Maurice Dickson A Year in the Life

Deeply personal folk music from a veteran singer-songwriter

There is something deeply satisfying about listening to a musician who is obviously the master of his craft. It is even more satisfying to listen to one, like Maurice Dickson, who is not only a consummate musician but whose music is firmly rooted in something deeply personal. Songs like Cold Blows The Wind aren't mere flags of convenience under which Dickson can ply his trade. The ruggedly beautiful folk is as much a part of him as an arm or a leg, and just as vital. At times, you get the impression that it's a bit of a wrench for him to expose them to the harsh light of the outside world.

A YEAR IN THE LIFE is the kind of folk music which is stripped of any unnecessary adornment, The Gypsy Queen for instance is so fragile and delicate that at times it seems likely to fade into nothingness, leaving only the soul of the song behind.

Melodically, it is a very gentle and pleasing experience, listening to Lady Of Love is like looking into the flames of a fire, soon there is nothing else but the myriad of images conjured up by the flames. As you would expect from a musician of 30 years experience and hard touring, Dickson is perfectly well aware of what suits his voice. He is an honest and trustworthy singer rather than a spectacular one. But when you possess the qualities he does there's no need to get excited, any listener worth his or her salt will be a willing companion on the journey through tracks like War Paint And Feathers. It maybe folk music but there is nothing staid or reticent about Texas Pride, timid or self conscious about the instrumentals Basra I or II or, indeed the aptly-named, Spirit Of the Music, a spirit that Dickson understands and captures perfectly on this album. Everything Maurice Dickson has done here is written with eloquence and performed with style, by a musician who more than lives up to his job description. MM