Billy Liberator - "Companions" album review

 

Life as an independent artist is never an easy one and it's rarely a glamourous one either. Writing songs from the heart that won't be heard by nearly as many people that they should be and playing small gigs often with just a guitar, microphone and solitary spotlight Billy Liberator has chosen this life. Through passion, talent and a warm nature though Liberator has secured the help and support of Steve "Smiley" Barnard who has drummed, recorded and toured with a variety of household names including the iconic Joe Strummer as part of The Mescaleros.

Recorded at Smiley's Sunshine Corner Studio the multi-instrumentalist co-wrote the music as well as providing the musical backing alongside Liberator's guitar and words. This is quite a coup and has given the album a great overall sound and polish, maybe too much so in places as I'd love to hear some of these songs in a starker solo setting. Nevertheless it's undeniable that songs such as "Stand Up For Love" and "What Needed To Be Said" benefit from the full backing and lush production.

The album works best for me as a songbook of a great songwriter and standouts include "Get Up, Make It Better", "As Good As You Are" and "Evelyn". There are others crying out to be heard live with a good band behind him and a slight strain in his voice, "Boxcar Revival" is a definate dancefloor filler whilst "The Stuntwoman" is just waiting to find a roof to raise!

Liberator says his next album will be looser and that is something I can't wait to hear as "Companions" does a bloody good job at laying out his stall and whetting your appetite.

Find out more at billyliberator.com including purchase and streaming links.