Between Today and Yesterday

Jason Barnard reviews three releases on Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red that represent today and yesterday.

Alan Price’s 1974 aptly titled album Between Today and Yesterday sees a welcome reissue. An LP that established him as one of the best British songwriters of the mid-70s this newly remastered version sounds better than ever. Tracks like ‘In Times Like This’ and ‘Away Away’ highlight poverty and the plight of ‘Left Over People’, themes from Alan’s childhood. ‘Jarrow Song’ was a top ten hit, a bold lyrical move that saw Alan singing about the Jarrow Hunger March at a time that glam was hitting the charts. The bluesy organ led ‘You’re Telling Me’ is worth the admission alone.

Nick Beggs new album Words Fail Me showcases his mastery of the Chapman Stick instrument. In this new set, Nick chooses a wide range of styles from Jaco Pastorius’s ‘Portrait of Tracy’, Elton John’s ‘Blue Eyes’ to David Sylvian’s ‘Night Porter’. However ‘Midnight Cowboy’ is particularly affecting, with this stripped back interpretation bringing out every nuance of  John Barry’s genius. Accompanying his new LP are two reissues of Nick’s earlier records on the Chapman Stick. 2002’s ‘Stick Insect’ and 2004’s follow-up ‘The Maverick Helmsman’ demonstrate his own superb songcraft.

Djabe & Steve Hackett’s Back to Sardinia is the follow-up to their 2016 collaboration ‘Life Is A Journey – The Sardinia Tapes’. With this new album, Hungarian band Djabe and Genesis legend Steve Hackett revisit this successful approach for more improvised sessions. Highlights include the title track, ‘Lake By The Sea’ and ‘Bottles In The Water’. The accompanying DVD presents the album in 5.1 surround sound, documentary ‘When The Film Is Rolling’, live performances of the Genesis classic ‘In That Quiet Earth’ plus the Djabe and Steve Hackett tracks ‘Tears for Peace’ and ‘Turtle Trek’.