Artist – John Witherspoon
Album – Showin’ Up, Startin’ Again
Released – 1st December 2020
Reviewer – Stuart Todd, Liverpool Acoustic
Liverpool singer-songwriter John Witherspoon has been receiving radio airplay on BBC Music Introducing and has been busy writing and recording some new music during lockdown.
The ‘Shining Man’ makes his long-awaited debut with the album Showin’ Up, Startin’ Again. Recorded with producer Alec Brits at The Cabin studio in the Baltic Triangle last year, Witherspoon’s distinctive voice wraps itself around ten personal reflective pieces.
This set has been preceded by a series of single releases, which include the strong opener Mr Low Down, On You Go, I Am Your Darling, My Dad and the companion piece My Mum.
Taking his cue from artists such as Ryan Adams and Ron Sexsmith, the alternative country feel of the album is best demonstrated on the epic closing number Outlaw, which features some atmospheric pedal steel. The lead guitar playing on Sweety Pie is also worth a mention.
The mood is serious throughout but the consistency of the songs and performances engage the listener enough without being too sombre.
Overall Showin’ Up, Startin’ Again by John Witherspoon is a strong confident debut of well-crafted material, with a full polished sound emphasised by solid production.
Review © 2020 Stuart Todd, Liverpool Acoustic
Showin’ Up, Startin’ Again is released on 1st December on all major digital platforms, and is available to pre-order at ditto.fm/showin-up-startin-again