‘Ex Norwegian – Friends Sing Jimmy Campbell’ release pays tribute to the cult Liverpool singer-songwriter

(DailyMusicRole Editorial):- Miami Beach, Florida Apr 2, 2021 (Issuewire.com) – Jimmy Campbell should be a name recognized alongside the greatest poets and songwriters to ever emerge from England. He is best known for his work in cult-legendary sixties groups the Kirkby’s and the 23rd Turnoff before releasing three albums as a solo artist on the Fontana and Vertigo labels during 1969-1972. Around that same time, he formed Rockin’ Horse with fellow Liverpudlian Bill Kinsley (The Merseybeats) and released their sole LP ‘Yes It Is’ which is considered to be one of the first of the genre now recognized as Powerpop.

Gone now but never forgotten, Campbell’s magic continues to shine around the globe as more and more musicians pick up on his often-vulnerable confessions. His songs spun out of the same mystical essence that created John Lennon and Paul McCartney and his songwriting are on par with the Liverpool legends. His cannon has been praised by such diverse musicians and bands as Joey Ramone to The Black Keys and more recently, Angel Olsen cited Campbell’s song “Half Baked” as the song ‘she wishes she wrote’ to Pitchfork.

Campbell’s work is just as diverse, producing everything from gorgeous gleaming Beatlesque power-pop rockers to introspective tender acoustic jewels that will make the hair on your arms tingle. This new collection, kick-started by indie rock group Ex Norwegian and its mainstay Roger Houdaille with help from co-collaborator Fernando Perdomo, highlights fourteen songs written by Campbell throughout his career. The picks shift from the psychedelia of “Flowers of Flowering” and powerpop of “Don’t You Ever Think I Cry” to the folky Dylan-meets-Lennon of “Baby, Walk Out With Your Darling Man.” These powerful renditions will only inspire others to investigate the original recordings and be taken on a magical journey that starts in Kirkby and ends in Mersey.

A trailer for the album is posted on YouTube and the album is available to order worldwide and streaming across all platforms.

Track and guest details of ‘Ex Norwegian and Friends Sing Jimmy Campbell’ as follows:

EX NORWEGIAN AND FRIENDS “SING JIMMY CAMPBELL”

“Yes, It Is” feat. Joe Kane — Title track from the Rockin’ Horse LP gets a gritty Beatlesque take featuring Glasgow’s Joe Kane, who’s known for performing as “Paul” in various Beatles tribute groups. Incidentally, his latest project, The Poppermost, is a fresh take on the unmistakable Merseybeat sound.

“Forever Grateful” feat. Coke Belda — An intimate song from Campbell’s catalog is given a full Jeff Lynne style production with featured powerpop artist Coke Belda, from Philadelphia, contributing vocals and most guitars.

“Stayed Out Late Last Night” feat. The Elms Estate — Up-and-coming East Midlands group the Elms Estate are featured on this bouncy rocker taken off the Rockin’ Horse LP, one of their favorite records.

“Don’t You Ever Think I Cry” feat. Jim Camacho — South Florida singer-songwriter Jim Camacho contributes a strong, heartfelt vocal (and bass) for this gem from the Rockin’ Horse LP which could easily be mistaken for a Beatles or Big Star track. 

“Half Baked” feat. Rhys Marsh — Norwegian multi-instrumentalist Rhys Marsh is featured on what is the title track to Campbell’s second solo LP released on Vertigo in 1970. The original string arrangement was faithfully reproduced by Minneapolis’ Greg Byers. 

“Missing Kissing You” feat. John Ford — Classic rock veteran John Ford of Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, The Strawbs, and The Monks’ fame contributes vocally to a Campbell song that wasn’t released until a posthumous recording of a 1977 gig came to light.

“You’ll Break My Heart In Two” feat. Edward Rogers — The original melancholic solo acoustic guitar arrangement gets a full swinging 60s meets Beatles ‘Revolver’-esque makeover that compliments anglophile Edward Rogers vocals, bringing out the full potential of this song off Campbell’s debut solo record, ‘Son of Anastasia’.

“You’re Spending All My Money” feat. Mark Johnston — Another song that appeared on the Rockin’ Horse LP in 1971, this one features Mark Johnston who is better known behind the scenes as the man instrumental in helping unearth and reissue the Jimmy Campbell catalog and archive over a decade ago.

“That’s Right, That’s Me” feat. DC Cardwell — Irish-born, Australia-based singer-songwriter DC Cardwell contributes on his trademark style on this ‘Exile On Main Street’ vibe stomper which was originally found on the ‘Half Baked’ LP.

“Baby, Walk Out With Your Darling Man” feat. John Howard — UK singer-songwriter John Howard is another legendary artist who contributes a fine performance of what is Jimmy’s personal favorite song of his – a song recorded both for Rockin’ Horse and his third (and final) solo LP. 

“Flowers Are Flowering” feat. Cherry Parke — New Jersey’s neo-baroque artist Cherry Parke takes off on this version of the 23rd Turnoff’s psychedelic creation “Flowers Are Flowering”, a song that didn’t see release until 2004 compilation of the group came out produced by fellow featured artist Mark Johnston. 

“Paris, You’re In Paris” feat. Rome56 — Best known for his work with the legendary CBGB’s NY band the Shirts, Arthur LaMonica and wife Kathy make up the group Rome56, who contribute lovely vocals and accordion to this song off of ‘Jimmy Campbell’s Album’ from 1972.

“When I Cross Your Path” feat. Esteban Cisneros — Member of Mexican rock group ¡Los Padrinos! and blogger (La Trampa del Bulevar), Esteban Cisneros is featured on what is another posthumously released track of Campbell’s. 

“Loving You Is All I Do” feat. Kevin Robertson — Aberdeen’s Kevin Robertson of the Vapour Trails closes the album on this full rhythm version of the beautiful “Loving You Is All I Do” with Greg Byers reprising the original string arrangement creating marvelous results.

The album is produced by Roger Houdaille and mixed by Roger Houdaille and Zach Ziskin. It was recorded completely at home studios, safely, during the lockdown of summer 2020. It releases worldwide on Beyond Before, an imprint of Think Like A Key Music on CD, LP, and digital format on April 2nd, 2021.

Band website: www.exnorwegian.com

Record label website: www.thinklikeakey.com

This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.