Reviews by journalists are all very well, but other musicians can offer a different, expert view.
Thus, while the work of Highland folkie Tom Houston is pretty popular with DJs and writers, this 13-track collection has also gone down a storm with his peers. Take 6music’s Tom Robinson – also a musician of course, who has included Houston on his annual ‘best of’ for three years running. And guitarist Neill MacColl – son of Euan, and Peggy Seeger – describes Houston as “Ivor Cutler meets Leonard Cohen”.
And this writer agrees. Whether it’s the subdued opener ‘Alexandra Staying’, the jaunty ‘Salt and Rope’, or the cinematic ‘Devils We Are’ – with an expert cast adding to the atmosphere – Houston manages the mood perfectly, making for a collection that should win over listeners, no matter their background.
This article originally appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
‘Everything In The Delicatessen’ is available via www.tomhouston.org.