Clive Gregson & Liz Simcock -Underwater Dancing
When prolific songwriter Clive Gregson last year toured a show re-visiting songs previously recorded with Manx singer Christine Collister it was renowned folk musician and vocalist Liz Simcock who appeared alongside him. Even though the expressive clarity of Simcock's voice contrasted somewhat from the husky smokiness of Collister the tour was a huge success and, perhaps not surprisingly, was followed by a recording session and a collaboration album of new material.
But whilst Simcock's vocals undeniably sound good alongside Gregson, and she delivers stunning solo performances on four of the fourteen tracks, there is still something missing from this collection when compared to the magical five albums he recorded with Collister.
The first two tracks on Underwater Dancing appear upbeat, light, almost frothy, yet the lyrics seem to be tempering hope with resignation. The album title comes from a line in Raining All Over The World. Gregson sings of 'underwater dancing, subterranean high', and warns that 'we might not float, but heaven knows we'll try'
Even with beautiful saxophone and clarinet solos from Fiona Lander, Underwater Dancing struggles to successfully balance its changes of mood and tempo with an almost relentless exploration of melancholy and loss.
5/10
