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Although The Mustangs have been regulars on the British music scene for several years, there is more to frontman Adam Norsworthy than endless blues rock riffs.
This is his fourth solo CD and shows a more sensitive and literate side to the singer-songwriter. It’s more Martyn Joseph than Muddy Waters, although the legendary bluesman does get a name check on the title track.
The production is a little rough and ready at times, and Norsworthy clearly could not resist a few nods to David Bowie and the 1980s with a couple of new wave style synthesizers thrown in for good measure. While it is a grower and requires repeated listenings, this is a solid album. The Mustangs have long been one of this country’s most underrated live acts and as a songwriter Norsworthy is one of the scene’s best kept secrets.
Jamie Hailstone, R2 Magazine, December 2010 |
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Frontman of the Mustangs, here we have Adam stepping out again by himself.
If pushed just a little then he could quite happily sit in
folk and roots singer-songwriter genres, as well as our beloved
blues. Artists who can adapt and cross from style to style
have always taken me along on their musical journeys. These
are quiet and reflective musings for the most part, and the
title track, which opens proceedings, has a gentle descriptive
narrative to it.
‘Better Man’, ‘Summer Rain’ and ‘Coming
Home’ continue ina similar vein. There is a kind of
early America soft rock feel throughout, including on the
ballad ‘When The Sun Goes Down’. In fact, using
‘Let Her Get On With Her Life’ , for example,
could have come straight off ‘Homecoming’.
Some darkness is present in ‘Violent Man’, but
even here we have Adam pronouncing he is not such a character.
So, we come to the end of the CD with ‘Rollercoaster’.
I liked this album.
Reviewed by Graham Scott, Blues Matters Magazine, Spring
2009 |
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The Mustangs' frontman Adam again takes a break from leading
one of the UK’s best young blues bands, to release his
fourth solo CD. Ten recordings of superior melodic rock are
the result, with his exceptional touch guaranteeing prime
West-Coast flavoured fare. Traces of Jimmy Webb mingle with
early Van Morrison and vocal echoes of Ronnie Lane, adding
up to a crafted, resonant album. When The Sun Goes Down
stands tall, with its Roy Orbison style theme and plaintive
mandolin, highlighting why Adam deserves every opportunity
to reach a wide audience.
Musician Magazine Spring 2009
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This is the second solo release by Adam Norsworthy, who is also
the lead-singer for The Mustangs, a band from the Blues Matters
stable who are starting to make a real name for themselves across
the UK.
Combining blues, folk and pop, his solo work showcases a softer,
more reflective side, and Memory Vine is a nice collection of ten
self-penned tracks, inspired by musicians as diverse as Bob Dylan,
Neil Young, Van Morrison and early Rod Stewart.
The CD opens with the wonderful head-nodding track "You're
My Song", which is an acoustic-rock ballad, followed by standout-track
"Tip Toe". The approach is light and swinging and Adam's
vocals fully capture the trepidation and hesitation experienced
by two people in love.
"Let Your Red Hair Fall" is another favourite of mine,
mainly because of the effective way the instruments mimic the emotions
expressed in the song's lyrics. Adam's plaintive plucking of the
acoustic-guitar slowly builds into a crescendo of sound which is
then punctuated by the 'boom boom' of the timpani drum. All of this
sounds like a storm breaking, mirroring the storm of emotions contained
in the song's lyrics.
Thereafter we are treated to a full-bodied, mellow collection of
songs that flow into each other effortlessly, including the gorgeous,
melodic tracks, "Drop in the Ocean", "You're Gone",
"Telephone Silence" and "Time I Said Goodbye".
What these tracks have in common is the integrity and intent of
Adam's vocals, together with the accomplished musical arrangements,
playing, song writing and production – all undertaken by Adam.
We can all identify with the main theme of this album, which is
love, and the myriad of pleasure and painful emotions contained
within it, which makes this album a pure sensory experience.
Memory Vine is the kind of album that will sit comfortably alongside
records by the more established musicians that have inspired it.
Each of the ten tracks has a true and solid craftsmanship, therefore
it is hard to single out a track that I didn't truly like. As such,
it is a worthy addition to your music catalogue and is definitely
worth a listen – particularly for those of you who appreciate
well-crafted melodic blues and folk songs.
"A masterclass in songwriting craftsmanship"
"Adam Norsworthy is a great talent, well worth checking
out"
"Let It Roll perfectly showcases the Mustang’s ear for
a good hook and blistering musicianship"
"The Mustangs press all the right buttons…and have
quality songs in abundance. Traditional hi-octane blues with a modern
twist."
"Those that like to dance will be well pleased with the Mustangs,
those that like to sit and listen will enjoy, in fact this band
have something for everyone no matter how you like your Blues. Glorious!"
"Performing a selection of blues tunes it’s easy to
see why they were voted best band of the year in respected music
magazine GigBase.Frontman Adam Norsworthy draws his charismatic
voice from some dark corner of his soul, and presumably rips his
dynamic guitar mayhem from the same scary place"
"The Mustangs stand out. It is obvious these guys have their
own agenda"
"Good music, a tight band, a real desire to please the audience
and a fabulous frontman! There are very few frontmen around who
can combine a great voice and guitar-playing with a high energy
stage performance, natural charisma and good looks!"
"Ass-kicking"
"Entertainment, quality of musicianship and songwriting craft
- The Mustangs are a band that can get a crowd up on their feet
or enthrall a sitting audience and that is a great combination to
have in your musical armoury".
"The tightest blues band in the UK"
"One of the most exciting blues bands in the UK today"
"The Mustangs are the top south coast blues band"
"The Mustangs have a growing reputation – time to investigate"
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