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01/06/2004

Ian McNabb for Beginners

By Sharon Kampff

Ian McNabb has had 25 years in the music business. He's the former leader of '80s band The Icicle Works, and is on the ninth album of his solo career. This short introduction to his work is timed to coincide with his new 2CD “Best Of”, entitled “Potency”. It’s out at the end of June on his own label, Fairfield Records, distributed by Universal.

Why is Ian McNabb worth a listen? I’ll start with the facts, and highlight his warm baritone singing voice, full of feeling and often compared with Scott Walker – until, that is, Ian rocks out and shakes the joint. “Truth and Beauty”, the title track of his first solo album in 1993, is a fair description of Ian’s emotionally literate songwriting.

He’s an excellent guitar player, both electric and acoustic, with a sure and tender touch in his solos. He has a tendency to sound like Neil Young, whose songs he sometimes covers live. Ian can deal with heartbreak (usually his own) in one song, and wistful childhood and family experiences in another, while remembering the all-important kick at the end. This means his songs are never maudlin, even when dealing with difficult, lonely experiences, such as in “Sex With Someone you Love” on 1998’s “Party Political Broadcast on Behalf of the Emotional Party”. Guest musicians on this acoustic and quietly lovely electric album are Mike Scott and Anto Thistlethwaite of the Waterboys, and Danny Thompson, upright bass player with John Martyn, another of Ian’s musical heroes.

Contrast this lonely appeal for affection with his “up for it” songs such as “Be Prepared to Dream”, written when he knew he would be recording with Crazy Horse for his 1994 Mercury Prize-nominated album, “Head Like A Rock”.

Live, Ian plays solo acoustic or full band sets, and most recently Richard Naiff of The Waterboys has played keyboards in his band. Those lucky enough to have tickets for Glastonbury can see Richard repeat the performance there, and just possibly at other gigs too.

McNabb gigs can range from mellow, heartfelt Bacharach-leaning songs, such as “Lady By Degrees” on his 2002 album “The Gentleman Adventurer”, to out-and-out rockers, like his affectionate home-town song “Liverpool Girl”, on 2001’s self-titled album. Ian plays some of the best rocking electric guitar I’ve heard live.

Try linking to this review of one of his 2002 gigs, to get the idea:
www.counterculture.co.uk/live-review/ian-mcnabb.html

After all the fuss about Morrissey’s recent rebirth as a recording artist, maybe Ian should also go quiet for a while, so he too could be welcomed back like the prodigal son? Recording nine solo albums, and touring steadily, haven’t yet been enough to get Ian McNabb onto the A list, where he belongs, although “Potency” could soon change that. It should be on the must-buy list of anyone who enjoys great songwriting and musicianship. Ian has always gone his own way, and his legion of long-term fans wouldn’t have him do it any differently.

This year he’s playing several festivals, including Glastonbury and T in the Park, then going out on tour in the autumn, ending the year with what has become a regular home-town pre-Christmas McNabb-fest.

Check out his tour details and other info on www.ianmcnabb.com

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