Tuesday, October 6, 2015

UK: JOE STILGOE: NEW SONGS FOR OLD SOULS (Linn 2015)

New Songs For Old Souls LP

Joe Stilgoe - Piano and vocals
Tom Farmer - Double bass
Ben Reynolds - Drums and percussion
Billy Adamson - Guitar 

New Songs For Old Souls is Joe's first studio album for Linn Records, following his signing to the label in 2014. The album comprises twelve songs with ten terrific originals by Joe, including three thrilling big band numbers: ‘Nobody Cares Like Me', ‘Pocket Song' and a new version of ‘Gold On Silver', previously heard on Songs On Film Live. The pressing is on 180 gram vinyl and is manufactured by the prestigious Pallas firm in Germany.
Joe's seamless ability to mix contemporary style with a fond nostalgia for the Golden Era of Gene Kelly and Louis Prima means his ‘old soul' finds a perfect match in these ‘new songs'. Joe's trademark catchy hooks and clever lyrics (full of intricate rhymes and clever twists reminiscent of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter) create an instant familiarity.
Joe also duets with Liane Carroll on a wistful cover of Brian Wilson's ‘I Just Wasn't Made For These Times', one of the album's two non-original songs.