Matt Andersen – Halfway Home By Morning

Matt Andersen

Halfway Home By Morning

(True North Records)

What will draw you, the discerning listener into the spell of Canadian songsmith Andersen is somewhat similar to US writer-performer Eric Paslay’ s core appeal, as in Matt‘s tales and tunes, you keep recognising people, behaviours, values and situations in your own experience. Not for him being chased by imagined satanic figures or cloaked trips to the Centre Of The Earth – but the moody partner? the kind and supportive uncle? Getting through difficult times, together? All very relatable, I would venture. On this new set, Andersen as in his performances takes his audience to all territories, tender to tongue in cheek…and that skilful, playful guitar dexterity is the delivery vehicle. Swooping from delicate trills to solid blues riffing, Andersen’s axe mastery soars above many of his contemporaries. His voice is a strong rasp with a touch of gospel but free of gimmicks.

The full band sound featured here never overtakes or submerges Matt and opener What Would Your Mama Say has lovely Lowell George slide, background vocals, cruising Hammond, mentholated electric piano, steady drumming, throbbing bass. All creating a vibe very similar to Levon Helm. Free Man employs lively polyrhythms and warm horns. It’s a catchy, bluesy tune and builds up well. Oh, here’s Amy Helm guesting on Something To Lose and with Matt sounding a tad Boz Scaggs, which really suits this gospely composition. The vocal blend would warm the coldest of hearts. Believe me ! The slide guitar lead is celestial. The Bed I Made is a sly, gentle swing of a song, perfectly keyed for Matt’s vocal. It settles into an emphatic tempo with nimble acoustic guitar runs. It has something of Smokey Robinson about it especially on the middle eight. Give Me Some Light is a touch more Curtis, but saying that the whole ambience of the record just emphasises what Andersen has created as his style. It’s a lovely number indeed.

On to Better Than You Want and its insistent groove and absorbing lyric. This is what Matt does best, an insidious melody and strong delivery, never losing the beat. If Tom Jones got hold of this, it would be a hit. A tale of redemption, this would be a highlight of any artist’s record. Gasoline brings back the spiky horns, pattering drums and original words, more greasy guitar. Over Me is a slow roller again evoking Boz Scaggs at times. Help Yourself uses an easy melody and ascending cadence, it sounds like it’s been around forever. It’s not just Paul Carrack that can do this, then! Long Rider takes a chugging blues riff and is about being homesick. The jaunty tempo stops it being maudlin. The closest piece here to vintage Allman Brothers.

Take Me Back uses tremelo’d electric piano on an affecting story of ambition and its repercussions and incidentally a live set highlight. The drumming on this is splendidly emphatic. Next up is Been My Last, stripped back and delicately phrased. It’s an elegiac ballad or love song. Very haunting, too. The pedal steel is a cool touch. Finally, Quarter On The Ground, dedicated to fan Uncle Joe.

Anyone liking Boz Scaggs, Delbert McClinton or Tony Joe White will find enjoyment in this artist’s works and this set of songs displays his talent.

Pete Sargeant