If you've been to much live music in the last ten years, chances are you've seen Pat Orchard, opening for tasteful singer-songwriter types like John Martyn or Bert Jansch, whose audiences often seen to wish their idols had retained some of the signature sounds that characterised their anonymous support act's set. Orchard's last album, Shabby Road, saw the virtuoso guitarist slicing through a snowstorm of echoing effects, but here he is in troubadour mode, and one could imagine the millions of people who snaffle David Gray albums making Orchard one of their own if he too were to receive the patronage of radio playlists. Purists may bulk at the perhaps overfinessed arrangements, but, on the nine minute Earthbound, Orchard deploys his arsenal of accompanists to bolster a simple acoustic guitar part to hypnotic effect.

There was a time back in the '8O's when clever music was all the rage - Prefab Sprout, Danny Wilson; and Deacon Blue were obviously big Steely Dan fans, and we loved them for it - well did! This disc reminds me most pleasantly of lost decade, and especially of Thomas Lang., if you remember him, It all hangs together attractively and pretty underivatively, despite the memories it evokes. The vocals are sweet but fragile; the arrangements are jazzy but melodic and sometimes piano-based. You remember rippling piano-based arrangements? Yes, me too but I hadn't heard any In ages. They give town-y tinge to music in the tame way that acoustic guitars tend to sound more like open spaces. Pat hails from Devon, in fact, and has something of a rep. as a guitarist, It says on web site, and there are photos that show doing the big hair and grimace thing (although I have it on good authority that modeling a far more sensible set of locks these days). But his playing on here, though notably dexterous, is restrained and acoustic. The sound is of a man comfortable with his voice, his simple, soppy love songs, and his sophisticated arrangements. (He sometimes pronounces his R's as 'W's too, in a Jonathan Woss style, which adds another human touch.) The guitars ripple, pianos are plaintive, upright basses thrum, synths swell, occasionally, and you just know he'd have some real strings if he could afford them. Earthbound, the best track, even clocks in at over nine minutes, has a three-and-a-half minute intro and instrumental passages! And just have to quote the following lyrics from a song called Fish: 'If you're looking for meanings I really don't have any / I took all these words from a rhyming dictionary.' A refreshingly sweet and dexterous disc for fans of urban sophistication.

Each new day brings its batch of discoveries and surprises, the sort of things we never suspect the existence but which suddenly appears to us as a revelation. Music doesn't escape this quite weird rule and that's how I have discovered numerous great artists, bands or labels over the last few years. And a day I was given the chance to listen to Pat Orchard's music by receiving his fifth and brand new album entitled "Outside" which should be available when you will read these lines. According to his biography, Pat has been raised in Africa until the age of twelve and this early stage of his youth has surely been and still is an endless source of inspiration for his songs as the album is filled up with references to a wide section of world music including stuff rooted in a certain african tradition. These influences are sometimes really obvious as on the percussion driven number "Fish" whose groovy acoustic framework and exotic perfumed lines very much owe their characteristics to sunny musics. These delightful vibes echo on the textures of a bunch of songs in the shapes carribean melodies ( "Part of your magic"), reggae influenced drumming ( "Praying to the wrong one" ), didgeridoo's appearance ( "Rain falls on down" ). Enclosed in a music whose outlines cross over the boundaries of sensitivy and melancholy, this warm sensation enriches the pop, rock and folk dimensions of Pat's music. His songwriting becomes more delicate and lighter in the course of the most introspective and intimate moments that I could describe as soft and sweet ballads ( "Mindwalking", "Stone, cold, crazy", "Outside", "Earthbound" ) which lead the listener either into smoky jazz clubs or towards dreamier places where blend joy, hope, love and insouciance. These feelings moreover become yet stronger during "Part of your magic" and "Still flowing" where the breath of life springs up from the choruses, emphasizing the catchy touch of the melodies which definitely set these tracks as highlights of the album. On the other hand a more careful reading of the lyrics reveals a more down-to-earth approach which stands a bit in contrast with the lively nature of half "Outside". As if the whole conveyed a large amount of optimism but where would be underneath hidden a more realistic look at the world. Around a diversified range of emotions, "Outside" finally stands as a very mature album where Pat frees his conscience, giving people the benefit of his own experience. Absolutely brilliant

After the acoustic solo CD "Shabby Road" British singer-songwriter and consummate guitarist Pat Orchard releases his fifth collection of songs, "Outside". The lyric themes and music inhabit territories between his lost CD which was more upbeat, angry in a controlled expressive way about life's state of play, personal or otherwise, and the wonderful 'Southern Skies' with its more quietly intense observations on human need and love. This CD opens with the title track, the shortest track and has a light jazzy feel, piano and guitar fluidly setting up a late night into dawn atmosphere that perfectly captures the melancholy of the observer's isolation. The mood of the music, returns a few songs later on the albums largest track "Earthbound". The atmosphere is set up by light acoustic guitar, piano and cymbal brush work until about 3 min. 45 sec. Before the song begins. The singer is musing on his longing for a particular girl, whom he observes is airbound "like the stars above" whilst he is so earthbound. At just over 9 minutes it's a gem. In fact the song preceding it, "Beautiful Poison" set's "Earthbound" up. The verses are lightly upbeat with some trademark guitar then the chorus dips moodily and magically to give the lyrics a reflective intensity. Following the second chorus, there is a quite exquisite piece of guitar playing. After 'Earthbound' comes two definably more altering (?) tracks. Praying the "Praying the wrong one" is downtrodder by society, loser planned to God when he gets up to heaven, asking where was my share. On "Fish" Pat plays mandolin as well as guitar. The song is, like "Praying.." musically upbeat statement. With an amusing lyric this could be the song that is most accessible in terms of popular appeal. It takes a nice swipe at the political animals' hypocritical standards and at human notice (?) in general as fish who have "learn how to walk". For all fans of dawning ? in theory ! " Rain comes Dawn" is a song I heard some time ago and wondered about. At last it surfaces and what a highlight it is. Playing with the theme of travelling the restless spirit who's "never happy still" the song captures the essence of continual movement, dissatisfaction, searching and the price that has to be paid inevitably. Great structure andand guitar playing for the opening finger picking, the verse chord structure to the killer chorus "Around the corner etc." into a musical bridge with cascading high stunning gentle finger picking mimicry rainfall, this is an absolute beauty. So good it is that the 6 minutes duration seems too short oh well, just have to repeat it. Magisterial ! The CD finishes with the quiet reflective "mindwalking" and returns in to where the CD began in terms of lyrical mood. A perfect closer capturing the sense of loneliness and longing whilst wandering the streets of London's West End on the outside of the gaudy hustle, an observer. This CD has the stamps of mystery, magic and humanity to it. For all discerning listeners it is an essential experience. I'll say it again Pat Orchard is a unique singer-songwriter / guitarist.