Duncan Reed has only just come into my radar, and I am so pleased he has. His latest album released on October 6th 2023 – The Road Part II is the second in a two volume set, the first being more acoustic to this one as rockier in parts.
Duncan is an extremely talented singer songwriter following on from his father – John Reed – who has a new album about to launch on October 23 – he has talent behind him and also the talents of fiddle virtuoso Matt Steady and acclaimed produce Ali Karim who also lent his talent of production with bass and keys. The album has ten superb tracks and I feel all follow a theme. Nothing samey about this album as all tracks have their story to tell in different modes of music.
The Road Part II commences its journey with ‘Coming Home’. A track that has been around a while and written for Duncan’s new wife to be after they first met. A cracking track to start off with as it is full on! ‘The Road’ was written while Duncan was in Scotland looking for a place to camp. The beauty of The Highlands never leaves you and the melodic tune is just beautiful. This was the one-track Duncan has written before any instrumentation. ‘Brother’ has a fabulous guitar intro building into a full sound telling the tale of relationships between brothers. ‘Howl’ is of great interest to me as I have been studying the Jacobite Rising at the dreadful bloody battle of Culloden since being engrossed with the TV series Outlander.
‘Fire’ – Politics is the essence of this track and we are all part of the spin. ‘Dreaming’ was written during the spate of lockdowns, a time when a lot of us had to do something to stop ourselves going insane. Lovely melodic music building up. Creativity came to a lot of people particularly songwriters. ‘Rewind’ has a lovely gentle guitar accompanying it plus a half full Irn Bru bottle! The song covering the divides in society. ‘Traveller’ is an autobiographical song about travelling and having itchy feet! Duncan feels “it is one of my finest vocal performances in my opinion”. Interesting guitar riff in this track. ‘Tonight’ features a relatively rare guitar solo from Duncan and came about after listening to the upbeat Smashing Pumpkins, the song bringing out things can be bad for you even though you don’t care at the time!! Belting track!! Lastly ‘Reflection’ featuring Matt Steady on strings really carrying the track and a superb track to finish!!
A fabulously written album with incredible artists in the mix. I feel Oasis and Runrig influences in this album but of course everything is unique to Duncan. I strongly recommend you have a listen and have a copy for your collection including The Road Part 1 which has a more acoustic set list.
The last words from Duncan: “I have chosen to release this work in aid of a charity working toward the reintroduction of a vital species to the UK. Beavers have a vital role to play in the management of waterways through their establishment of wetlands and damming of streams, they have already started to undo some of the damage humans have caused to the environment.
All proceeds from the album will go to the Beaver Trust”.
Jean Camp
Artist’s websites: www.duncanreedmusic.co.uk https://duncanreed.bandcamp.com/album/the-road-part-ii
‘Howl’ – in the studio:
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