Gary Hughes - 'Waterside'

Should this song ever appear in the ‘Win When They’re Singing’ round on Richard Osman’s House of Games, the answer is 48 seconds. It’s a sublime intro, followed by a heart-swelling tale with performances straight out of E Street, including a majestic piano refrain and a soaring guitar solo.

Although best known for his band Ten and as a writer for legends like Bob Catley, Gary has a fine body of work as a solo artist. In fact, he is simultaneously releasing a double ‘Best of’ album called “Decades” reflecting on a prolific 30 years of work. On the new record, “Save My Soul” is the only overtly AOR / melodic rock tune although there is a luscious power-ballad “All at Once It Feels Like I Believe” which opens the album with its beautiful piano and vocal harmonies.

Whilst he might not be an obvious sex-symbol, Gary is not afraid to get his lyrical freak on at times. “Lay Down” is one such sultry (smutty?) number, featuring nearly eight minutes of the kind of dirty blues that Sir David Coverdale would once have used to humidify lady-parts. The title track is a country-rock variation on that theme with the singer apparently reflecting on the ghosts of past shags in a song which is nicely embellished by superb bass and guitar interplay from brothers David and Dann Rosingana.

There should be something for everyone in this varied selection, whether it’s the breezy “Electra-Glide”, the tender “Screaming in the Half-light”, the modern “Video Show” or the torch song “When Love is Done”. Well done to Gary for 30 years of continuing excellence as demonstrated by the 39 songs on offer from him this month

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