Joe Solo
Album: Left Turn On Liberty Lane
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.joesolo.co.uk

There is a tiny building in Scarborough where a man works away at honing his craft. The latest creation to emerge from Joe Solo's shed is a worthy follow up to his superb 'No Pasaran' CD. Although the new disc does not have the overarching story telling structure of its predecessor it does have the same passion and there is a still a broad theme. As Joe puts it the collection of songs is '....a response to those in government who believe 'Social Mobility' is our sole purpose as good self-serving citizens of the State.'

The 12 songs that make up the set are those that have been whittled down from over 40 demo tracks recorded during 2014 and, as with 'No Pasaran', Rebekah Findlay's beautiful voice and fiddle complement Joe's trademark vocals, guitar, harmonica and percussion on a number of the songs.

Joe has obviously chosen well - some of these songs are as instantly memorable as his earlier creations and, if there is any justice, should be picked up by singers across the country and beyond.

To pick out three highlights: 'We Will Be Free' is inspired by the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the Festival that bears their name; 'If We Could All Just Sing A Song' is, appropriately, a highly singable hymn to co-operation; 'Never Forgotten & Never Forgiven' is a superbly bitter recollection of the destruction of the mining industry - up there with the best of Jez Lowe's work on the same subject and deserving of the same wide audience.

Once again Joe Solo reminds us that cooperation and comradeship offers so much more than greed,envy and isolationism - a thought worth bearing in mind in the coming months!

Joe Grint