NEW ALBUM: GERRY RAFFERTY ~ Rest In Blue

[Ruby]

NEW ALBUM: GERRY RAFFERTY ~ Rest In Blue



I am growing quite accustomed to the taste of humble pie! When I first listened to “Slow Down” I thought there was something wrong with it, but on reflection, I suppose it was done on purpose – sounds like the speed is wrong which I took for poor production. Silly me!! Slow me! 
 
As mentioned in New and Notable, this is a selection of work that he’d been working on prior to his death. His daughter, Martha is the producer except on the abovementioned track where she has a co-producer - Tambala. Nine of the fourteen tracks were written by Rafferty – he covers “Wild Mountain Thyme” (very nicely too), “Dirty Old Town”, “It’s Just the Motion” and “Precious Memories” as well “Stuck in the Middle with You” which was stuck on the end, somewhat randomly, IMHO. I was surprised by the opener which is undoubtedly about his own struggles with alcoholism, “Still in Denial”, and is brutally direct yet almost a parody, in a way.

I’ve heard better Gerry Rafferty albums but there’s a poignancy here which is endearing after all. His voice is showing signs of strain in places, which is unsurprising, and sometimes the rough, unfinished, slightly frayed edges peep out, but on the whole, it’s a good listen – some lovely musicianship (Hugh Burns especially), and I expect it was a labour of great love. Besides, it’s the only new release I’ve been able to get my ears around of late. On the to purchase list. 

The whole caboodle ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...dbh0zD-LFK

"Sign of the Times" ...