3 x CD
28 July 2017
8 / 10
Electro singer songwriter releases career retrospective.
In amongst the eyeliner of Oakey, Le Bon and The Boy and,
the unnaturally white teeth of Michael and Ridgeley, a tall jumper wearing
keyboard player with spikey hair appeared on the scene in 1983. With a keyboard (or two) and a mime artist
called Jed, Howard Jones gave us one of the most refreshing and uplifting songs of the era in New Song. Despite being accused of stealing a riff from
Peter Gabriel’s Solsbury Hill (ironic as they would later share the same live bill),
is sparkled like a little gem in the charts and unknowingly marked the beginnings
of a career that continues to this day.
New Song was pop perfection, it had everything – an
instantly recognisable intro, catchy verses, simple but effective chorus and, a
bank of Ooh-Ooh-Oooh’s that were shouted with glee. Far from being a one hit wonder, Jones had
the songwriting finesse to carry things on over the next three years amassing
ten Top 40 hits nine of which appeared in the Top 20. He was, and as Best confirms, still is, one
of the finest pop writers of the last thirty years.
His secret is quite simple, no-nonsense, addictive pop that
everyone can remember but perhaps more interestingly is that he has clearly
matured with his audience. He hasn’t
tried to remain a bouncy hit-seeking artist opting instead to allow his music
to grow at the same pace as his fan base.
Sure, he can still write a great pop song but he can also pen adult
songs being true to himself.
His second single and biggest hit to date (a number 2 hit) went
from the pop prowess of his debut to the slow, synth-swept beauty of What Is
Love? It still had a rousing chorus but is showed that Jones wasn’t a one-trick
pony and when the beautiful No One Is To Blame and brass powered Pearl In The
Shell emerged from his double platinum selling Human’s Lib album, it was clear he was a
name and talent to be reckoned with.
Best is an expansive and exhaustive collection put together
by the man himself and when the hits slowly dried up he continued to produce
some fine music. Little Bit Of Snow
gives us some beautiful piano playing, the instrument he self-taught himself
from the age of seven and, You’re The Buddha really does beg the question why
it wasn’t a hit.
Disc two leaves the Jones hits behind bit shows how his work
has grown with him. Lift Me Up is prime
example, the catchy chorus and addictive verses leading up to it are still
there but, its adult pop, with a mature feel and it sits wonderfully. City Song is fabulous in its cinematic glory
and can be imagined accompanying the latest filmic blockbuster, and Just Look
At You Now picks up a bouncy pace with a subtle beat.
Perhaps, for the uninitiated, a chronological listing may
have been preferred but that’s really splitting hairs and the inclusion of a
third cd featuring acoustic and electric live versions of eight tracks confirms
the versatility of a songwriter who has never really lost his way. Check back his CV and you’ll notice songwriting
credits for Sugababes and his inclusion in several music organisations
including a Director of the Featured Artists Coalition formed to protect the rights
of musicians.
Best does exactly what is says on the sleeve and represents
the true art of writing good, solid and likeable pop. A well thought out collection and a worthy
addition to any pop collection.
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Published on Louder Than War 25/07/17- here
If you enjoyed this article please follow hiapop on Twitter here, and like on Facebook here.
Website
Published on Louder Than War 25/07/17- here
If you enjoyed this article please follow hiapop on Twitter here, and like on Facebook here.
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