Testifying is a compilation of American Country Soul artists.  Pretty interesting, but not at all an essential album.  I am not really sure how some of these tracks fall into the ‘country’ category, as they are more soul – still, some nice tracks -favourites are – ‘Jaguar man’ and ‘Sapelo’. 

Texas – are a Scottish band, formed in the late 80s.  lead singer Charlene Spiteiri has quite a distinctive rock voice.  I only have 2 albums, which happen to be their biggest sellers.  Southside (1989) was their debut, and achieved immediate success, reaching number 3 in the album charts.  Lead single ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’ was quite a big hit too.  My favourites are ’Every Day Now’ and  ‘Thrill has Gone’.  I also have the huge hit of 1997 White On Blonde.  A superb album, chock full of great songs and a unique feel as each song seems to naturally follow on; Charlene’s voice is particularly sultry and silky.  Best songs are ‘Postcards’, ‘Say What You Want’, Breathless’ and ‘Polo Mint City’ – but there is not a poor track on it.   Despite really enjoying the record I never felt the need to buy any others from this band.  It really is strange what makes me neglect some great artists and bands and yet have a burning desire to own everything by others.  Sometimes it truly is an obsession and I have no explanation or apology to make about it.

Thinkman – another in the almost never-ending collection of unknown artists.  Rupert Hine (see H) was originally a singer songwriter of obscure sounding songs in the Seventies, also a leading member of Quantum Jump (see Q) and a go-to producer in the Eighties and Nineties.  One of his many side projects was a band (really just him on all instruments) called Thinkman. I have just 2 of the 3 albums he released under this moniker before going back to his own name.  The Formula (1986) was the first under this umbrella.  Not such a great album; very eighties sound, too cluttered and I almost cannot hear the words.  Still as part of the Rupert collection, it has it’s place.  Life is A Fulltime Occupation (1988) – this is better, the production clearer and the sogs a bit more varied.  Best are ‘Watchman, Walkman, Thinkman’, ‘Bad Angel’ and ‘Dance Yourself Insane’.

Richard and Linda Thompson – folk guitarist and singer Richard was joined by his wife for this rarity I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight.  But I am afraid, that with a couple of exceptions I am not so fond of folk.  Best songs are the title track and ‘Withered and Died.’  For specialists only.

Tracy Thorn – One of my favourite band’s – ‘Everything But The Girl’ (see E) had stopped making albums a few years ago after a very successful handful of dance inspired records.  I hadn’t realised that Tracy (one half of the duo) had continued making the occasional foray into the music business.  She has a lovely languid voice and I found this double album on line a couple of years ago  – Solo, Songs and Collaborations 1982 – 2015.  Well, quite a revelation – I knew she had written several of the songs for EBTG, mostly in collaboration with Ben Watt, but she is a really sensitive songwriter.  The first album is from a handful of solo albums she has made.  Best are ‘Oh, The Divorces’, ‘Hands up To The Ceiling’ and ‘Singles bar’.  The second disc is her later dance music collaborations, famously with Massive Attack.  Of course, I love ‘Protection’ and ‘Better Things’ but I didn’t know most of the others; ‘Damage’, ‘Grand Canyon’ and ‘Yu Are A Lover’ especially resonate – though this album tends to be like most dance music and just becomes a pleasant background, and you miss the words.

Paul Tiernan – Paul played one night at Rupert’s pub Le Gambetta, and he was selling copies of his album which I bought – Belle.   I was really impressed, both by his accomplished finger-picking guitar work and his songs – though I suspect most of the other clients were a bit bored, preferring the raucous rock’n’roll of the regular singers.  I do like the album, even if it is a but samey – best tracks are the title track and closer ‘How To Say Goodbye’, and really all of it.  The record could have been made any time after 1970 I suppose – but actually 2004.  You wont find it on Spotify, that’s for sure.