The highly popular and ubiquitous Docherty brings us this slice of acoustic joy culled from forthcoming album Hands Up If You’ve Had Enough.
Docherty has seemingly been touring continuously for the last year or so in an attempt to build a following for his soulful brand of acoustic country tinged pop. In a saturated market this could have been a thankless task but the talent of Docherty seems to have won over the critics, the cynics and most importantly the public.
‘Heard And Not Seen’ is possible the stronger of the two tracks and floats along gently to a gentle piano backing. Evoking gorgeous images of late night saloons and the whisky soaked loves lost. This is pleasant enough even if the vocal sounds a little like a young Roddy Frame.
‘Up All Night’ is more upbeat but again the theme is of a failing love affair. Once more the arrangement is kept simple which allows the gentle strumming and soaring vocal to come to the fore.
Whilst this release is not particularly original and evokes memories of many who have passed before him it is well-executed. Think Joni Mitchell, think James Grant, think Nick Drake…In fact imagine if Ryan Adams had come from Partick…
