Finlay Morton
Album: Harvest The Wind
Label: Stoneroom
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.finlaymorton.com

So - Finlay Morton's 'Harvest The Wind' has seemingly been around for some time, initially released a quite a few years back it's timely re-release gives a chance to catch up with, revisit or simply get introduced to the Scots singer songwriter.

With a background as a former audio engineer at 10 Downing Street whose first job was Margaret Thatcher's leaving speech in 1990 and continued by globe trotting with a number of subsequent PM's, Finlay's first love of music finally tipped the balance. His previous releases came in the form of 2006's 'Interpret This' and its follow up 'Back To Basics' and adding 'Harvest The Wind' to the catalogue, it's hard to believe he's from Scotland - a clear case of mistaken identity as the overwhelming feeling is that he's Nashville-ish born and bred.

With the album and title track taking its inspiration from a visit to KTAO in Taos, NM, the only fully solar powered radio station in the USA, it clearly ignited the flame for a set of songs which take on the American lifestyle as a common theme. The record sees Finlay backed by a band including Jon Noyce, Greg Bone and Robin Black - he's joked that Bone is to him as Mike Campbell is to Tom Petty. An interesting comment as the Petty sound is one which is conjured up as perhaps the main reference point.

It's an amalgam of guitar led country rock, folk and blues, with the occasional foray into more rocky waters which doesn't quite work as well - 'Don't Cry For Corporate America' and 'Chasing The American Dream' both make astute observations about the American existence although the deviation from the more laid back and relaxed vibe doesn't work quite as well. Taking the title track, 'Working On It' and 'True Love' as prime examples of what works best, they have that calm and untroubled feel about them, the guitars jangling with a hint of organ providing a congenial background texture.

A major selling point is the guest appearance by Steve Hackett on 'Do You Believe In Ghosts' - not normally the sort of project you'd associate with the ex-Genesis guitarist, but one which Finlay has described as being one of his career highlights. As the lead track, it's a pleasant rolling sort of tune which is a perfect taster for the album which ultimately provides an undemanding listen with a strong underlying sense of melody - almost what you'd call a classic sound which doesn't reveal anything particularly new but treads a safe and trusted path in the easy listening waters of Americana.

Mike Ainscoe