Static in the Wires – Martin Harley & Daniel Kimbro (reviewed by Ian O’Regan)

Even if you’ve never heard of Martin Harley before, the words “feat. Jerry Douglas” tagged on to the title of track 2 should set expectations as high as they come before you’ve even broken the seal on the cd packet. I mean, if the great Jerry Douglas is picking up the phone to this guy, there must be something seriously worthwhile going on here, right?

Static In The Wires has been out for nearly a year now, and was launched on the back of a UK tour last Spring. But the good news if you missed that is that there is another UK tour about to get under way, starting in Cambridge on February 19th, stopping off at Bristol on February 28th, and finishing in London on March 10th.

The album itself kicks straight into high gear with the first track being a recipe straight out of the Little Feat / New Orleans cookbook. The aforementioned track two, “Feat Don’t Fail Me” provides not only the title of the upcoming tour, but also a perfect example of the delights and goodies that everyone who still thinks blues is nothing more than three chords crying into stale beer is missing out on!

The rest of the album lives well up to the standards set early on, mixing poignant Americana with folk roots and easy blues, delivered easily and gently by consummate musicians and deft production.

From start to finish, this is a thoroughly listenable album, with engaging songs and equally engaging personality – and that sort of engagement doesn’t come along very often. I am reminded of Kelly Joe Phelps and Tom Waits at several points along the way, and the album stands up well to the comparison.

Tour dates are below – do yourself a huge favour and start the new year off with a musical gift that you will not regret!

FEBRUARY

Mon 19         Cambridge                     Cambridge Junction

Tue 20          Norwich                          Norwich Arts Centre

Wed 21         Derby                               Guildhall Theatre

Thu 22          Liverpool                        Liverpool Philharmonic, Music Room

Fri 23           Bury                                   The Met, Derby Hall

Sat 24          Newcastle upon Tyne    Cluny 2

Mon 26         Edinburgh                       Traverse Theatre

Tue 27          Shrewsbury                     Henry Tudor House

Wed 28         Bristol                               The Lantern, Colston Hall

MARCH

Thu 1           Coventry                          Warwick Arts Centre

Fri 2             Stamford, Lincs.             Stamford Arts Centre

Sat 3            Lewes                                 The Con Club

Tue 6           New Milton, Hants.         Forest Arts Centre

Wed 7          Falmouth                          The Poly

Thu 8           Exeter                                Exeter Phoenix

Fri 9             Street                                 Strode Theatre

Sat 10          London                              Union Chapel