Tag: Dai Jeffries

The cover tells you pretty much all you need to know. I always think that artists should approach Nic Jones’ back catalogue with care. Nic, in his prime, was unique. His vocal delivery had a gentle ease and he was, of course, a consummate arranger and guitarist. On Sings Nic Jones Sam inhabits that style as to the manor born with a selection of songs which must be among his favourites. It’s worth noting that Sam acted as guitar double for the recording of The Enigma Of Nic Jones. Now, we can all list our own choices so I was a little disappointed not to see ‘Annachie Gordon’ among the track list and I can’t help but think that ‘The Juke Box As She Turned’ and ‘I Only Spoke Portuguese’ would have fitted well and added a little extra variety. However, I’m not here to discuss what Sam hasn’t done but what he has.

The album begins with great restraint and the audience seem oddly subdued but I put that down to the micing up of the auditorium. At the close Sam sings the three greatest hits from Penguin Eggs – ‘Canadee-I-O’, ‘The Humpback Whale’ and ‘The Little Pot Stove’ – and I can’t help but think that one of these would have opened the set with more of an impact. Sorry, I’m doing it again. Sam avoids the more humorous material – ‘Barrack Street’ and ‘Billy Don’t You Weep For Me’ raise the occasional smile – but Nic was never a comedian, so what’s good? Nic’s own ‘Ruins By The Shore’, of course, and ‘Farewell To The Gold’; ‘Annan Water’, clocking in at seven minutes, is magnificent as is ‘Clyde Water’ and the Penguin Eggs tracks don’t disappoint. The cover design tips its hat to that album and serves to remind us what we lost. Following this release Sam tours Ballads And Songs: Sam Carter Sings Nic Jones for one season. Perhaps the follow-up album will be studio recordings. That would be nice.

Dai Jeffries

Artist’s website: www.samcartermusic.co.uk

‘Canadee-I-O’ – officially live: