Pretenders and Paul McCartney band alumni Robbie McIntosh has the distinction of being the first artist to have two cd's reviewed on my website. His first cd that I reviewed back in December was the all acoustic "Unsung". I still find myself going back to that particular cd, and his first with the Robbie McIntosh Band; "Emotional Bends". It was only logical to purchase the band's latest, "Wide Screen". The performance and writing is satisfying on this release, but I see that it's also very difficult for him to follow the solid efforts of his first two releases.
This time around, McIntosh decided to bring in some noteable guests on this release. Chrissie Hynde shares some back-up vocals on "Fire and Flame". The mandolin and slide guitar work on this tune is nice and soothing, but Hynde's vocals should have been used more than just background. Perhaps, they should have done a duet instead. Regardless, it's one of the stronger tracks on the cd. Veteran 80's singer, Paul Young, gives the same back-up vocal treatment to "Separate Tables". He does a fine job, but you can barely hear his trademark vocals! I do like this track also because of it's interesting analogy of the need to eat meals together to become closer to someone: "We should all sit down together, eat together and stay together. We should all sit down but not at seperate tables.". "No Feeling for the Blues" shows off the awe-inspiring blues guitar licks that McIntosh can churn out. The playing is solid here, and probably the best I've heard on any of his cds. Robbie's singing is solid, with a tinge of Scottish accent. What he lacks in range is made up for with soul. His vocals shine on the opener "Rat in the Hole". Sounding like a fun English pub song, the song is spiced up with jew's harp played by Peter Hope Evans. Evans can be heard on many of Pete Townshend's releases. Evans adds some great harmonica playing to "My Secret". The acoustic guitar and sparce sounding drums give the track a pleasant un-plugged effect. Although they fail to deliver on the tune "Wide Screen" (Robbie's vocals are just a little too weak to keep up with this demanding song) the performances and recording here are consistently good. Much like "Unsung", McIntosh finishes the cd off with the acoustic and beautiful "Special Fried Turnip". He seems to know what his strengths are in song recording, and it would have been a shame to not include another all acoustic track on this release.
I guess if I'd recommend a first purchase to the average fan out there, I would probably go with one of McIntosh's other two releases. "Wide Screen" is still a very solid and enjoyable release, but like I previously stated it's hard to follow your own high standards! I'm just happy of the abundance of recording that Robbie McIntosh and his band are doing. If he continues to put a new cd out every year, I'm sure I won't complain. Go to the Compass Records link above to purchase any of Robbie's three releases.
