- Sid Griffin : Little
Victories (Prima Records, SID007)
- Once again Sid Griffin has called upon a few of
his friends, along with the old wedding adage of
something old, something new, something borrowed,
something blue to put together Little Victories,
his first ever solo album. As usual, there is a
variety of styles and something to suit
everyone's taste, without losing the feeling that
this album has an identity of its own and is not
just a collection of Coal Porters' rejects.
-
- The album opens with a song that has been in The
Coal Porters' live set for 12 months or so. When
I'm Out Walking With You tells the story of Sid
and Kate St John's trip back to his native state,
and features the talents of Pat McGarvey and Wes
McGhee alo ngside producer Kevin Stokes'
percussion.
-
- Jimmy Reed is a more recent song, relating the
rather sad tale of the famous blues singer's
later years, gigging under the haze of
alcoholism. This is a superb song with great
harmony vocals from Pat and Kevin Stokes. Pulled
out of retirement from The Lon g Ryders' classic
album State Of Our Union, Good Times Tomorrow
Hard Times Today is a simplified version of the
track, with just acoustic guitar and vocals.
Slowed down it becomes more of a lament than the
'Ryders' rocking version but Sid's vocal delivery
is magnificent, showing that the track has stood
the test of time.
-
- The Rate Of Exchange, co-written with his old pal
Steve Wynn is the closest the album gets to The
Coal Porters' 'sound' - not surprising given the
appearance of messrs McGarvey, Childs, Stone and
Roberts. It's appearance on the album is a
surprise given it's prominence in the 'Porters'
live set recently. Wynn shares the vocals, whilst
great pedal steel from Rob Childs and piano from
Bob Stone help drive this rockin' tune along.
Great lyrics and one of the highlights of the
album. Written with Steve Simmons, I Wish I Was A
Mountainis similar in style and pace to Ain't No
Way I'll Be Your Cowboy and also has a feel of
Windy City to it. Sid's vocals have an emotional
edge which add a special something to the song,
especially when Kate St John's accordion can be
heard. The song ends with the beautiful strains
of banjo, accordion and guitar.
-
- Distant Trains is an old personal favourite from
Sid's solo shows, and also appears on the
Japanese version of Kate St John's Indescribable
Night album. This is a gentle lilting song with
superb guitar especially as the track reaches a
close.
-
- Sailors And Soldiers is a previously unreleased
song from the pen of sixties songwriter Phil
Ochs. This is a real gem of a track, with Sid
joined on vocals by Billy Bragg for another
highpoint of the album. With a beautiful
arrangement, great lyrics and outstanding vocal
delivery from Bragg and Griffin alongside Rob
Childs' prominent pedal steel, this promises to
be a live highlight in the future. Another old
personal favourite finally given an official
studio release is The Man Who Invented The Blues.
With former bassist Ian Thomson on harmony
vocals, this has got to be one of Sid's most
captivating songs wit h some of his best lyrics.
A fairly straightforward vocal and acoustic
guitar arrangement is transformed in the second
verse by the appearance of a string quartet which
only adds to the beauty of the song.
-
- Monk's Mood is an instrumental interlude written
by Thelonious Monk which neither adds nor
detracts from the rest of the album. As it fades
you get the impression it could have gone on for
hours if necessary!
-
- Flak Jacket was first played live 11 (count 'em!)
years ago when The Long Ryders were at the height
of their fame. This version replicates Sid's live
rendition, with a hard hitting acoustic guitar
backed by Sid's haunting harmonica and terrified
vocal del ivery. None of the tension is lost and
this is one of Sid's finest vocals ever.
-
- Alma Mater is to my mind the weakest track on the
album, never really coming to life or stirring
the emotions, but does contain the distinctive
harmony vocals of Kate St John. Co-written with
Pat McGarvey, Jerusalem Road closes the album
featuring Wes McGhee on dobro and bouzouki. This
has a feel of The Coal Porters' version of Ohio
and will definitely grow on you.
-
- Despite not immediately grabbing you by the
throat, Little Victories quickly gets under your
skin and you'll soon find yourself enjoying all
of the 12 tracks he re. Sid Griffin has an
uncanny knack of finding jewels from nowhere
(Sailors And Soldiers), reinventing old songs
(Good Times Tomorrow...) and choosing good
writing partners (The Rate Of Exchange and I Wish
I Was A Mountain). His sharp lyrics have lost
none of their edge or humour, but he can still
play on your emotions with a heartfelt lyric. His
vocals too benefit from Kevin Stokes' production,
haunting on Flak Jacket, beautiful on I Wish I
Was A Mountain and Good Times Tomorrow, Hard
Times Today. This album is unlikely to be number
1 anywhere in the world, but Sid Griffin should
be proud of it. Little Victory? Hell, no - this
is a goddamn walkover.
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