He might be busy with Black Star Riders, but that hasn’t stopped the former Almighty man making two brilliant records. Here, MVM’s Andy gives his personal take on the new stuff
Ever since Ginger Wildheart stuck two fingers up at the record industry and caused a Twitter meltdown with his legendary online listening parties, bands have been queuing up to sell their new albums directly to fans via the Pledge Music site.
Ricky Warwick is the latest. The former Almighty and current Black Star Riders singer is also a brilliant solo artist, and he has just made his new albums available – as downloads – to fans who pledged.
I was one of them. Everyone who knows me will testify that have been rather besotted with Ricky for getting on for 30 years, and I’m thrilled to report that the pair, a rocked up collection entitled: “When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues)” and an acoustic “Hearts On Trees,” are superb.
The title track of the rock album ranks as one of the finest things Ricky has ever written, a personal title of childhood raiding through a parents record collection will strike a chord with many and “Toffee Town” is perhaps the most Almighty thing he’s ever put on one of his solo records.
“…..Trees” allows him to explore a more Steve Earle or Bruce Springsteen side that he’s hinted at on pervious solo albums, notably on 2009s “Belfast Confetti.”
The Pledge is now closed, so fans will be receiving their special goodies soon. Me? I’ll wait for the vinyl to be shipped in the Spring…..
