This is a worthy first time self produced effort featuring 18 songs written mainly in the 70`s when Blight, who has also recorded under the pseudonym of Charlie Angel, lived at Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester. The concept album is a paean to the musician`s former hometown and is filled with countrified, Beatle-esque pop songs. Highlights include HAVEN`T GOT THE TIME and the George Harrison pastiche THE LORD which humorously mocks God. I`d be interested to see if the multi-instrumentalist can up the ante for that difficult second album - and will only have to wait till 2041 to find out !

Gaining Immortality I don’t listen to very much pop/rock these days, so perhaps I could be expected not to like this release, but I did. To put it in context, the previous pop/rock CD I had heard was Tower of Song (Leonard Cohen songs by various artistes such as Suzanne Vega and Peter Gabriel). Even though the lead vocals are vastly inferior, I found Gaining Immortality a far more interesting, and satisfying listen, being far less predictable with much more ’life’ in it. In fairness to Tower of Song, this may be due in part to my personal connection with both Chorlton and John Blight (but only in part as many of the tunes from G I are still spinning in my head, none from T of S lasted beyond the end of the final playing of the CD). The arrangements are well thought out and fit each song. The harmonies are very good and also fit each song, they are also stronger than the lead vocal, and John Blight to my ear sings better when the songs are less personal. It might be that he did not wish to be anything other than himself with the highly personal songs. Haven’t got the Time : less sophisticated than most of the songs, John appears to be apologising for the long wait we have had to endure before hearing this CD. Just a Writer : Always a favourite of mine, very good arrangement. The Lord : Interesting lyrics, I can imagine The Hollies performing this one. Alcoholic : Again interesting lyrics, unusual song structure, and who did John have in mind?! Chorlton -cum-Hardy : Lovely song. The lyrics promise at the start to deliver a lot of nostalgia, but, sadly, fail to develop. In this respect (alone) a missed opportunity. Heartbreaker : Not to my taste, but I can appreciate the care there has been taken with the arrangement. Who are Penny and Vanda on harmonies, and are they available to break my heart ? Calling you Back : The arrangement whilst excellent cannot rescue an eminently unmemorable song. Essoldo : John has truly captured something of the essence of going to the pictures in the 1970s. and the lovely arrangement ensures our attention remains to the end of the piece. Wendy Morgan : The Bread-like opening is a discouragement to listening further, but don’t worry it is not that dire. The song threatens to fall into that type of sickening sentimental slush, but doesn’t do so. It is a faithful rendering of youthful infatuation but does not quite convey the aching longing. Don’t Say : A perfect song. Meant to Be : Again, John nears the treacly sea of sugary theatrical sentiment, but stays on the shores of sincerity. Family Man : Great arrangement, very catchy, not sure that lyrically the song answers the questions it poses ! Longford Park 1965 : Very nice piece - what happened there all those years ago ? Another Day : Very touching, heartfelt, plaintive song. Chorlton Intro and Outro : Thanks for the credit John, Fifoot : Whooppee let’s play it again ! Great laugh from Bob Elliott at the end. I Wonder : Excellent song. The song gets darker as it progresses, the coda seems to take the song away from being about a failed love affair, to a failed life; to the futility of human existence. WARNING. DO NOT LEND THIS CD TO YOUR FRIENDS - THEY WILL WANT TO KEEP IT.