The new MSC album

[Ian B Grunt]

Hi Iain

Before my question a brief note and thank you. I think I must have been to all the shows you have done in recent years at the wonderful Inn at Lathones, and before that at the Bein Inn.  These are brilliant shows in an intimate setting, allowing the audience to gain an excellent close up view of the performance. I realise that the venue does not compare with the Barbican or Cropredy, but for this fan concerts here are unbeatable. Unfortunately I won't be able to make the next show in November, but I would urge anyone who can, to go and see Iain in St Andrews!

Now the question; last time at St Andrews you gave us a sneak preview of the new Matthews Southern Comfort cd, which had a lovely warm sound, and was one of those cds which appear to make an immediate impact on the listener. Can you tell us a little about how you came to make this cd, and who is in the new MSC? A supplementary question - are you thinking of touring with MSC?

Thanks
Ian

[thatswine]

For some reason i've been feeling lately that I need to be tying up loose ends and getting things right that I undeniably got totally wrong the first time around.
Matthews Southern Comfort being one of these.
I left the band way back when, convinced that somehow, somewhere, my concept had gone astray.
Five years ago I decided to right that and began working on putting a new version of the band together. A month into it, once again, it all felt like a load of shite and my contribution in particular was totally useless. What I was actually experiencing was musical burnout.
Fast forward four years.
Rummaging through my archives for something completely unrelated, I found the basic recordings (15 songs) and played the disc. I was amazed at how beautiful the recordings were and how well everyone involved had played. I immeadiately contacted the band and pledged to finish the record.
It took Leon Bartels and myself, along with some terrific piano overdubs from Mike Roelofs, the best part of last year to complete the album. "Kind of New" is now finished and due out on the Cohort label at the end of June.
The album is verything I'd initially hoped it would be. A perfect blend of genres and virtuoso performaces.
The rest of the band are. Mike Roelofs- Acoustic and electric Piano. and BJ Baartmans- Bass, Slide guitar and mandolin. Richard Kennedy- Guitar. Terri Binion- Vocals and guitar. I.M. vocals and guitar.
Should the need to play live arise, our bags are packed.