James Walsh - Turning Point

by Anthony Strutt

published: 6 / 4 / 2014

Label: Solo Music
Format: CD

Emotive and soulful debut solo album from Starsailor singer and guitarist, James Walsh

Review

'Turning Point' is the debut album from James Walsh, the singer and guitarist in Starsailor, comes four years after the last Starsailor album, 'All the Plans'. Revealing that he has lost none of his charm at all, it opens with the title track, which has a 1970 George Harrison flow while his vocals remain solid. 'Better Part of Me' is stripped right down, and, a beautiful love song to a wife or partner, is very believable, which is what attracted me to Starsailor originally. 'Empire' is a soul-searching number that will be enjoyeed by his regular audience and shows that the muse hasn't left him at all. 'That Man', is toe-tapping fun, while 'Firing Line' is acoustic-based, again bare to its naked bones, and soulful, reminiscent of Sarsailor's original mentor Tim Buckley. 'Broken You' opens with stunning acoustic guitar, and is heartfelt and warm as a father sings to a sick child. 'We Could Try' is anthemic, and recalls Starsailor in all their brilliance. 'Fading Grace' is gentler, and, finding James backed by just guitar and strings, is absolutely heart melting. 'If I Had the Words' is scratchy, with something of a Crazy Horse vibe. 'Isabel' is backed by piano with soaring vocals which increases his vocal range, and creates a melting point of great ideas. The soulfullness of 'Better Luck Next Time' ends a great debut solo album.

Track Listing:-

1 Turning Point
2 Better Part of Me
3 Empire
4 That Man
5 Firing Line (feat. Suzanne Vega)
6 Broken You
7 We Could Try
8 Fading Grace
9 If I Had the Words
10 Isabel
11 Better Luck Next Time