Steve Winwood - Nine Lives (Album)
With a decade spanning career of mixed fortunes as a rock organist, songwriter and collaborator with the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Christina Aguilera, Steve Winwood's ninth studio album is a testament to the staying power of the sixties and seventies British rock hegemony.
With a voice akin to Eric Clapton and lyrical style that evokes similar imagery to Van Marrison at his most 'spiritual', Winwood's songwriting plies the well charted territory of 'Mature Oriented Rock'. Winwood's talents obviously lie as an instrumentalist rather than a songwriter and this is reinforced time and again as unmemorable melodies are obscured by the more interesting rhythmic interplay of Winwood's band.
Throughout the album the influence of Latin music and African Highlife is prominent though all too often tempered with a seventies blues rock aesthetic that undermines the erstwhile vibrant rhythms. The recording has sheen to it that I personally find off-putting but is a hallmark of much contemporary rock in which all the sounds are carefully weighed and measured to produced an overly smoothe aural edifice. Winwood's organ playing is rock solid and surprisingly plays backup to his less-interesting guitar work.
Obviously trying to make the most of his band Winwood's arrangements, featuring a disturbing amount of jazz flute, have a tendency to carry on well past the point of reasonable attention. One Hungry Man and Secrets are both perfect examples of a simple song form being sacrificed to the god of the extended jam. While this strategy occasionally produces some memorable moments for the most part the band, while impeccable players, don't exhibit the sort of cohesion, drive or innovation required to sustain interest. Album opener I'm Not Dreaming is the standout track precisely because its restraint and simple arrangement allow for the sparse, though effective, groove space to breathe.
May be of interest to anyone who still remembers Traffic or cared to purchase the recent Blind Faith reunion album.
