ADRIAN GOLDBERG'S BLOG
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

LIVE:  PETE WILLIAMS (Halesowen Cycling Club) 14/11/14

20/11/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture
It's becoming all the rage - blokes of 50-something who've spent years in the shadows of more illustrious musical partners finally deciding the time has come to up step and take centre stage.

There's the eternal sidekick Johnny Marr, of course, finally showing what he can do as the main man with a couple of beezer albums, and certainly besting Morrissey on current form.

And  now, Pete Williams, the time-served apprentice of Dexy's Midnight Runners threatening to eclipse the sorcerer Kevin Rowland, with whom he shared the band's triumphant comeback.

Williams' 2012 solo album See was a mini classic, but now comes the acid test with his follow up - due in March next year - Roughnecks and Roustabouts.

Early versions sent to fans who've paid upfront via Pledge Music suggest a more thoughtful, introspective release than his debut - one which might take a couple of listens at least to win its place in your heart.  But live, in front of a "home" audience of friends, family and confirmed fans at a Black Country social club, there's a reassuringly instant connection, as Pete alternates between old favourites and fresh discoveries.

Among the  newbies, Let Me Like You stands out for it's tender love-not-love scenario, while the title track of the forthcoming release is a typically passionate outpouring, detailing the singer's relationship with booze.

This is what we used to call pop music.  Intelligent lyrics, full-on delivery, sharp playing, notably from Richard Hawley's guitarist Shez Sheridan.

Like Hawley, Williams deals with romantic disappointment and the scuffed edges of life.  First Real Job, Trust Me and Suddenly Shattered are testament to a journey that has seen it's fair share - and possibly unfair share - of turmoil.  But there's a widescreen optimism about his writing too - summed up by the anthemic Nothing's Gonna Stand In Our Way.

Chuck in a winning theatricality and some jokey onstage banter and you have a performer ready to take on far bigger stages than this.

It's been a long while coming, but you sense that Pete Williams' time is here at last - and finally, on nobody's terms but his own.


Picture
1 Comment
Pete Williams link
15/11/2014 06:32:22 am

Thanks for this Adrian,great to see you last night.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    ​Radio, TV and podcasts

    @bylinetimespod 

    @TheLiquidatorP1

    Film maker

    CV - BBC 1 Watchdog, 5 Live Investigates.

    [email protected]

    Archives

    September 2022
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2018
    December 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Categories

    All
    Music

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.