Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

It is well and good that some who call themselves influencers find even more ways to talk down to the multitude when it comes to the idea of motivation, that their way is the only way to feel a crushing happiness in times when the world has changed inexplicably to one that has become almost unrecognisable, a shadow, an earthly path that has become crowded with brambles and weeds.

That is not to say that inspiration is not required, but drive does not come from those paid to promote, it comes from within, and whilst we all openly need a spur, a motive to create and put into place a sense of peace and belonging, it is the spark of humanity residing in us all that is the impetus for taking us beyond the solitude, The Quarantine Sessions, to which we delve in stagnant fervour.

It is to the absolute credit of the Perthshire band Longstay that their own drive, perspiration and consist belief has seen them take the world on, to keep at bay the sense of darkness that threatens to overwhelm, and even without being able to continue the project they started in January because of isolation and social distancing, the young Americana band have found ways to keep belief intact and motivation at intoxicating levels.

Having a foundation to work upon is paramount, having your own reason to be provocative is the chief principal of existence, that by meekly laying down yourself as a sacrifice as the dragon of fate blows its hot air in your face is not natural, that we must us every moment to create beauty, though solitude, isolation and quarantine defy us.

Using their foundation of great songs that went hand in hand with their excellent album Calling Me Home, the band have recorded their moments individually and placed tracks and crowd pleasers such as Cool Cat, the phenomenal reading of Steve Earle’s Copperhead Road, the sensuous acoustic version of Mariah, the superb Proud Mary, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, and You Ain’t Going Nowhere down in such a way that is magical, entertaining, homely and endearing.

If the nature of solitude is to be without the interaction that the soul deserves and craves then we are failing at being human, Longstay have proved that inspiration breeds completion, and that the mother of necessity is soothed by such outpourings of their contemplation and their art. The Quarantine Sessions is beautiful, powerful, required listening throughout.

Ian D. Hall