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Elly Roberts reviews
Following his outstanding fifth album Post War in 2006, Mat Ward returnswith a scintillating EP, out February 19th.
The golden boy of Americana can’t seem to put a foot wrong, though he’sstruggling to make a big impact here in the UK.
Nevertheless, this classy singer-songwriter delivers a stunning four songcollection. His trademark vocals, both haunting and exquisite, resonatesevery lyric. Opening with assured aplomb, To Go Home is in the Springsteenbig-sound mould with a thrusting beat (and impressive drum rolls) and catchychorus it will surely catch someone’s ears at the radio stations.
Cosmopolitan Pap is countrified and sprightly foot-tapping jaunt completewith honky-tonk piano; it continues the opener’s pace and energy. Down-beatpiano-lead Human Punching Bag shows the tender side of Ward’s everexpanding repertoire, with those cavernous vocals shining through. Thebigger sound returns on Headed For A Fall as it neatly shuffles along withseveral instruments adding the icing on a magnificent cake.
Weblink:mwardmusic.com
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.