Various “Levitation – a South Wales Tribute to Jon Langford” (Country Mile Records, 2008)

Plaudits from the Mekon delta

Langford is, as the lyric of ‘Hard Times’ tells us ‘a hard act to follow’ (though Electric Bill does a decent job with this one turning it into a musical cartoon) a man whose career has taken him on a musical and physical journey. He was one of the first punk inspired musicians to find a home in the alt-country network. This tribute from his homeland tries to do justice to him and it is testament to him that most fail in some way. There are those though, that do mange to bring something to the party.

Jimi Alexander & the Satellites provide a templated No Depression alt-country to ‘Invisible Man’, Uncle Tupelo if you will. Best of all is Alison Clash; a few piano notes introduce her clear voice for ‘Tubby Brothers’ her Welsh accent proudly intact. The Ash and the Oak harmonise gently on ‘The Country is Young’ in a way that shows some promise.

It is good to hear these sounds coming out of South Wales though Lone Pine could be from Chicago their ‘Workingmans Palace’ wouldn’t be out of place on the Bloodshot roster whereas Give Me Memphis with Andrea Lewis retain a degree of Welshness on ‘Millionaire’. Quim manage a snatch of noise for ‘Deep Sea Diver’ they tweeze out the punk roots in a maelstrom of cymbal, thunder bass and stun guitar, just how Jon would like it.

Date review added:  Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Reviewer:  David Cowling
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Heaven or hell