What does it sound like?:
Sometimes a new album sideswipes you; whips the rug from under your feet and sends you tumbling into a different time and space. Once such album is the new one from Danny & The Champions of the World, ‘You Are Not a Stranger Here.’
It is seven years since the band’s last studio album, seven years in which so much has happened to Danny George Wilson, the band’s principle songwriter, voice and frontman; from solo album to his other band, Bennett Wilson Poole, he’s been a busy Antipodian. He bought into a record shop – Union Music in Lewes which also has a satellite branch in the wonderful Sound Lounge in Sutton where, if it’s your lucky day, you can drink coffee and talk music with the man himself when he’s ‘behind the counter.’ This has exposed him to so much new music, broadened his horizons and, along with the pandemic, made him look differently at the world.
So, if you were expecting another Champs homage to The E Street Band for this, their seventh studio album, then this is where the rug gets pulled right from underneath you.
The ten tracks here, four of which are short instrumental pieces which knit the tapestry of sounds together perfectly, all flow beautifully. This is an album which you have to play from start to finish to get the most from it. It winds like a river; it wraps itself around you like your favourite overcoat; it keeps throwing up surprises, all of which are wonderful; nothing jars, nothing grates; everything is warm and positive.
The opener, Talking A Good Game, is introduced with the sample of a weather forecast and some of producer/keyboard player Thomas Collison’s sound effects before the Champs come chugging in and Danny sings,
‘I can talk a good game; but I can’t deliver.’ I can hear this opening the live set.
The bookend to Talking A Good Game, the album’s closer, Sooner or Later, is the other most-familiar sounding D&TCOTW song on the record. It is a glorious song, the type which Danny George Wilson excels at; looking at himself and his attempts to be a better person;
‘Sooner, sooner or later; We all get found out. Too human, too human; Ain’t love what it’s all about? Removing doubt.’
Paul Lush’s distinctive, melodic guitar-playing is everywhere; never overpowering, always supporting the song. Steve Brookes and Henry Senior make up the rest of The Champs, adding drums and pedal steel to the bedrock of this fabulous band.
Today, Kicking Tyres is my favourite song. Moody and understated, it stretches its wings effortlessly, Daniel Hawkins’ fretless bass underpinning the whole delicate structure. Then, just when you think you have the song sussed, Senior’s distant, echoey pedal steel takes you somewhere else completely before Paul Lush plays my favourite guitar-solo of the year; (and I’ve just been to see David Gilmour.)
I’m In Love and Future Past sit perfectly alongside each other before the third of the instrumental pieces, In Search of Koji, morphs into The Robot Cries and we’re in familiar big-screen territory where Danny uses movie-references to emphasise his point. The song hits its stride perfectly and Daniel Hawkins and his slap-bass lock into Steve Brookes’ deep pocket before Lachlan Wilson’s alto-sax takes us home from the cinema.
The longest of the linking-pieces, The Poetics of Space, leads us beautifully into the closer, Sooner or Later which will become a Champs classic and a live favourite.
Collison has done a superb job with the production and mixing of the album; the range of sound and dynamics is captured beautifully and it sounds great, even on my little portable speaker, in the car or on the main system.
You Are Not a Stranger Here is a masterpiece; the experimental sound arrives confident and fully fledged and, most importantly, the songs are some of Wilson’s finest. As the final note fades away I cannot wait to hear it again and just press ‘Repeat Play’.
What does it all *mean*?
If there is any justice then this album will get this terrific band, and Danny George Wilson, noticed by people who should have known better for ignoring them.
Goes well with…
Any situation when you can concentrate. This is not background music.
Release Date:
18th October 2024
Might suit people who like…
Anything Danny has done but also Pink Floyd fans; no, seriously.
niallb says
Boneshaker says
I used to like Grand Drive in small doses, but I’ve always struggled with Danny & The Champions of the World. Praise is often heaped upon them, most consistently by the Americana UK website for whom they can do no wrong, but I find the songs bland and derivative and Danny George Wilson’s voice extremely irritating. I gave the new album a listen the other day hoping to be persuaded, but sadly nothing has changed my mind. Sorry.
Jaygee says
Loved the live album they recorded in Spain that someone here bigged up a few years back.
Will give this a listen. Cheers as always for your excellent posts @niallb
retropath2 says
Doesn’t he look like Bill Bryson? The drums, which began seeming less man than machine, became eventually hypnotic, making the surrounding soundscape drift in and out quite effectively. Better than I expected, as a replay recently of my Grand Drive albums proved them less than I thought at the time. Voice is OK, steel nicely understated, allowing the guitar to shine.
Leedsboy says
So happy to be reminded about Danny & The Champions of the World – thank you. Am going to have a listen to my Grand Drive albums before I dive into the new one.
fentonsteve says
I liked the albums they made with my chum Rosalie Deighton.
Razor Boy says
A review that I echo Niall, it’s a lovely departure from the Americana (that I also like)
I spoke to Henry Senior when he was playing with Our man in the Field in Jerico, Oxford a couple of years ago and he said they were slowly laying down tracks for a new album and they were a bit different.
This is certainly in my top 5 of the year so far and I concur on Kicking Tyres.
Just to say, I have been listening to this on headphones and it sounds superb !
Just a shame for me that for their second tour running ,I’m waiting to book a holiday that time, and most likely won’t be able to see this live .
SteveT says
Great review @niallb and I am in the same ‘can do no wrong’ camp as you.
I saw them at the Donkey in Leicester maybe a year or two before Covid. The place was full to the rafters and it remains one of the best small venue gigs I have ever seen.
As you mention the production is fantastic and the sound is a gentle departure from their normal blueprint.
Looking forward to joining you at their London gig next week.
niallb says
Can’t wait 👍
Lemonhope says
They’re happy with your review
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/RMjtk65UfcS3Bjae/?mibextid=WC7FNe
niallb says
@Lemonhope, great isn’t it @Bargepole will be delighted that The Afterword reviews are getting a wider audience.
Bargepole says
👍