Alan Tyler "So Far: Old Favourites & Country Covers" (Hanky Panky 2007)

Acoustically re-recorded retrospective from London country music eminence grise

London country music guru Alan Tyler (of Rockingbirds, Come Down & Meet The Folks and indeed solo fame) has released his most interesting album yet. The title tells you all you need to know, as the album contains new versions of some of his solo and Rockingbirds classics, plus covers of Townes van Zandt, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and the like. Everything was recorded in a weekend in a front room with various musical mates, in a low-fi acoustic style, over which Tyler’s dulcet tones slide like warm honey. The originals like ‘Roll On Forever’ and ‘Everybody Lives With us’ stand up well too in such exalted company and serve to emphasise what an underrated songwriter he is.

On the downside Tyler’s voice, so effective on upbeat or positive songs, is not as well suited to serious weepies like ‘Standing At the Doorstep Of Love’. Not only that, the covers chug along a bit and teeter on the edge of karaoke but are saved by Tyler’s obvious affection for and understanding of his material, which shines through and overcomes the sometimes one paced arrangements and playing.

As a statement of who Alan Tyler is, what he’s about and what he’s done, ‘So Far’ is perfect, but with the downsides already mentioned, 9/10 may seem an over-rating. True, there are better versions of these songs, better playing, better singing, but even having heard those versions this is an album it’s impossible to stop playing or dislike. Why? The answer is Tyler himself. He is this album, in the same way that Johnny Cash is American Recordings, and he transcends any limitations the music has in the same way, so that you hear familiar songs as if for the first time, hear them differently, and hear them definitively. Essential listening.

Date review added:  Friday, December 28, 2007
Reviewer:  Jeremy Searle
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Alan Tyler website