Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The face that is able to look forward with anticipation and reflect upon past deeds and see both as equally valid moments of Time is to be honoured in stories and applause. We cheer as the chimes of midnight cause us to see the departing year and the days ahead in the seconds that it takes to grasp the hand of our neighbour and attempt to sing the words of joyous tidings by Robert Burns, so to is the birth of the Janus, the god of transition and reflections, celebrated and praised once more into existence. 

Following on from the superb Reflections From An Airport, Andrew J. Newallbrings his latest creation, the sensual and evocative Janus into view, and in tracks that pay homage to the music that was exposed to him earlier in his life, the celebration of songs that were to be heard and admired at family gatherings, it is to that ancient God that the sense of the new is returned.

With wonderful musicianship from Sandy Jones, Tommy Chambers, Seonaid Aitkin, Alan Peterson and James Walker, and the pleasure of vocals by Nichole Bannister and Rachel Smith all accompanying the accomplished and encouraging performer, it is to wonder why Andrew J. Newall didn’t bring the scenes of artistry to the public’s attention before.

In looking back we can see such things as oversights, but it takes genius to bring them in from the cold of the future endeavour and make them glow with the positivity of the now and current; Janus may look two ways, but as songs such as The Falling Out, The Water Is Wide, Distance, Memories of You, Share The Darkness and The Loch Tay Boat Song all prove with ease and charm, the artist and the thinker will always see the universe with a thought in both areas of consideration, and with their pulse very much striding purposely in the contemporary.

A hugely enlightening album by Andrew J. Newall, Janus is an unexpected gift from past to present and one opened with an eye on the future.

Andrew J. Newall’s Janus is out now.

Ian D. Hall