Legends Of Country
Album: Talk About Country
Label: Talk About Country
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.legendsofcountry.co.uk

When I signed up to review this album I was expecting to listen to Johnny Cash, Don Williams or someone similar. Basically, I expected a selection of songs from some old Country artists being dug up again or reissued. What I got was the debut album by a three piece English C&W band that I have never heard of, but who quite evidently have a wicked sense of humour. Legends? Not as far as the dictionary is concerned but I love their tongue in cheek style. I am not even sure that Country covers it, but it will certainly do for a start.

The band comprises Jof Owen, Adam Chetwood and Rob Jones. The album is described by the band's PR agency as being "heartfelt and uplifting with a truckload of chicken pickin and country swagger thrown in." That may seduce American Country fans to listen to the album, but I am not sure the description works in the UK. What they should have said is that this is a cleverly constructed album with exceptionally imaginative lyrics and musical backing that has a solid country feel to it. A touch of Duane Eddy style guitar playing is included too to give it that authentic C&W sound.

Jof's lyrics as I stated above are very clever and imaginative. He uses the album to take a side swipe at most aspects of modern life, nearly all produced with his tongue not so much in his cheek but poking out at the world. Take a listen to "Saturday Dads" about absent fathers and you will know what I mean. Tracks include references to Little Chef, Benson & Hedges, seaside towns, getting old and failure. As I said, very imaginative and quite surprising!

"It's A Long Way Back From A Dream" is the first song that I have ever heard that is devoted to the rise and fall of a World Champion Darts player. This is the story of Richie Burnett who witnessed the real highs and lows of a professional sportsman. I am not sure how the story will go down at the Grand Ole Opry though even if I think it is absolutely brilliant and really quite sad!

"If I Knew What I was Doing I'd Be Dangerous" personifies Jof's somewhat askance view of life. It is a view that I have long held about a number of politicians so it is great to hear it appear in music. Listening to Jof's lyrics reminds me of two other great songwriters that both cocked a snook at the world. The much missed and lamented Jake Thackeray and the still with us Richard Digance. Two of the cleverest lyricists I have ever heard. I think Jof is pretty close to being mentioned in the same breath.

This is not an album where the music will blow your socks off. The music is very nice but not outstanding. The same criticism can arguably be directed at the quality of the vocals although neither of these two things really matter. The lyrics and the story telling are not only outstanding, they are also a very shrewdly observed overview of modern day living and a lesson in life.

Rory Stanbridge