Perry Blake

20th Anniversary edition with newly designed artwork and bonus 7” featuring ‘Brown Eyes’ and the previously unreleased ‘The Earth From Above’.

‘California’ was released in 2002 to massive critical acclaim and reacheda much wider audience across Europe. Features the hit singles ‘ThisLife’ and ‘Ordinary Day’. The album features Glenn Garrett on bass, Neil Conti (David Bowie /Prefab Sprout) on drums and Dickon Hinchcliffe (Tindersticks ) and RickCarter (The Sisters of Mercy) on keyboards. ‘California’ was mostly co-written with Italian composer Marco Sabiu,who collaborated with and was mentored by the late, great EnnioMorricone. Perry Blake, Sligo-born singer / songwriter, is one of music’s greatuntapped resources. After his first three singles - taken from his debutalbum - received Single Of The Week on Jo Wiley BBC Radio 1, Blakemoved to France, where he was met with critical acclaim with his nextfour albums, touring Europe with Carla Bruni and writing two songs forFrancoise Hardy’s Platinum-selling album ‘Tant de belles choses’,appearing on various TV shows in France as her special guest. You may very well wonder what to expect of an album with AmericanWest Coast orientations from an Irishman who happens to be criticallyacclaimed on the Continent but is largely ignored in Britain. Thankfully,Blake lives up to his billing with apparent ease. His song writing isevidently mature and melodic; he incorporates lush orchestralarrangements with tender vocals; and combines pop-like hooks with adeep sonic texture. ‘California’ is a thriving and absorbing collection of songs in whichorchestral arrangements strain with emotion, melodies thrive and bloom,like The Verve at their peak, though far more fragile and balmy. ‘California’ is ether for the soul - a truly magnificent and touchingcollection of frankly beautiful songs, which is up there with class of BryanFerry, The Blue Nile and anyone else who can turn a night around. Blake’s glimpses of people living a state of mind is one of those greatescapes it’s very hard to get away from. His gift here is to take asubdued, grown-up collection of songs but make them sound like theydeserve daytime radio.