Compassion

Singer, songwriter and melodeon supremo Keith was a formidable, larger-than-life presence on the wider folk/folk-rock scene in the late-80s and early-90s, during which time he and his compadres made a series of classic albums, the first of which, This World We Live In, was reissued by Epona last year. Compassion was the third in that series, and came out in 1993 on German label Hypertension.

It had more of a contemporary folk-rock air than its predecessors, and a definite alignment and kinship with Clive Gregson's work of the time - i,e, seriously quality songwriting with a keen message. Compassion's tracklist includes several really top-notch self-penned songs that still regularly appear in Keith's current live set: Panacea, I Believe In Magic, The Purple Pas-De-Deux and Funerals Today, Skips Tomorrow to name but four undisputed highlights. And there's even a singalong-stomper counterpart to This World's Ee When I Were A Lad in These Weary Days. There's not a remotely below-par number on the entire album, in fact, although stylistically it's a typically eclectic collection that achieves an even greater consistency through its willingness to embrace its musical influences without parading them on its sleeve.

Similarly, the instrumental arrangements are sympathetic and gently rich, attractive in tone but allowing the lyrics to take centre stage at all times; The Man Who Pulls The Trigger, which features Lee Collinson's magnificent slide guitar playing, is a case in point, while Keith's charismatic melodeon makes the most of its full-toned nature while always observing the niceties of dynamic shading. Terry Mann and Dave Swan together provide an object lesson in supportive rhythm-section behaviour.

This reissue faithfully reproduces all original artwork and contents including full lyrics - but sadly there aren't any bonus tracks (if nowt else, I might've expected to find the session outtake of Lad's Night, which had cropped up on the late-90s Born Blue compilation). But in any case, this reissue shouldn't be missed out on this time round. Especially as nowadays Keith's not averse to a limited amount of touring once again (even though he's based on the other side of the world, in Saigon, Vietnam, running a successful business). Yeah, you can ignore the literal mantra of Keith's rock'n'roll that says "Compassion's not in fashion any more", for his work has a timeless sensibility and an enduring quality that will always be in fashion.

David Kidman