Who would have guessed 20 years ago that folkie singer/songwriter Iain Matthews would become a jazzer? Well, back in 2008 and 2011, Matthews cut a pair of albums that make up a winning combination of original tunes and jazz sensibilities .
Joy Mining from 2008 has Matthews with a team of Egbert Derix/p, Peter Hermesdorf/sax, Norbert Leurs/b and Sjoerd Rutten/dr delivering intimate moods to Matthews’ intriguing lyrics and delivery. The feel of the music on pieces such as “St. Theresa’s Ghost” or the gently driving “The Solid Stuff” remind you of the days when you’d memorize lyrics by the likes of Prine, Mitchell and Waits. Melodies as such on “Fishing” have Hrmesdorf’s sax glide over a feel from the Isles, while a back beat bop is felt on “Randolph Scott.” The closing “1944” is a harrowing tale, and while you may disagree with it being a “politician’s war” you can’t help but be moved by the pair of letters it conveys. Smart and artful.
Matthews teams up again with Derix on the 2011 In The Now along with Norbvert Leuirs/b Jasper van Hulten/dr, Leo Janssen/ts, ton Engels/g and a string section. Some wah-wahing guitars are felt on the artsy “Buddha Dials Your Number” and the propulsive “Joy Mining”has some impressive sax. A cute tribute to the bop icon is delivered on “Monkisms” while the teams gets frisky and oblique on “When the Floyd Were On The Prowl. Matthews’ lyrics are always intelligent and thought provoking, and his voice fits well in this milieu; when he is joined by the string section as on “Jewel of Illusion,” you feel you’re listening to something important. Not bad at all!
Omnivore Records