Rob St. John – Tipping In
What with all the ranting about airports, it’s easy to forget at times that this blog is really supposed to be about music. I’ve had this one for a while, but it got a bit caught up in the house move, so it’s taken me this long to finally dig it out and give it the time it deserves.
Rob St. John is a friend of mine actually, not a close friend, but someone I’ve met at a couple of gigs, talked to a few times and really like, so I was a little nervous putting this on the record player. Knowing him, the musical style is no surprise – it suits his gentle, generous demeanour – and is very much of a piece with the kind of grey-skied folk music being made in this part of Scotland at the moment.
If you want an easy comparison I reckon James Yorkston is the most obvious one, and a lofty comparison at that. Rob lives up to it though – there’s a melancholic delicacy to his songs, and he has a genuine knack for arrangement. Harmonium, saw, cello, glockenspiel, double bass and all sorts of other things add depth to his music, always at just the right time and rarely with more than an unobtrusive cameo. He lets the song and the story be the star, along with his gorgeous and occasionally fragile voice, and seems to have an instinctive understand of how to accentuate these with accompaniment, without ever drowning them out with over-anxiousness.
It’s only about four quid, including postage, and you won’t find a better bargain in a hurry. So either pop over to Rob’s MySpace and buy one, or swing by Avalanche or Elvis Shakespeare and pick one up there. Actually, if you’re in Edinburgh, just visit Elvis Shakespeare anyway. It’s on Leith Walk and is one of the finest book and music shops I’ve seen in ages.
Rob St. John – The Acid Test
So very quiet. Like he’s trying not to wake the children. “Melancholic delicacy” nails it. But how could it be otherwise with that cello thrumming along behind. Lovely album cover. Sounds like this would really be stirring live.
Got this just before Christmas, it really is fantastic. Haven’t met him yet but really want to see him live. ed
I think his girlfriend did the album cover, although I’ll ask him next time I bump into him. Talented lass, if she did.
I’ve not seen him either, Ed, although I’ve seen him at a few gigs. I’ll definitely be making sure to catch him as soon as I can. First gig of the year in about a fortnight I think.
Stop writing about music. Get back on message about the airports.
*wipes coffee from monitor*
Now my workmates think I’m nuts!
Lovely Stuff, indeed.
DC
Haha.
And I bought it, Matthew. Bargain!
Splendid. He really deserves it, the lad really has some talent if you ask me. Cheers Fred old pal.
Nice one. props to the hometown boy
[...] to terms with where I think the beating heart of this recording actually lies. Previous release Tipping In also baffled me for a while: much like this my favourite songs seemed to change with every listen, [...]