In most cases when a new record is set to be issued on March 8th, International Women’s Day, it’s just a coincidence – unless the platter in question is titled “Songs Of Love & Solace” and contains fresh takes on some of the most tender pieces from the last century. This forthcoming album of standards – and more – highlights a rarely shown aspect of Gary Husband‘s talent, the same Gary Husband who’s been the drummer of choice for such luminaries as Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin and Jack Bruce, playing keyboards as well, as he’s also a brilliant pianist. The veteran’s solo career started with "Diary Of A Plastic Box" a quarter-century ago and has never let his listeners down, although in later years Husband focused on collaborative work with lesser-known guitarists – Mark Wingfield on "Tor & Vale" and Markus Reuter on "Music Of Our Times"; however, Gary’s new offering feels very personal.
Featuring perennials like “Willow Weep For Me” and “The Star Carol” alongside rock evergreens from The Fabs and Glen Campbell’s repertoires, it seems to reflect on joie de vivre and sorrow, and if that sounds like a strange mélange of mood, there’s a logic explanation lying in the album’s genesis.
“It’s a piano record, perhaps somewhere in the midst of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” Frank Sinatra’s “Sings For Only The Lonely” and Eric Clapton’s “Pilgrim” album,” says Gary Husband. “Eric, when asked of his motivation behind making that record, said that he’d set out from the beginning to try and make the saddest record in the world; Frank said very much the same kind of thing about his record. I’d love to think perhaps there’s an air of the beautiful Shirley Horn occasionally, too. They’re all singers, I know, but I’m trying to sing when I play. I was encouraged by producer Richard Niles to turn my musical hand to some timeless old material and convey some of it my way. Since I took some heavy personal loss in the most recent years, I really needed to do this. It’s warmth I hope to bring to those who love beautifully written songs or those who simply could use a few ballads right around now.”
The platter’s entire tracklist looks like this:
Songs Of Love & Solace
1. If I Should Lose You
2. Tryin To Get The Feeling Again
3. The Promise (For Katie Husband)
4. Can’t Buy Me Love
5. Wichita Lineman
6. The Star Carol
7. Where Is Love
8. My Bells
9. Close Enough For Love
10. A Time For Love
11. For You
12. Like A Lover
13. Willow Weep For Me
14. You’ll Never Know
