Talking Pictures is the new solo album from Adam Norsworthy, one of the most respected and critically acclaimed singer-songwriters on the UK’s live music scene. As a founder member of The Mustangs and The Milk Men, Adam has also forged a fascinating and widely-acclaimed solo career, with four previous solo albums.
A collection of 11 new songs, all written by Adam, Talking Pictures showcases a softer, more reflective side of Adam’s writing whilst still maintaining his gift for writing memorable melodies and hooks, as well as his talent for writing lyrics that are often, in turn, honest & stark or vivid & memorable.
Released on Adam’s own Park Hall label Talking Pictures is available on CD from www.adamnorsworthy.co.uk and digitally from Amazon, iTunes and all usual online retailers.
The second promo single to be lifted from the album is RADIO NIGHTS, a beautiful, wistful and nostalgic tribute to the days of pirate radio, and Radio Caroline in particular.
“Most radio is so formulaic these days,” says Adam. “I remember fiddling with my radio dial for ages trying to tune in to Radio Caroline when I was younger, and when I found it I heard music never heard on mainstream radio! It seems to me the station is a great symbol of a more interesting and risk-taking musical era”.
The track is underpinned with a classic groove by drummer Tim Weller (The Divine Comedy), who has worked with a wide range of music legends from David Bowie to Eric Clapton.
It follows on from the album’s first promo single, Talking To Myself, which you can watch and see here.
Talking Pictures is self-produced by Adam and mixed & mastered by Wayne Proctor of House Of Tone.
The perfect partnership, this is the eighth album the pair have worked on together (three of Adam’s previous solo works, two Milk Men albums and two Mustangs albums). For the new album the pair have gone for a quieter, softer atmosphere, with many of the songs featuring just Adam on a single acoustic guitar. Indeed, Adam plays almost all the instruments on the album and as a result, Talking Pictures is his most intimate and personal statement yet,
“I grew up listening to folk music, and my mother was a folk singer so I wanted to draw upon more of my storytelling folk influences. My last album, Infinite Hotel, was a big statement album, and a big production, with many wonderful guest players joining me”, continues Adam.
“In many ways this is a reaction to that, a subdued and in places reflective work, with a bit of melancholy, but hopefully all in a memorable and enjoyable way!”
Adam’s previous album Infinite Hotel was released in March 2022; acclaimed critical review included Blues in Britain magazine calling it a “contender for Album of the Year.”
Infinite Hotel featured a host of stars from the UK’s live music scene including Oli Brown, Bennett Holland, Rich Young and Wayne Proctor. “It was an honour to have such great players join me”, reflects Adam. “However I also love albums like Paul McCartney’s homegrown records, where he plays all the instruments.
I think that adds to the intimacy and DIY feel of a record, and I feel I’ve captured that with Talking Pictures.”
As one of the UK’s most prolific songwriters and musicians, Talking Pictures is Adam’s third album release in just over a year, following Infinite Hotel and The Milk Men’s fourth, and best-to-date album, Spin The Bottle.
The range of subject matter on Talking Pictures is both broad and fascinating, with songs about ageing, obsession, parenthood, invention and progress, as well as deeply moving pieces on Adam’s late parents, who sadly passed within four months of each other during the COVD crisis.
TALKING PICTURES – TRACK LISTING
1. QUIET TOWN 2. TALKING TO MYSELF 3. COMFORT & BLAME 4. EATING OFF THE FLOOR 5. A MAN CAN FLY 6. CLEOPATRA’S LIES 7. HARPERSFERRY 8. GREY EYES 9. RADIO NIGHTS
10. A NEW YORK SONG 11. NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO
