Reviewed by Peter Bate

Joseph's second album for Grapevine, 'Tangled Souls' continues the singer's renaissance following his split with Epic in 1995. Retaining the downbeat feel of 'Full Colour Black And White' (half the tracks are again recorded in his attic) but with a more coherent feel, the Welsh songwriter's trademarks - astute three minute pen portraits and bittersweet ballads - are as affecting as ever. The stirring "Strange Way", written with Stewart and Carol Henderson, is a typical Joseph gut-grabber while "What A Day, What A Universe" stares wide-eyed at life with a lyrical honesty few others possess. Heart on sleeve numbers "My Love My Life" and "I Feel Your Pleasure" are written for Joseph's wife and God respectively, reaching far deeper than most romantic or religious sloganeering. Musically, regular fixtures Mike Haughton and Mal Pope contribute deftly but new are the trumpet and cello of Harry Napier who features on "Tomorrow", Joseph's first recorded instrumental written for a BBC documentary. Incisive and creative as ever then, this collection will add yet more strings to Joseph's powerful live bow.

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