Previously his screaming blues voice and ‘in the washing machine’ percussion made for Tom Waits comparisons. All that has been replaced by rich vocals, mellow strings and 70s drums making him more like Cat Stevens produced by Beck or Lodger era Bowie. History of the Best and Worst of Us is darkly humorous and philosophical. The first-rate song-writing is delivered with worldly vision and interesting production - Arabic lute, Chinese percussion, Indian violin and cello complement banjo, acoustic guitar, electric bass and Gretsch drums. While Conil’s distinctive voice is backed up by some haunting Tricky-esque female vocals. Recording almost entirely on his own in his studio above a hypnotist’s in Peckham Rye, South London – a stone’s throw from where William Blake had visions of angels - Conil tried to keep the album’s personality singular by playing most of the instruments himself. His recordings include collaborations with some giant personalities: blues guitar legend, Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac); Nick Drake’s double bass player, Danny Thompson; and Grammy winning producer, Tchad Blake (Tom Waits, Black Keys). His debut won credible plaudits – a 4-star Q RECOMMENDS review in Q; a front cover feature in Blues Matters; spins on 6 Music, Radio 2, NME Radio and XFM; plus reaching number 3 on the US airplay alt-radio chart after his SXSW show. He plays live shows with a cello player and a sampler, and still has his studio above a hypnotist’s. |
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