SIMON KIRKE
‘All Because Of You’ is the third solo release from Simon Kirke, best known as the drummer in Free and Bad Company, following on from 2005's ‘Seven Rays Of Hope’ and ‘Filling The Void’ from 2011. Given Kirke's pedigree as the back beat in two of rock's best known bands, one might reasonably expect a release full of up tempo, high octane tracks but, in fact, what is on offer here is a lot more laid back and is, by turn, reflective and introspective, whimsical, moving and poignant and, in sum, a quite gentle album.
The reflective nature of the album is present throughout as Kirke ponders his childhood and past and current relationships in songs such as the title track, 'Maria', 'Wind And Rain' and 'Lie With You'. The second track, 'Warm Gulf Waters' is a beautifully written, moving song that tells the story of a man achieving his dream just before his death.
The whimsical and quirky is provided by 'Friends In The Woods', a tale of woodland animals that was apparently written by Kirke for his first child. Out of context, it might seem a slightly strange song to be included in this collection but, given its origins, it doesn't seem so out of place. There are a couple of heavier moments in the form of a cover of Bad Company's 'Feel Like Making Love' which is a refreshingly different take on the classic, and 'Trouble Road' in which Kirke sounds like a pleasing combination of Ian Gillan and Roger Daltrey.
This is a pretty short album, 11 tracks over the space of 36 minutes, but Kirke manages to convey, as mentioned above, a spectrum of emotions and feelings. If you're looking for something bluesy, driving and straight to the point, this release probably isn't for you. However, I think that is absolutely suited to those mellower moments where you, perhaps like Kirke himself, feel in a reflective and slightly downbeat mood.
The reflective nature of the album is present throughout as Kirke ponders his childhood and past and current relationships in songs such as the title track, 'Maria', 'Wind And Rain' and 'Lie With You'. The second track, 'Warm Gulf Waters' is a beautifully written, moving song that tells the story of a man achieving his dream just before his death.
The whimsical and quirky is provided by 'Friends In The Woods', a tale of woodland animals that was apparently written by Kirke for his first child. Out of context, it might seem a slightly strange song to be included in this collection but, given its origins, it doesn't seem so out of place. There are a couple of heavier moments in the form of a cover of Bad Company's 'Feel Like Making Love' which is a refreshingly different take on the classic, and 'Trouble Road' in which Kirke sounds like a pleasing combination of Ian Gillan and Roger Daltrey.
This is a pretty short album, 11 tracks over the space of 36 minutes, but Kirke manages to convey, as mentioned above, a spectrum of emotions and feelings. If you're looking for something bluesy, driving and straight to the point, this release probably isn't for you. However, I think that is absolutely suited to those mellower moments where you, perhaps like Kirke himself, feel in a reflective and slightly downbeat mood.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
BMG Rights Management
Album
ALL BECAUSE OF YOU
Review by Dave Uphill
RUNNING TIME:
36:25
RELEASE DATE:
10th Feb 2017
TRACK LISTING
1) All Because of You
2) Warm Gulf Waters
3) Feel Like Making Love
4) Melting on Madison
5) Maria
6) Wind and the Rain
7) Into the Light
8) Friends in the Woods
9) Lie With You
10) Trouble Road
11) Stay With Me
2) Warm Gulf Waters
3) Feel Like Making Love
4) Melting on Madison
5) Maria
6) Wind and the Rain
7) Into the Light
8) Friends in the Woods
9) Lie With You
10) Trouble Road
11) Stay With Me
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
UK
"...one might reasonably expect a release full of up tempo, high octane tracks but, in fact, what is on offer here is a lot more laid back and is, by turn, reflective and introspective, whimsical, moving and poignant..."
