Ojai
Michael Armstrong’s album #LookingForTheWorld was one of the first albums I reviewed on Stoakes Media. Since then, I’ve roped him into appearing on the Stoakes Media Advent Calendar and I even convinced him to lend me his song ‘Gypsy’ for the charity album ‘The Isolation Sessions’ last year. Not only that, Michael was good enough to sing and play keys on the song for me. It was when Michael and I were on BBC Essex, talking to Tony Fisher about The Isolation Sessions, that he mentioned there was a new album in the works. Since then, I have been pestering him to let me hear some stuff from it and it was a lovely surprise when a signed album landed through my letterbox last week.
The album, Ojai, has been produced by Michael, mixed by James Collins and mastered by Andy Walters. The album features a great line up of musicians. Dan Hawkins on the bass, Antoine Saults sharing electric and acoustic guitar duties with Michael, John Howells on drums and percussion, Simon Lockyer on strings and Ed Barker on saxophone – the very same Ed Barker that Michael was meeting in Westminster when he was ‘accosted by a gypsy on Parliament Hill’ which led to Michael’s song Gypsy being penned.
The album opens up with second single, ‘Each Others Eyes’ – in fact, it is the only song on the album that Michael has co-written with somebody else. The lyrics were written by Sam Stringfield on a songwriters retreat in Ojai (cue album title). Straight away with the opening chords, you get a feeling for how the entire album will sound. Think Eagles meets ELO and you’re in the right ball park. I love the harmonies; they sound like they have come straight out of a Jeff Lynne production and the melody is so catchy. I’ve not been able to get this out of my head since I first heard it.
Next up, ‘Kirkwall’ opens up with a lovely piano introduction. A song about dreams and ambitions perhaps not turning out quite how we planned. The song builds and finally accepts that it ‘wasn’t meant to be’ and resolves with a great blues infused guitar solo from Antoine Saults.
One of my favourites, ‘Facebook Fame’ is up next. It really brought a smile to my face. A damning commentary on the Facebook and Insta famous out there, punchy melodies and yet more catchy lyrics will have you nodding your head and tapping your foot along to this one. I have said before about Michael’s genius when it comes to writing lyrics, this is another one of those songs. ‘if you ain’t got the app, you’re in the Cumberland Gap’ springs to mind! The backing vocals are fantastic too, the production is great on them, evocative of those classic rock and roll songs of the early fifties. Just great!
Another lyrical treat follows with ‘Fandy Cappuccino’. Ed Barker’s sax really shines through on this one. A really cool track, it feels a little Steely Dan meets Billy Joel. A little more rough and ready than the rest of the album and not quite as chilled. There’s an urgency to this song. Perhaps it’s a little less ‘West Coast’ and possesses more of a New York type feeling.
The title track is up next and conjures up images of long hot California days, Michael’s voice is stunning and this song especially shows it off. It’s silky smooth. The harmonies again are delightful. As I’m listening to this, the sun is cracking the flags and it just makes you want to grab a beer and sit out in the garden. Special mention must go to Antoine Saults on another wonderful guitar solo, the guitar in this track especially takes on a character all of its own and it almost ‘speaks’ through the solo.
My Baby Blues is another album highlight for me. An up tempo track that oozes ‘cool’. Another example of Michael’s lyrical genius too, there’s something special about how he puts across those lyrics. ‘Matters of Heart’ is another one that is straight out of ‘Jeff Lynne’s guide to songwriting book’. An absolutely cracking song and if I don’t see it on the Radio 2 playlist very soon, I’ll be very surprised. It screams 70’s rock friendly radio, complete with saxaphone, strings, and a choir. I love the way the song slowly builds and crescendo’s and then slowly fades out leaving just Ed Barker’s sax ringing out.
I really like ‘Oh Well’ too, a slight change of pace and slightly edgier. Musically, it’s akin to David Bowie’s Heroes. It has that chugging rhythm section. The lyrics again are stunning, this is yet another one that Michael absolutely nails. I have to mention the album closer too. ‘Lockdown’ is an absolutely epic piece of music. Lyrically, it’s a sobering reflection on the lockdown last year, musically it’s upbeat and hopeful. The song is mostly instrumental, with a near three minute ‘outro’ which incorporates funky guitars and yet more great strings from Simon Lockyer and a blisteringly hot Saxophone lead.
So, how to sum up this album? Well, Michael Armstrong is a phenomenal musician, singer and songwriter. Vocally he is stunning and his vocal delivery is second to none. There is something so unique and special in the way he puts his songs across. There is so much weight and meaning behind each and every lyric and this only serves to draw the listener in even further. Now, Michael on his own would be great, but add the incredible musicians that Michael works with and you have something really, really spectacular. Overall, this is an album that everyone will love. Michael’s influences shine through, Steely Dan, Bowie, The Eagles, Billy Joel and ELO and if you like any one of those artists you will love Michael Armstrong’s album Ojai. This is an absolute must to add to your collection.
