In October, Ian M bailey followed up on his critically acclaimed EP ‘Shots of Sun’ with ‘Songs To Dream Along To’. Recorded and produced at his home studio, it was written with Cosmic Rough Rider’s songwriter Daniel Wylie and released on Kool Kat Musik.
Artwork courtesy of Ian and https://johnwashington.co.uk/
Musically, it lives romantically in the past, largely residing in the Laurel Canyon scene. There is modern-day wisdom to lots his writing keeping it relevant. ‘A Place To Live’, escapes to the gentle beauty of early Ian Matthews records. The real artistry though, appears in the lyrics, seemingly an ode to the child about the pitfalls of lockdown (“Glory days cut down in our prime”). Bailey is blessed with empathy in his writing but, in the chorus here, he taps into a melody so potent that, it lifts the troubled soul beyond its despair:
“just a place to live / a place where we can be together / just a place to live / we won’t be here forever”
‘I’m Not The Enemy’, tackles the same problems but, further down the line mental of struggle. As such, the Byrdisan sonic is tinged with Gene Clark’s rich darkness and the psyche solo suggests a breaking point was reached. Yet again, the uplift of the chorus keeps the protagonists reaching for the light.
The Byrds influences reach far and wide on the record. None better than on ‘This Is Not A Feeling’ with the 12 string Rickenbacker out in its all glory. The positivity radiating from the guitars and Bailey’s vocals is near perfect. Coupled with the enriching keys, a state of bliss is achieved.
Album number two has begun between bailey and Wylie. Based on this showing, it cannot come soon enough.
*Banner images courtesy of https://www.johnmiddleham.com/