SLIM CHANCE
So then, who be Slim Chance? A new name on me, but press blurb informs they feature Steve Bingham, Charlie Hart and Steve Simpson from the original lineup of a band formed by the Small Faces and Faces' Ronnie Lane. And this album, 'New Cross Road', is constituted by a small number of Lane tracks from back in the day, some original material, plus a cover 'Squeezebox', a song originally by The Who, penned by Pete Townshend. In fact, Townshend himself is quoted in press materials, lauding the album's merits: "It's a really hearty and real collection. Fantastic sounds, excellent production." I tend to agree. 'New Cross Road' is an enjoyably retro outing, with instrumentations blending guitar, mandolin, fiddle, accordion, bass and keys in various combinations, to great effect. Some great vocal performances, too.
With a playing time of only thirty five minutes, we're talking succinct and straight to the point cuts - most are just under or just over the three minute mark, with a couple of exceptions, including the near six minute, down-tempo, 'Debris', that has more breathing space to deliver its slow-burn affects. This was originally a Lane track, which is one of four that Slim Chance have covered, including 'Annie', a song that Lane recorded with Townshend back in the day. While the Lane material receives a great workout, it's Slim Chance's own stuff where the album really comes alive - from the rhythm and blues pulse of 'Let's Go Home' to the rockabilly beats of 'Mr Jones' to the buoyantly rocking 70s vibe of 'Flossie Lane'.
I usually despair at the umpteenth retro sounding album that arrives for review, with a plethora of new bands leaping head first onto a bandwagon that's been built from nothing but pastiche and more overt mimicry. However, Slim Chance carry with them a weight of authenticity. These guys were there back in the day. And with CV credentials between them that's seen members perform with the likes of Rory Gallagher, The Who, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Ian Dury and Carl Perkins, we're talking some seriously great musicianship here, to back up said authenticity. So yeah, I recommend 'New Cross Road' a lot.
With a playing time of only thirty five minutes, we're talking succinct and straight to the point cuts - most are just under or just over the three minute mark, with a couple of exceptions, including the near six minute, down-tempo, 'Debris', that has more breathing space to deliver its slow-burn affects. This was originally a Lane track, which is one of four that Slim Chance have covered, including 'Annie', a song that Lane recorded with Townshend back in the day. While the Lane material receives a great workout, it's Slim Chance's own stuff where the album really comes alive - from the rhythm and blues pulse of 'Let's Go Home' to the rockabilly beats of 'Mr Jones' to the buoyantly rocking 70s vibe of 'Flossie Lane'.
I usually despair at the umpteenth retro sounding album that arrives for review, with a plethora of new bands leaping head first onto a bandwagon that's been built from nothing but pastiche and more overt mimicry. However, Slim Chance carry with them a weight of authenticity. These guys were there back in the day. And with CV credentials between them that's seen members perform with the likes of Rory Gallagher, The Who, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Ian Dury and Carl Perkins, we're talking some seriously great musicianship here, to back up said authenticity. So yeah, I recommend 'New Cross Road' a lot.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Fishpool Records
Album
NEW CROSS ROAD
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
35:01
RELEASE DATE:
18th January 2019
TRACK LISTING
1) Let's Go Home
2) Flossie Lane
3) Chicken Wired
4) Annie
5) Squeezebox
6) Debris
7) Kew
8) Mr Jones
9) Spiritual Babe
10) Roll the Dice
2) Flossie Lane
3) Chicken Wired
4) Annie
5) Squeezebox
6) Debris
7) Kew
8) Mr Jones
9) Spiritual Babe
10) Roll the Dice
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
UK
"...an enjoyably retro outing...Slim Chance carry with them a weight of authenticity."
