I’ve been fan of Keith for nearly 40 years, ever since the release of his 1983 album The Swallow. This album also happens to include one of my all-time favourite songs: A Bottle Of Wine Guitar And Sax. (Though, sadly, it’s not a song that finds itself in Keith’s repertoire nowadays).

I’ve seen Keith several times in concert and, through playing a couple of House Gigs here in Billericay, he’s became a good friend (I’ve always enjoyed our late-night conversations covering faith and philosophy – and music of course!). This explains how I’ve been given a copy of Keith’s latest album Word Paintings to review (no pressure).

Keith is a singer/songwriter of the highest calibre and has mostly been described as sultry and evocative. A thinking person’s songwriter. Whilst Keith doesn’t fit easily into any music category, he veers on the edge of Americana, the best traditions of contemporary English Folk and, that well used and wide ranging genre: Alternative!

Keith has become one of the most active and inventive concert artists currently performing in the UK. Keith has played nearly 1600 shows in the UK, Ireland, Holland, Spain, Italy and France and almost every British acoustic music festival. A little-known fact is that Keith’s first ever House Gig took place in Billericay Rectory in November 2019.

Alongside releasing his own albums, Keith is famed for his interpretation of the songs of other artists, such as Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen and, more recently, Yusuf/Cat Stevens. Keith has never been afraid to experiment and is equally praised for interpretating the poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca, Pablo Neruda, William Blake and Dylan Thomas amongst many others. Which leads nicely into his current collaboration in which Keith puts music to the lyrics of painter, ceramicist, and writer Jenny Finch.

Word Paintings includes twelve songs, Keith describes these as ‘grown up songs’ all with thought provoking lyrics (I appreciated Keith sending me a copy of the lyrics for my indulgence). Jenny rarely wastes a word, and all of her songs could be stand-alone poems in themselves and are, indeed Word Paintings. However, set to the sensitive, expressive and interpretative music of Keith, they come alive quite magnificently.

The opening track Pram Wheels And Broken Lampshades is as ‘poppy’ as KJ song as I can remember with several powerful phrases to be found. I was particularly struck by the line: “The pressure to conform holds back the instinct to explore …” which could be true in so many ways but seems to fit with those looking for spiritual enlightenment but afraid to do so for the fear of what people might say (I confess I have a vested interested in this). Of course, it goes without saying that the many meaningful lyrics throughout this album will be interpreted differently, such is the beauty of evocative song writing.

The Lizard And The Butterfly is a bittersweet take on tattoos! And on Winter In Poiters I could imagine myself walking down the streets and noticing all that Jenny memorably highlights alongside the loneliness encapsulated in this song. The Photograph has a melancholic vibe and Smoking Dog Café has a lovely steel guitar which reminded me of Lindsay Buckingham and one of my favourite Americana artists, Guy Tortora. In the delicate and lovingly crafted Sideways Smile I can imagine Keith glancing over to Jenny whilst recording this song, such is the intimacy it conveys. The creative and picturesque Postcard From Havana captured the mood of Salsa and Timba perfectly and is sure to be a crowd favourite on tour.

Other songs on the album include:  Nocturn, Currency of Nations, The Photograph, Moment to Shine and She Bathes in Light. The final song Curate’s Egg talks about finding the best in whatever circumstances you may find yourself and an optimistic note on which to finish.

However, a ‘curates’ egg’ means something that is partly good and partly bad (I used this as a title for my monthly article in the parish magazine when I, myself, was a curate) and I can’t help but wonder if it is a disclaimer for the album as a whole! However, I can assure you this album is very good indeed with no ‘partly bad’ songs included. Keith suggested to me earlier in the year that this album is the one he is most proud of, and I can see why.

And finally, the production on this album is very polished indeed – as you might expect from someone who spent many years as a producer at Maida Vale. Keith has once again worked with Branwen Munn to expand his musical concepts. It’s a winning combination.

Word Paintings is due for release in October 2023 in conjunction with a book of the same name explaining the roots of each song, with full lyrics and original artwork by Jenny created especially for this project.  A nationwide concert tour is planned for January 2024.

That is one tour you definitely need to look out for.

(Revd) Paul A. Carr
‘revpacman promotions’
revpacman.com
paul@revpacman.com
Billericay, Essex
June 2023