Bold as brass. Won't you Take Me With You, the new album from Daniel Knox, makes it's claim early to be considered in the company of the most esteemed and respected male singer songwriters of them all; Scott Walker, Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson, Tom Waits. It's best to get these comparisons out of the way immediately because it's not a record where the influence of all of these can not be easily detected.
Once you've brought up these names it's soon evident what you need to discover in the record you're listening to. Namely whether the artist you're listening to is up to the task of playing with the big boys or simply wasting your time and probably making a bit of an ass of theselves into the bargain. I'm pleased to report that Knox gives a very good account of himself and Won't you Take Me With You, is well worth listening to.
It feels very much like a trip to the past from the off. Knox has a deep yowl of a voice. Rich, chocolatey baritone. Some kind of composite of Newman, Nilsson and Wits with the Cowardly Lion from Wizard of Oz's yowel thrown in for good measure. Knox doesn't play things entirely straight but the songs are lovingly crafted and classily presented and maintain a dimmed lights glow.
Six minute Fool in the Heart is the ace in the pack, an absolute jewel of a song but all in all this is a very consistent listen. Silky smooth. Knox is a proper old school smooth operator and despite the moments he chooses to play to the gallery, come on all big bad wolf Won't you Take Me With You is a touching and often moving exercise.
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