Description
Label Review.
1973 & 1974 albums. BGO.
Our Overview.
When some artists are referred to as “legends” it is usually measured in years, or based on the quality of their music. Few are measured in both time and quality. One artist that has been judged by both is Iain Matthews. As a founding member of Fairport Convention back in ’67, Matthews appeared on the bands’ first three recordings (Fairport Convention, What We did on our Holidays and Unhalfbricking) until musical differences caused him to leave in ’69 during the recording of their third album. It had become obvious to him that the group’s newfound traditional folk/rock direction would involve him far less than its previous contemporary work.
In order to facilitate and develop his growing fascination with American singer/songwriters, in 1969 he formed his own band, Matthews Southern Comfort. This group spawned a massive European hit with the Joni Mitchell song "Woodstock". However, within a year, Matthews felt restricted and began his solo career, signing with the Vertigo label and a new era began. The 70’s, were extremely productive for Matthews, releasing 10 more albums as both solo artists and member of the band Plainsong. 1970’s ‘If You Saw Thro My Eye’ would reunite him with his ex-Fairport mates, Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny. Matthews toured the US for the first time in support of this record, the band featuring Richard Thompson, guitarist Andy Roberts and bassist Bob Ronga. Five records followed in the middle of the decade, three with Elektra (including one with Plainsong) and two with Columbia. 1978 brought us ‘Stealin’ Home’, thought by some as Matthews’ finest effort of all time. ‘Stealin’ Home’ also yielded the Top 10 US hit “Shake It”.
His loss of direction in the early eighties proved frustrating for Matthews, and he gave up making music, choosing rather to take up positions as A&R rep’s for Island Records and Windham Hill. In 1986, while appearing at the annual Fairport Convention reunion in England, Led Zeppelin,s Robert Plant took him aside and impressed upon him the need to once again, rediscover that direction and give the fans a fresh dose of reinspired Matthews. The fire in his belly roared, giving him the mindset to jump back into it, proving yet again the old adage - you can’t keep a good man (dog) down. Case in point - 1988’s Walking A Changing Line, the critically acclaimed collection of Jules Shear compositions. Iain Matthews was back!
In 2000 he returned to Europe and for the next 4 years worked closely with Dutch singer/songwriter, Ad Vanderveen and together with Eliza Gilkyson, they formed the trio More Than a song, recording and releasing 2 albums. In this decade Matthews was recording and releasing as prolifically as ever, gifting us almost an entire shelf of new albums, including, “ Joy Mining” & “ In the now”, with his current songwriting and performing partner, Egbert Derix. 2010, saw a new Matthews Southern Comfort album, “ Kind of new”. Followed in 2012 by a final Plainsong live album, “ Fat lady singing”. In January 2014, the American label, Omnivore Recordings, released Matthews 20th and final solo album, “ The art of Obscurity”.
Delve into the earlier years of this musical hero, whose contribution spans more than most with this double album.