Ralph McTell – Right Side Up

Ralph McTell - Right Side UpHere’s another superb offering to swell the ever-extending Ralph McTell back catalogue. His songs fit so comfortably – like a well-settled pair of slippers.

‘Naomi’, ‘Tequila Sunset’, ‘Weather The Storm’ and his cover of John Martyn’s ‘May You Never’ are all here. It brings a smile to my face just listening to how well structured the arrangements were.

Nothing too cluttered, from the simple guitar picking and backing vocals on ‘Weather…’ to the beautiful vibraphone, sleazy saxophone and wonderful Danny Thompson on double bass accompaniment on the smokey ‘River Rising Moon High’. Possibly the best known track ‘From Clare To Here’ surprises with the line ‘…perhaps I hear a fiddler play…’ for instead of the fiddle (as you’d expect) recorders are used.

A nice touch as fiddle is utilised throughout the rest of the track performed by Graham Preskett. For the completists among you there is the addition of ‘Song for Ireland’ originally recorded for his Irish audience. As I said, classic McTell.

Original Posting date – 4-June-2001
Reviewers Name – Pete Fyfe