Reviewed by Andy Long

I've long admired Andrew Buckton as one of the finest undiscovered songwriters in the UK. He creates beautifully memorable songs with perceptive lyrics full of heart-searching introspection. For this fourth solo album he has reunited the studio band that played on 'Rocket Ship', some of London's finest musicians. Jez Carr is on keys and throws in some cool soloing on the opener "You're My Baby". Any self-respecting musician would be more than happy to have Steve Lawson play bass and here he is, being all Jaco on the track "Rescue". With Tom Hooper at the kit this is shaping up to be a great studio band, but actually this is not an album that needlessly emphasises the musicianship, it's about the songs and the guys are just there to serve the songs in the best way, which is as it should be. "Letting Go", for instance, is a mournful song of grief for a lost friend, its piano intro builds the song beautifully and the theme is summed up in the closing line, "I cannot bear to wear these shoes." "What Are The Things On My Mind?" is a song full of questions which flows beautifully in 3/4 and reminded me very much of a Martyn Joseph song (but I can't remember which one!). Other songs on the album continue to explore life's journeys and Andrew's experiences as a husband and father. "Travel" is a beautiful song that perfectly captures these themes whilst "Those Days" is a remembrance of happy, youthful times. 'Buck Street' is a gorgeous musical feast which will satiate the hungriest of fans of acoustic songwriters.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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