Clive Gregson “The Best Of Clive Gregson” (Independent, 2009)

A lot, but not all, of the best of one of the best British songwriters

A true “best of” from Clive Gregson would come close to rating a 10/10, as the quality of his body of work is equalled by few and exceeded by fewer. That album though would include songs like “Open Fire” and “Girls Are Always Right” from his band Any Trouble and the bitter resignation of “We’re Not Over Yet” from his days in a duo with Christine Collister. This one is actually “the best of the songs played during the subsequent solo years” and is not quite as solid gold as that would be, though given that Gregson is still one of the most underrated British singer-songwriters it contains more than its share of gems.

To ring the changes a bit a lot of the songs here are presented in different versions from those previously released, some of which work better, some of which don’t. “I Love This Town” for instance has a slightly jauntier feel to underline the irony of the words but “Tattoo” is rather overwhelmed by the fussy music. We of course get the classic “Home Is Where The Heart Is”, the elegiac and wistful “Fred Astaire” and the poignant “Fingerless Gloves.” Gregson is the master of the wry observation, whether about himself or others, and he doesn’t stick the knife in as much as Richard Thompson, which makes him closer to his characters rather than the dispassionate observer. He also has a real ear for a melody and “Jericho Junction” and the delicate “Jewel In Your Crown” are particularly fine examples. Even the inclusion of (relatively) lesser songs like “Trouble With Love and “Black Train Coming” don’t diminish the overall impact of what is a truly superb collection.

Date review added:  Friday, March 13, 2009
Reviewer:  Jeremy Searle
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Artist website