Songwriters love cool little quirky concepts, and this is a perfect example. Ed Muirhead’s FIFTEENTH album, Lucky for so Long.
It is the product of a writer putting his mind to an idea and executing it excellently. The songs on the album were written while walking his dog, and they are in alphabetical order from A to M, which begs the question: Will we see a later album completing the sequence?
Ed records all his music at home, adding to the impressive feat he’s pulled off as the production is clear and crisp, and the mix allows every instrument to breathe and hold its space as part of the wider piece. The album features a “full band” sound, with drums, guitar, bass, and, of course, vocals and piano, as is synonymous with Ed’s sound, and includes various genres, ranging from blues and rock to more chilled-out, rootsy numbers.
A particular highlight for me is the song Call It What You Want, with a brooding bassline and shuffling beat, sitting underneath Ed’s signature piano. As I write this, I’m inclined to quote a line from the chorus, “there is something very good about it,” as a self-fulfilling prophetic line describing the song itself.
Another notable track is Give Up on the Game, a bluesy-rock song driven by that much-coveted, classic Fender Rhodes tone, warm, soulful, and steeped in a New Orleans, almost gospel feel.
I don’t want to put words in Ed’s mouth, but I think he might agree with me when I say that writing in this way helps to keep writer’s block at bay by practicing the craft with barriers and self-enforced limitations. What is really special about this is that he has written a full album (perhaps 2…?) by creating these restrictions and adhering to them.
I think the ideal environment for me to listen to this album would be on a long drive, as is the custom for blues-rock albums. See me on Route 66 with the top down and shades on, speeding down an open road with my troubles far behind me.
