While sitting down and looking out of the window on a bleak Auckland day (more suited to autumn than spring), Matthew Pickering’s EP ‘Up at the Bunkers’ brought a welcome ray of sunlight across the table.
Matthew’s day gig by all accounts is in Parliament as a Hansard Editor, checking over the report of the proceedings of the House. I wonder if he also studies another Hansard – Glen, the Irish vocalist/guitarist/actor from the The Frames and The Swell Season, and The Commitments.
From the jaunty opening title track to the closer, seven songs hence, this record has the feeling of summer about it.
The blend of acoustic instruments used throughout (extremely well plaid banjo, picked guitar, fiddle and gentle piano to name just a few) bring a welcome contrast to the usual electric instrument mix, and make it seem cacophonous by comparison.
I can imagine foot tappers such as Hands Up and Fumble for Change taking on more a foot stomping air if they ever see the light of a live stage. The highlight of the EP, For Mr Satie, moves from joyous to haunting and back again with the flick of a bow.
With seven tracks, none of them overly long, it’s long for an EP but it certainly doesn’t out stay its welcome. And wouldn’t you know it… just as the last few blasts on the trombone signals the end of the EP the sun breaks through the grey Auckland sky.
A lovely ending to this warm and intimate record.
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About the author blues.bass
I’m a Blues Bass Player. I’m not a Jazz player. I’m definitely not a Rock player who doesn’t know better. And I’m pretty sure there’s a difference. I’m a Blues Bass Player. I don’t mean to offend anybody, but that’s the way I feel about it and I’m working hard to try and make sure you can hear the difference in my playing. I love the blues, and I’m talking blues the way it used to be played… Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Elmore James, Hound Dog Taylor to name but a few. This is the music that can make you laugh, make you happy, make you dance, and yep… even cry… sometimes all at the same time. Ask me to mention the name of a blues guitarist and I’ll be telling you Hubert Sumlin, B.B. or Albert King or Buddy Guy. By favourite
