Andy Fairweather Low – Sweet Soulful Music

In a more fair world, Andy Fairweather Low wouldn’t just be known as a sideman for Eric Clapton, the Who and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters. Starting out as a ’60s British pop idol with Amen Corner, Low scored a few more UK hits as a solo artist in the ’70s (while remaining a cult artist in the States), and has taken up session work since then. Which meant a gap of a quarter-century since his last album, 1980’s Mega Shebang.

Low mostly picks up where he left off, with a low-key, easygoing style. His songs now have much more of a gospel flavor, as on the wistful prayer “Bible Black Starless Sky”, the bluesy “Life Is Good”, the salvation-seeking “Hymn 4 My Soul”, the fiery title track, and the compassionate “Ashes And Diamonds”.

Low also has a secular side. On the swinging rockabilly number “One More Rocket”, he talks about losing his money and his hair; “Zazzy#” is a jazzy sing-a-long; and the down-home soul tune “Don’t Stand” sees boogie as a means to salvation. The album’s title is well-chosen, as Low provides solace in his own laid-back way.