Gregson, Clive
Poorville (2020-05)
In his 40th and final year as a touring performer, Clive Gregson is releasing an album every month in 2020. A topical album in these straitened times, 'Poorville', as the name suggests, is a new collection of Clive Gregson songs commenting on social themes - life in contemporary Britain reflected in musings on inequality, institutional poverty, selfishness and greed. Clive's laser focus rests on subjects such as hedge fund managers ('I Can't Wait To Do It Again'), rough sleeping ('I Get Up In The Morning'), ecology ('The World Is A Wonderful Place'), but also optimism ('I Hope I See That Day') and, yes, Brexit ('Talk You Down'). Musically, this assured rock and pop collection, features Clive's talent across a wide range of genres, recalling on occasion George Harrison's bottleneck guitar style and Gerry Rafferty's laidback folk-pop genius. From uptempo chorus-laden Americana to melancholy ballads, this is another hook-laden collection of quality Gregson material from a master songsmith.