Tiscali Showcase - Lucky Jim

During my stay in NYC I met a journalist from a car magazine [whom I'd thank if I could remember his name] and he told me I should check out Brighton&" Gordon Graham Within a few days of choosing Brighton as his first stop-off on his return to the UK, Gordon booked a slot at the legendary (now defunct) Lift Club. After one drummer dropped out, on a recommendation he approached Ben. Unphased by this, and despite the fact that he hadn't played drums for 2 years, Ben agreed to do the gig. On the night, the vibe was good enough that they decided straight away to record together.

Just prior to this Brighton boy Ben had considered giving up music entirely and returning to snowboarding, which had been his life before becoming a pro musician; instead, he took up the offer of a free place on a music production technique course. And it was in the tatty seaside town that the two met, and Lucky Jim came about. Within just a few months their debut album "Our Troubles End Tonight" was complete.

It had an effortless feel - all the past struggles and time spent learning their craft have paid off for Gordon and Ben. They made an album of glorious songs, beautifully arranged and produced and the response that followed was equally natural. Typically steeled, wizened men's men were demolished by its ability to touch them. Ladies fell for the brazen open heartedness and rich melodies.

'All The Kings Horses' possesses all those trademarks but this time it's in technicolour.

Recorded over 18 months with producers such as Steve Osborne(KT Tunstall, New Order, Doves) and Phil Bodger (Lily Allen, Jamelia and Will Young) then with radio mixes by Bacon and Quarmby (Richard Hawley & Ian Brown) this time it's a more seasoned, more experienced affair.

In these times of singer-songwriter abundance the very idea of adding to this ever growing EU overflow would be pointless. This album should certainly be enjoyed by fans of Ray Montagne, Damien Rice, Richard Hawley etc however on first listening it's clear that emotionally and lyrically All The Kings Horses navigates itself way beyond the waters of others. It's a different album more in tune and in time with Van Morrison's 'Veedon Fleece' or the style of Jimmy Webb but sonically and stylistically undoubtedly this is an album made now for now.

It's about the songs. The production is never there for its own sake - only to accompany, compliment and punctuate the intention behind the lyric. 'Lovebirds', for instance, is a modern day sonnet (ok, it's 14 lines instead of 12 but you get me) based around nothing else but the tale of a loves lost possibility. There's no tricks here, no hidden doors or two way mirrors. 'Loves Sweet Song' metronomic piano forges the sorrow of when it's time to just give up& These are real songs as opposed to riffs with a lyric.

Whilst the songs can and have been played and road tested by Gordon alone with his guitar, an acoustic fully live Lucky Jim are reinforced by bass and keys/second guitar and drums. . With the band's performance adding to the credence of the song writing it's a commanding presence which will be taken across Europe in the later part of 2006 and into 2007 . Descriptions of troubadour performers plying their craft across nations can invoke visions of lost song-smiths searching for a non-existent audience. However, the true and authentic meaning is that of artists so confident and sincere in their expression that the performance and delivery of their art is the only available course for them to take.

And believe me, Lucky Jim are the real thing.

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