Those of you who ARE among our regular readers, will know of my devotion for the Glenn Donaldson led, The Reds, Pinks and Purples project. You may well also speculate about just how I am going to muster up a similar number of gushing platitudes for this EP, as I have for all their other (frequent releases).

So I am going to try and keep this review factual rather than ‘fluffy’. Initially this is a predominantly live recording for the Steve McCauley show from 10.03.22 on BBC Ulster and consists of the following tracks:

1. The Biggest Fan (from the 2021, Uncommon Weather album out of Tough Love Records).

2. Let’s Pretend We’re Not In Love (2020, digital single).

3. Everything Holy (specially recorded for the BBC Ulster session)

4. Sing Red Roses For Me (Also from Uncommon Weather and not included in the show)

I have only ever seen this act live once on a YouTube clip from a book (or record) store show they played (which for the life of me I cannot find now !) and was stunned by the clarity.

Best seen in tracks 2 and 3 (see above), this EP takes such a feeling of lucid and augments it even further, as Donaldson voice takes on a more specific emotionality, when set free from most of the usual monasterial studio production.

Similarly the impact of specific musical moments and instruments are accentuated, with the chunky, subtle faux punk-punk bass line and mouth organ of Let’s Pretend We’re Not In Love, being given a new life, among the deliberation that the best of live performances can offer.

The Reds, Pinks and Purples are always superb. Perhaps even more live ?

OUR FAVOURITES

SOCIAL MEDIA

TWITTER

FULL RELEASE