Paul Liddell & Delphians
Album: Live
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 15
Website: http://www.paulliddell.com

Paul Liddell, independent singer songwriter, fellow North East native (indeed he comes from the next village along from me, where one of my best friends lives!), has just released Live, his first live recording with his band Delphians, who also hail from the North East of England. "Live" was recorded in the Grey Horse, a pub in his home village.

Four of the fifteen songs are covers. The first is an interesting take on Lloyd Webber's Argentina, which he certainly makes his own. Another, Bruce Springsteen's, The Ghost of Tom Joad, would make The Boss proud, despite being a slightly unusual selection.

His own compositions display his ability to tell stories, to speak from the heart and to tell it like it is; I have to wonder how much of those traits come from his North East upbringing, but regardless of their origins, the result is a moving and engrossing collection of songs, which sound all the better for being recorded live.

Helen Mitchell