Anyone dismissing John Otway as simply a mentalist novelty act does so at their peril. I picked this album up in a bargain bin in 1979 on the strength of "Beware Of The Flowers" and, after initial disappointment that the rest of the album was nothing like that, grew to love every track.
Opener "Place Farm Way" is as good a traditional folk song as you'll hear anywhere, as is "To Anne", a paen to lost love. These two songs, albeit tinged with Otway's slightly bonkers delivery, have a real beauty that seems timeless in the great songwriter tradition.
"Beware Of The Flowers", however, ramps up the volume and was one of the major contributing factors to Otway & Barrett's "success" at the height of punk (see the Wikipedia entry for Otway's views on his success), Barrett's guitar more than a match for the "Guitar Hero" generation. Back to traditional, but more up tempo, story telling next with "Alamo" before "My Body Is Making Me", archetypal Otway body talk."Josephine" is in the same vein as "Place Farm Way" and "To Anne", a gorgeous pastoral tale of May Day celebrations, but Otway can't resist more nuttiness with "Schnott", "Riders In The Sky" (yes, that one!) and "Running From The Law". Runouts, "I Wouldn't Wish It On You" and "Can't Complain" lack the fascination of the earlier tracks but are still wonderful songs.
Otway is a grossly underrated songwriter, perhaps because of his delivery and approach, and this album, to my mind, showcases his talents in all areas. The CD reissue is now coupled with the pair's self-titled debut album which is not as good (although it does contain the hit single "Really Free" and "Racing Cars", the latter which came as a free 7" with my copy of the album).
I can't recommend "Deep & Meaningless" enough; I guarantee you'll be hooked.
www.johnotway.com
www.musiczoo.co.uk (Willy Barrett's site)
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