Lulu
Making Life Rhyme
(Decca)
One of the greatest moments of the 2015 Cornbury Festival happened on Saturday night when Lulu took to the stage with her post-Bowie edgy band. Full justice was done to all the hits and especially The Man Who Sold The World – DB of course played on the original Lulu hit single – but the quality of the newer material jumped out in 3-D. The latest album from this veteran artist shows off her powerful voice but the personal elements of the songwriting are intriguing and often heartwarming. There is nothing routine about this collection, it is grounded but unswervingly creative, exploratory.. and due acknowledgement should be given to the contribution her musician brother Billy. Our star does exactly that in the liner notes…
Faith In You kicks off the set, with a purposeful punchy rhythm, as ever Lulu is in the right key and sounds lively on his really catchy groove of a song. The bass playing is important on this record and is in the hands of Dale Davis and our buddy Matt Round (Jon Allen, James Morrison et al) whilst the guitars are by Matt White and Louis Riccardi
‘Every Single Day Is Love’ is a kind of stomping Motown update with some slinky slide guitar runs weaved in. That voice is so strong and retains its warmth. Edge of gospel at times over the arpeggio axe chords. She really does have her own style; ‘The Answer Is Love’ has a tinge of George Harrison and you could hear him sing it, already sounds like a radio favourite. She doesn’t bend the notes around, bless her, ‘cos she can hold them ; Cry features gentle guitar chording and an impassioned vocal delivery, that delicious rasp brought into play but not hammered. Only Linda Ronstadt can make this tempo work so well, I venture.
‘Poison Kiss is as rootsy as this lass has ever been with an almost Creedence style intro and a ‘crafty lover’ lyric. ‘Surrender’ sounds red hot here and I sincerely hope it happened! Haha. This outguns Tina Turner for raunch; ‘Hypnotised’ is almost disco with prominent bass and dense beat, yet again Lulu sounding comfortable in this vein as on all others. Cool horn shards grease their way into the arrangement as morsecode damped guitar chording pumps away. A bridge taken in a softer style rides us back to the theme. Very addictive, get Al Green in for a duet!
Much of the percussion and keys work is down to Richard Cardwell and on ‘Heaven Help’ the old Decca 45 sound is pretty well reproduced. A nod to the past and diner jukebox sounds; ‘Make Life Rhyme’ commences with dirty Stonesish guitar as Lulu tells the tale, again effective horns and backing chorale. ‘Angel’ is the Hendrix gem – though they could have noted him as Jimi rather than Jimmy! – and Lulu wrings every ounce of soul from this gorgeous haunting melody. ‘Messed Up World’ sounds more eerie as acoustic guitar seeps in and then the softer side of her singing is showcased..the actual song evokes the great Leo Sayer. Last time I saw Leo in London he acknowledged Lulu in his audience
‘Wayfarin’ Stranger’ ends the record – an old folk lament and here sung really well by our heroine.
This then is a satisfying set of songs with Lulu’s voice recorded better than ever before and with stellar players and singers. But better than all that, it sounds like the record she really WANTED to make.
Pete Sargeant
Lulu’s new studio album ‘Making Life Rhyme’ is out now on Decca. In addition, Lulu will be embarking on an extensive UK Tour in 2016. For tour dates and more information visit Lulu’s official website here: http://bit.ly/1p7KgMm
