| Americana, Folk |
Iain Matthews – How Much Enough (volume One)
Do you remember Iain Matthews from the 1980s? He was undoubtedly one of those artists who managed to capture your attention with at least one unforgettable track, such as Lies:
But that was then. Iain Matthews is a multifaceted artist who seems to have now truly defined his craft, crafting exquisitely poetic lyrics set against a backdrop of folk music. To understand Iain Matthews’ artistic evolution, one must delve into his history. An English musician and singer, Iain first gained recognition as a founding member and vocalist on the first three groundbreaking albums of Fairport Convention. With this group, he played a pivotal role in revolutionizing folk music in Britain.
Subsequently, he founded Matthews’ Southern Comfort, where he explored his growing interest in American music. This venture brought him a European chart-topping success with a cover of Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock. Ever restless and in search of new horizons, Iain forged ahead in the 1970s, forming another group, Plainsong, in collaboration with British singer-songwriter Andy Roberts. This project allowed him to flourish as a songwriter and hone his skills as a deft acoustic guitarist. Between his solo albums and various Plainsong formations, Iain released ten critically acclaimed records, including the U.S. Top 10 hit Shake It.
His latest endeavor began at the Labo sonore: Iain Matthews and I recently completed the masters for his forthcoming solo album, How Much Is Enough. Just two months ago, he approached me with an intriguing proposition: “What would you think about producing what might well be my final album?” My immediate reaction was an enthusiastic “Of course, fantastic!” tempered with, “Let’s see where it takes us.”
Iain had already played me some of the songs he had written for the project, and they were remarkable—vivid, heartfelt, and deeply resonant. Yet, considering today’s music landscape, his age, and the extraordinary body of work he leaves behind after six decades, the notion that this could mark the end of his recording career didn’t seem so far-fetched.
Being a part of this album, pouring all my musical passion into it, feels like a rare privilege—one I do not take for granted. Truth be told, the moment I held the finished album, I was struck by its beauty: tender, elegant folk ballads, imbued with a harmonious craftsmanship that finds its essence in simplicity and enhanced by truly exceptional production quality.
Iain’s career has been a tapestry of remarkable chapters. At one point, he worked behind the scenes in the music industry, serving as musical director at Island Records. He might have continued down that path had Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin not persuaded him to return to making music. Back in the U.S., he resumed his solo career and projects with Plainsong. During this period, he recorded a stunning rendition of Peter Gabriel’s Mercy Street, contributed to a Phil Ochs tribute album, and collaborated with Nanci Griffith both in the studio and on tour. Before eventually departing the U.S., he released a highly respected album with the wryly titled Excerpts from Swine Lake.
In the early 2000s, Iain settled in the Netherlands. Now, at the age of 78, he unveils his 38th solo album, How Much Is Enough—an album that, in my opinion, ranks among his very best.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, November 26th 2024
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