THE LANGUAGE OF CURIOSITY
BLUES IN THE SOUTH
Starlite Campbell Band—The Language of Curiosity—Supertone Records
Oh My, Oh My! What a cracker this one is. The last album from SCB, ‘Blueberry Pie’ was given five stars by Rock 'n’ Reel Magazine as “…a stunning debut”. Well we don’t give stars (perhaps we should?) but IMHO this one is better—by far. Recorded at Supertone Records studio in Valencia, Spain; Thören, Germany; Samora Correia, Portugal and Rockfield Studios, Wales and produced and engineered by Suzy Starlite and Simon Campbell with considerable care and skill. There is an immaculate use of valve (tube) amps and old style tape machines and the album runs to ten stunningly good tracks.
I listened to the whole album at one go and I while I was listening I kept on being reminded of something—a sound, an ambience—that I could not quite identify. Then it hit me. This is what Cream sounded like before they became super-stars, and before they filled stadiums and produced 20 minute solos on all three of their instruments. There was then, an interplay between (in particular) bass (Jack Bruce) and guitar (Eric Clapton) which brought the bass out of the back-line and allowed it to be melodic as well as rhythmic. Here, Suzy Starlite (bass) and Simon Campbell (guitars) do just that. It is delightful and outstanding at the same time: Fabulous bass lines intermixed with controlled and inventive guitar work.
The subject matter of the ten tracks ranges through the angst of post-modern attitudes to sex and lust, working under the control of unseen forces, the wages of consumerism and the difficulties encountered when dealing with the bouncers on the doors of the music business. These thought provoking themes are beautifully supported by the work of Steve Gibson, drums & percussion, Jonny Henderson, keyboards, Gabriele Del Vecchio, extra keys and Maria Saalfeld Reis, percussion of the clapper family. ‘The Language of Curiosity’ is released on November 5, 2021, on Supertone Records and is available to preorder now direct from the band’s website, Amazon, iTunes and in all major outlets.
Get it ordered NOW.
Ian K. McKenzie, Editor and founder member of the IBBA - Blues in the South - https://online.flipbuilder.com/frik/odjx/ (page 42)
LE ZICAZINE | ZICAZIC.COM
The Language of Curiosity | Supertone Records 2021 |
Durée 46’17 | 10 Titres
Ils avaient eu chacun de leur côté une carrière musicale avec différents groupes avant de se rencontrer en 2012 et de finalement s’unir à la ville comme à la scène lorsque Simon Campbell et Suzy Starlite formeront le Starlite Campbell Band en 2016. Songwriters renommés, les deux musiciens ont à leur crédit nombre de morceaux et c’est partagés entre leur Angleterre natale et le Portugal qui les a adoptés qu’ils reviennent cette année avec un nouvel album, le second du groupe, pour lequel ils ont poussé encore plus loin la diversité de leur influences, regardant ouvertement du côté du British blues mais aussi du rock sous toutes ses coutures pour un résultat on ne peut plus élargi.
Accompagnés de Steve Gibson à la batterie, Jonny Henderson et Gabriele Del Vecchio aux orgues, claviers et pianos et Maria Saalfeld Reis aux castagnettes, les deux multi-instrumentistes unissent une fois encore leurs voix et se dirigent directement vers l’originalité en faisant appel à des séquenceurs, mellotrons et autre thérémines afin de créer des sons uniques pour lesquels le piano est très largement mis à l’honneur, quand bien même les guitares occupent en règle générale une place de choix.
Quelque part entre Fleetwood Mac, Deep Purple et Led Zeppelin avec des accents qui peuvent par moments faire penser à Queen ou encore à Pink Floyd, le Starlite Campbell Band n’en finit plus de nous faire plonger dans le blues, le rock et le prog des années 60 et 70 avec des titre comme « Distant Land », « Bad Sign », « Said So », « Stone Cold Crazy » ou encore « Ride On Cowboy » qui font directement entrer « The Language Of Curiosity » dans une catégorie d’ouvrages estampillés du sceau d’un British sound à l’ancienne avec des gros riffs, des arrangements complètement hallucinants et ce côté analogique qui n’est pas pour nous déplaire.
Nul doute que les adeptes de ces musiques à la fois vintage et très ouvertes apprécieront cette belle découverte dès la mise à feu de cette nouvelle fusée du combo en novembre !
Fred Delforge, Editor & President of Blues France - Le Zicazine
SINGLES
GASLIGHT
STONE COLD CRAZY
Single release from 'The Language of Curiosity'
- "Great Rocker!" | Bob Zorich, Electrodynamic Time Tunnel, USA
- 'This song really makes my day!" | Klaus Fricke, journalist, Germany
- "This should be available on the National Health" | A. Pye, UK
- "Great song!' | Jipes, KInd of Blues Radio Show, France
- "Simon Campbell’s guitar solo is superb and Suzy Starlite’s bass lines are fluid and funky. This is one that Planet Rock should be all over, a terrific slice of classic rock!" | Andy Snipper, Music News, UK
LAY IT OUT ON ME
Single release from 'The Language of Curiosity'
- "It is probably the most emotional song I’ve heard this year and is a standout number from their second album ‘The Language Of Curiosity’". | Andy Snipper, Music News, UK
- “What an atmospheric track "Lay It Out On Me" is, totally outstanding, breathtaking even. I love Simon's vocal performance on the track. It oozes class!” | Pete’s Rock News and Views, UK
- "Absolutely brilliant and beautiful. The recording is amazing, dam, you've done it. Congratulations!!! I got chills on this one." | Craig Larson, California, USA
- “So unique. so cool... so much love and passion! So good my friends!!" Jörn Braun, former Head of Music, RTL Media Group, Germany
CAN'T FIND MY WAY HOME
The Blind Faith Classic - single release
- "Really like this - and the Best T-Shirt" | Phill Brown, legendary audio engineer, England
- "We can honestly say that this is a game-changer. You will love it!" | Pete's Rock News and Views, UK
- "Superb job, beautifully played and Suzy's vocals are spot on. Excellent recording on the drums. Congratulations!! Craig Larson, USA
- "Beautiful harmonies and stunning playing. Perfection" | Peter Devine, UK
- "Semplicemente, una meravigliosa interpretazione!" | Angelo Garlachelli, Italy
