Harry Harris
Album: Songs About Other People
Label: Wild Sound
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.harryharrismusic.com

Welsh-born, London-raised singer-songwriter Harry released his self-titled debut album back in July 2013 at the age of just 17, though 24 before a release through Wild Sound. By all accounts it was an impressive first showing and raised high critical expectations for the followup, which here appears with astonishing alacrity.

Quite simply, if Harry can come up with a fresh batch of songs of this quality after barely a year has elapsed, then we're witnessing the emergence of significant songwriting talent. Songs About Other People is the kind of collection that most other songwriters might come up with only after a fairly lengthy apprenticeship; these songs contain a high level of observational acuity, one born of keen listening to, and deriving serious inspiration from, some of today's key songwriting talents (it wouldn't be fair to namecheck, for fear that Harry might be considered derivative, but he's clearly been following the right role-models).

His style is inviting and he obviously relishes recounting the stories of his chosen characters, from whatever walk of life they inhabit. And whatever their experiences, however harsh or difficult, they equally clearly love life and its patchwork of experiences good and bad. No Ball Games is a loosely autobiographical slice of nostalgia that evokes through that love of life a message of reassurance and hope. The Ballad Of Ronnie Radford tells of a footballer, a roofer by trade, who just happened to score a crucial winning goal in a key league match. Wild Bill tells the story not of Mr Hickok himself but of the trial of the man who shot him (Jack McCall).

Standout song The Day I Met The King is an intimate recollection of the progress of a musician's relationship that unfolds compellingly at a leisurely, almost Dylanesque pace. The quality of intimacy is very potent throughout the disc, indeed, with a deliberate use of analogue recording equipment and vintage instruments that provide a truthful foil for Harry's own confident guitar accompaniment and his uncommonly expressive and passionate singing voice.

There's some minimal yet effective embellishment from guitarist Sam Beer and bassist John Parker, together with Jack Harris (Harry's brother, and a noted performer in his own right). Vocally, Harry is most impressive, and he even delivers one track (Jenny Lind) entirely a cappella - a brave move - although he does seem more than a touch flat (in terms of intonation) on two or three of the other tracks). The disc is packaged attractively, and the enclosed booklet helpfully includes all the lyrics.

David Kidman