23-11-2021, 20:15
DAMIAN WILSON ~ Limehouse to Lechlade
![[Image: R-21025456-1637227061-9719.jpeg.jpg]](https://img.discogs.com/MNww2I3E-wDvOvWmNn9UUor7-Ok=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-21025456-1637227061-9719.jpeg.jpg)
Now here’s an unexpectedly irrepressible offering from someone I thought may have more of an inclination to metal than anything else. Just goes to show – assumptions are the devil! Damian Wilson has a golden voice, that is a fact, and this is a collection of upbeat songs that sound as though they might have come from some sort of musical, which they haven’t, but given the extract below, that impression makes sense. Nothing jarring or unpleasant, possibly even some earworms – from anthemic rock to unadulterated pop and everything inbetween, including what could be called a salsa, complete with a cheeky horn section (said section pops up all the way through). I can’t help imagining him on stage – he did play the lead in Les Misérables after all and is no stranger to theatrical work. I’ve mentioned before (a few times, probably) that I know of him because of his collaboration with Adam Wakeman – he’s performed with Grumpy Old Rick too, and Ayeron, and a myriad other artists.
Nicely executed and with nothing not to like – well maybe one track, but on the whole, it’s a ‘clean’ kind of album that leaves you feeling gently happy even if not exactly awestruck. I suppose you might say it’s a romp. A little wrinkle in time. Funny thing – one track in particular made me think of Vaya Con Dios, which seems highly unlikely I know, but it really did, and I think I’ll go and listen to Time Flies now, lol! This was the culprit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg4O3MXBsM8
From Bandcamp - https://damianwilson.bandcamp.com/album/...o-lechlade
The album, produced by Andrew Holdsworth, is Damian’s first full-length solo album since 2016’s Built For Fighting. It contains 13 original songs and is Damian's most eclectic work yet.
Known for his exploration into different genres, the songs on the album range from folk-rock to power pop, with the occasional Floydian guitar solo. The title, Limehouse to Lechlade, refers to the navigable length of the River Thames heading upstream from central London to the Cotswolds. Damian loved his many years living on river boats, and traveling the River Thames is particularly special to him. The album has an underlying concept throughout that represents our journey through life.
The album is mastered by Tony Lindgren (Billie Eilish, Opeth, Katatonia) and features a wide range of musicians, 17 in total, including Alex Reeves (Elbow), Lee Pomeroy (ELO), Michael Buckley (Glen Hansard) and Chris Hill (Jamie Cullum).
Limehouse to Lechlade was recorded during one of the most challenging periods for the music industry. Damian believes that music is about connecting with people, and after this period of separation from each other he is looking forward to reconnecting with his audience on the road.
A ballad that showcases his high tenor ... "Cornerstone" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph8cOOmxx9E
The Latino inspired "Fire & Ash" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwSe1cBKVWM (and something in this puts me in mind of Adrian Belew - might be going a bit nuts!)
"Picture" quite compelling and catchy ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYJMH-2YLQc
This is one he did with Adam Wakeman and which he repeats here - earwormy for sure ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsUZ_H7Hyy0
The title track ...
Now here’s an unexpectedly irrepressible offering from someone I thought may have more of an inclination to metal than anything else. Just goes to show – assumptions are the devil! Damian Wilson has a golden voice, that is a fact, and this is a collection of upbeat songs that sound as though they might have come from some sort of musical, which they haven’t, but given the extract below, that impression makes sense. Nothing jarring or unpleasant, possibly even some earworms – from anthemic rock to unadulterated pop and everything inbetween, including what could be called a salsa, complete with a cheeky horn section (said section pops up all the way through). I can’t help imagining him on stage – he did play the lead in Les Misérables after all and is no stranger to theatrical work. I’ve mentioned before (a few times, probably) that I know of him because of his collaboration with Adam Wakeman – he’s performed with Grumpy Old Rick too, and Ayeron, and a myriad other artists.
Nicely executed and with nothing not to like – well maybe one track, but on the whole, it’s a ‘clean’ kind of album that leaves you feeling gently happy even if not exactly awestruck. I suppose you might say it’s a romp. A little wrinkle in time. Funny thing – one track in particular made me think of Vaya Con Dios, which seems highly unlikely I know, but it really did, and I think I’ll go and listen to Time Flies now, lol! This was the culprit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg4O3MXBsM8
From Bandcamp - https://damianwilson.bandcamp.com/album/...o-lechlade
The album, produced by Andrew Holdsworth, is Damian’s first full-length solo album since 2016’s Built For Fighting. It contains 13 original songs and is Damian's most eclectic work yet.
Known for his exploration into different genres, the songs on the album range from folk-rock to power pop, with the occasional Floydian guitar solo. The title, Limehouse to Lechlade, refers to the navigable length of the River Thames heading upstream from central London to the Cotswolds. Damian loved his many years living on river boats, and traveling the River Thames is particularly special to him. The album has an underlying concept throughout that represents our journey through life.
The album is mastered by Tony Lindgren (Billie Eilish, Opeth, Katatonia) and features a wide range of musicians, 17 in total, including Alex Reeves (Elbow), Lee Pomeroy (ELO), Michael Buckley (Glen Hansard) and Chris Hill (Jamie Cullum).
Limehouse to Lechlade was recorded during one of the most challenging periods for the music industry. Damian believes that music is about connecting with people, and after this period of separation from each other he is looking forward to reconnecting with his audience on the road.
A ballad that showcases his high tenor ... "Cornerstone" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph8cOOmxx9E
The Latino inspired "Fire & Ash" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwSe1cBKVWM (and something in this puts me in mind of Adrian Belew - might be going a bit nuts!)
"Picture" quite compelling and catchy ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYJMH-2YLQc
This is one he did with Adam Wakeman and which he repeats here - earwormy for sure ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsUZ_H7Hyy0
The title track ...
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
