Ricky Warwick, When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues) (Pledge Music)
About a year in the making this is the first of two albums by ex Almighty and current Thin Lizzy/Black Star Riders front man Ricky Warwick. Done through the Pledge Music website fans had a chance to pay up front for this a full band electric album. I say that as he also recorded an Acoustic album at the same time.
With the fans putting money up front the pressure is on and I think the fans are well happy with the result. The opening track 'The Road To Damascus Street' pretty much puts to bed the classic rock n roll songs of drink and drugs. Instead Ricky is writing about his life, what he has seen. 'Celebrating Sinking' hits you with a nice guitar riff that pulls into a great story of a missed friend or family member? “Son, put the records on” it is a song all will get as we all miss someone and I find music from people who have passed they in my record collection all the time, even if I don't like it has a place in my collection.
Album title song 'When Patsy Cline Was Crazy And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues' is a great tune and one after a few listens you will want to see the lyric book (inc with download). The song has a nice punky feel mixed in with a kind of blues style of telling a story. Ricky is not so much as singing but telling you the song. They lyrics are great and this song shows how great he and friend Sam Robinson are at writing and making the title a melody you will sing along with to odd looks on the bus.
As I have said this album is all electric and 'Toffee Town' and 'That's Where The Story Ends' keep the band on their toes but ultimately it is about the songs and both are again great glimpses into his past. With the second being a again a nice blues feel reminding me of how those in the showbiz industry who are seen as heroes have to take the mask off and pay bills.
With the years Ricky has been in the music industry a guest has to appear somewhere and here is one name any fan of UK rock music will recognize in Ginger Wildheart. Helping pen and sing on 'Johnny Ringo's Last Ride' he even gives a nice solo in the middle of it. An all out rock n roll tune that I think was written for hitting over 100 mph in a car with.
Another track I love is the penultimate 'If You're Not Gonna Leave Me' some nice guitar work here and again fantastic lyrics. The whole album sounds great with a nice production job throughout. Those who likes early Almighty work or the new project he has in Black Star Riders will love this album. 'Yesteryear' ends the album on a high and a nice sing-along all who can't sing will love.
8.5/10
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