Brinsley Schwarz Shouting At The Moon 2025

Brinsley Schwarz (the man, not the eponymous band) has had a long and interesting career. He first formed Kippington Lodge with schoolmate Nick Lowe in 1967. The band renamed itself Brinsley Schwarz after their lead guitarist in 1969. Along with Schwarz and Lowe on bass, the band included Bob Andrews on keys and Billy Rankin on drums. In 1972 Ian Gomm was added on guitar. The band made six records between 1970 and 1974, all of which are well worth hearing. Nick Lowe wrote the majority of the songs, although Schwarz, Gomm and Andrews also contributed. 

After a brief stint touring with Ducks Deluxe, Schwarz formed The Rumour with Bob Andrews back on keys plus Martin Belmont (guitar), Andrew Bodnar (bass), and Stephen Goulding (drums). The Rumour released three records between 1977-1980, but are best known as the band behind Graham Parker. Parker and the Rumour made Parker's first five records between 1976-1980. Schwarz toured again with Ducks Deluxe, and also Carlene Carter and Garland Jeffreys. Then for twenty years in the 90s and 2000s, he was a professional luthier. 

The Rumour reformed behind Parker from 2011 to 2015, releasing two more records. After the Graham Parker and The Rumour reunion Schwarz returned to recording as a solo artist. This is his third solo record after Unexpected, a self released album in 2016, and Tangled in 2021. All three were produced by James Hallawell, who also played keyboards. Schwarz plays all guitars and basses, and there's drummers, occasional strings, and on this new one, tasty sax by Simon Taylor. All three are good records, but this new one is wonderful all the way through.

What does it sound like? Well, Nick Lowe, The Band, Mark Knoffler, the Rumour, Brinsley Schwartz (the band), maybe a touch of later Steely Dan. Schwartz has a smokey voice and plays great, understated guitar. Tasty lead breaks abound. He's not flashy, but always right and smooth in a George Harrison, Hugh McCraken, Robbie Robertson, Larry Carlton sort of way. James Hallawell plays hot keys, especially when he uses the Hammond B3. Simon Taylor's sax is always just right, and sounds like a whole horn section on a few. There's some swinging almost jazz, some driving rock with wah-wah guitar, some acoustic balladry, some bluesy moments, even a funky one. We get serious, romantic, and humorous lyrical content, a bitter lover's tale about an unappeasable woman, even a gorgeous Graham Parker cover. No weak songs at all.

The recording is very good, with an organic sound where every instrument can be heard contributing. Everything in place. I don't think I can communicate how good it is. If any of this sounds interesting to you, I implore you to give it a listen.