MARTIN STEPHENSON & JOHN PERRY : NEW WAVE CONNECTION

  1. Frattern Star
  2. Salutation Road
  3. Big Sky New Light
  4. Mother's Son
  5. New Wave Dave
  6. Wholly Humble Heart
  7. Me & Mathew
  8. Running Water
  9. Taker On The Globe

Label : Thoroughbred Music

Release Date : September 14, 2022

Length : 33:05

Review (The Rocking Magpie) : Here we have a newly recorded compilation album with an irresistible backstory spanning 44 years, gleamed not from any fancy Press Release but from good old fashioned sleeve notes on a beautifully designed retro cover. It comes complete with an actual CD that looks like a mini vinyl SINGLE. Wowzer! I’m already onboard before I’ve put the needle down, now back to that story in Martin Stephenson’s own words: “As a young new wave guitarist age 17 I stood in the queue at the Mayfair Newcastle for my Only Ones ticket in 1978. I got up near the front and couldn’t take my eyes of the guitarist, he had a white Strat and was a bit out of it, but it didn’t effect his playing, the best I’d ever seen, simply blew me away.” So there we have it, for players and music fans alike, this collaboration is something exceptional, celebrating a history of deep-rooted mutual respect. What’s more, this album is jam rammed packed with refreshed, imaginative re-inventions of Daintees classics from his four original studio albums, sitting alongside some lesser- known hand-picked tracks that totally deserve to be in this new dazzling spotlight. It’s a reminder that this artist never stands still, the release is both an unmissable addition for fans and a perfect introduction to the back catalogue for new listeners. ` Rock & Roll Jamboree kick starts the party, a dynamic track as the title suggests, packed with jivin’ fun placing John Perry’s explosively rockin’ soaring guitar right out on centre stage. This is quickly followed by ‘Frattern Star’, a song that became a lockdown favourite at Martin Stephenson’s online gigs. The version I am familiar with from ‘Beyond The Leap’ is acoustically gentle in style, but this transformation blew me away on first listen. It’s pure vintage New Wave pop at its most catchy, atmospheric indie guitar riffs with an underlying almost happy-go-lucky 60’s bouncin’ bass beat courtesy of Dave Cowan which altogether creates a song that deserves to be a smash played on the airwaves far and wide: it stirs up memories of a very young me playing singles in my bedroom, including coincidentally ‘Another Girl, Another Planet’ by The Only Ones. Already I am realising that the listener is being invited to make their own nostalgic ‘New Wave Connections’ with these songs too. Without giving all the surprises away, the re-working of well- known Daintees tracks each contain an inspiring contribution to the evolution of the song. Salutation Road is a triumphant journey with John Perry’s guitar leading us all on one of Martin’s legendary walkabouts, filled out with soulful B/V’s from Anna Lavigne and Susanna Wolfe. The lead vocals throughout the album richly hits the sweet spot every time. There is an exceptional delivery on ‘Me & Matthew’ where the frontman holds court in the greenhouse, wrapped in a cosy extra bluegrass blanket by the band who delightfully tip toe in between the verses. Wholly Humble Heart deserves a special mention too as the entire song has been magnificently and funkily re-vamped, the eerie guitar rings out like a powerful soundtrack to an old Cowboy film, transporting us back ready to do battle when the ‘80’s was like the Wild West in terms of Gay Rights. Now it’s time to disclose my favourite track and I’m left with three in the running, not the most obvious of choices but hey this album is all about making those personal connections! ‘New Wave Dave’ is a boisterous live favourite from The Goodwill Factory and as a peddler of my own Art School magazine back in the early 80s, any song with the line: “Fanzines are still a vision in our life” will get my vote. It’s underpinned with the raucous youthful energy of 18 year- old drummer Sam Cowan (son of Dave) and during the final solo John Perry’s guitar takes off like a rock n roll cannonball, the sizzlin’ keys complete lift off. It’s irrelevant how many Martin Stephenson albums I own, there always seem to be one gem that I have somehow forgotten all about and on ‘New Wave Connection’ it is ‘Taker On The Globe’. A slow-paced impactfully spiritual song, from the 1995 album ‘Yogi In My House’, this recording strikes a renewed chord especially in the present climate: the opening emotional rock fuelled guitar intro sets a dramatic backdrop before the memorising vocals kick in. The essence of the song is one of hope that love can be a weapon against bad behaviour and on first listen it resonates as an anthemic classic, you’ll feel like this version has been in your collection the whole time. Finally making the top slot is a stand out track from The Daintees 2019 album ‘Chi Chi & the Jaguar’. ‘Mother’s Son’ is a moving tribute to Martin’s mum Frances Anne Stephenson. Probably timing is everything with my own son flying the nest to Uni, but this stripped back sensitive version opens with a heart- tugging harmonica intro and guitar playing that seems totally at one with the sentiments of the song, there is a glisten in my eye as Mr Stephenson sings: “Just like your sweet medicine Ma I feel you call me home For you have been the sail throughout my life And I am proud, to be a Mother’s son” With The Daintees about to embark on a UK wide Winter tour, times are busy but I do hope one day this band can come together for real because to hear some of these superb new versions live would be like us all having a glimpse of our 17 year-old selves again.