ALBUM REVIEWS

Ricky Warwick BELFAST CONFETTI DR2 RECORDS 27.4.09 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk Should I develop hearing difficulties later on in life, I will hold the Almighty responsible, since I graced many of their eardrum-knackering gigs in my yoof. Good times and, even to this day, a couple of their minor hits crop up on my iPod. Frontman Ricky Warwick still does the odd Almighty reunion whenever the fancy takes him, though nowadays he largely busies himself with an acoustic-based solo career. ‘Belfast Confetti’ is his third solo album and carries on in the Americana vein (by way of Northern Ireland) of his earlier efforts. Opener ‘Can’t Wait For Tomorrow’ and ‘Hank’s Blues’ aren’t too far removed from the Almighty’s grebo biker rock, yet by stripping away the excess metal, Ricky’s song writing skills shine more effectively. The acoustic feel of ‘Belfast Confetti’ is not an indication of Ricky Warwick mellowing out in middle age. At times it mines the spirit of country music outlaws such as Johnny Cash and Steve Earle, but the influence of Bruce Springsteen informs much of the material on offer, in particular the mournful ‘Angel of Guile’ and ‘Punchin’ Thunder’ (the latter so obviously based on ‘Atlantic City’ with its mandolin and ghostly backing vocals). Add a hearty folky knees-up in ‘The Arms Of Belfast Town’ and you have a fine, tuneful effort from one of Britain’s criminally unsung talents. Ross Halewood www.rickywarwick.com Email Links & Comments to the editor Check the latest album releases