DANIEL RACHEL
Something for everyone on A Taste of Money
By Graeme Thomson
Sincerity In Music – discuss. Sullied by legions of fake parishioners, the art of sincerity is an undervalued one, but Brummie strummer Daniel Rachel is here to right that wrong. With the ghost of George Harrison in his pipes and a Dylan-like propensity for songs with a 'message', he is never less than an engaging honest presence. Sounds a bit boring, eh? Not so. Rachel careers from pop to blues to folk to Ian Dury pastiches, and therein lies the snag. A Taste of Money lacks unity and, to an extent, quality control: the Glam-meets-Motown stomp of Pearl is brilliant; the saggingly obvious 'political' blues of The Bucket and Broom Song less so. Although this is an often impressively versatile showcase, Rachel's best work lies ahead of him in less frenetically choppy waters. Yours sincerely, etc.
A
Taste of Money is on Dust Records
