The Brigadier “Wash away the day”
The Welsh-born Brigadier is singer/songwriter Matt Williams, and I’ve been reviewing his work for many years. This time Matt has upped his game with his latest LP; the energetic rocker “I Know You’re The One For Me Baby” sounds like a mix of Martin Newell and Allen Clapp, with a smart guitar break amid the joyful middle eight. The harmonies in the chorus of the gentle “Rainy Day Friend” are both smooth and infectious.
The upbeat theme continues with the jangle guitar on “Feel Like Something” with its catchy melody and “Keep Your Ego Down” is a bit of self-therapy that you can hum along to. The ballads are thoughtful without wallowing and a little guitar instrumental like “Cabriolet” keeps the energy level up. Other gems include “Let The Anger Go,” and the title track, with its chorus of “Gonna Feel Good/Yeah.” Other than a few odd tracks (like a disco number) I have to say this is the best Brigadier album I’ve heard in a long time. Highly Recommended.
Oister “Pre-Dwight Twilley Band 1973-74 Teac Tapes”
Oister was the original name of the Dwight Twilley Band, but the name was promptly changed by producer Denny Cordell (Procol Harum) at Shelter Records before the band released any recordings. However, the rare beginnings of Twilley’s Tulsa power pop sound are evident on these 20 demo tracks released by Hozac Records.
The music at times resembles Big Star, the nascent “Lovin’ Me” has a Beatlesque boogie with piano rhythm and Twilley’s distinct vibrato. The double-tracked acoustic “You Were So Warm” is an early jangle ballad, and the country bassline on “Like You Did Before” really gets at Twilley’s distinctive songwriting style. With 20 tracks here the chemistry between Twilley and partner Phil Seymour is evident, but many of these tracks aren’t that memorable. The quality of the Teac Tapes are mostly good, but songs like “Hot Mama,” are mere sketches. Like the posthumous demos released by Pete Ham (Badfinger), there is a real demand for this “lost” power pop. Oister is a similar discovery and it’s made for fans and completists.
