A PLUG FOR A QUALITY PRODUCT

The above book was published by Ardra Press on 1st June 2009. Let me quote, in full, the blurb from the back page:-

'The Song Of The Soul’ is the story of a unique musical troubadour.

Born in Washington, Tyne & Wear on 27th July 1961, Martin Stephenson has devoted his life to developing his craft as a singer, songwriter and guitarist incorporating his love for an eclectic range of musical styles from pop and folk through to bluegrass and punk.

In the early 80s he formed The Daintees, a collaboration with like-minded souls, who produced several critically acclaimed albums. However, Stephenson’s purist tendencies sat uncomfortably with the mainstream record industry leading him to shun the populist route and plough an increasingly humble, low-key furrow. Many lesser souls would have bowed out after a series of strong solo albums fell on so many deaf ears – and live performances began to turn into battles; against ignorant audiences and, most pointedly, the bottle.

Such a determined talent could not be suppressed and after recharging his batteries in the Highlands of Scotland, Martin Stephenson returned to stunning and prolific form. By harnessing the power of the internet, Martin brought together a hardcore of fans to create a unique two-way communication; rediscovering the traditions of American bluegrass playing and reforming his beloved Daintees for a glorious series of gigs that have now become an annual event.

This burst of creative energy has continued with The Daintees recently returning to the studio for the first time in 16 years. The resulting album – “Western Eagle” – was released in March 2008 to glowing reviews in the major music publications.

‘The Song Of The Soul’ captures the restless, musical spirit of a man who has proved that talent and independence can not only survive but thrive in the music scene of the new millennium.

I've never hidden the fact that I've long been big fan of Martin Stephenson, and I can give the book no higher praise than by saying it was every bit as enjoyable and entertaining as seeing the great man himself play a live gig.

While it isn't a warts'n'all story, it is a piece of work that doesn't flinch from certain things, and leaves you in no doubt that Martin, particularly during the time when he was drinking to excess, wasn't always the nicest man to be around. The story of his behavior at one gig in the north of Scotland in 1996 is particularly toe-curling, but it is the event that led Martin to getting on the phone to Alcoholics Anonymous and sorting out his life.

I was someone who bought loads of records by Martin Stephenson & The Daintees between 1986 and 1992, as well as going to see the band on numerous occasions. I also knew that Martin had gone off and done all sorts of things in his solo career from 1993 onwards, recording albums in all sorts of weird and wonderful places and in a variety of styles including country, bluegrass, folk and traditional. I was fairly confident that I was at least aware of all the records he'd been involved in, even though I might not have them in the collection.

I was astonished to learn however, from a brilliantly researched and informative discography that there are more than 20 solo albums out there if you want to get everything that Martin has recorded...I would have guessed maybe nine or ten if you'd asked me before now. A lot of songs appear on more than one CD, but recorded with a different set of musicians and in a different style, and the authors, Richard Cundill and Mark Bradley, do a fantastic job in describing the tone of each record acknowledging that, for the most part, only the truly devoted would describe every release as flawless...

Looking again at the book as I type this, what I especially like is the fact that it doesn't concentrate on the glory days with the Daintees at the expense of the solo career when it was largely the efforts of a group of fans that kept Martin going through some very tough times, financially and otherwise. (Incidentally, this collection of fans was known as the E-Group - and that's a reference to a type of mail and not a type of drug...). There's just over 100 pages devoted to Martin's childhood, youth, early musical efforts and his time with the Daintees and Kitchenware Records, but there's the same again for the years 1994 -2008, and then the incredible 24-page discography.

I'm someone who devours musical biographies, authorised or otherwise, with somewhere in the vicinity of 150 of them lining the bookshelves. The Song Of The Soul is among the best of them - I'd put it up there with Andrew Collins' bio of Billy Bragg, and the self-written efforts of Bill Drummond, Julian Cope and Mark 'E' Everett.

One great thing I learned was that in late 2003, Martin Stephenson released an album called Airdrie, named after the town in which it was recorded. The authors describe it as one of the finer works in the Stephenson discography, but reveal that it is quite difficult to get a hold of as the singer fell out with his then manager and others who were working closely with him, and the CD wasn't pressed in huge numbers. Thankfully, there's e-bay nowadays and I was able to buy a copy just the other day, from which this song (a regular in the current live sets) is taken:-

mp3 : Martin Stephenson - Mountainous Spring

(Incidentally, another version of the song appears on a 2005 LP entitled Lincoln Cathedral).

The book ends on a hugely upbeat and optimistic note, recalling how the Daintees have got back together for gigs and indeed a new album that appeared in 2008. It also makes the point that I've tried to make on this blog before that the best way to capture Martin Stephenson at his very best is to get along to a gig near your home town as soon as you can and see for yourself how witty, charming and talented this unique singer/songwriter really is:-

mp3 : Martin Stephenson & The Daintees - Home

And if you can't get to a gig, then I do thoroughly recommend that you buy this superb book. Available direct from the publisher here, and from amazon, here.

Oh and for all things to do with Martin:-

www.myspace.com/martinstephenson

http://www.martinstephenson.com/*

* now with correct spelling and link!!!!!!

Thank You.