Al Barton - Room With A View
(album review, by Marybaby)
There are some reviews you have to write but don't feel smart enough to do it. This is one of them.
First thing that comes to mind: there will be many people to say it sounds like Smokie. No it doesn't! In any bit. Look deeper. It sounds like Al Barton's solo work, which was (and was intent to be!) very different.
As of music itself, songs like "I.O.U", "Stay With Me Till Dawn", "All Out Of Love" or "Highways And Heartaches" would make any songwriter of the circle proud, and the fact they finally saw the light of day deserves the highest album rate by itself. As for how it's played, I really enjoyed the "talking" guitar part in "My Baby's Got". That's what I always try to explain to some guitarists: don't try to make it difficult, make it simple but do it the way no one else can do, have fun! Thumbs up.
I could write pages and pages more of stuff like "Great memory of the great person played in a great way" blah-blah-blah but I won't. What for? You'll hear it yourself. Go get your CD! :)
And one more thing... I've been waiting for this album but didn't realize it will be so hard and heartbreaking to listen to it, even minding I knew what to expect. I'd prefer it to be bad. Bad music doesn't make you feel this way, it doesn't move you and doesn't stress you. But it wasn't bad. And I knew it in advance. So before listening, I made sure there was no one around to get on the way and see me this way. For those on mobile connect who had no chance to hide - I'm sorry. :)) What happened next... listening, running around the room, crying, drinking wine, shouting, dialing numbers on mobile, dropping it, talking of old times with memories flowing back, laughing... I can't remember it right (p.s. I'd like to thank the man I love for his patience on the matter and staying close to support.) So mind it's a very emotional experience before you listen. The one that makes you happy and sad at once.
Rated: 5 out of 5.
"7 Notes" Magazine, Almaty KZ