Marti Pellow
Album: Love to Love (Volume 2)
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.martipellowofficial.co.uk/

A few weeks ago, one of my all-time favourite songs "The River" by Joni Mitchell came on the radio. This time however it was being sung by Marti Pellow and it was surprisingly good. Like most people, I am most familiar with Marti as the lead singer of Wet Wet Wet and was almost totally ignorant of his solo work. I was therefore keen to review his latest solo album when it was released.

I was not really sure what to expect and was somewhat taken aback by the track listing which did not feature any songs that you would regard as standards for modern ballad singers. The album is a follow up to his first Love to Love album released in 2011.

Volume 2 contains covers of songs from Bobby Goldsborough, America, Michael McDonald, Eva Cassidy (Fleetwood Mac,) David Gates and a wonderful version of Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman." Arguably, this is the best cover I have heard of this incredible Jim Webb song! A truly eclectic musical selection all of which gives Marti the opportunity to show the full range of his vocal skills and emotions.

The orchestral arrangements are an absolute delight with just enough change from the original recordings to keep them interesting without ever losing the true passion and feel of the originals. Possibly the best examples of this can be heard in "Songbird." Marti may not be Eva Cassidy but this is a fabulous cover of a truly beautiful song. Marti's voice may not have the crystal clarity of Art Garfunkel's but his version of "All I Know" sung a couple of keys lower is also exceptional.

This is a rare album for me in that it does not contain a single track that I do not like. Some stand out more than others but all are sung and produced with real quality and passion, delivered by a voice that makes you want to stop and listen. This is a collection of songs for both lovers and lovers of well sung and produced ballads. At the risk of totally blowing my musical reputation, if I have one, this is the nicest album I have heard in a long time, or at least since Josh Groban's last production. Well done Marti!

Rory Stanbridge