Terence Blacker has been, at various times, a writer, journalist and songwriter. More recently he has concentrated on his music and is about to release his sixth album Misfits’ Jamboree. For a London based artist he’s somebody I’ve not come across, which is a great shame because he writes songs that I rather like. In his own words this is a more stripped back release than his previous albums, mostly solo voice and guitar, and it suits the style of the songs.
I thought long and hard about putting the name Jake Thackray in here but it is fitting. Terence is of a certain age and it’s given him a lifetime’s experience of the foibles of human nature which he explores with a sardonic, yet sensitive, eye . ‘Everyone’s Annoying In Their Own Special Way’ is a perfect example of this. Those little traits that were so endearing, at first, get to the stage of making you wish you had something heavy and blunt in your hand even though you still love them – deep down. It might be the man who slurps his coffee and says “Aaah” every time, or the woman who talks all the way through something and then asks you what it’s about.
Another song that will bring nods of recognition is ‘Let’s Go Out And Pretend We’re Happy’. I probably don’t need to tell you what this song’s about, and who hasn’t been there? ‘The Crying Game’, it has nothing to do with the film, is something else we’re all familiar with and certainly seems to be in fashion the moment. The classic example is the talent show where the constant is bravely struggling on despite the fact that Granny died a few days ago, but she was a great fan of the show and will no doubt be looking down from heaven. There’s also the politician found in some den of iniquity with his trousers around his ankles but there’s a perfectly innocent explanation, as there is for the substances he took completely by accident. There’s a huge amount of very clever writing in these songs that turns them into a good narrative story as well as being funny. I love it when artists reach for rhymes they really shouldn’t. In ‘The Crying Game’ he manages to rhyme “obsessed her” with “Victor Sylvester”.
There’s some variety in the album, too. A lot of the songs are a fairly straightforward strummed guitar and lyrical vocals, so you can miss what a fine voice Terence has. He can also hit the blues as he does in the perfectly titled ‘Way To Go Blues’ which is about the various ways you can pass on. More great lyrics as well “On the day you kick it, you get a one way ticket. So make the most of living while you’re here”. As another variation ‘Crazy Old Bones’ is another bluesy number with a jazz café vibe complete with a tinkling piano, making the most of that fine voice mentioned earlier.
It isn’t all poking fun either. ‘Just Like James’ is a flight of fantasy where he gets a call from James Taylor asking if he’d like swap places. I’m sure many of us have a dream like this but the song looks at the nature of fame and is it all it’s cracked up to be. How many people who’ve found fame regret it and wish they could slide into obscurity and live a “normal” life? It’s a thoughtful song about what’s really important in life. It’s a great song.
Closing the album ‘Singers’ Night’ is one of my favourites, in an album full of good songs, because it’s once again sharply but sensitively observed and something a lot of us are familiar with. Anyone who’s been to a folk club will be familiar with the floor spots. Whilst there are some excellent acts we occasionally have to fix a smile on our faces, but we always applaud because these people are doing it for the love of music rather than fame and fortune.
I thoroughly enjoyed this album because it’s pure entertainment. Terence doesn’t have a political drum to beat or pretend he can solve any world problems. That doesn’t mean it won’t make you think, though. I highly recommend it. Misfits’ Jamboree is released on 25th April but is available to pre-order now through Bandcamp as a digital or CD album.
Tony Birch
Artist’s website: https://terenceblacker.com/
‘Singers’ Night’ – live:
Thanks for stopping by. Please help us continue and support us by tipping/donating to folking.com via
You must be logged in to post a comment.