From Romford to Nashville

What I know about Spencer Cullum and tuppence wouldn't get yer hair cut. However, what I can tell you is that he was born and raised in Romford, Essex and now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. I can also tell you that his 2021 album - Spencer Cullum's Coin Collection - is something of a gem. When I first lowered the needle onto the opening groove I thought I'd got him pegged: singer songwriter (with some fantastic tunes and enchanting imagery) playing in a modern idiom trying to sound relevant whilst at the same time not afraid to tip his hat in the direction of Nick Drake. A bit like this... 

Spencer Cullum - Iminent Shadow (From BBC 6 Music session with Marc Riley)

 

However, just when I thought I'd rumbled him, about two thirds of the way in, Cullum parks up his, not unpleasant, folk noodlings and changes gear quite spectacularly. I was not ready for this: here's a live version of the track that when I first heard it was convinced I was listening to a factory mispressing.

Spencer Cullum - Dieterich Buxtehude (Live in London)

 

★ 

Any artist who tries to throw their listeners off the scent are, in my book, automatically elevated to the top of the class. Keep your audience on their toes would always have been my mantra if I'd ever been in a band.

As always I'd love to know what you think. Anyway, must dash - I've got an appointment with his next album (imaginatively titled) Spencer Cullum's Coin Collection 2.