Customer Reviews

Passing Stranger

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As someone who has collected the litany of live and unreleased Jeff Buckley recordings to satisfy my appreciation for his music and personality, I often feel a hole in that genre of music in which he dwelled. Somewhere in the cracks of blues, alternative, and gospel often with an Indian tint.

This weekend I stumbled across Scott Matthews, who is likened to JB in nearly every review. After listening to his album, 'Passing Stranger', I understand why. The vocals are nothing compared to Jeff's (slim chance of finding that), but you can tell this guy has the same influences. Whether it's hints of Robert Johnson's guitar work or the mantric tablas present on half of the tracks, this appears to be an extension of Jeff's work. I'm not that into The Zep, but even my inexperienced ear can discern their taste in these songs. He's even opening for Robert Plant right now.

Admittedly, it's not a perfect album. Some songs reek of your local adult alternative radio station, and he seems to lack Buckley's edge. But I still found this album refreshing. Every few songs are spaced by a brief instrumental interlude, which doesn't break down the flow of the album at all, but rather acts to transition between the end of one idea and the beginning of another.

Just try listening to the main riff in 'City Headache' without your mind beginning to play 'So Real'.

Also, the album is streaming in its entirety at several websites for free (at the time of posting), so you should be able to get a good sample.

RIYL: Grace, Till the Sun Turns Black, Fight for Your Mind

And, what a great CD from a new singer/songwriter!

My local "Triple AAA" public radio station has been playing "The Fool's Still Fooling Himself" for quite awhile, and Scott's voice just hooked me from the first time I heard it.

I also hear a lot of Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake going on here, but I'm also catching a lot of songwriting influences from early Richard Thompson and Mark Knopfler.

"Passing Stranger" has a very autumnal "grown-up" feel to it, which I think makes it a perfect companion to the recent releases by Mark Knopfler and Joni Mitchell.

It's an absolute pleasure to hear this level of songwriting and musicianship from someone so young.

As Mark would say, "Oh, yeah, the boy can play!"

Indeed, he can. He writes some damn good songs, too.

Surprised this hasn't caught on in the States yet. A great talent and excellent album. You won't be disappointed.

I can't believe how good this album is. The songs are so solid I thought they must be covers, and Scott delivers them incredibly tastefully. I usually rip the CD and keep maybe two songs, but on this album I kept 13, and kept them in order too. That's extremely rare for me. I couldn't recommend this album any higher, best I've heard in ages.

This year has sent me off exploring 90's Electronica , Autechre through to The Orb. As nothimg had really caught my interest this year until I heard Scott Matthews "Elusive ", went to his webstite and downloaded the live video where interest turned into more then just interest. Then went on to pre-order the Album at Amazon .
I won't say what I think of the Album "Passing Stranger", I will leave that to a reviewer who is more gifted than I am . It could also upset some Hardcore Jeff Buckley fans and I'm afraid there are not enough sharks in the Pacific Ocean to stop them all from swimming across. Also came the realization that I have played Led Zepplin #I more than any other album.
Thankyou to the Triple J listner who informed the radio station of Scott Matthews , and Triple J's" 2007" program for playing "Elusive", and Amazon.

Passing Stranger

the CD was OK nothing to rave about, it wasrecommended to me which can go either way?

These guys opened for Plant/Krauss in Amsterdam last night.About 25 minutes with Matthews ,a drummer, and Cello player.The entire hall was bored stiff after about five minutes ,extremely boring accoustic guitarist, and not much of a singer.Very noodly wandering melodies with simple repetitive chord structures. Plant, Krauss and company were incendiary but a very poor choice of opening act.