Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
For the vast majority of us, we owe a sizeable debt to the one we call our Mum, be it the one who dealt the hand that saw us come into existence, or the one that protected us from the evil that threatens to engulf us, the monsters in the cupboard and the terrors under the bed, the mother we call be name is the one we invariably dedicate songs to, a line of poetry when inspiration calls, or to the remembrance of art…. no matter the name, the mother is the one who can be seen to nurture the art within us.
It is the personal bond that encourages, and for those that have seen success and blooming career attached to their own name and profession, it is still that call back, whether it is shrouded in regret and finality, or in glorious colour of wisdom past, which makes the art itself worthwhile.
For the experienced writer, performer and all-round talent that is Dougie Burns, Martha is the perfect sense of occasion to recognise that bond, to respect the relationship between the mind and the heart, for in art we all wish to honour someone, the Muse always making an appearance somewhere along the line, and it is to that honour that Martha stands tall, proud and somewhat thrilled as the music provided by the music journalist/musician comes to light the fires of expectancy and promise.
It is always with surprise when people turn their noses up at the artistic polymath, sometimes the damnedest praise is wrapped up in the most insincere belief held by the speaker of such words; however, in Martha, the words and music that come through are ones of haunting beauty, of serious memory, and as songs such as An Apology, Keep Your Mad Hat On, Silver Dollar, the excellent Coffee, Take My Hand (Let’s Rock & Roll) and Arms Of Our Father ring out, it is to the exceptionalism provided by the constant turning of lyrical prose which makes the album such a beauty to witness being accepted and loved.
Martha, the dearest sentiment to any one dear, flows with consistency and without obstacle, a fitting album for one of the most productive musicians around; an album of warmth and love to which no one can deny.
Dougie Burns’ Martha is out now and available to purchase from Birnam CD.
Ian D. Hall