Worth the (long) wait

How to Become Clairvoyant

Robbie Robertson's first solo album in a decade? Worth the wait!

Robertson's solo albums have always struck me as more 'atmospheric' and 'portentous' than the Band's masterpieces. I can't put my finger on it. Perhaps it's throaty whisper-singing, perhaps it's the lyrics. Perhaps it's the theatricality of them all. Check out the first song of his first solo album - Fallen Angel, to see what I mean: the delayed start worthy of Pink Floyd, the falsetto whispery lead-in and that glorious angelic chorus that makes you want to throw back your head and join in with your eyes closed.

Well, the good news is that How to Become Clairvoyant offers more of the same. Age has not withered Mr. Robertson's talents. He has said in interviews that this is probably the most personal album he's ever made. It also features some of the classiest rock guitar playing I've heard in a long time - subtle, nothing in your face, perfectly fitting each song. The throaty whisper is intact and the fingerwork is as reliable as ever. He has sterling help from fellow old fogies Eric Clapton - who co-wrote a couple of songs and offers up a wonderful lesson in class on an instrumental bluesy Madame X a little past the half way mark on the album - and Steve Winwood, and a line-up of current rockers like Trent Reznor, Tom Morello and others.

Robertson's lyrical strengths are also firmly intact - 'we had dreams when the night was young' and 'I was only trying to make the right mistake' are cases in point. The whole album has a solid, yet laid-back feel to it. No pulsing beats and show-off guitar solos. Just some classic bluesy rock like they don't make any more. And there's never a dull moment. Surprises pop up, like the twangy lead guitar in He Don't Live Here No More or the fiery fretwork in Axman.

He Don't Live Here No More? Glad he still does.