Mike Brookfield - Love Breaks The Fall

Mike Brookfield

Love Breaks The Fall

(Golden Rule Records)

Irish guitar slinger rides into town with bag of own songs. And pretty good they are, too. Having seen this fella live and backed by a very dynamic and flexible rhythm section I was already in his corner. This album sees Brookfield stretching himself in the direction of bringing his songs to life rather than proving how many notes he can play in eight bars. Commendable.

Mike looks more like a rising sports figure than a blues rocker but plug him in and any thought of cricket bats or tennis raquets evaporates.

‘Love Breaks The Fall’ is cool, slinky opener, acoustic guitar to the fore. Try not clapping along! A quality vocal keeps your interest as a Hammond coos along (Cian Boylan) and clean-toned electric guitar rolls in before turning dirty on us. Quite a build up , with Keith and Jason Duffy on bass and drums respectively keeping things steady. ‘Catfish Missile’ has a Faces/Slim Chance vibe and has Mrs Brookfield singing along, seems to be a smalltown romantic story. Lovely fluid tone and a radio-friendly musicality

All these songs are self-penned and ‘The Killing Line’ has a surging rocking feel with another lively vocal and neat staccato guitar figures. Catchy and absorbing and a touch of Hendrix in both the singing and the guitar work, with Mike wah’ing through the key change; ‘Blue Skies’ is a slow-tempoed cut with maybe too much of a nod to SRV but there again so many of this age group have Stevie as a fuse-lighter before moving in their own direction. ‘No Candle’ is a surefooted lament with biting guitar breaks; ‘Bare Witness’ is a whirling Texas-style guitar workout with a fine band sound.

‘What You Don’t Know’ gets down home with a funky beat, could be a Savoy Brown vintage song; ‘Golden Rule Girl’ is mid-tempo melodic rock number and again this man does sing his own way, doesn’t seem to copy anyone particularly; ‘All My Heroes Are Junkies’ is choppy and insistent, rocker delay on the voice plus a wry lyric. Closing item ‘Peace For Joe’ is contemplative and relaxing, the guitar subtle and brilliantly played

It’s a competitive market that Brookfield’s in, as regards available work I mean – he is already respected by other acts. So songwriting is the key to his development and on this showing he has the skills already. Don’t miss the chance to see this man play live, he is well worth the trip.

Pete Sargeant