Charlie Winston is a British singer songwriter who is massive in France. How these things happen I do not know. Je ne sais pas pourquoi. His success across the channel is hugely deserved. His last album, Like A Hobo (which I briefly wrote about here) was a charming affair that was an absolute delight to listen to. His follow up to that album is Running Still and you could not wish to find a more eclectic, triumphant set of songs that really give you a complex, layered listening experience. The themes and sonic landscape are expanded on - a progression from the Like A Hobo album, yet not jarringly different. It's an innovative, creative affair and brings together elements of pop, funk, soul, r'n'b & traditional music hall elements of both England and France. At the centre of all this is Charlie's ability to weave the collection of songs together through insightful lyrics and an effervescent personality.
The album was preceded by the sparkling single, Hello Alone. Set over vibrant jangling guitar, if you've not come across Charlie before it's the perfect introduction to his distinctive vocal style and lyrical savoir fair. It's an engaging number with some great musical moments, particularly at 2m10s where a key change comes in and some muted horns bring an added spice to the proceedings. The accompanying video is a visual treat too seeing Charlie in a variety of off-kilter suited and booted outfits & a variety of locales (see below). You may also be familiar with the haunting and lovely She Went Quietly which featured on Grey's Anatomy earlier this season. It's a song that is delivered with real heart & emotion while delivering a message that resonates long after the song has finished. It's full of elegance, with each note, each nuanced lyric sung having a stateliness and timeless quality to it that is rare in today's vocodered trance beat pop world.
As mentioned in the introduction, the album never sticks to one musical path - it draws from life's rich musical tapestry. The magic performed by Charlie here is that all the songs feel linked together & create a flowing narrative and exciting journey. Tracks like Rockin' In The Suburbs exhibit more of a funky hip hop vibe, with quasi-rapped lyrics and the all too catchy refrain that shoots into your synapses like a bullet to the brain. His voice blends seamlessly with the instruments creating a looser, laid back vibe to the track. Elsewhere, Wild Ones continues this atmosphere, marrying his vocals to the beat causing you to want to get on your feet and dance. It's very organic sounding and keeps the rebellious, independent nature of his lyrics that shone through on Like A Hobo. Each song seems to represent a facet of Charlie's personality and he excels at being a master storyteller with a voice to die for. Highly recommended that you track down Like A Hobo and Running Still - you certainly won't regret it...
If you like this, try this:
Medi ~ You Got Me Moving: Fresh from drumming for Charlie Winston (i don't just throw these things together you know!), Medi takes 10 years of musical experience, decades of musical influence and a whole host of talent to offer up his debut album. It's firmly rooted in 70s American rock, but never does this diminish Medi's own personal style from shining through. How Would You Do It is a deliriously addictive lead off single, full of shimmering energy, a down and dirty funk bass and a chorus that is so perfectly poptastic that you can't help but feel it's been genetically modified. It's not been however, it's just that Medi performs with such panache that his songs leap out of your speakers and become your whole world. The album has a heavenly old school, summery vibe about it and Medi is obviously an accomplished performer and seasoned vocalist. It never feels dated, more like hanging out with an old friend who is putting new ideas to seasoned classics. A joy from start to finish :)
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