More info: http://www.finlaymorton.com/index.html
On listening to this album you would be forgiven for thinking Morton was American. In fact, he is originally from Aberdeen in Scotland and now lives in London. This is his second album, the first being "Interpret This" in 2006.
During my initial listens to the album I had written down Chris Rea as being a possible comparison, but that is maybe more about my reaction to the music rather than a valid musical comparison. At his website he mentions Rock, Blues, Country and Folk, which all feature here. A little more surfing turned up mentions of Tom Petty and Neil Young. When I saw Tom Petty my reaction was "why didn't I pick up on that myself".
The tracks are mostly mid-paced countrified rock with soulful gospel -like female backing vocals contributing well in the background. John Ryan, the producer, who has worked with Santana and Lynyrd Skynyrd, has done a great job with those backing vocals and the contribution from the accomplished session musicians. Like, the aforementioned Petty and Young, Morton's vocals are kind of understated, but yet convey the emotion of the lyrical content.
I mentioned Chris Rea earlier and that is because when I used hear a Chris Rea song the radio I would always think "that was OK, maybe even quite good", but I've never bought a Chris Rea album. I have a similar reaction to Morton's music - it is the sort of music to have in the background as you are driving along (in my case, imaging myself in an open top sports car cruising down some American highway, rather than stuck in a Belfast traffic jam watching the rain on the windscreen) and yet if falls into that category of Radio 2 style music that I'm happy to listen, but which never really gets beyond the "pleasant" tag.
