Ricky Warwick, Belfast Confetti

Ricky Warwick, Belfast Confetti (Dr2-2009)

Here you have the Almighty singer/songwriter moving away from his old rock n roll past and into a classic Celtic/folk style of music. Ok the tunes are still here and it isn't all tin whistles and hand clapping. It does still pull a punch with the classic feel of rock. Rickey's voice sounds amazing on this album as if we have missed something all this time. 

He was asked by a friend when in New York to write a song about Belfast. The title song is a great single and if I had my way would be a huge hit. Not just that but the whole album has classic song after classic covering all feelings that you can in one album. Northern Ireland has its troubles and that has been used to write the album, Ricky says when I saw him live that while in New York he was drinking with a Belfast friend that pointed out that they couldn't stand in the same pub in Belfast and have a pint together. 

The album kicks of with a nice punchy fun track in "Can't Wait For Tomorrow" an acoustic night hit that can be played in any pub and have the punters sing along. The title track really is a local boy paying respect to his home town.

As the albums goes into track three you really get that hair standing on the neck feeling, this is a classic. "Throwin' Dirt" really is just a stunning track, simply written on the acoustic and few melodies to help fill the track but amazing lyrics. I even sit and play this on my guitar (badly).

Ricky's voice helps drive "Thousands are Leaving" a track that could be used in so many news reports forever. It is passionate and makes you think, the sign of a good song. "Hank's Blues" pulls it all back and rock n rolls out with that fantastic mix of folk and rock music. It really works so well on this track I start reaching for the washboard. Failing that hand claps require no skill.

One of my favorite tracks in "Punchin' Thunder" a song Ricky explains is about a mate who he went to gigs with at the Barras (Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow) and he would say "we will be punching thunder the night big man" meaning punching the air as the music is playing. A nice simple acoustic guitar riff starts the track and into a nice sing along melodic tune that thankfully Ricky has not needed to add in any extra harmonies. "Angel of Guile" gets the heart strings and brain functioning as does the ears. Again he sounds amazing as his voice makes the ground rumble when I have the amp pushing this on a Friday night in. Great tune that again just hits so many buttons, the album flows so well that you are three quarters in and EVERY track stands out as a classic. 

Some nice finger style picking in "Born Fightin'" helps bring the album to an end with "Can't Hurt a Fool" encompassing that great folk/celtic style so well. "If You're Gonna Bleed (Wear Black)" feels more of a country track (and I fucking love country) his voice again sounds so well in this style and the track clocks in near seven minutes and does not let you wander at all. Great ending to an album that I feel Sony and Phillips should use as evidence as to why the repeat button was put onto the first CD players. 

I mean in, this album is amazing. All eleven tracks are utter stunner's, not a bad riff, drum hit or lyric in sight. An album written with no eye on the charts it easily hits my chart. One of my albums of the year in 2009 and I have talked to fans of the Almighty who have never heard it. Each time I nearly have to get them in a headlock till they promise to buy it.  

I see why some people may well be put off as the Almighty was not a band they like or bother with but this is different, I have so far got this album as a present for a 67 year old and a 10 year old and both love it to bits. Timeless and a classic and sadly missed by so many, but not now eh? 

Twitter: 29xthefun

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