Acclaimed composer Stephen Emmer pays tribute to the pop crooner on latest effort “International Blue,” the long-gestating follow up to his 2008 spoken-word slab “Recitement.” The 10-track new album features powerful vocal contributions from Midge Ure (Ultravox), Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17), Liam McKahey (Cousteau) and Neil Crossley (Furlined). -About International Blue, the album.
Gregory’s four songs are my favorite, with opener “Let the Silence Hold You,” “A Break in the Weather” and “In the Mirror Reflected” especially effective. Ure appears only on “Taking Back My Time,” but he makes the most of the tune. McKahey shines brightest on “Song for a Deserted Wife” and “Mama’s Mad,” while Crossley scores with “Sleep for England” and “Seachange.” Good stuff. (Jeffrey Sisk)
[Jeffrey Sisk - 17-09-2014]
