Watkin Sharkey’s single, ‘Sails’, made something of an impression and here it is as the opening track of his eponymous debut album. Watkin is from Norfolk and it seems that, like Sunjay, he has just extricated himself from an unwisely negotiated contract hence, perhaps, the homespun style of this album. He is supported by multi-instrumentalist Luke Varney, drummer and keyboard player Adam Bowers, veteran harmonica player Chris Powell and Robin Breeze on double bass. The accompaniments are the epitome of restraint.
There is something of the early Leonard Cohen about ‘Sails’ – the slow, slightly gruff delivery which contrasts with his youthful appearance delivered over the rapidly finger-picked acoustic guitar and the complex, sometimes contradictory, lyrics. At one point he sings “I have dappled in depression” but that isn’t the whole story for the hook line is “I have wind in my sails”. Lenny was never so cheerful. ‘Song To The Luthier’ features a more melodic guitar part and has a slightly mythical vibe although I can see that the song is completely factual. It’s very clever writing.
Slowly strummed guitar opens ‘Coming Home Again’ but it rapidly switches to a fingerpicked bucolic mood as Watkin describes his East Anglian home. ‘Rundown Blues’ is a slow, depressing, picture of somewhere – a city perhaps – in which the singer is trapped and the mood doesn’t lighten up with ‘Circus Fantasia’, almost a companion piece. ‘Fireworks Night’ could be a happier song but Watkin is bemoaning his fate “cooped up in this city again”. The very short ‘(Market)’ is a collection of field (or street) recordings of a market somewhere, suggesting another string to Watkin’s bow. Finally, Watkin declares that ‘Long Departed Train’ is his favourite track, another wishing-I-was-home song. He’s right about the quality but I’ll stick with ‘Sails’.
Despite its downbeat tone – and there are precious few laughs – I like this album a lot. It’s a fascinating debut and I am eager to see where Watkin Sharkey goes from here,
Dai Jeffries
Artist’s website: https://www.watkinsharkey.com/
‘Rundown Blues’ – official video:
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.