DISCOVER AN ARTIST WITH A CATALOG THAT WILL KEEP YOU BUSY FOR 30 YEARS.

You know how you find an artist who has one album. Maybe two. And it's going to be a year to eighteen months before new work comes out. And all you have to play are those same twelve songs. Maybe you'll find some audience recording of them where you can hear a few notes, a few words between the chatter and bottles clinking. But why not discover an old artist. One who sounds as fresh today as they did 30 years ago? For my money, you start with Iain Matthews.

From his Fairport Convention days with Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson to his incredible body of solo work. Stints with Matthews Southern Comfort (Number one hit with Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock", No Grey Faith and his continuing musical association with Plainsong. As well as his collaborations with Ad Vanderveen, a marvelous talent himself. Iain has the sweetest voice this side of my good friend, George Fuller III (Get his CD at CD Baby or iTunes) and always has the most tasteful accompanying talent. I won't try to describe music with words. It just hits you. Musically and lyrically.

For me it all goes back to an Autumn night at college 35 years ago in a mostly empty basketball coliseum. The kids always showed up for the headliner. But I always got there early. And when Iain sang "Midnight On The Water" it echoed around the arena in a way that gave you chills.

Give him a listen. If you like him like I do, there's a lot of music there to keep you happy for a long time.
A tip. Start with "If You Saw Through My Eyes," Tigers Will Survive" and "Skeleton Key."
Then move on to "The Dark Ride," Pure And Crooked" and his latest, "Zumbach's Coat."
Then get his series of discs that he did solo in studio, direct to DAT. And you get the essence of his songcraft.
And while "Valley Hi" is not Iain's favorite album, it has some stunning individual performances. Check out his version of Steve Young's "Seven Bridges Road." It keeps on going. So get in there and discover it for yourself. Enjoy.

http://www.iainmatthews.com/
emusic.com