Right at the start of 10 For The People on the opener Better Day, Jamie Webster reminisces about his start gigging on Liverpool’s bar circuit, having guitar, will travel. That time isn’t too far in the rear view mirror, but in his home city a career now three albums in hasn’t lacked box office, with sold out arenas speaking to a love that’s clearly mutual.
If the singer’s 2020 debut We Get By felt almost carefree and lightweight, it’s follow up Moments took aim at dead handed institutions such as the UK’s justice system whilst still finding time to salute the losses of weekends everywhere. Still setting lofty goals, Webster has introduced this latest outing as nothing less than “For the people…brimming with stories, lessons and calls to action.”
If Moments largely delivered a shift away from it’s folkier predecessor musically, 10 For The People amps up the festival rock brio whilst delivering a serious conceptual payload on Voice of The Voiceless and Something to Eat. There are still working class heroes to be celebrated on the Billy Bragg aided Fickle Fran, but its most poignant moment – the refugee solidarity anthem How Do You Sleep at Night? – is without coincidence its best. If you’re Jamie Webster the past is a just a reminder that for the good of many other people there’s still no time to lose.
You can read a full review here.
The Voice Of Unreason 