Its been a long, long, (and possibly lonely) time since Brian Finch's first solo album 'Bringing Back The Good Times' in 1974. Since then Brian has appeared on many albums, most notably with Kenny (aka Ken E) Henson as Finch & Henson, a musical duo who were so much more than just SA's answer to Loggins & Messina.
'Hero For Heroes' is the first new album of 2002 that I've heard and is already a candidate for album of the year. Brian's rich, deep voice wraps itself around your soul as he sings songs about living, leaving & loving.
The title track opens the album with a soaring folk-rock song about heroes; 'hero of heroes ride high, hero of heroes never die'.
'Orang Otang', a new reworking of the Ramsay Mackay-penned classic recorded by Hawk, Margaret Singana, Harambee and others, features the nDloko of John Gcaba. Mary-Ellen Blackman's harmony vocals also add a wonderful dimension to this song.
'I'll Remember You' finds Brian Finch in a JJ Cale mood and his guitar-picking is stunning as he sings 'I'll remember you till the day that I die'. Alan Judd's organ floats and flows in the background.
Brian encourages us to dance in the bouncy afropop sounds of 'Dance' and he tells us about his love for his daughter in the beautiful (but not soppy) 'Tansy' and then he's off to see his brother (Graham) in 'South Carolina'. 'So Much Younger' has a Dire Straits sort-of-feel while 'Tell Me' is a pleasant little country pop rock song (and the country in this case seems to be Mexico).
'Got To Be Strong' is an aching love song not at all political nor religious, but it reminds me strongly of Roger Lucey and Don Francisco. Stunning piano work from Alan Judd and Brian's vocals are really imploring as he sings 'we've got to be strong'.
'Freedom/ Motherless Child' is the song which Richie Havens performed at the original 'Woodstock' in 1969 (remember that tapping sandal in the beginning of the movie?). Dan Chiorboli hits a variety of percussive thingies on this track as Brian's voice and guitar drive it along. Powerful.
Brian's tongue is planted firmly in his cheek in the live-in-the-studio 'Positively No Bob Dylan'. 'I'll play anything from Creedence and Led Zeppelin, but please don't ask me to play any Bob Dylan'. A groupie ('not as freaky as the rest') eventually convinces him to break down and sing a Bob song.
'Hero of Heroes' is an album about moving... it moves from 'his open sea & sky SAfrican roots to his American influenced country rock boots'... and it moves the feet, the heart, the mind and the soul. Fly on Brian, fly on...
Musicians:
- Brian Finch: vocals, guitar
- Alan Judd: guitars, keyboards, computer programming
- Alan Bowen: bass, percussion
- John Gcaba: nDloko
- Mary-Ellen Blackman: vocals
- Dan Chiorboli: percussion
- Brian Currin, January 2002
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