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'Here's a penny for your thoughts. Incidentally, you may keep the change.'
A great artist. Preparing himself to hang up his spurs. And his plectrum. Edwyn Collins. He of Orange Juice of course. I always think most of my younger sister when I think about Orange Juice. She had a good friend called Kirsty at secondary school who lived on the large estate opposite the school we both went to in Petersham. They used to bunk off school and go round to Kirsty's house when her parents were out at work. Listen to Orange Juice. Jesus & Mary Chain.
Edwyn has a new album out. Every Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation. Edwyn is no stranger to ambition. Mixing in the profound with the purely corny. That's always been his essential gift and charm. Age has withered him somewhat and taken some of the edge off him. He had a certain cocky cruelty about him in his youth. This has dulled and there's a certain wan sentimentality in its stead all over Every Nation. It was always there, but over the years it has matured into fine wine as we can only hope will happen to us all.
Here it seems he has retired to Rosewood & Sandy. Something more homespun and comfortable and ultimately rather touching..The quality of Every Nation that's most immediately evident is its romantic quality. Charm. Rustic deft. Poise.
You can almost picture the old ham wandering the Highland paths having tethered his horse to an oak. Strumming on his telecaster. Grace, his guardian angel, by his side.The album has a wise and touching resonance and poignance.
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