Keeping up
with Daniel Meade’s itchy feet can be an ordeal, although not a bad one to
endure. It looks as if 2019 is going to be another busy one on the release
front as this energetic Scot has three releases in the pipeline. Maybe he did
not want to be out done by Ryan Adams (unfortunate comparison maybe since first drafted!) or perhaps it is just time to send a
timely reminder to folks out there what a versatile performer he is.
The first
of these takes a step back in time, both literally and metaphorically. LIVE
MULES is released under the moniker of Daniel Meade and the Flying Mules, with
intent to capture some of the magical moments that conspired when the combo was
in prime form. Therefore, this album sets to pinpoint a period where Daniel
cracked the honky code and dipped deep into his inner Hank, and a few other
boogie pioneers from the halcyon days of raw rock ‘n’ roll in its unabated
infancy.
Since this
period where Daniel rubbed shoulders with the likes of Old Crow Medicine Show
and Sturgill Simpson , deviations have led things into the realm of stripped
back singer-songwriter, more polished contemporary rock stuff and a high
profile role as keyboard player in Ocean Colour Scene’s touring band.
Therefore, LIVE MULES acts as a little gift to those hooking up with the original
Daniel Meade.
Apart from
indulging Daniel Meade converts, the potential to recruit newbies is another
trait attached to LIVE MULES, and one that could be the more serious outcome,
rather than partaking in a little fun.
The ten
songs adorning the album are familiar to existing fans as they largely appeared
on earlier releases in a form that is not too far adrift to what you will hear
on the record. Daniel Meade adopted a light production touch when initially
recording these songs in the studio so the transition to the stage is not a
great distance travelled. The aim of the live recording, which was initially
made at a gig in Shetland in 2016, is to capture the magic of an impulsive
audience fuelled environment. This is secured within the relative
brevity of a thirty-three minute playing time to appease those of us not too
enamoured with transferring what happens on stage to record.
Despite
reservations of this format (experiencing it in person will always prevail in
my book), spinning LIVE MULES repeatedly fired a feel good phase to what an
effective operator Daniel Meade is when delving into a little retro revival.
The press release stated that guitarist Lloyd Reid was on fire, but words
describing this were surplus to requirement following first listen.
Solo work
and a duo album with Lloyd are the planned 2019 follow up to LIVE MULES meaning
anybody interested in the work of Daniel Meade is going to need to clear a
little space in the coming months. Of course, this is no chore and we await the
next move.
www.danielmeademusic.com
