Between The Minds (Deluxe Unplugged Edition) - Jack Savoretti Album Review

Jack Savoretti

Album Review

Introductory single Gypsy Love is getting plenty of airplay, including BBC Radio 2. Jack Savoretti has been on a roll since the release of Between The Minds album in 2007. Now comes a deluxe edition of lifted songs from the album, plus new material. Between The Minds was an outstanding collection of beautiful songs, featuring much aired Without, a personal favourite. On the deluxe edition we hear Savoretti doing it all unplugged, and extremely, but not surprisingly, beguiling. What it does is show the meticulous songcraft at it minimalist best but equally effective. His craft emanates from his teenage love of poetry whilst living in Europe. Not many artists can get away with regurgitating old material- Savoretti pulls it off brilliantly, simply because the songs have such depth, but ultimately, bags of soul, and that stunning voice of course. It opens him up to a totally new market and set of fans which some of us lucky ones might have heard on a tour of selected Caffe Nero bars across the UK in February and March. The 24 year old half Brit half Italian opens with One Man Band the b-side of Gypsy Love. As the title suggests, he does sound like a one man band because the way he delivers is old-school folk with a 21st century twist. Its uplifting and jaunty approach is instantly appealing bringing back an early Bob Dylan template via the use of harmonica. Without You is one of the greatest love songs ever written. Sadly it only made 90 on the UK charts.

Its beauty lies in the achingly stunning simple pinpoint lyrics and delicate yet profound musical backdrop. Of all the songs, this is the one that showcases his dulcet tones to perfection. One for weddings I think.

The title track is yet another stunner. A piano opens. Then Savoretti unleashes a measured vocal masterclass. Just check the lyrics - hairs will stand on end, guaranteed. Dr. Frankenstein was released as a single in July 2007 never making the UK charts. Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire is given a good old dusting down, transformed into belting acoustic rendition, never losing its country sensibilities.

The newies Black Rain, Lucy and Russian Roulette show he's been productive with bags more in his arsenal of songs, which is great news.

Only one disappointment: he didn't include the wonderfully twisted Chemical Courage - darn!

File under: Must have for real music lovers.

Elly Roberts