives the whole thing a Davey Graham / John Renbourne feel.

This gives way to 'Call Me', the second track on the CD. This is a more upbeat song that gives more space to Andy Kirkham's trademark fluid guitar style.

'Lammah badah' is Andy Kirkham's arrangement of a traditional Middle Eastern tune. There is a dark, brooding quality about this song which makes it an interesting contrast with the light airiness of the previous track. Additional dimensions are brought into this track by Murphy's Law fiddler Alex Patterson and percussionist Jesse Barrett on cahon.

'Little Shoes' is perhaps the most poignant and heartfelt song on the whole CD. It describes a father's sadness as his daughter grows up and away from him and becomes increasingly independent. There is tenderness but also a strain of sharp and humorous observation in this song that stops it from becoming cloying.

One of my favourite tracks from the album is 'Cat Bells', an instrumental track that invokes the Lakeland hills of the same name. Without the distraction of voice or lyrics, this track show what a fine and expressive guitarist Andy Kirkham can be.

With 'Jarabi' we get another melding of Eastern and African musical styles. The song originates from West Africa where it is usually played on the kora. Transposed onto guitar with additional input from Dave Pullin on double bass and Henry Walker on calabash, the song looses none of its hypnotic beauty and enchantment.

In 'Angel Fish' we are reintroduced to Andy Kirkham the classical guitarist. His style is light, fluid and amazingly expressive. And it is this prodigious skill that is at the heart of the album. The songs here are less songs with guitar accompaniment and more a partnership between guitar and vocals.

It's a partnership that works well, with very accomplished playing and heartfelt vocals. The combination of so many styles and influences may seem a little overwhelming for some tastes but for me, this is one of the things that makes 'Not One But Another' worth a listen.

Tim Goodwin