Tony Wright - Walnut Dash

Tony Wright

Walnut Dash

(Independent)

When I go to see a live show, I feel better connected to the act if he ?she makes some sort of effort to announce the songs clearly, explain origins of songs and generally chat to the crowd. If the artist(s) can be funny, so much the better. Wright’s new studio album songs really come to life when he performs them and the record sounds better once you have taken in a live show. We had seen him fronting Terrorvision and Glenn had secured a very warm interview with Tony so a journey up to the Islington seemed a worthwhile prospect. For the show he had longtime guitar foil and butt of many jokes and quips Milly Evans with him. Playing identical acoustic guitars, they brought all the songs new and older to life.

On the material, ‘Music Is The Food Of Love’ is a choppy set opener, full blooded chorale and all. A paean to The Muse; ‘One Size Fits All’ is its own burst of power, almost like Oasis with some drive.

‘Lost Property’ is a fine song, here on record and when put over live. The performance has an airy and reflective ambience allowing the words to come over clearly, then the rock band sound kicks in, with a post-Bowie ringing chordal arrangement. ‘A&E’ is indeed the last place you ever want to be and Tony and Glenn talk about this in their chat. ‘Life’s Too Short’ is a folky moment with basic sentiment you couldn’t argue with. We truly never know what’s around the corner….

‘Rise Up’ has a whacking sound of dense guitars and punchy drumming before settling back into a sombre ballad and back to fuzz chording. Curiously catchy and a good example of the places this collection takes the listener, within one song. ‘Delete Repeat’ has an element of mystery reinforced by the tumbling chord progression. During the stage show I felt some very John Lennon moments. I wonder whether Wright is a fan?..He sure could do justice to ‘Working Class Hero’. ‘Spoons & Knives’ seem to be a song of regret, then repeatedly Wright professes to be ‘a rocker’.

It is very decent of this Northern lad to write a song praising Chelsea FC in ‘The Blues’…just kidding. This is a cool song mixing acoustic and some downhome slide

With a definite connection to James Taylor’s tongue-in-cheek ‘SteamRoller Blues’ which was written about would-be bluesers back in the day. Best vocal on the album, for me. ‘Where Would I Be? ’ has a gentle sway to it, purporting the notion that it is easier to write songs when you’re under duress. Agreed!

‘Opposites Attract’ closes the album and live he exploited the solemn quasi-Russian flavour of the starting melody. This one really stays with you and somehow makes me think of ace rockers Cheap Trick..brilliant guitar solo, too !

A powered set of songs by a thinker with a quick wit and tangible connection with his audience and sporting a delightful graphic cover.