BLUENOSE B
Voices From The Edge

Bluenose B, the nom-de-plume of Liverpool singer-songwriter Stephen Lawson is a man in a hurry, perhaps making up for lost time, or simply having rediscovered his muse. Active during the 80s heyday of the second scouse phenomenon, rubbing shoulders and sharing stages with the likes of Echo and The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes, he has now given us 3 albums in as few years. Prolific he may be, but on the evidence of Voices From The Edge, his output is not at the expense of quality, as he offers the most eclectic selection of his recent releases.

The usual Bluenose B ingredients are there. As the title suggests, he continues to reflect on those at the margins of society, blown along by forces over which they have little control, indeed often little engagement, but like the rest of us, can have emotional lives of depth and meaning.

Modern experiences do not pass him by, as he reflects on the recent disturbances in and around his native city, and how they impact on his children and fears for the future. There are songs that are autobiographical and do not always reflect well on his previous relationships, but at their heart, there may be regret, even a degree of shame, but fundamentally an apparent desire for fulfilling engagement with others.

Another constant is his musical partnership with Merry Hell’s John Kettle, who acts as producer, guitar accompanist and credited co-writer. Similarly, we see the return off sister Rachel, who adds her vocals, growing more assured since her debut on the previous album, but remains authentic and unpolished, a true diamond in the rough. Whilst Stephen handles most of the vocal duties this time around, there is room for another couple of guest appearances, with Tom Williams from current Merseyside indie darlings Red Rum Club forsaking his usual guitar duties to take the microphone and young discovery Jack Hillidge adding soulful depth with his contribution.

Musically, there is more of a range that his previous more folk oriented album. It still Country and a return to his old Indie Rock haunts are all in welcome evidence.

Another theme that he continues to explore is the use of AI to enhance, rather than replace, individual creativity. Thus, his descriptive retelling of his lyrics are rendered as images and then presented in a graphic novel style along with the CD itself and also as the base for a lyric video that again belies the musical genre it accompanies.

It probably won’t be long before we are treated to another offering, but while the reviewmobile CD player looks forward to receiving it, we shall also enjoy the current selection!

Visit the Bluenose B website

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