TROUBLE IN MIND
Stephen
Dunwoody
2016
Recorded at
Haddington and Chicken Shack, Belfast.
TRACK LISTING:
Trouble In
Mind
Miami
Tell It To
The One You Love
Black
Coffee
Nobody’s
Fault But Mine
Black Is
The Colour
Maybe I’m
Mistaken
Night Train
Never Said
Goodbye
Stephen Dunwoody is an independent musician who
has supported numerous international acts during a 20-year career, including
Jools Holland, Vonda Shepherd, Wishbone Ash, The Corrs, Tom Robinson, Kirsty
McColl and Bjorn Again.
I am old
enough to remember the shocking news of the 1975 ambush by the UVF of the Miami
Showband. Singer Fran O’Toole, trumpeter Brian McCoy and guitarist Tony
Geraghty were murdered. Two others were wounded. Brian McCoy was Stephen
Dunwoody’s uncle.
The song
Miami reflects on a trip Stephen made to Florida and, while not dwelling on the
the terrible atrocity, his memories are interwoven with references to his uncle
and the band. It is a powerful song, a memorable song made even more so by
Linley Hamilton’s spine-tingling trumpet playing. It is the stand out track on
a quite amazing album.
In terms of
quality and effect, there are other strong tracks on what in essence is a
moody, broody, soulful work introduced by a terrific opener, Trouble in Mind,
reinforced by an incredible cover of Feeling Good and complemented by a great
version of Black is the Colour. Black Coffee is a melancholy song of solitude
that contrasts with the chug-chug enthusiasm of Night Train and the bounce of
Tell It to the One You Love, perhaps the most radio-friendly song here.
Throughout
the album, the moods change but what doesn’t change is the power of Stephen Dunwoody’s
vocals, his mastery of the piano and the clarity of the arrangements. Sometimes
the songs are spare and (in corporate-speak) the ‘less is more’ notion works a
treat. I listened to the album for the first time and thought: “Okay. Now what
have we here?” Ten plays later and I get it. I love its sentimentality and
swagger. I love the way it pushes and pulls at emotions. I love Stephen’s
ability to inject new life into old songs. I see it as my Sunday morning record
– coffee, papers and a perfect soundtrack. (You are encouraged, obviously, to
play it on any day of the week!)
I hope
radio stations and enlightened presenters give this album airtime and share it
as widely as possible. It deserves attention for its distinctiveness and
diversity, and as a defining showcase for a superbly talented performer.
Here's a YouTube link to Trouble in Mind track:
Here's a YouTube link to Trouble in Mind track:
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