THE GREAT DEPARTURE - CD REVIEW

If you are one of life’s “fortuitous people” you will hear an album which has a profound effect on your life, Shaun T Hunter’s recently launched CD “The Great Departure” is such a CD. Personally I have never listened to an album of songs which have touched me so emotionally and spiritually.

Seeing Shaun “live” is a wonderful experience, however, in a noisy pub it is impossible to take in all the subtle and poignant lyrics this unique song-writer produces.

A ‘normal’ CD review outlines the songs and describes or quotes certain lyrics, to do this with Shaun’s CD would take a ream of paper, due to the complexities and feelings described in the songs, all of which we have experienced along our journey in life, including all the pain, suffering, despair, hope and joy.

To listen to these songs, either in a room of subtle lighting or with your eyes closed takes you to a higher consciousness, where you will find, or touch, your own personal god, spirit or destiny.

CELEBRATION TWENTY-FIVE FIFTY

Musicians and music lovers travelled from far and wide to celebrate one of the regions top percussionist’s 50th birthday and Silver Wedding. Jeff Willacy and wife Jackie hosted their party at the magnificent 17th century Sun Hotel at Troutbeck Bridge, Windermere last weekend. Your correspondent’s journey was eventful due to a blow-out on the A65 and the subsequent ninety minute wait for the white knight in the orange transit to arrive. With the old wheel taking an extra 50% of the boot space compared to the spacesaver wheel, what followed resembled a cross between a Generation Game event or an It’s a Knockout trial for ramming as much luggage and people on to the back seat of a Nissan Micra as possible! Reaching our destination we then made our way to the Sun Hotel and walked into a surreal pub-quiz, where the general knowledge section consisted entirely of questions about Pantomimes (for the benefit of the local drama club team), members of Peculiar Blue were not impressed! A jam session followed past midnight as a prelude to the next evening. Saturday saw a stroll into Burness and a search for a music pub, the nearest we could find was “The John Peel” (unfortunately not the JP we all listened to on our “trannies”). An enjoyable meal followed in the company of Chris Smith, West Yorkshire’s answer to Tom Waits. Saturday evening will be remembered by everyone who had been invited as a very special evening for two very special people. The list of musicians playing read like a “who’s who” of Yorkshire Musicians. Kwame D opened with “Party for the world” and the evening saw classic performances by John Birkby, The Lowtown Blues, Peculiar Blue, Chris Smith, the banjo playing Tony Wilson, singer-songwriter Ramon and a guest spot by “The Smiths” (Pudsey’s Chris and Pete), many supported by young Robert on various shakers and showing more stamina than his elders. A memorable rendition of “Moon River” by Steve Cockerill carried us on until the early hours, before settling down on the floor at 4-00am to get some sleep in true Rock ‘N’ Roll style. After four hours sleep our cottage was already reminiscing on a fabulous weekend and the feeling that if the atmosphere and feel-good factor that encapsulated this party could be bottled, the world would be a far better place.

LAUNCH OF 'THE GREAT DEPARTURE'

It has been announced that the eagerly awaited CD launch of Leeds Music Awards winner, Shaun T Hunter will be at the Mixing Tin, Albion Street, Leeds on Friday 21st April. Informed sources close to the singer believe the CD ‘THE GREAT DEPARTURE’ will prove to be one of, if not ‘THE’ CD to purchase this year. Following on from the critically acclaimed ‘FLYING NOT FALLING’ CD, the new album is described as an evocative lyrical and musical pastiche with the same heartfelt and honest intention that was evident on ‘FLYING’ yet is a tighter, leaner and ‘heavier’ record due to its subtle recreation of a live performance. Shaun has recently received sponsorship from Hobgoblin Music and also tied up a 3 album distribution deal with Voiceprint.

'The Great Departure'Friday April 21st @ The Mixing Tin, Albion Street, Leeds£4 (entry entitles a special one off price on album)Band line up with cello, mandolin, cajon, violin, flugelhorn, harmonica & flute players from the record.

www.shaunthunter.com
www.voiceprint.co.uk
www.hobgoblinmusic.com