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Elly Roberts reviews
Measured Records
- Cat.no: RTRADCD291
- Released: January 2006
- Rating: 8/10
It’s time to tune in to The Hazey Janes’ first album proper Hotel Radio: it’s a breath of fresh ‘airwaves’.
Consummate musicianship throughout, nowexpanding instruments such as banjo, viola, melodica, and pedal steel, withsome sparkling singing to boot, it makes this an audio delight.
Taking theirname from a Nick Drake song – that’s where comparisons end – the Scottishquartet from Dundee, has created a mostly jaunty-packed debut. Somecommentators cite Badfinger and Big Star an Irish troubadours Hal asstable-mates, probably due to some retro Byrds-like jangly guitars, found onopener Always There and Moanin’ Face.
It’s not all blood and thunder. Sublimesunshine country influences pop up, due to a temporary location to theIberian Peninsula, and recorded at the studio of legendary Spanish producerPaco Loco in Cadiz – check Step Into The Country.
Then there’s the gorgeoussoaring harmonies, best highlighted on Katie Goes and closer Untitled. Songsare well crafted ditties suitable for most radio playlists. They’re one hellof a band: remember their names – Andrew Mitchell, Alice Marra, Liam Brennanand Matthew Marra.
Top tracks – Saturday and Katie Goes.
Weblinks:The Hazey Janes.co.uk /Measured Records.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Always There
2. Toulouse
3. Moanin’ Face
4. Fire In The Sky
5. This Place Is Just Not My Kind
6. Your Enemy
7. Baby Tell Me
8. Don’t Look Away
9. Step Into The Country
10. Get Down
11. Saturday
12. Katie Goes
13. Untitled
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.