![]() Matthews has long had the gift of knowing a good song when he hears one, so is it no wonder then that he became known more as an interpreter of others work, rather than a songwriter in his right. Showed the Americana direction he would soon follow. His turn on the late Emmitt Rhode’s “Time Will Show The Wiser” and his own “Book Song” But early Fairport’s best known song, “Meet On The Ledge”, written by Richard Thompson, literally ‘sings’ because of Matthews winsome vocal duet with Denny. Matthews’ tenure in Fairport from late 1967 to early ‘69 was sadly short-lived eventually his love of contemporary American music ran counter to the British folk traditions his band-mates began leaning into with ever greater force, especially after Sandyĭenny arrived. ![]() Songs, “Me About You”, can be found on “Orphans and Outcasts”, featuring Matthews first lead vocal on record it is a bit stiff, perhaps too perfectly annunciated, but his soon-to-be trade-mark choir-boy harmonies, show just how greatly he was influencedīy The Hollies and The Byrds, providing a tantalizing taster of greater things to come. Just prior to Pyramid, Matthews had recorded a song with The Moody Blues, but it never saw the light of day. THE go-to-piano-player-for-hire, Nicky Hopkins, produced by Denny Cordell of Procol Harum and Joe Cocker fame. ![]() Matthews got a first taste of his awaited fate in the UK in 1966 with a pop trio called Pyramid they recorded a couple of catchy singles for Deram, backed by studio stalwarts like guitarist John ‘Mahavishnu’ McLaughlin, bassist John Paul Jones, and All this activity in the last two years, and this after the busiest decade of his musical life, recording and touring with revamped line-ups of both Plainsong and Matthews Southern Comfort as well as creating a slew of solo records, Hand-picked double CD compilation then there’s “Orphans and Outcasts”, a four-disc set of demos, outtakes and other sumptuous rarities AND a brand-spanking new CD “Fake Tan”, recorded with a young Americana-styled band of Norwegians called The After releasing more than a hundred albums, currently Matthews is still at it, promoting a new memoir “Thro’ My Eyes” with an accompanying In his lengthy career, sprinting towards the home-run he has always held the talent and promise to deliver. Was there ever a voice as pure as that of Iain Matthews? The solo singer-songwriter, who also graced psych-popsters Pyramid, early Fairport Convention, Matthews Southern Comfort, Plainsong and the short-lived Hi-Fi, has rounded third base While “obscurity” translates as “the state of being unknown,” The Art of Obscurity will put you in a state of bliss.BETTER LATE THAN NEVER - IAIN MATTHEWS COMES OF AGE While we hope Iain reconsiders, if not-he has left us with a glistening gem in his crown of musical achievements. It will however, not be my final recording. Matthews declares that The Art of Obscurity “absolutely sits up there with my four, or five finest recorded moments.” In his liner notes, he states “The Art of Obscurity will be my last solo album. Recorded in his adopted home of Austin, Texas with producer Bradley Kopp (Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely, and Tish Hinajosa), this 12 track release highlights Matthews’ knack for acoustic folk with jazzy undertones-capped off by his rich singing voice and reflective and insightful lyrics. ![]() Welcome to The Art of Obscurity, Iain Matthews’ first new release in his staggering fifth decade of recording and performing music, and his first American album in 15 years. Whether as a founding member of Fairport Convention, Matthews Southern Comfort (who hit #23 with their cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock” in 1971), Plainsong or as a solo artist, Matthews has taken listeners on a journey with each recording. While probably best remembered in the United States for his 1978 smash “Shake It” (#13 Billboard Pop Singles), Iain Matthews has been a worldwide music icon for over 45 years. ![]()
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