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John McCane
Echo Park Records |
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Salford (U.K.) born John McCane spent part of his childhood school days as a pupil at the prestigious Manchester School Of Music because of his natural ability to sing. This gift was first discovered when as a child he often sang at family gatherings and social events attended by his dominantly Irish family. His singing ability was picked up at his school, which developed into a scholarship at the school of music. As a youth John followed the path of the many talented youngsters of working class origin by forming a band with his mates. They played the youth clubs and family social clubs. Natural progression saw him joining the Irish Showband circuit as a bass guitar player and harmony vocalist, which in turn led to session work. In those days work was plentiful in and around Manchester and John made the most of his time spent within this environment, gaining a fine reputation along the way. About a decade ago John brought out a demo recording of a couple of his own songs which created interest within country music circles. "Only A Fool" and "Know The Dance" saw him and his fivepiece band touring the country music circuit winning gigs on the Pontins festival stages and the likes of The Mill At The Pier in Wigan. Later he went on to form the 'Last of The Breed Band and they recorded an album entitled The Breed. John's self-composed "Immigrant" won critical acclaim in both Ireland and here on the mainland. The band became residents at the popular Irish Festival at Pontin's Southport which brought demand nationwide in Britain and Ireland. Interest is also being shown in America especially through his new CD You Get The Lights on Echo Park Records. Although
this album highlights some of the songs used in the John McCane and
Last Of The Breed show, John chose to go to Ireland to record it with
John and Stephen Smyth producing.
The 12 track album contains 3 John McCane originals as well as covers of songs written by some of country music's top songwriters. Of
the original's, the title track, "You Close
The Door & I'll Get The Lights" Other
originals on here are "Mr Blue,"
a mid paced, Jazz influenced shuffle and "Fall
Down A Tramp, Stand Up A Lady," The rest of the album is made up of very good covers of mainly well known songs, with Collin Raye's "Scuse Moi My Heart," and Philip Claypool's "Strength Of A Woman" being the most uptempo. Then there's the midpaced "Winds Of Change," the classic Bob McDill composition "You're The Perfect Picture" and one of my favourite George Strait tracks "One Night At A Time," a song co-penned by ex Brit Roger Cook. Lovers of the slow ballad are also catered for with a great version of Restless Heart's "A Tender Lie." and "Heart Full Of Rain." Probably, less well known songs on the album include the opener "High Fashion Queen" a Gram Parsons Chris Hillman co-write when they were members of the Country/Rock outfit, The Flying Burrito Brothers and "Wrap My Arms Around The World" a song that marked the 60th International hit record for Narvel Felts when he had success with it in the early 90s. John McCane posesses one of the best voices I have heard on the British Country Music scene and with the self penned material on here, proves he is up there with the best of the writers too! In fact I would go so far as to say, "You Close The Door" would compete with some of the best that Nashville's top writers could throw at him! With first rate production and top class musicianship, "You Get The Lights" is an excellent album from a man who, I am ashamed to say, I hadn't heard of before hearing the title track of this album on it's release via the Hotdisc. And he only lives just down the road from me!!!!!!! This is already marked down as my favourite album from a British artist for 2001, and although there are still 10 more months to go, it will take something really special to make me change my mind!!!! Do yourself a favour and get hold of a copy of this album. If you can't get to one of his shows, then send him an E mail, the address is at the top of this page.
All I need to do now is find out where he is gigging in the area and get along to see him 'Live!' |
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