Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
To take a day in which to listen to the very beat of a soul and another person’s existence, is arguably one of the great privileges of our own lives. To put aside our own ego and revel in the time between heartbeats as we find common ground, the unexpected, the deliberate observation and a truth of another’s time here on Earth, is behold and consider our own actions, to almost stop the grind of Time’s relentless pursuit on age and thinking.
If we have a day then perhaps we might be better served if we step into another person’s shoes and feel with our own heart what they have achieved, and in the mind of an artist that is a pursuit in which our ego is shattered, for in listening to a series of albums from a musician, chronologically, back to back, and with the sense of openminded approach, you can see, almost touch, the progression of another’s life opening up before you, and appreciate it immensely when they offer you the words, “Thank you for listening to My Song.”
To be in the presence of Labi Siffre would certainly earn the distinction of being one of life’s extraordinary pleasures, but to be immersed and wallow in the satisfaction of the nine-studio album strong box set release of My Song, that is the point where the pursuit of understanding is fully realised; and as each album gets chewed over, as each track and special bonus songs are seen through the lens of time and anniversary, My Song takes on the role of ambassador, of first greeting, of indispensable joy.
The box set itself is the vision of the nine studio albums released either side of his self-imposed retirement, and from the beginning which saw Labi Siffre release his debut solo work in the 1970 self-titled piece, in which the stand-out track is the exceptional cover of The Bee Gee’s classic Words, and through to the final, tellingly titled, release of The Last Songs, this collection is not just essential, it is beautiful, it refuses to impose its will, because it doesn’t need to, what it does is gently announce itself and instals the feeling of greatness within the listener’s mind with ease, with satisfaction, and with the truth of the performer laid bare.
To be in that moment where you are given a free choice to see more than a snapshot, a series of pictures with reference, to another’s passion, life, setbacks, and achievements, is to love them more than you could ever imagine, and in My Song that love is surely a must.
Exceptional from start to finish, My Song is the definitive collection of Labi Siffre revealed.
Ian D. Hall