About this item

Our favourite Yorkshire-based 12-string maestro Serious Sam Barrett returns with another self-released future classic on his YaDig? record label. Having wooed us at his Manchester gig last year for Crowfoot we all got very excited here at Piccadilly for Sam's timeless songwriting skills and virtuoso guitar playing. After going through the previous albums and EPs, it's nice to see Sam evolve somewhat on this album - taking in upright bass, accordion and a small drum kit to fully expand the Sam Barrett sound; and loosing none of the authenticity or magic with it. Essential an album inspired and written whilst on tour, it's a collection of songs about being on the road, missing home and missing, of course, the woman of your desires; with the subject matter rarely veering off these classic subject themes. Sam keeps us hooked right till the end though - his heart-on-sleeve lyrics, clear vocal delivery and breathtaking guitar work a sonic Cupid's arrow directly to our hearts. Cupid rears his head quite a lot through Sam's work, and pleasantly returns with earnest on this album (much of the A-side taken up with love lust meanderings about wonderful woman - "Cupid's Song", "She's My Only One", "Better Give It Up"). When Sam talks about being far from home, you know he means it, and learning of his recent US tour the songs speak a thousand pictures of a naive Yorkshire lad in the big, vast country of the American West coast and all that goes with it. From start to finish a breathtaking record, probably my favourite to date. This cat's just starting his musical ascent it seems, improving exponentially and I feel privileged to almost be there from the start of the trip; get on the train and join the journey now - you won't be sorry!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Back with another treasure of an album, Sam is joined by upright bass, accordion and percussion on this timeless future classic from deepest Yorkshire. If you play guitar or enjoy stripped back, heartfelt music, I can't recommend this enough.

TRACK LISTING

1. Back On The Jack
2. Cupid's Song
3. She's My Only One
4. Better Give It Up
5. Any Road

6. Livin On Shoestring
7. Hillbomber's Blues
8. Song For Kid Little
9. Desert Theme
10. Footsteps
11. Say You Do