Ian Parker: Your Love Is My Home

Ian Parker

RUF 4006

More about Ian Parker

05.00 Euro

Release date

2/2007

Release Notes

'Your Love Is My Home' (RUF 4006), the new single from Ian Parker, marks a defining moment in the career of one of Britain's best loved contemporary blues/soul artists. For the last decade Ian has been on a journey of discovery, a journey which although far from over, has already provided the young artist with a vast array of experiences which have shaped his musical identity. No experience proved more significant than the recording of the project album 'Pilgrimage' in 2005, during which Parker was sent by Ruf Records to Memphis and Mississippi to soak up the extraordinary music heritage on offer.

The single has a definite Stax feel to it, the influence of his stay in Memphis rubbing
off perhaps, but there is not a hint of parody or nostalgic emulation here. 'Your Love Is My Home' has complete contemporary relevance. Recorded analogue to tape, the single has the rich and warm sonic characteristics associated with the pre-digital age, but there is nothing retro about this release.

'Your Love Is My Home' brings together many of the key elements which make up Parker's musical persona - his soulful voice, stinging blues guitar playing, his penchant for infectious melodic hooks and neat arrangements, and above all his ability and willingness to share with his audience, the naked lyrical honesty which has come to characterise his style.

'Sweet Singing Sirens', another contemporary soul track backs up the single on this release. There is a raucous energy, and an exciting amalgamation of styles at work here, which make 'Sweet Singing Sirens' another stand out track on the album 'Where I Belong' combining a rock riff, a Motown bass line, a Rolling Stones style blues harp/telecaster signature melody, playful lyrics and a whining lead guitar solo, the track has all the ingredients necessary for a tasty blues/soul stew.

Also included on this release is a characteristically surprising, yet perfectly congruent solo acoustic rendition of U2's 'With Or Without You', a show stopper during Ian's enthralling live performances. He goes on to demonstrate his acute awareness of the heritage of his music, with the Skip James inspired delta blues, 'Before Sunrise'. Both tracks were recorded during the sessions for 'Where I Belong', but not included on the album.

Tracklist

Your Love Is My Home (radio edit)
With Or Without You
Sweet Singing Sirens
Before Sunrise