Review – Neil Wells ‘Live for Today’ - New Album
January 5, 2021
Album Review – Neil Wells ‘Live for Today’
‘Live for Today’ is the new album from Surrey based singer, musician and song writer Neil Wells who is a familiar figure on the local acoustic music scene. Neil joined his first band at the age of 15 and played in other local bands before starting a music production company as a joint venture with song writing/production partner Jonathan Brown for over 10 years, creating original songs and recordings. Neil has continued to write new songs, drawing inspiration from all sorts of avenues and experiences and in the last ten years performed these at open mic and showcase gigs.
The album which was recorded at Creative Control Studios in Berkshire kicks off with ‘Feel Like This’, Neil has a soulful voice and backed by a full band produces a light summery feel to his songs that makes you feel good. The catchy ‘Tiny Hands’ is a song about a baby being introduced to the world with backing vocals by Becky McVey and Elliott Brown which really brings the song to life. ‘Copenhagen Girl’ was the first single to be released from the album last year and like all good songs is reminiscent of something but I can’t for the life of me think what. The more bluesy ‘Whisky Road’ features Paul Player who many people will know from the GSMC Acoustic Showcase nights performs some excellent electric slide guitar on this track. ‘In the Spirit of Nile’ pays homage to Nile Rodgers from Chic and you can feel his influence throughout this album.
All eleven tracks on this album are very good but for me the standout track is ‘That’s What We Believe’ as this is where everything comes together, with a great song, Neil’s vocals and backing band all in fine form with a Hammond organ sound adding the finishing touch. ‘Why Don’t We’ is a song for these crazy times we are currently living in with a simple message of why don’t we all just be good to each other, which you can’t really argue with. ‘Marvin’s Philosophy’ pays tribute to the Prince of Soul Marvin Gaye and the album finale ‘Words Will Stay Unsaid’ is a slow, fluid and thought provoking song, which features Glen Vaal on harmonica.
‘Live for Today’ is a really good album which with the help of an excellent backing band and production from Al Heslop brings Neil’s excellent songs to life and is highly recommended.
Graham Steel - Berkshire - United Kingdom