First review of "Palace Of Light"...

Many thanks to John Eliot for his generous thoughts on my new “Palace Of Light” album (available a week today) and on my work in general. Much appreciated, John!

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Beau – Palace of Light 

Cherry Red Records

Format CD Download and streaming on all platforms

Just a year ago I reviewed the album, Confessions of a Saboteur and here I am again, new music from Beau, Palace of Light for release on CD and all the usual streaming platforms April 25^th.

I mentioned in the previous review how I came across Beau for the first time in 1972. The album Creation issued on the John Peel label Dandelion. I collect vinyl records and just a few weeks ago in the vinyl shop in Cardiff, (CARDIFF RECORD EXCHANGE Whitchurch Road), a superb shop, and there was a copy of Creation from 1972, at £60. Made me wish I’d bought two copies!

There is a lot to say for musicians who made music in the seventies, and earlier, and are still making great records 50+ years later. Two examples, though there are others, but Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones come to mind. They are as relevant today as they were earlier in their careers.

This applies to Beau as well. I listen to Creation often, just as I will his new one, Palace of Light. In common on both, Beau plays the same 12 string guitar from 1968. And what a guitarist he is. Beau plays 12 string guitar, and I compare him favourably to the late Mississippi John Hurt who was a master of the instrument. The acoustic resonance of the 12 string, giving depth, sound and echo matched perfectly Beau’s performance of the songs which in themselves lyrically are quite perfect for the sound.

There is no other accompaniment and no other is needed. This is a very brave decision from Beau. It would be tempting to put into the mix even a stand up bass, and sparse drum but even such little would add nothing.

Beau is a poet. Rather like Paul Simon’s lyrics are as poetry, Beau is. Lyrics can read as very different from poetry. Even Bob Dylan’s lyrics, for me, do not stand alone as poetry. Not Beau, his words are poetry.

Particularly for lovers of the folk idiom, Palace of Light is a must for their collection. However, those who really appreciate music and words of quality, this is music from one the greats from the seventies to the present day, a part of quality musical history that should be heard.